Resemblance

"How can I even call myself a mage at this point? If anything, I'm more like a brawler," Ryan mused aloud while fending off Elora's relentless barrage of attacks. Apart from projecting Mana Beams, he was unable to wield any other conventional forms of magic. This was with him excluding the extraordinary instance where his survival instinct helped unlock the latent ability to use Spatial Warping.

Elora, moving past her previous frustration, responded with a gentle yet firm assertion. "Any human capable of wielding mana in one way or another is a mage, Ryan. Whether it be the art of healing, elemental magic, or combat magic you've honed, it all falls under the realm of magic."

Her words served as a reassuring reminder, but she chose that moment to introduce a touch of her Elven Magic into her combat as if Ryan wasn't struggling enough already. In an instant, the earth responded to her command. Verdant vines erupted from the ground, swiftly coiling around Ryan's ankles and then snaking up his legs. What followed was an abrupt appearance of a colossal tree trunk just behind him. The entwined vines bound him tightly to the ground.

Then, suddenly, a powerful strike from a wooden behemoth fired out of the tree and smacked into his back, sending a jolt of pain rippling through his body. With him immobilised and vulnerable, Elora further unleashed a flurry of attacks, employing diverse forms of magic with flawless fluidity.

Blow after blow rained down upon Ryan's body, the combination of different magical disciplines leaving him dazed and struggling to remain standing. It was evident that their friendly skirmish was approaching its conclusion, yet Ryan harboured one final gambit, though he wasn't entirely certain he could execute it.

Nevertheless, he opted to give it a try...

Elora held an iron grip on their friendly battle, an undeniable display of her prowess. Remarkably, she achieved this without deploying her potent staff or her bow, relying solely on her innate magical abilities and combat prowess. For Ryan, it was a humbling experience, one that underscored the vast potential for growth that lay before him. Every parry, every deft dodge, and each use of Elven Magic served as a reminder of the heights he could reach.

Nevertheless, despite the clear gap in skill, Ryan's determination remained undiminished. He harboured a fervent desire to turn the tide in his favour, or at the very least, to showcase his newfound abilities to their fullest extent.

With this intent etched into his mind, Ryan patiently bided his time, waiting for the precise moment when he could catch Elora completely off guard and unleash his Spatial Warping technique.

The uncertainties that accompanied the manoeuvre weighed on him. However, as he became more focused and recalled his previous experience, he felt an inexplicable connection with the very fabric of space itself. It was as if he could sense the latent potential residing within this connection, waiting for him to draw upon it.

Then, finally, that opportune moment arrived.

Ryan managed to create just enough distance between himself and Elora to act upon his intuition. A surge of anticipation coursed through him as he summoned the power of Spatial Magic, reaching out to the delicate threads of space itself, ready to weave them in his favour.

Confusion furrowed Elora's brow as she observed Ryan's peculiar actions. A young mage who excelled in close combat with eyes that still gleamed with determination was backing away from her. There was no sign of surrender within him. So, what was his strategy? What did he have up his sleeve?

She remembered the deadly accuracy with which he had unleashed mighty beams of mana from his hands. Also, since he possessed the remarkable ability to channel immense quantities of mana even the simplest spells became a formidable weapon in his hands.

Raising his arms and positioning his palms toward Elora, Ryan's face twisted with effort as he pretended to gather energy for a devastating Mana Beam attack. Sensing the surge of mana coursing through his body, Elora responded swiftly, slamming her hands onto the ground.

Instantly, an array of colossal trees sprouted before her. These arboreal guardians were not just thick but also reinforced with the pulsating essence of nature mana. They formed an impenetrable shield, capable of blocking nearly any attack Ryan could muster.

Yet, moments ticked by without any sign of a Mana Beam being unleashed. Elora grew increasingly perplexed. Then, just as her bewilderment peaked, she felt a tap on her back.

Ryan's voice chimed in, "I guess this is my win," with a mischievous grin.

Despite his triumphant smile, his visage bore the brunt of their clash. His face was battered and bruised, much like his body. It was evident that he had pushed himself to his limits. And as fatigue crept over him, his eyelids drooped.

"Losing consciousness has really become a habit for..." he murmured before faltering and collapsing onto the ground.

Elora, engulfed by a mixture of astonishment and admiration, caught the young mage. Anxiety gripped her as she rushed to check the state of his body, but her worries melted away when she saw the serene expression on his face as he slumbered. His peaceful countenance brought her relief, a faint smile playing upon her lips as she gazed down at him.

While doing so, she couldn't help but notice the uncanny resemblance between Ryan and the Warlock. Both possessed the artistry of Spatial Magic and Combat Magic, not to mention their piercing emerald eyes. The similarities were striking.

Yet, despite these surface resemblances, they were different in almost every other way. Ryan's unique affinity for all forms of magic explained his versatility and adaptability. It was also only natural for the first mage he encountered to have a significant influence on his magical style.

All Elora could do was hope that Ryan didn't emulate the Warlock any more than that as she waited for the youth to regain consciousness...