Chapter 290: Not Just a Sword Saint...

As he watched Claire Latreia, his grandmother, draw her magic staff, Wood realized this was a test from her. On one hand, she wanted to understand her grandson better. On the other hand, she likely wanted to see if Zenith had raised Wood as impressively as she had hoped.

"Therese, lend him your sword. Even the most talented swordsman can't win against a mage without a weapon, right?"

Wood had already sensed Claire's magical abilities and knew roughly how powerful she was. Out of respect for her as an elder, he initially wanted to decline. However, seeing the serious expression on his grandmother's face and the fact that she even asked Therese to lend him a sword, Wood could only sigh in resignation.

"Wood, be careful. Don't let her age fool you. Mother was once a member of the Temple Knights. She may not be in her prime anymore, but as a devout follower of Milis, she's a Water Saint-level mage and also has decent sword skills."

Hearing Therese's words, Wood glanced at Claire with a hint of surprise. He wasn't shocked that she was a Water Saint-level mage; after all, Zenith's magical talent didn't come from nowhere.

What surprised him was that in her youth, Claire Latreia wasn't just a Water Saint-level mage—she also possessed swordsmanship skills comparable to an advanced swordsman.

This was the first time Wood had encountered someone who excelled in both swordsmanship and magic.

Eris and Ghislaine had impressive swordsmanship, but their magic was terrible—they could barely manage the most basic spells. Rudeus, on the other hand, was incredibly talented in magic, but despite training with Paul and receiving guidance from masters like Ghislaine and Ruijerd, he had only reached the level of a mid-level swordsman.

"Don't hold back because you're worried about hurting me. Use your full strength," Claire said, her tone firm.

Claire's magic staff was unique—it was longer than a typical staff, and the material didn't look like ordinary wood. When she held it, it looked both like a staff and a slender sword.

Claire had made sure to gather information about Wood beforehand. She was quite pleased to learn that her grandson possessed Sword Saint-level strength.

But she didn't know the full extent of his abilities, which was why she intended to test him herself.

As for whether or not Wood's full strength would harm her, Claire wasn't concerned. Even if Wood truly had the skills of a Sword Saint, she was no pushover.

With Water Saint-level magic and advanced swordsmanship, Claire had no fear of facing a Sword Saint in battle.

"In that case, please excuse me, Lady Claire. Do be careful," Wood replied.

Instead of accepting the knight's sword that Therese handed him, a blue magic circle appeared in his right hand, and in the next moment, a blade made of swirling water formed in his grip.

"Wood, you can use magic too?" Therese exclaimed.

"He didn't even chant! The spell was cast without an incantation!" Claire added, equally astonished.

Both women were shocked, but for different reasons.

Therese, as the captain of the Temple Knights, was amazed that Wood, who already possessed Sword Saint-level skills, had also mastered magic.

At just eleven or twelve years old, being a Sword Saint was already an extraordinary feat. But Wood had somehow found the time to train in magic as well.

Claire, on the other hand, was less surprised that Wood could use both swordsmanship and magic—after all, she had done the same in her youth. What truly shocked her was that Wood could cast magic without chanting, a skill long thought to be exclusive to the gods. Yet, here was her grandson, doing just that.

Though Claire had told Wood to give it his all, would he really go all out? Of course not...

A Sword Saint? That was only his level when using the sword styles of this world. If Wood employed his own "Hyakki Yagyō Sword Style," he could easily rival a Sword King.

As for his magic, before facing the Hydra, Wood had already reached King-level magic. But after absorbing a large portion of the magic crystal from the moving labyrinth, both his magic capacity and quality had surged.

Now, his water and fire magic had reached Emperor-level, and his other elemental magics had achieved King-level status as well.

And whether it was swordsmanship or magic, if Wood tapped into the power of "Heart of God," his strength would increase even further.

Claire Latreia was indeed powerful and one of the strongest in the Holy Kingdom of Milis. But to Wood, if he were to truly unleash his full power, Claire wouldn't last more than three moves against him!

Seeing that Claire had begun chanting her spell, Wood didn't stand idle. In an instant, he charged toward her.

With a powerful kick off the ground, the stone tiles beneath Wood's feet cracked like a spider's web. Using the force of the recoil, Wood closed the distance between himself and Claire in a single breath.

"Such speed!" Claire muttered in surprise as she saw Wood rapidly approaching.

If he had been facing an ordinary mage, getting this close before they could finish their spell would have secured an easy victory.

But Claire was no ordinary mage. With her advanced-level swordsmanship, she wasn't overwhelmed by Wood's speed.

With a quick push off her heels, Claire performed a backward leap, narrowly dodging Wood's water blade. His strike was so close that it sliced off a few strands of her pale golden hair as it passed.

"Advanced Water Magic: Razorfin Shark!"

As Claire dodged, she completed her spell. A large, blue magic circle formed in front of her, and from it emerged a massive shark made entirely of water. With razor-sharp teeth bared, it lunged at Wood.

Wood had already closed the gap between them, so Claire's spell was cast at point-blank range. Even a Sword Saint would have found it impossible to dodge at such close range.