How come this arcanist is invincible?

Chapter 82 Spellcaster Showdown

Firebolt is one of the most commonly used damaging spells by mages. It belongs to the Evocation tree, has low cost, and its power increases with the caster's rank.

Reed's goal was simple—to force Kane to use magic to defend himself, or to compel him to use other means, while always maintaining distance.

But Kane's expression hardened, his blood surged, and he swayed to the side, dodging the fire arrow before charging toward Reed.

Although he was an arcanist, his fighting style dictated that he had to get close to defeat Reed.

Reed remained unmoved, showing no sign of wavering despite Kane dodging the fire arrow.

He continued to retreat steadily into the open space behind him, slowly and deliberately casting various spells: freezing rays, acid splashes...

For a second-tier regular mage, these tricks, which he could master during his apprenticeship, were already something he could do with ease.

Moreover, because it doesn't take up a spell slot, it recovers very quickly.

Kane closed the distance while dodging, his expression grave.

"These tricks themselves are of limited power, mainly used for disruption," he thought. "The key is Reed's other methods..."

Despite this, Kane's offensive rhythm was completely slowed down.

What's even more troublesome is that, as an experienced Tier 2 captain, Reed repeatedly predicted his movement trajectory and even cast spells in advance at the location where he was about to land, forcing him to retreat and slowing down.

Despite this, the distance between the two continued to shrink.

No one noticed that Reed's brow was slightly furrowed at that moment, as he wondered to himself, "What kind of magic will Kane have up his sleeve?"

He hadn't forgotten that although this team member's fighting style resembled that of a wanderer, he was essentially a spellcaster.

The key to a duel between spellcasters lies in anticipating the opponent's spells and making appropriate responses.

So far, Kane seems to be in a bit of a predicament, but he hasn't even cast a single spell.

"We can't let him get any closer. We have to use a first-circle spell."

Reed's mind raced, and he muttered, "Greasy technique."

As soon as he finished speaking, the ground within a ten-foot radius in front of Kane suddenly became slippery, blocking his path.

Kane had no choice but to stop, looking at Reed with a helpless expression. "Wasn't that a foul?"

In real terrain, he could easily avoid the range of the greasy technique.

Although the area where the two were sparring was spacious, it was also limited, as the oily sheen almost completely covered the path in front of them.

If he wanted to get close to Reed, he had to force his way through.

Reed smiled: "Making good use of the rules is something you should also consider."

Kane remained silent for a moment, as if deep in thought.

Just then, Reed suddenly uttered a spell: "Fire Arrow".

Kane was initially puzzled, but then realized the true purpose of the trick.

The next moment, the flaming arrow had already pierced the greasy spell.

With a loud bang, flames shot up instantly, transforming into a wall of fire.

The two first-level spells stacked together produced an effect similar to a high-level "Fire Wall" spell.

Although it cannot compare to a real fire wall spell, the combined flames and the continuously burning oil noodles are enough to completely separate the two.

Reed smiled and said:

"Kane, just admit defeat. You can't beat me without getting close."

Kane frowned slightly.

Meanwhile, Sienna and the others were also watching and discussing the battle.

Sienna muttered, "The captain is being too unfair, using so many spells to deal with Kane."

Braden smiled without saying a word, while Gavin laughed and said:

"Sienna, the captain has basically been using magic tricks so far, with only one spell, Grease, being a first-level spell."

You should know, the captain's trump card is a second-level spell.

Sienna opened her mouth, full of resentment, but couldn't find the words to refute it.

Just then, Kane whispered, "Cloud Mist Spell."

The three of them exchanged a glance.

Suddenly, a thick, white fog erupted, instantly engulfing Kane's figure completely, and the fog continued to spread in all directions.

The damp mist, carrying the heatwave, gradually weakened the flames on the ground. However, the inherent properties of grease meant that the flames continued to burn stubbornly, not extinguished completely.

Reed laughed. "That's not enough, Kane."

He extended his right hand and softly chanted, "Wind Creation Technique."

A strong gust of wind suddenly rose up and howled towards the fire barrier, blowing away much of the mist. The wind fueled the fire, and the previously weakening flames suddenly surged back into a blazing wall of fire.

"Now we have a wall of fire and wind..."

Before Reed could finish speaking, the smile on his face suddenly froze.

Amidst the spreading mist, a figure swiftly rushed through the sea of ​​fire—the flames seemed to have no effect on him.

"Oh no, it's elemental absorption! When did he learn that?"

Reed was startled and quickly raised his hand to chant a spell.

But the next moment, Kane threw two wooden daggers, which flew straight towards him.

"The Mage's Hand!"

Reed immediately stopped casting the spell and used the same spell to knock the dagger away.

But in that brief moment of delay, Kane had already rushed to within five meters of him, his right hand wielding a wooden sword that was aimed straight at Reed's chest.

Reed was about to utter the incantation, but he forced himself to stop—the tip of the wooden sword was already at his chest, just a hair's breadth away from his clothes.

Reed looked helplessly at the wooden sword in front of his chest and shook his head, saying, "You win."

Kane slowly sheathed his wooden sword and shook his head: "It's not a win, at best a draw."

He looked at Reed and said:

"So you're planning to use 'Blazing Sphere' in the end? My Elemental Absorption can't stop a second-circle Evocation spell."

Logically speaking, the tolerance time and range of element absorption are limited, but the temperature of the two-ring incandescent sphere far exceeds this range.

Reed paused for a moment, then smiled calmly.

Kane knew that Reed had held back in this battle—he only used two first-level spells, Oil and Wind, and the rest were combinations of tricks.

Reed's magic power was enhanced simply because he had reached the second tier of cultivation.

In theory, if Reed had actually used the second-circle spell in the end, the outcome would most likely have been a lose-lose situation.

"However, if I use my immortality, things will probably be different..."

Kane's eyes flickered slightly, but he suppressed his thoughts again.

"Now I have a general understanding of my own abilities."

Against ordinary first-tier spellcasters, as long as elemental absorption is used properly, there shouldn't be much of a problem; but against second-tier spellcasters, you must catch them off guard and anticipate their moves.

……

At this moment, Sienna and the other two watched as Kane and Reed walked side by side.

Sienna's eyes flickered, her gaze fixed intently on Kane.

The other two exchanged a glance and smiled wryly—this teammate had said not to bother with Kane a while ago, but one match had changed her attitude.

But they were also thinking about other things: this teammate's skill level had already fallen far behind theirs.

Gavin shook his head with a wry smile, while Braden remained silent, but his expression conveyed the same meaning.

As the group was talking, an armored guard rushed over.

Reed, who was reviewing the battle with Kane, frowned upon hearing the report.

Kane asked, "What's wrong?"

Reed said in a deep voice, "The ghoul that was imprisoned... has been taken away."

"Who took it?"

"City Guard".

Reed looked grave.

"They say the big shots in the First District want to see for themselves what the demon who harmed the mage apprentices looks like."

Kane's eyes flickered.

He naturally knew what "First District" meant—the power core of the war-torn city of Shantar, and also the venue for the ruling council.

The meeting was chaired by a representative appointed by the Nord royal family, and included high nobles, tower masters of various mage towers, and the highest-ranking members of the Night's Watch and the Lamplighters.

It could be said that if the First District stomped its feet, the entire War City would tremble.

Their every move is enough to easily determine the fate of countless people.

Kane's mind raced with thoughts, when Reed looked at him and said:

"Kane, they require us to attend tomorrow as well, to go to the First District."

Kane's eyes flickered, but he simply nodded slightly.

"The ruling council..."