Polymath Redux

Chapter 69: Exploits of Mordred Titor

"Sorry, I think I'll have to sit this one out. I have a principle of not attacking anything that's half my height but has that kind of 'I've already won' attitude'. Don't worry I'll intervene when I think it gets potentially life threatening."

Mordred even waved good luck just for good measure. Even though Ashen and Caroline wanted to refute his actions they silently accepted this cruel and unusual punishment. Of course to Mordred it was obvious that nothing serious would come out of this but to his comrades who had just witness the hulking Padan get slapped around like a fly it was a worrisome turn of events.

"Uuu~ he's a real monster."

Caroline quietly expressed to herself.

"No choice then, Caroline cast some protection magic on me; I'll take the close combat role so support me from behind."

Ashen ordered as he moved up and cast [Weapon Fortification], a spell that enhanced the durability and toughness of a weapon. This spell was mostly used to counter spells such as [weapon break] but it could also be used to reinforce a magician's staff to fit melee combat purposes.

"I-I got it! [Holy shield]! [Elemental boost]! [Strength boost]!"

Caroline started to cast defensive buffs on Ashen.

"Ho~ so a magician is going to face me in close combat, interesting. Then let's see how long you'll last."

Morialia taunted as she disappeared from her position. It was so instant that neither Ashen nor Caroline registered the direction she disappeared to. Having no other choice he started to cast area-targeted spells around him in hopes that some damage would be dealt.

She then instantly reappeared before him and naturally tossed a kick. The kick was caught onto Ashen's reinforced staff but even with that enchantment a small crack was starting to appear. 'I've underestimated her physical strength,' he thought to himself as he clicked his tongue.

He took a few steps back but that was an even worse move, because it just gave Morialia a chance to disappear into the shadows once more. Being more of a backline tactician being in the front merely served to make him tunnel vision harder, having no choice he chanted and executed a different strategy.

"Damn, [Wall of flames]!"

Ashen chanted out the name of the spell. A three meter pyre had erupted from the grounds and engulfed both Ashen and Caroline in a defensive manner. Now if she wanted to put any damage on either of them Morialia needed to traverse through the flames. That being said merely this level of defense wouldn't stop someone like her so he braced himself by clutching tightly onto his staff.

However none of it went according to his expectations; he heard a shallow laugh coming from beyond the veil of flames. Sinister and cold, yet still somehow playful, the laugh echoed throughout the entirety of the canyon. The worst part was the waiting, nothing had happened for a good few minutes which only added to the anxiety. Then a voice, or the incantation of a spell.

"[Usurper's Corruption]."

Rang the shallow voice and as it commanded the [wall of flames] that protected Ashen and Caroline turned into charcoal black. Instead of protecting them it started burning them and in panic they ran out of the flames. The moment Ashen stepped foot outside of the flames Morialia had instantly appeared before him, delivering a swift kick to the face that sent him even further than Padan.

Confused by what she saw, Caroline asked in a trembling voice as she slowly backed away from the small body.

"W- What was that?! I've never seen a spell like that before!"