บท 14: Mana Vision
The deafening clash of mana sent shockwaves through the forest, as Ryan, fueled by an unyielding determination, faced off against the malevolent Warlock. His heart thundered in his chest, matching the cadence of the ethereal energies swirling around him. Amidst the chaos, a singular thought reverberated in his mind: he would protect Elora and the sanctity of the forest, no matter the cost.
"Why? Why did you do this?!" Ryan's voice erupted with a raw mixture of anguish and fury, his words slicing through the charged air like a blade. He stood tall, a beacon of defiance, shielding Elora's barely conscious form from any further harm. His gaze locked onto the masked mage, whose eyes glimmered with a sinister intensity, betraying the chaos that raged within.
The Warlock's laughter pierced the tense atmosphere, a chilling echo that seemed to mock the very fabric of reality. "Why? For power, boy! There is beyond your wildest dreams, hidden within these ancient woods. And I will stop at nothing to claim it!" His voice reverberated with an unsettling certainty, each word dripping with malice.
Ryan's fists clenched at his sides, his resolve steeling against the onslaught of darkness that threatened to engulf them all. His life flashed before his eyes, with both his highs and lows seeming insignificant if everything were to end. He couldn't let that happen. Not when he just discovered magic and was enjoying learning and training so much.
In that moment of clarity, Ryan felt a surge of power coursing through his veins, a raw manifestation of his indomitable will. His Mana Vision flared to life, revealing the fragile balance of mana within the Warlock's corrupted form. His body was in tatters and beneath the veneer of strength lay a profound vulnerability, a weakness waiting to be exploited.
But even as Ryan prepared to strike, doubt gnawed at the edges of his resolve. His training had been brief, his control over his newfound abilities tenuous at best. He had only managed to release mana a single time, and even then, he was unable to fully control it. Could he truly hope to prevail against an adversary as formidable as the Warlock? The question hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over his determination.
Yet, in the depths of his soul, Ryan found solace in Elora's unwavering faith. Her belief in him echoed through the forest, a silent reminder of the strength that lay within. With renewed resolve, he cast aside his doubts, embracing the power that surged within him.
With a primal roar, Ryan unleashed a torrent of mana, channelling it through his outstretched arms with a focus born of sheer determination. The energy crackled and surged, a beacon of defiance amidst the swirling chaos. In that moment, he became a force of nature, a tempest unleashed upon the world.
The Warlock recoiled, his masked visage contorting in shock and disbelief. For the first time, doubt flickered in his eyes, a testament to the raw power that Ryan wielded. Despite that, the dark mage was still able to evade Ryan's Mana Beam with relative ease.
Then immediately after, it was his turn to attack and it seemed as though Ryan had merely poked the bear with his attempt at a magic attack.
-
Unleashing his ominous powers, the Warlock cocooned himself in a vortex of mana, foreign to Ryan's understanding. Mesmerised, Ryan watched mana's intricate dance around the Warlock, its purpose elusive. Confusion shifted to awe as the Warlock lunged forward, the ground disintegrating beneath him in fractal patterns, a testament to his explosive power and speed.
He was like a blur that Ryan was amazed he could even keep track of with his eyes.
Stalling the Warlock, Ryan's Mana Beams proved a formidable defence, a novice spell with undeniable significance. Astonishingly, Ryan wielded mana without a visible core, a theoretical impossibility.
Seeing that, the Warlock was baffled, but he was even more astonished to see that Ryan's raw power rivalled even the trio of mages he had faced earlier. Albeit no where near as adept in the use of magic, he still couldn't be underestimated.
Evading the luminous beams, the Warlock, with Spatial Magic, danced with uncanny precision, a deadly waltz with the Mana Beams. Despite the strain on his weakened body, the Warlock closed the distance relentlessly, aiming to strike Ryan up close and he managed to do exactly that...
As the Warlock's leg struck, Ryan instinctively attempted to block and infused his arms with mana, forging a makeshift barrier. However, the quicksilver attack left no time to defend fully. Hurtled backwards, he crashed into a massive tree, the ancient bark imprinting his shape.
Dazed, a metallic taste lingered, a reminder of the brutal collision. The toll on his body remained uncertain, but his training under Elora fortified his control over mana, fueling his determination against the sadistic Warlock.
In dire vulnerability, Ryan found solace in Elora's training, her unwavering belief fueling his will to prevail. This encounter wasn't a simple spar but a deadly game with the Warlock toying with his adversary.
Amidst the pain, a fierce resolve burned within him. Giving up would betray Elora's hope and cost her everything. Meanwhile, it didn't seem like the Warlock was the type to spare him. And so, with gritted teeth and steely determination, he refused to succumb, ready to confront whatever awaited him.
Struggling to stand, a latent instinct guided Ryan, channelling mana throughout his body. Firing Mana Beams so as not to allow him to close in a second time, the surrounding mana swirled around him as if responding to his unspoken will.
With no time for investigation, he drew in streams of mana; its energy aiding his recovery. It was incredible - mana rejuvenating and fortifying, a revelation he received while tapping into an infinite wellspring of energy.
'So this is how he does it, huh?' Ryan realised, smiling slightly despite his predicament.
He had figured out a new application of mana - how could he not be excited?
Meanwhile, the transformation did not go unnoticed. The Warlock, wide-eyed, observed the miraculous changes in Ryan. Elora, teetering on consciousness, also witnessed the astonishing display, and had no choice but to place her faith in the young mage.
"You possess remarkable talent," the Warlock remarked with admiration. His voice was hoarse and almost demonic as he continued, "To replicate my Mana Reinforcement without a core... It's as if you are one with the very essence of mana itself."
Meeting the Warlock's gaze, Ryan discerned a glimmer of comprehension in his opponent's eyes. It was as though the Warlock could see beyond the surface, penetrating the depths of Ryan's being.
"You can see what I can see," Ryan muttered, a revelation dawning.
The Warlock's lips curled into a sly smile. "You've got it the wrong way round, kid. You can see what I can see. But it doesn't matter. It won't be long before I extinguish the fleeting flame of your existence."
"Oh, is that so?" Ryan retorted, his voice laced with determination. "We will see about that."
Staring each other down, both combatants summoned torrents of mana, enveloping their bodies in a radiant aura. Then, with a simultaneous burst of energy, they hurtled toward each other, colliding in a furious clash of fists and feet.
Initially offensive, amazed by and confident in his newfound power, Ryan tried his best to land a single blow, but it was to no avail and the gap in experience and combat prowess was evident. Likely because the Warlock was severely injured and or holding back, Ryan was able to match him in speed, strength, and durability, yet he was being flung around like a ragdoll.
He was simply helpless against the mage, who, despite wielding magic, was also evidently skilled in martial arts and hand-to-hand combat. His body itself was the weapon that he had honed over who knew how long. Despite that, Ryan remained undeterred by the relentless onslaught of attacks flung his way, rising to his feet time and time again.
With his unwavering willpower, indomitable determination, and access to infinite mana, how could he possibly lose?
Or so he said to himself.
Unfortunately for Ryan, that was far from reality...
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