Skirmish (4)

Meanwhile, Lewis looked at the two acolytes facing him with blue capes.

This time around, Raon was not overtaken by fear, as he acknowledged fully the strength of the man protecting him: Lewis Steelguard.

The huge clay golem was a strong enough deterrent for any body refinement acolyte to enter their range of combat, but unfortunately, their enemies were not close range specialists. The two of them were elemental acolyte.

One of them furthermore speciailized in thunder element, the perfect counter against clay golems, as it could pierce through the golem's body with ease, and charge the clay negatively, preventing most of its regeneration.

[Thunder Wolf]

A projectile, looking like the head of a wolf, completely obliterated the clay golem's hands, which attempted to deflect the attack. Fortunately, the clay golem would not go down with a single spell. To destroy it, you would need to damage or destroy its cores, which was hidden in its waist. 

By trying to defend its head, Raon had given a false information to his opponents, who now targeted the head, thinking the core was in this spot instead. Seeing the calm gaze of Raon, Lewis nodded, and charged forward.

While the other acolyte was chanting a second thunder spell towards the clay golem, the other targeted Lewis. Although he could have fought from a distance, Lewis was not confident in finishing them off with the mana remaining his pool. Instead, since Raon was still protected by the golem and his blood shield spell, he would be more threatening in close combat.

Considering the harsh training he went through and the last few blood rituals, Lewis had become much stronger than the average knight. His speed was akin to that of a wild beast, and though it would have been difficult to adapt to such physical growth in such short periods, Lewis was used to be much stronger than that still.

The second elemental acolyte blocked his path, though, casting waves of spells which he narrowly dodged, using minimal movements and parrying the most threatening blows.

[Minor Fireball]

[Minor Fireball]

[Minor Fireball]

Although fireball could be deflected, the heat would still cause some damage, to which Lewis winced in agony. Despite having so much experience and pain tolerance, the fire element was one of the most fearsome school of magic, capable of turning the most iron-willed warrior into a coward, the pain being inimaginable. 

Still, having gone through a lifetime of battle allowed Lewis to be unaffected combat-wise, and proficiently dodge the most frontal fireballs. In a dozen seconds, he appeared in front of the blue-caped fire acolyte.

*SPLASH*

Obviously, the fire acolyte was only a regular beginner acolyte, who knew but one spell. 

Most acolytes would take years to learn one spell. Rather than spending your fortune in purchasing a new spell, it was often more benefitting to strengthen oneself with an enchanted piece of equipment, like Jorg had done, or even elixirs to raise the strength of the spell you were more proficient with in the first place.

However, this should only be done after having an offensive and defensive measure. For instance, Jorg had bought an enchanted shield rather than buying another spell, because his physique allowed him to survive most spells and pierce through most defensive casts.

The acolyte he just beheaded had made such a mistake, putting all of his magic crystals into offense, going so far as to buy some sort of enchanted ring before even learning a basic fire defensive spell, causing him to lose all means of survival upon reaching close combat.

It was not like Lewis could not understand the young man's train of thought. After all, he was in a balanced party of six, where his role was only to cast fire spells. Odds of him entering close combat were close to none in regular missions.

However, the blue wolf mercenaries were not fighting monsters in this mission, but enemy acolytes who were cunning and strong enough to challenge such formations. Unfortunately, the young fire elemental acolyte would not have a chance to correct those flaws, as his head rolled on the floor, leaving behind a shocked teammate.

The thunder elemental acolyte, seeing his friend get beheaded with such ease, drew a dagger and tried to defend herself, but Lewis scoffed and thrusted his sword forward.

*SPLASH*

Due to the difference of physical stats and weapon range, the woman fell on her knees, her heart pierced and blood flowing down her body. She had died, too.

Turning around, Lewis smiled in satisfaction seeing his two teammates still alive, with one of them gaining something from the fight:

Orianna had awakened her second spell.