Chapter 53- The Wendigo

Cracking my neck and knuckles, I prepared to thrash this arrogant beast-kin who only became known by thwarting me.

He was foolish by confronting me as he was just a Naturalist as compared to my powerful Shadowmancy.

Many before him didn't know of the overwhelming power of shadow spells and tried to resist with their weak Elemental spells, only for them to die as my shadow spell has more priority over theirs.

Although this was my first time against the Naturalist matchup, this fight would be no different.

Neither of us made any attempt to move closer, which worked for me because I loved fighting long range.

Both of us remain unmoving as the wind blew, rustling the trees as I waited for him to make his first and last move.

Growing impatient, I stretch forth my hand, sending out five shadow tendrils that zoom on the ground like claw towards him.

Not moving from his spot, he in turn, sends out root tendrils that weave in and out of the ground towards my spell.

I smile as I know that his spell will get overpowered by mine and hell have to move which will give me a basic pattern to counter his future moves.

Instead, both spells cancel out and we remain where we stand.

Knowing that its petty but I needed to get a small victory out of this fight and send a shadow lance at his feet to make him move.

It seemed like he was anticipating such a move, and a giant tree suddenly emerges from the ground beneath him, dodging the shadow lance.

Not fazed by the giant tree, I attempt to shadow lance him on the branch he's on, but nothing happens.

While I'm confused, the leaves surrounding him launch themselves at me.

Refusing to move my own spot, shadow tendrils swirl around me, slicing any leaf that get near.

My attention focuses on the Wendigo as I hear him laughing. Over the distance I can him clearly say,

"Its sad that you don't realize it yet, but you've lost this."

Laughing at the sneer stupidity at his comment, I respond, "Are you so disillusioned that you don't understand that I have the advantage from being a Shadowmancer? My magic is absolute, it has but one counter and it isn't your trees."

"That's what's so funny. You think your magic is unstoppable just because you killed some third rate Elementalist. Since I don't plan on letting you live, let me teach you something."

The ground begins to shake violently as the tree begins to thrash back and forth.

Soon a face forms on the trunk and branches intwine with each other to form four arms as I look unimpressed.

Reaching out both hands, the nearby shadows jump into my hand, rotating slowly to form a ball.

When no more shadows gather into the ball, I release it at the tree abomination.

I smile confidently as the ball slowly approaches the tree abomination, but when the tree reaches out and grabs the shadow void ball with one of its arms and crushes it, my smile fades.

"When I picked Naturalist as my class, I had questions that no one on this continent had answers to. I had to travel to Iankia and when I did, I learned a truth which Ill share with you. You think Shadow magic untouchable by anything other than light magic, but what I told you otherwise?"

"You dare lecture me on my own class? I was messing around but I should end you where you stand for such insolence."

Ignoring me he continues, " As you clearly know, shadow magic and dark magic are thought to be different, but are they? I'm sure you have some dark related spells in your arsenal, which could be the same said for Naturalist with light. In my travels I found that classes that you cant normally acquire are all powerful in their own right and fall into either Chaos or Order.

I also found that Naturalist is of course, the manipulation of nature as their spells. Nature is known to have been the life giver, keeper of peace and provider of all races. Therefore, aligned with Order."

"Why are you telling me all this nonsense. Is this the ramblings of a man near death?"

"I'm sure you noticed that your spells don't overpower my own as they would any other classes, right? What I'm trying to tell you is that Naturalist is another fall under the Order category and therefore is a counter to shadow magic."

Furious at his revelation, I shout, "Impossible!"

Using all shadows in the area, I pull them together and form the first thing that comes to mind.

Soon a giant eyeball creature with tentacles writhing about faces a giant tree with four arms.

The Wendigo smiles, "Ah Skiaxodius would be proud of you. Using his form without a concern like that."

Tired of his taunts, I charge my monstrosity forward in a final clash with the headache.

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Sorry for the short chapter. I had a really long day at work today and I thought I wrote more than this but saw I didn't. I'll make it up to you by posting more chapters this week.