Chapter 12: Dark Mage Basic
The blinding crimson light slowly faded.
Smoke drifted across the ruined battlefield as shattered stone rained from the sky. Every Arcane Knight had retreated several steps, their attention fixed on the duel unfolding before them.
Shen lowered his sword.
His breathing was steady, but his arms trembled from the impact of Adelaide's overwhelming power.
"So... that wasn't even your full strength."
Adelaide slowly walked forward, her crimson blade dragging across the broken ground.
"You've survived longer than I expected."
A faint smile crossed Shen's face.
"I get that a lot."
Without another word—
BOOM!
Both warriors disappeared.
The earth exploded beneath their feet as their blades met once again.
CLANG!
A violent shockwave erupted across the battlefield, leveling nearby buildings and sending Arcane Knights flying through the air.
The Commander shielded his face against the gale.
"They're getting faster..."
Even Kenya struggled to follow the exchange.
"I can barely see them."
Ruke narrowed his eyes.
"They're moving almost faster than lightning."
High above the battlefield, Shen and Adelaide exchanged dozens of strikes within seconds.
Every collision sent ripples through the sky.
Adelaide laughed.
"Your power is impressive, Shen..."
She suddenly accelerated.
"...but it still isn't equal to mine!"
She unleashed a barrage of crimson slashes.
Shen twisted through them, barely avoiding each deadly strike.
His cursed sword groaned beneath the pressure.
Then—
A strange radiance burst from the battlefield below.
One of the fallen soldiers began glowing with an intense golden light.
The mysterious energy rose into the air and wrapped itself around Adelaide like flowing ribbons.
Her crimson aura instantly expanded.
"What...?"
Shen's eyes widened.
"What kind of power is this?!"
Adelaide closed her eyes for a brief moment.
When she opened them again, her presence had completely changed.
"You may call it a blessing..."
"...or a curse."
She vanished.
CLANG!
Her sword crashed into Shen's weapon with terrifying force.
A massive crater formed beneath them.
Far away, Kenya felt the surge of power and instinctively stepped back.
"This aura..."
She clenched her fists.
"It's overwhelming."
Ruke gripped his weapon tightly.
"It feels like..."
He swallowed.
"...the power of a god."
Eliz looked toward Shen with concern.
"He can't keep taking attacks like this."
Shen forced Adelaide away with a powerful kick.
"Stay focused!"
He rushed forward again.
The battlefield transformed into a storm of steel.
Wind screamed through the ruined city as each collision produced waves powerful enough to tear apart nearby structures.
Then Shen noticed it.
A tiny opening.
"Now!"
He poured every ounce of strength into a single slash.
The cursed blade descended with unstoppable force.
CRACK!
Time seemed to stop.
A fracture spread across the edge of Shen's sword.
Another crack followed.
Then another.
His eyes widened in disbelief.
"My sword...!"
The blade shattered into countless fragments.
Adelaide calmly stepped forward.
"Without your weapon..."
"...what will you do now?"
Shen immediately leaped backward.
He landed on the roof of a ruined building before sprinting across the collapsing structures.
Adelaide followed effortlessly.
"Running away?"
A playful smile appeared on her face.
"How disappointing."
Shen ignored the taunt.
His eyes searched the streets below.
Groups of frightened civilians were hiding beneath collapsed buildings.
Among them were several terrified children.
"I can't fight her here..."
"If this battle continues..."
"They'll all die."
He changed direction, drawing Adelaide away from the survivors.
Behind him, crimson slashes tore through every building he crossed.
Pieces of stone rained into the streets.
Just as Adelaide prepared another attack—
"Shen!"
Eliz's voice echoed from a nearby alley.
"The Commander is coming!"
Before Shen could answer, the cries of children reached his ears.
He turned.
A group of frightened boys and girls huddled together beneath the remains of a collapsed home.
One little boy looked up with tears in his eyes.
"Why did you come here...?"
"Our parents..."
"They're already gone..."
The words struck Shen harder than any blade.
Adelaide slowly raised her sword.
"They are witnesses."
"They should disappear as well."
Shen stepped between her and the children.
His blue eyes burned with determination.
"ADELAIDE!"
His voice echoed across the ruined city.
"If you want a fight..."
He spread his arms.
"Fight me."
"Leave them out of this."
For the first time, Adelaide hesitated.
Then—
A pillar of brilliant golden light descended from the heavens.
BOOM!
The shockwave pushed everyone backward.
A familiar figure emerged from within the radiance.
The Commander.
Though wounded and exhausted, his sword shone brighter than ever.
He pointed its glowing tip toward Adelaide.
"This ends now."
The battlefield fell silent.
Adelaide slowly turned to face him.
Dark crimson energy erupted around her body.
At first it seemed normal.
Then the energy became unstable.
Black veins spread across her armor.
Her breathing grew erratic.
Her scream echoed across the city.
Shen's expression changed.
"What..."
Her body began twisting unnaturally as violent waves of dark mana burst from every direction.
Kenya covered her face from the pressure.
"She's losing control!"
Ruke summoned lightning around his hands.
"If we don't stop her now..."
"There won't be anything left to save."
The Commander tightened his grip on his sword.
His eyes never left Adelaide.
"So this..."
"...is the beginning of Dark Mage Basic."
The unstable energy exploded outward, swallowing the battlefield in darkness.
To Be Continued...
Bonus Corner – Test Your Arcane Knowledge!
1. If you were on the battlefield, which teammate would you choose to fight beside?
☐ Shen ⚔️
☐ Kenya 🔥
☐ Ruke ⚡
☐ Eliz ✨
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2. Which ability would you want to awaken?
☐ Tornado Slash 🌪️
☐ Fire Demon Flames 🔥
☐ Lightning Control ⚡
☐ Magic Rings ✨
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3. What do you think will happen in the next chapter?
☐ Shen awakens a new power.
☐ Adelaide loses complete control.
☐ The Commander defeats Adelaide.
☐ A new Arcane appears.