Relentless Duel

Rest kicked off the ground.

Using Body Enhancement, he increased his power and speed, darting around in all directions to confuse his opponent.

Since being taken in by the honorary Viscount's family at the age of ten, he had entered the forest countless times to fight monsters.

Body Enhancement was one of the most frequently used spells in his arsenal. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it Rest's specialty.

(This man... He's strong...!)

As he fought against the butler of the Rosemary Marquis household, Rest couldn't help but inwardly marvel at his opponent's skill.

Less than three minutes had passed since the fight began.

He had managed to land a heavy initial blow and send the butler flying, but he knew that was just because his opponent had let his guard down—a lucky punch, so to speak.

"Amazing body enhancement... To think that someone not even in their twenties could use this magic with such precision...!"

The butler praised Rest as he blocked his punch.

The butler appeared to be well over sixty years old, but his movements were sharp and swift.

He moved at the same speed as Rest, who was still a teenager.

"Honestly, I'm the one who's surprised... I may not look like it, but I've always been confident in my speed."

Rest launched another attack.

He aimed a high kick at the butler's head, but the butler crouched low, dodging the blow.

"I may be an old soldier, but I still have my pride... And from what I can tell, Rest, you have a substantial amount of magic and use Body Enhancement frequently, but you seem to lack experience in human combat, don't you?"

"Well, that's..."

"Your attacks are honest, straightforward, and lack deception. It's clear you've fought monsters but haven't trained in formal martial arts. If you had been well-versed in martial arts, I'd already be on the ground."

"......"

He struck a nerve.

From an outsider's perspective, it looked like Rest was on the offensive, but the butler was skillfully deflecting his attacks with his superior technique.

The difference in their skill levels was obvious.

(Maybe I should actually learn martial arts properly? Cedric doesn't seem to study much, though...)

The butler threw a sharp hand chop.

Caught off guard, Rest braced himself and was hit by a low kick to his left leg.

The blow struck a vulnerable spot, and Rest almost let out a groan.

"A feint... So that's how it's done...!"

"Oh my, are you alright?"

"N-No problem...!"

His leg wobbled. It didn't seem broken, but he probably had a bruise.

Without releasing Body Enhancement, he simultaneously activated Healing to heal his leg.

"Oh my, how skillful. You can activate two spells at once."

"Y-Yeah, I can..."

"Many young mages can't do that. The less experienced they are, the more they focus on using powerful magic, often neglecting precision or simultaneous casting. It's regrettable how many young people overlook the basics."

"Then... I guess it's okay if I do this too?"

Rest, having healed his wound, activated another spell.

A ball of lightning appeared in his palm.

"Lightning Sphere!"

"Oh... Lightning magic, is it?"

The lightning shot towards the butler, who struck it down with a hand chop.

The butler definitely made contact with the lightning, but he showed no signs of being electrocuted.

Upon closer inspection, Rest noticed that the butler had coated his arms in a layer of brown earth.

"Covering your body with magic like this is also effective in close combat, you know?"

"Wow... That's pretty insightful!"

He attacked again with lightning.

Although his attack was blocked, he used the opening to leap at the butler.

"Take this!"

"Whoa!?"

The butler let out a surprised cry.

Rest had coated his arms in hardened earth, sharpening them like blades—using the same magic the butler had demonstrated earlier.

"My apologies. I see you've already learned it."

"Well, let's find out!"

"Very well, then."

Their earth-coated arms clashed.

The sound of solid impacts echoed repeatedly.

"Ugh...!"

After a few exchanges, the butler's fist struck Rest's shoulder.

It was clear that in a slugfest, Rest would be at a disadvantage.

"Then... how about this!"

"......!"

Multiple lightning spheres appeared around Rest.

They all flew toward the butler in a barrage.

"Take this...!"

Of course, that wasn't the end of his attack.

While launching the lightning spheres, Rest also lunged at the butler with his earth-coated arms.

"Magnificent, truly magnificent...! Splendid...!"

As the butler neutralized the lightning spheres with his earthen arms, he sincerely praised Rest.

Body Enhancement

Lightning Sphere

Earth Armor

A trio of spells executed in harmony.

Rest maintained all three types of magic simultaneously.

This required strong will to control his mana, precision, and a vast reservoir of magical energy—a feat not easily accomplished.

"It seems... I'll have to get serious, or I might actually lose!"

"Guh...!"

Just as Rest was about to land a decisive blow, the butler vanished from sight.

"Ugh...!"

Immediately after, Rest felt a sharp blow to the back of his neck, his brain rattled by the impact.

The intense strike forcibly dispelled his magic, and his consciousness began to fade.

(I... lost... What did he... do... to me?)

Without even understanding what had happened to him, Rest lost consciousness on the spot.