Chapitre 28: The First Trial (Part 2)
The Magical Core was the heart of every magic beast, the essence that held them together. To defeat the Shadow Monster, Kai knew he had to strike that core and shatter it in one decisive blow.
He leapt aside as the Monster lunged at him, steadying himself as he raised his dagger. His eyes narrowed, focusing on the magical energy that seeped from the creature's body. It was chaotic, but he noticed a concentrated pulse emanating from its forehead.
'Just one more moment,' Kai thought, feeling the weight of the battle pressing on him. The Shadow Monster charged again, darkness swirling around it like a storm. Kai bent his knees, drawing strength from the ground beneath his feet.
"Three meters… two meters… one meter," he counted in his head, adrenaline surging. The spear of shadows closed in on him, and he flicked to the side just in time, feeling the rush of air as it whizzed past. It embedded itself into the earth, creating a small shockwave.
"That was easy," he muttered, regaining his balance. With a burst of speed, he surged forward and aimed his dagger directly at the Monster's head. In one fluid motion, he pierced the creature's skull, his blade shattering the magical crystal nestled within.
The Shadow Monster collapsed, its dark essence unraveling like smoke in the wind. A thud echoed through the cavern as it hit the ground, and soon the shadows surrounding it faded into nothingness, leaving only the broken crystal behind—a memento that would serve him little purpose.
Ken's voice boomed through the Trials, a mix of surprise and excitement. "That was perfect! Someone has already killed a Shadow Monster! And it's Mr. Grand Magus Killer!"
Kai clenched his teeth, feeling a surge of unease. The title hung over him like a dark cloud, and he could sense Celine's astonishment.
'Did he really kill a Grand Magus?' She wondered, yet the thought made her feel safe… like nothing could happen. He glanced at the ceiling, aware that Ken's words were meant to stoke the hatred of other Magi toward him.
"Celine, we need to clear the first trial quickly," he urged, his tone laced with urgency. Her wide eyes held a mix of admiration and concern, but Kai knew that with him around, she felt safer. They had to move fast.
Together, they rushed down the dimly lit path, shadows dancing on the walls as they pressed forward.
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Meanwhile, a crimson-haired young man stood atop the fallen Shadow Monster, grinding its face deeper into the ground with his brown leather boots. His own body bore scratches and marks from the fight, evidence of his struggle. "Damn you," he cursed under his breath, frustration boiling inside him. The Magus who had bested a Grand Magus made life significantly more difficult for others in the Trials. "When I catch you, I'll teach you a lesson."
A shiver ran down his spine at the thought. There was no guarantee he could defeat someone who had already defeated such a formidable opponent. He turned to his two teammates, irritation flaring in his chest. "What are you still looking at? Let's move!"
As they stepped into the next cavern, his eyes landed on Kai and Celine. A wicked smile crept across his lips. "Oh, what do we have here? A nice pair," he said, licking his lips, his gaze lingering on Celine.
Kai's instincts flared up. He didn't like the way this man looked at her. Celine, while older than him, was still underage, and the thought of this crimson-haired man's intentions made his blood boil. He stepped in front of her protectively, a low growl escaping him. "You're not having her."
The crimson-haired man laughed, clearly unimpressed. "Ooh, a tough one? If you don't agree, you could lose your life here." He advanced, flames flickering to life around his shortsword, illuminating the cavern with an ominous glow.
"I just defeated a Shadow Monster," he boasted, puffing out his chest. "So you better back down. I don't want to end a kid."
Kai smirked, feeling the electricity crackle around him as he assumed a combat stance. "Strange… I didn't hear your kill being announced." His fists glowed with a fierce, blue lightning. "I'm the one you should be more afraid of."
The crimson-haired man's eyes narrowed, his confidence faltering for just a moment. "You think you can take me on?"
"No… I know I can kill you," Kai challenged, lightning surging around his fists as he felt the familiar rush of power. The air crackled with tension as both young men squared off.
Suddenly, the other two teammates of the crimson-haired man stepped forward, their expressions grim. "This isn't worth it," one said, gripping his sword tightly but hesitating. "We're here for the Trials, not to get ourselves killed over a girl."
The crimson-haired man sneered, brushing off their concern. "Stay out of this. He's just a kid." But even as he spoke, a flicker of doubt crossed his face, and Kai could sense the shift in the air.
"I'm not just a kid," Kai retorted, feeling the lightning dance across his body. "I'm a Magus. And if you think you can intimidate me, you're mistaken."
The crimson-haired man took a step back, uncertainty creeping into his bravado. "You really think you're something special? Don't you?"
He moved forward, closing the distance between himself and Kai.
"I'll show you the error in your ways," He said, a smile tugging at his lips.
Cadeaux
-- Cadeau
reçu État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone