Battle of Mages 1

Translator: Cinder Translations

...

"Then you'll have to die!"

Upon hearing these words, Ladia and Helen immediately became fully alert.

Including the leader of the pursuers, there were six others left on their side, with four seemingly taken out by the Eaton guards.

The leader waved his hand, and the other five immediately spread out to both sides, vaguely encircling the two women.

Both sides started chanting almost simultaneously.

After about 10 seconds, the pursuers finished chanting, extending their hands ready to cast spells.

Electricity flickered in each person's hand, as if dreadful thunder was about to burst forth from their grasp.

"Looks like we're in for a tough fight today; it turns out they're all mages."

Despite the grave situation, the Grand Duchess's voice showed no signs of tension or fear.

"Hehe, when was the last time we faced enemies together as mages, Sister Helen?"

"Oh my, I can't even remember anymore. Must have been several years ago."

The leader of the pursuers squinted coldly at them.

"Hmph! Chatting away even at death's door! I'll give you one last chance: surrender to our Arcane Order immediately! Otherwise, I won't spare you just because you're women!"

Ladia said sternly, "Lackeys of the Arcane Order! I have a score to settle with you!"

During the last trip to Frand Port with Paul, it happened to be a special day for her body. Many techniques couldn't be used, and she was easily suppressed by the Arcane Order mage who specialized in self-enhancement. If it weren't for the Count's guards equipped with muskets, their side would have been defeated there.

This left a deep grudge in Ladia's heart. Facing these mages who belonged to the same Arcane Order today was a perfect opportunity to vent her resentment.

The leader of the pursuers burst into laughter.

"So you've had dealings with our organization before? And it looks like you've suffered too? Knowing our strength yet still failing to recognize the situation, women really are big-chested and brainless, even as mages!"

TL Note: This guy doesn't cherish his life

Ladia raised her hand, "Enough talk!"

The leader of the pursuers immediately darted to the side. A small crossbow bolt shot past him from not far away, deeply embedding itself in a tree trunk behind.

He broke out in a cold sweat, annoyed, "Giving wine but taking vinegar! You'll settle accounts in hell! Attack!"

With the leader's command, all six released lightning from their hands simultaneously.

Powerful currents surged toward the two women near the carriage, illuminating the area as brightly as daylight with electric flashes.

However, what horrified the leader of the pursuers beyond measure happened—being the caster himself, he suddenly felt as if he had been struck in the chest by a heavy iron hammer, followed by a powerful force coursing through his entire body, leaving him paralyzed and unable to move.

The dazzling lightning prevented him from seeing what had happened clearly, but he felt like he was about to die.

As the lightning dissipated, two pursuer mages collapsed on the ground instantly, while the remaining four staggered unsteadily, the air filled with a burnt smell.

"What... what just happened?"

The leader of the pursuers looked towards his target; the two women were standing there completely unscathed, leisurely observing their sorry state.

"Hehe!"

Helen let out a mocking laugh.

"What's wrong? Don't know about 'Spell Reversal'? Looks like your 'Arcane Order' isn't all that, huh?"

Ladia added, "Or maybe—it's because at your level in the organization, you haven't been exposed to spells of this caliber?"

"Darn it!"

The leader of the pursuers straightened his body with all his might, his eyes glaring angrily, as if he might pop his eyeballs out, the whites filled with a dense network of blood vessels.

His five subordinates were in a dire state as well; among the two fallen, one seemed to have lost consciousness, possibly lifeless, while the other groaned incessantly on the ground.

He waved his hand and shouted at his subordinates, "Pull yourselves together!"

Unexpectedly, this wave of his hand caused a sudden pain all over his body.

The words of those two women just now had deeply stung his heart. Damn it! I'm an elite among elites... It's just that they happen to know one or two obscure spells!

Fine then! Since that's the case...

"Take your medicine, all of you!"

Upon hearing the leader's command, the mages seemed to recall something, promptly taking out and swallowing a pill each.

Seeing this scene, Ladia became wary. She recalled what Admiral Austin had said — pirates became agile and extraordinarily strong after taking a mysterious drug. That drug was likely provided to them by the mad mage claiming to be from the Arcane Order.

She wondered if these mages were taking the same drug and what effects it would have on them.

If it was similar to the pirates' case, things would be bad if they all rushed at once; neither she nor Sister Helen excelled in close combat.

After taking the drug, the mages' bodies underwent a miraculous transformation. Just as Ladia had suspected, each mage, originally not particularly strong, visibly bulked up.

Their pained expressions vanished as if nothing had happened, and the mage lying on the ground immediately stood up.

"You bitches! You've truly angered me!"

The leader of the pursuers roared furiously.

Though he seemed irrational to others, his mind was constantly calculating.

Spell reversal? Judging by its effect just now, it could rebound attacks similar to those suffered by the caster. This meant that using the same type of attack again would only invite trouble!

Damn it, damn it! Why does the other side wield such sinister magic? I've never even heard of it. Why didn't the mentors in the organization teach me? Are they keeping secrets?

What to do? Their attack spells are either fireballs or lightning bolts. Does that mean there's really no way to deal with these two women in front of me?

Wait a minute! They're just two women! Two frail women!

Can spell reversal also reverse physical attacks?

Thinking of this, the leader of the pursuers pulled out a dagger and hurled it fiercely towards the two women!

Ladia didn't move a muscle, while Helen slightly tilted her head. The dagger flew past them and landed behind them.

The leader of the pursuers felt a glimmer of joy. So, spell reversal doesn't work on physical attacks.

"Brothers, their spells can't bounce back physical attacks. Get closer and use daggers or fists to deal with them."

Upon hearing the leader's reminder, three of his men took out daggers, while another rolled up his sleeves, revealing muscular arms with bulging veins. They slowly approached Ladia and Helen.

The leader himself cracked his knuckles, grinning strangely as he walked towards the two women. He had made up his mind to thoroughly trample them, using every means possible!

(End of the Chapter)