Chapter 13: Legendary Bloodline

Saban Chavez, the prodigious knight of the Norton Empire, achieved knighthood at fourteen, a feat that made him an idol to countless young men and the object of obsession for innumerable young women. Yet, beyond his admirers, few knew that this knightly genius with a promising future was, in fact, a madman.

Saban relished combat and reveled in slaughter; the sensation of a blade slicing through flesh and muscle intoxicated him. The stronger the adversary, the more intense the thrill his blade delivered.

When chosen as a wizard apprentice, even the king of the Norton Empire wished to plead for him, hoping the wizards would retain this gifted knight.

But Saban rejected all such entreaties.

To him, the power of wizards was captivating. The notion of slaying a wizard with his blade promised a euphoria that could elevate him to heaven.

Thus, Saban embraced being a wizard apprentice and participated in the entrance exam.

Formidable opponents and the legality of killing—they were his paradise.

So when he discovered an apprentice capable of slaying magical beasts, his excitement was boundless.

This was what he pursued.

Until a blinding firelight appeared before him.

An orange-red meteor shot from Richard's hand, barreling straight toward Saban.

In this fireball, Saban experienced an unprecedented fear, exceeding even the dread he felt facing magical beasts.

"What kind of magic is this?"

Instinctively, Saban attempted to dodge, but as the fireball grazed past him—

It exploded.

Boom!

The intense flames incinerated Saban's clothing, turning his protective chainmail into searing brands, etching charred marks on his skin.

The powerful shockwave hurled Saban away like a cannonball, his greatsword slipping from his grasp.

On the other side of the fireball, Richard observed the spectacle calmly. A transparent barrier before him absorbed the explosion's aftermath.

Zero-ring spell: Forcefield Barrier

"Whew! Is this the Lesser Fireball? The gap between a first-ring spell and a zero-ring spell is this vast?"

Richard gazed at the three-meter-wide, half-meter-deep crater beside Saban, a hint of awe in his heart.

This spell's power rivaled that of a shell.

"Taking such a hit head-on, that guy should be dead."

Richard scanned the forest, only to hear a furious roar emerging from within.

"Bastard! I'll tear you to pieces!"

A blackened figure lunged from the woods—a tall, charred Saban, the same man blasted away moments before.

Incredibly, he survived a Lesser Fireball.

Richard retreated a few steps, shooting two Magic Missiles to stall Saban. But after emerging from the woods, Saban sidestepped, dodging Richard's missiles.

Without hesitation, Richard prepared to unleash an Ice Spike to finish Saban, but Saban's transformation shocked him.

Saban exhaled visible breaths, gold fur sprouting from his singed skin.

The fur continued to grow, and Saban's body expanded as if inflated.

"Wow, is this beast transformation?"

Watching Saban's change, Richard instantly recalled the legendary knights of Plantagenet lore.

Was this madman a descendant of a legendary knight?

Raising his hand, Richard tried an Ice Spike to end Saban, but Saban's swat deflected the spell aside.

"This is troublesome. Didn't finish him off in one shot."

Richard discreetly reversed the magical dagger in his grip. From what he observed, this madman favored close combat.

"You're the first to make me use my legendary bloodline!"

Saban flexed his body, charred skin flaking away, revealing golden fur beneath, the work of his legendary bloodline.

Richard, unfazed, checked the recharge time of his Fireball staff.

Two minutes left.

This was problematic.

Fully transformed, Saban tore off his chainmail, leaving only the arm bracers. His muscles visibly swelled, turning the once-fitting armor into a constraint.

"Legendary bloodline? Are you a descendant of a legendary knight?"

Richard attempted to stall with banter. Once the Fireball recharged, this beast-transformed madman, legendary knight or not, would turn to ash.

Richard wasn't fooled by appearances; a point-blank Lesser Fireball had undoubtedly inflicted severe internal injuries.

Internal injuries were far harder to heal than external ones. Another Fireball would seal the deal.

But Saban wouldn't allow it.

With his legendary bloodline activated, Saban felt an endless surge of strength, though he knew it was an illusion, he savored it nonetheless.

As Richard predicted, Saban's internal injuries were not as easily healed as external ones. Activating his legendary bloodline only worsened them.

He needed to finish this quickly.

Bang!

Saban lunged forward, his speed surging, crossing dozens of meters in a blink to reach Richard.

"Die!"

Saban swung a punch, the forceful wind making Richard's hair flutter.

If it landed, Richard's fate wouldn't be any better than Rayleed's.

But with a 'buzz,' the air before Richard rippled like water.

Saban's fist halted against an invisible barrier, unable to advance.

Forcefield Barrier, boy!

Richard smirked coldly, his dagger slicing a deadly arc toward Saban's heart.

Ice Spike required a distance to accelerate; at close range, it lacked power, but the dagger was perfect for this distance.

Realizing his attack failed, Saban turned his bracer to block the dagger.

The impact produced a teeth-grating screech, and when they separated, Saban's bracer bore a shallow scratch.

"What a sharp dagger."

"What a tough bracer."

They parted, and Richard abandoned his offensive. Despite the perfect conditions for the strike, he made no headway. Now that Saban was wary, any reckless attack would expose fatal flaws.

Saban, regaining his greatsword, saw his aura soar, golden fur billowing.

The difference between unarmed and armed was a towering wall.

"I've decided to take your head as a trophy. It will be displayed alongside my finest kills."

Saban brandished his greatsword, boasting. In an instant, it clashed with Richard's dagger.

The Forcefield Barrier was breached!

Clang!

Richard, struggling to parry the greatsword, found its force formidable even after the barrier's reduction.

"This is merely a legendary bloodline. How strong were the legendary knights?"

Missing his mark, Saban twisted his wrist, the greatsword slicing from another angle. But to Richard, armed with the Wind Raven Sword Technique, Saban's moves were child's play.

Clang.

Seeing his strikes blocked, Saban pondered.

"This kid's skillful but lacks strength. Even with the barrier, my sword strains him. What if I rely solely on power? He won't withstand it."

Changing his approach, Saban's strikes came heavy and relentless, exploiting Richard's weakness.

Richard found himself retreating, unable to cope despite his Wind Raven Sword Technique. The weapon and strength disparity overwhelmed him.

"Hahaha! Where's your magic now?"

Saban laughed maniacally, growing more aggressive, each move wide and lethal.

Richard, distracted as he checked the staff with mental power, opened a gap Saban seized.

In a flash, the greatsword pierced the barrier, carving a finger-deep wound in Richard's chest.

"Hiss!"

The searing pain drew a sharp breath from Richard, his mind momentarily sluggish. But as adrenaline coursed through, his senses sharpened, adapting to the pain.

"Ten seconds left. Need to create distance."

Richard maintained composure; magic lacked a friendly fire switch, and being too close would see him caught in the blast.

Calculating silently, Richard suddenly unleashed a flurry of spells, Magic Missiles mixed with Ice Spikes halting Saban, allowing Richard to retreat.

"Not good, he's going to use that spell."

Seeing Richard retreat, Saban sensed danger. The terror of the fireball resurfaced, urging him to flee.

But though fast, spells were faster.

Richard waved his staff, an orange fireball shooting forth like a meteor to hit Saban.

Amid thunderous noise, the Norton Empire's prodigious knight, like countless others over four millennia, became nourishment for the forest.