21. Saint Contest (1)
Certainly, close combat against a master-level Vanguard is tough.
Normally, a Vanguard's attack can be avoided with a 5-circle shield as long as you control the angle well.
However, the Master's Auror Blade could only be shed if a shield of at least 6 circles was deployed.
The problem is that circle 6 magic requires casting even briefly, making it difficult to defend in time.
So, instead of using defensive magic, I chose to avoid the attack with an attack.
-Whoop!
-Quaang!
The Auror Blade penetrates at an incredible speed.
However, the Auror Blade aimed at my neck could not reach me and was swung in the wrong direction.
"Are you drunk?"
"profit!"
This is because the explosion magic aimed at pinpoint changed the direction of attack by striking off Count Felix's wrist.
It's absurd that Explosion magic, which is at the level of an anti-tank missile, is only used as a wrist slap, but it can't be helped.
Vanguard is not a human wearing armor, but a murderous robot from the future.
-phut!
Then, wind pressure magic exploded behind his off-balance back.
Count Felix said, 'Huh?' He took about three steps towards me in a panic, and as I slowly dodged him and walked to the side, the proud Auror Master fell helplessly to the floor.
-dump.
An unsightly development that has nothing to do with the Count's will to never let down his guard and fight with all his might.
The Count, whose face was so red that it looked like it was about to explode, stood up using the elasticity of his body and unexpectedly extended his sword.
-Fit!
"Tsk cha."
Unfortunately, the blow was overlooked long ago.
When I tilted my head back, the Aura Blade released in the shape of a crescent moon passed by my forehead.
-Fit!
No matter how much I use buff magic, I can't beat the Aura Master in terms of strength and speed.
But just two things.
There was something that was ahead of Count Felix: 'real-world combat experience' against millions of monsters in a game where the sense of reality was shared, and 'body vision' developed through repeated battles.
-Quaaang!
I once again used magic to block the fiercely stabbing sword and change its path.
But this time, it seemed as if it had anticipated this, and instead used its recoil to aim for my shoulder like a snake.
Nice try.
However, I hit him in the knee with the Explosion spell, causing his knees to buckle.
As a result, the count's sword only cut through thin air.
"Ugh."
It's probably frustrating.
Unlike swordsmanship, where the attack path is determined through the arm and wrist connected to the shoulder, magic can be performed anywhere without restrictions.
In addition, Explosion not only broke his attack path, but also made the floor slippery, dug holes, and made it difficult for him to move comfortably, making it impossible for him to stick to his own swordsmanship and fighting style.
-Quaaang!
"Cowardly!"
"why? "Is it cowardly if a wizard engages in close combat?"
So, thinking that things couldn't go on like this, if we made a big attack or increased the speed even a little, the precision would drop and gaps would appear here and there.
It was as if the Count's side was clearly revealed before my eyes as soon as the three-hit attack consisting of a thrust, a diagonal strike to the upper right, and an upward strike to the lower left was broken.
"Tsk!"
A normal wizard would have used this gap to increase the distance, but instead, I took a step closer to him and lifted his chin with my magic staff.
The 6-circle laser cannon magic that was simultaneously cast was released along the magic staff, aiming for his chin.
"Where!"
Is it because of the lessons learned from the first sparring where I fainted from the laser cannon?
He desperately stepped back even though his balance was lost, as if he would not fall for the same trick twice.
However, that choice was a bad one.
I guess I forgot because I was in close combat, but I am a wizard.
Aren't wizards originally a group of people who are better at long-distance combat than close-range combat?
"It's the perfect distance to use the 7th circle spell."
His large evasive movements made him a target.
I presented great magic to that target.
'Aqua Blast.'
Thanks to this, Count Felix faced the great magic in an awkward position.
-Cow!
Still, is he still an Auror Master?
He somehow succeeded in canceling out the magic even in an uncomfortable position.
Aqua Blast is a high-pressure anti-magic that pierces everything in front.
However, as its power weakened due to a head-on collision with the Auror Blade, it was unable to penetrate the Force Armor's defense.
"How long do you think this trick will work?"
Did he think he had blocked the blow of my conversion?
Count Felix exclaimed in triumph, wondering where the discomfort had gone.
He curled the corners of his mouth and straightened his posture... … .
"uh?"
It didn't take long for the smile to disappear from my face.
This is because my magic staff appeared right in front of his nose, breaking through the stream of water that was blocking his view.
Count Felix opened his eyes wide.
"light."
And Taeyang-won, who always appears in these scenes.
The so-called 'eyeball attack' exploded.
"Ouch!"
Force Armor did not protect against Light, a simple manifestation magic, and even an Auror Master could not do anything about an unexpected flashbang attack.
Count Felix squinted his eyes in pain.
"Hey, you son of a bitch!"
But aren't we in a battle now?
What happens if you close your eyes during battle?
'It means asking me to kill you.'
As I brought the magic staff to his defenseless abdomen, I unleashed my 18th attack, Flame Blast, from zero distance.
A large stream of fire imbued with the energy of destruction swallowed Count Felix like a giant snake with its mouth open.
"Keuok!"
-Quaaaaaaa!
What followed was a familiar scream that had been heard several times today, along with heavy drinking that shook the entire duel arena.
I checked with a magnifying glass to see if Count Felix was alive or dead.
Although the 7th circle magic was not unleashed 10 times in a row like in the second game, the shock must not have been small as the 7th circle magic was hit from 'zero distance' in a 'defenseless' and 'further strengthened form'.
'Oh, as expected, the Auror Master Vanguard is strong.'
After a while.
Count Felix appeared as the flames died down, replicating his appearance from the second round.
I was barely holding on with my sword stuck on the floor.
Following the second battle, the Force Sword and Force Armor were shattered this time.
Count Felix, who fell helplessly to the floor as the support disappeared, let out that line with a suppressed groan.
"I can't admit it… … ."
Third fainting.
If he had responded properly, his force equipment might not have been damaged this time, but the fact that he was hit defenseless was a big deal.
Thanks to this, I ended up losing two sets of force equipment.
His pride was shattered and he suffered a loss of 100 billion won in just one appearance on a broadcast.
When I return home, I kick the blankets.
"Of course, medical staff!"
The cast and production team of the comparative entertainment show 'Anthony' were once again in an uproar as they watched him wriggle like a frog with a consistent reaction of not being able to admit it until the end.
This time, the medical staff, including Ivril, came rushing out, and when I looked at the referee, who was so shocked, his mouth was open, he shrugged his shoulders and declared my victory.
"The winner of the third round is also Marquis Lawrence!"
"Kaaaaaa! brother!"
"Waaah!"
With the declaration of victory, not only the audience but also the cast and production crew let out exclamations of exclamation.
When the cast returned to their seats, questions poured in from all directions.
If the female cast members had been very interested in me before, now all the male cast members had their eyes shining as if they were my fans.
"I never imagined a battle like this. Originally, I thought wizards mainly ran around and attacked from a distance."
"Wizards have magical powers just like knights' aurors, and there are many ways to strengthen the body during magic, so I wanted to show that something like this is possible if you think a little differently."
"To overwhelm an Aura Master wearing Vanguard equipment like this. Without Vanguard equipment, isn't the combat power of an Aura Master and a 7th Circle Archmage on a completely different level?"
"You don't know that. Vanguard equipment shows high destructive power, but has the disadvantage of making the attack route monotonous. And perhaps because Count Felix lacked actual combat experience, he often got excited and lacked agility. He needs a little more diverse experience."
"In the end, the difference is how you use your power."
"Yes, that's right. "Not all great wizards can fight like me."
"but… … ."
Self-proclaimed experts who had refuted what I said before the battle apologized, saying that they had too stereotypical a way of thinking in response to an unexpected result.
As a person of great skill, I said it was okay and picked up the drink provided by the production crew.
"What is this? "It's very delicious, isn't it?"
"It's not a PPL."
"Oh yeah?"
How much did we talk like that?
Count Felix was seen standing up with the support of the medical staff.
National MC Jimmy Baron responded by saying he was worried.
"It seemed like Count Felix didn't give in until the very end. "What if they ask me to fight again?"
"You can fight. "I've already figured out the battle pattern, so next time it will end faster."
Baron Jimmy was speechless at the cool, confident answer.
This is not just a saying.
Unlike him, I had more magic that I hadn't used yet.
I continued with a refreshing expression.
"But isn't there a need for it now?"
"yes?"
"The person who feels most acutely that we cannot win in this situation is Count Felix."
Unlike him, who was always desperate, I was taking my time.
Unless Count Felix is a fool, he wouldn't know that I didn't do my best.
And this guess was not wrong.
"Tsk!"
Although he did not accept the result, he seemed to have no intention of fighting anymore, because Count Felix, who had finished treatment and simply dressed up, looked at me and clicked his tongue, but calmly took his seat and sat down.
"Okay, then let's continue the discussion again."
MC Jimmy Baron heaved a small sigh of relief and continued the proceedings like a professional.
Perhaps because he had already shown it, no one took the wizard's fighting ability lightly anymore.
However, I had to admit that the Aura Master was still superior in terms of ability to sustain battles and efficiency in group warfare, so despite my performance, the wizard's combat ability did not give him an edge over the Aura Master.
It's a natural thing.
Because I'm just not normal.
but… … .
Through this entertainment program, my fight scenes were spread all over the world and caused a huge stir.
* * *
[Marquis Adrian Lawrence is not something special, but something special. Praise for Marquis Adrian Lawrence is pouring in from wizard groups around the world... … .] [Imperial Magic Tower of the Brigham Empire: His battles are only possible with great combat experience or combat sense. However, with a little research, it seems quite possible for the wizard to return to the front lines.] [Doctors who have converted to the field are pouring in from all over the world. Battle wizards who want to become Adrian Lawrence's disciples.] [Adrian Lawrence: There is no reason to stop wizards who say they like me. However, since we cannot accept everyone, we plan to conduct a separate interview.] [About 'Ivril Barnett', who has received a lot of attention due to the explosive popularity of Marquis Adrian Lawrence… … .]"What kind of trick is this?"
-Duke Francis of Brigham Empire
Although the war with the Republic is currently in full swing, the names of people from other countries were mentioned in all the articles.
Duke Francis, who is planning to send his daughter to the saintess contest, expressed his bewilderment at the sight of Ivril, whose face is being sold around the world along with Adrian.
Unless you were a fool, you couldn't have known that Adrian's actions were aimed at raising the profile of Ivril, a candidate for sainthood.
"This is the first time I've seen a saint candidate being sold in conjunction with one another."
Duke Francis, one of the four great dukes of the Brigham Empire, is a grandmaster who is considered the equivalent of an 8th circle wizard, and is one of the world's strongest figures.
The power of the Duke Francis family alone is enough to destroy a mediocre kingdom, and with his vast territory and 50 million residents, he can easily be called the king of a kingdom.
What he is most concerned about these days is making his third daughter, Evelyn Francis, a saint.
However, I couldn't help but feel annoyed when a dung fly buzzed in front of me.
"Gregory."
"Yes, Your Highness."
In response, Duke Francis ordered his shadow and confidant, Gregory.
"Deal with it."
It was an order to assassinate Ivril.
Gregory bowed his head, saying he would understand right away without asking any questions.