Sage of The Storm

Auden knew full well of his master's capabilities as his student, and ten to one, he'd be no match for his mentor.

But if Master Dunehal really was the person who let lose the Spiked-Back Boars and summoned the Gryphon, that would mean a different thing. He had his doubts but the hidden cave, the summoning circle and obvious signs of black magic were all pointing to his master.

Many times, Auden had been warned by Dunehal himself about the dangers of black magic, yet here he was, practicing black magic himself.

Black magic was deemed one of the most dangerous forms of magic in Ergald, so much so that it was prohibited to use, or even trying to know more about it. Strangely, it was also the only one banned out of all the different forms of magic where some that were allowed had even more gruesome effects than black magic.

The usual magics that were authorized were comprised of 5 sections.

Elemental Magic, which allows beings to control Fire, Water, Wind, and Earth was the most commonly used type in the Kingdom due to it being easy to understand.

It used the flow of magical essence in one's body and the surroundings to produce the elements. Magical essence could also be called magical energy or as the Dwellers of the East called it, "Mana". A set essence flow, also widely known as "Natural Affinities" would reroute the flow of magical essence without the caster having to concentrate on adjusting and directing the flow, which allowed people with natural affinities for easy casting. Anyone born with a natural affinity for an element could use Elemental Magic almost anytime and any way they wanted, and most people had at least one or two elemental affinities. Dunehal had all four affinities which was considered an incredible achievement, while on the other hand, Auden had none.

The second most common, Augmentative Magic enhanced and strengthened various physical abilities of a being by a huge margin, be it strength, speed, stamina, durability, and many others. Augmentative spells take a lot of concentration and magical essence to cast, and most effects last only for a few minutes. But in a life or death situation, a few minutes could make all the difference. Augmentative Magic is mainly used in close combat by knights, mercenaries, and other types of physical classes. However, it is frowned upon by mage classes.

Thirdly, Miscellaneous Magic are a strange collection of random magic that doesn't fall into any other categories, comprised of both useful and useless spells. Miscellaneous magic doesn't have an element, nor does it enhance or change anything. An example would be Dunehal's mind control magic, and new magic are all deemed miscellaneous until they are further classified.

Fourth was Alter-Elemental Magic, and true to its name, it's similar to Elemental Magic. However, this Alter-Elemental Magic breaks away from magic bound to nature and permits the caster to control Light, Darkness and Matter. Affinities for Alter-Elemental are even rarer to get, and though it can be learned without an affinity, it is a lot more complicated.

Next is Holy Magic, which is usually mistaken with light magic. Holy magic, in fact, isn't even related or close to light magic at all. Holy Magic calls on the power of beliefs, making people able to produce an earth-rending blast of power or a healing spell that calms the soul, or as Auden earlier saw Elyse enhance herself with Holy Magic. The higher one's belief in something is, the more powerful their Holy Magic are.

And lastly is Black Magic or Dark Magic, which is banned as you already know. Dark Magic is the exact opposite of Holy Magic, and uses strong emotions to visualize its power. Due to most of it being destructive spells and its ominous name, it is thought by most people that it's one of the most dangerous forms of magic, including Auden. However, in truth, it is actually just like all the other kind of magic, but more diverse in methods. Dark magic tend to lean towards alchemy, and aspects of unraveling the unknown logic behind magic.

Of course, Auden knew nothing about this, and thinking it was a something dangerous, he knew better than to go up against an Elemental expert wielding both Elemental and Dark Magic.

He took up a stance and raised his sword, and as soon as he saw his master's concentration tighten and the whirling storm of fire grow dense, he bolted in the direction of the entrance, catching Dunehal by surprise. He had taken down the Gryphon by luck, and he wasn't sure if he would be lucky the second time.

Of course, it wasn't going to be that easy. A sharp cluster of rocky spikes emerged, blocking the hole and nearly impaling him.

"Come now, lad. Surely you didn't think I'd let you escape after seeing all this?" Dunehal asked with a sneer on his face. "It's been long since I've tested your real powers."

"It would hardly be a test," Auden replied, keeping a wide distance between him and the swirling barrier around Dunehal. "More of a one-sided execution."

He was lucky the room was big enough to stay out of range. He didn't want to get too close to the walls either since Dunehal seemed to like forming spikes from stone.

His quick-witted mind was already hatching a plan. Escape was cut off, and his opponent was an expert who had mastered magic to the highest form and now also could have Black Magic at his disposal.

However, powerful magic would mean nothing if it couldn't hit him. Auden knew that maintaining an enormous spell for long would consume large amounts of magic essence and steady concentration. What's more, Master Dunehal was using three types of Elemental Magic at once which would drain more of his energy quickly.

Staying away until Dunehal exhausted himself would be the safest bet.

However, Dunehal had already caught on to his plan. "Hoh! Did you really think you could just play the waiting game, lad?" He raised his staff and the jewel emitted a glow that was brighter than the wreath of flames surrounding it. "I have many means of maintaining my magical essence. If you won't do the first move, then I shall take the opportunity. Did you know what they used to call me back in the days?" His eyes had an excited gleam in them.

The swirling flames seemed to spin faster around him, merging with the shards of stones and turning into sharp burning spikes, like mini-comets that kept revolving around him. The speed kicked up a strong wind in the surroundings as he paused for a moment, then continued as he saw Auden had no intention of answering.

"They call me. . ." As Dunehal raised his voice, Auden now saw that he was drawing power from the green flickering torches on the walls. Was this the infamous Black Magic he had heard about?

"They call me The Sage of The Storm."

Abruptly, the burning stone spikes turned in their tracks and pelted toward Auden at an unbelievable speed. At the same time, the spinning inferno extended outwards, increasing in range and moving towards Auden.

To anyone watching the fight, it would have looked as if the was already over. No one could possibly survive sharp comets and a flaming hurricane at the same time.

However, this was the exact moment Auden was waiting for. By spreading out his condensed whirlwind, the magic concentration lessened, and furthermore even consumed more magic essence, revealing small flaws and gaps through the fire. Plus, the flaming shards only meant that there would be no more rocks in the spinning wind barrier.

"Hah, Storm Sage or not, you're still an old man at the end of the day!"

Auden dived through the weakened flames, partially getting his clothes singed and closed the gap in an instant.

Dunehal, realizing his intentions, tried to regather his magical flames and stone shards, hoping to catch Auden from behind but he was faster than Dunehal's magic.

With a sharp rasp, Auden brought up his sword, ready to go in for the kill. Then what? Killing his master wouldn't mean anything so instead, he went for the staff in his hand.

On the contrary, his hesitation cost him dearly. Dunehal dispersed his magic and his sword sprang up, just in time to parry away the thrust with a harsh clang.

"Have you forgotten, lad?" Dunehal chortled, pushing back Auden from the impact and lifting his own sword toward him. The runes on the handle seemed to glow a shade of yellow. "I'm the one who taught you how to use a sword."

"You underestimate my power." Auden retorted, clicking his tongue in frustration before charging again.

The clangs of metal blades reverberated through the cave as both cloaked combatants traded blows for a while but not leaving any scratches on each other.

Auden was well trained, but Dunehal's skill with magic was on a whole new level. He parried and blocked every swing and thrust with ease while grinning all the while. Was he using augmentative magic or are old people normally this fast?

However, Auden still had something up his sleeve, fast or not. He might not have magic or hanging stalactites to aid him now, but he had learned several sword techniques, some of which Dunehal didn't know about since Auden had trained sword techniques by himself secretly.

Sword Techniques, also known as Sword Arts are skills that allow the user to execute a set of movements with a weapon, preferably a sword. Sword arts could even perform attacks seemingly infused with magic like channeling an element into the sword with a sword art, or heightening the physical capabilities of the user. More importantly, sword arts don't need magic essence to be used which means even anyone with proper practice could use them.

Which was all the better for Auden.

"Steel Torrent!"

This was a sword art where the user takes in oxygen and tightens his arm muscles, allowing him to rain down a volley of stabs on the opponent at staggering speeds. It was usually used with a rapier and it would be extremely hard to block every incoming stab, if not impossible.

With a flash, Auden closed the gap between them and sent out a shower of blades, his sword tip gleaming with a bright blue light. He was aiming to at least disarm Dunehal since Dunehal would probably be able to parry some of the strikes.

"Ah laddie, have no one ever taught you not to call out your skill name?" Dunehal crowed annoyingly. "You just gave me a heads-up."

With unbelievable grace, Dunehal spun his sword through his fingers like a windmill, blocking every single one of Auden's thrusts.

"Stop lecturing me in a fight damnit!" Auden snarled increasingly getting irritated. All this time when they traded blows, Dunehal hadn't fought back at all and instead kept parrying and blocking his attacks. Did Dunehal look down on him that much?

"Hoh, even in a fight, a teacher must do his duty!" Dunehal guffawed, and the cave echoed with his laughter.

"However- !" Dunehal raised his hand to stop Auden who was already getting ready to charge again and he planted his sword into the ground. The glowing inscriptions on the handle slowly faded until it just looked like a regular iron sword.

"However, this is the first time you have made me exert my energy this much. And I now believe you're strong enough to know a part of the truth." Dunehal said resting his hands on his sword, and though his expression looked as if he was proud, his tone was undeniably grim. "I just hope you don't regret wanting to know."

"So you have been hiding something from me!?" Auden insisted resentfully.

Dunehal's only answer was to cough a bit and tap his staff casually while leaning on his sword's handle.

The gleam of the magic crystal on the staff was the last thing Auden saw as the memories came rushing back to him.