Michael's hands glowed faintly as he cast Light Blast, a Tier I spell. Six small orbs of shimmering light materialized around him, each aimed directly at Lith.
Nana watched carefully, her eyes narrowing as she observed how quickly Michael conjured multiple spells simultaneously. He's talented, that much is clear, she thought, impressed. But she also noticed that Michael's demeanor wasn't hostile—he seemed to be testing Lith rather than seeking to overpower him.
Lith stood firm, analyzing the situation. He's not underestimating me. Smart, Lith mused. Solus, ever-present, guided him subtly.
As the six glowing orbs darted toward Lith, he extended his hand, conjuring a Gust Shield. A powerful wave of wind erupted around him, redirecting the light blasts harmlessly to the sides. One orb spiraled away, brushing past a nearby tree, leaving only a faint scorch mark.
"Not bad," Lith muttered, his tone even. He moved quickly, raising his other hand to cast Earthen Wall, a spell that created a sturdy barrier of soil between himself and Michael.
Michael smirked. "You're holding back too, aren't you?" he asked. He stepped forward, dismissing his remaining orbs and casting Rock Fist, sending a stone projectile barreling toward Lith.
Lith responded swiftly, using Wind Slice, a sharp, cutting gust of air, to shatter the incoming projectile before it could reach him. The shards of stone scattered harmlessly across the ground.
The spectators were captivated, their murmurs growing louder with excitement. Amelia's eyes sparkled with approval as she observed the duel. She noted how both boys demonstrated not only skill but also restraint, a trait often lacking in young mages. They'll make formidable allies—or rivals—in the future, she thought.
Nana, however, remained cautious. She recognized Michael's raw talent and Lith's natural gift but kept her focus on any signs of danger. The duel wasn't just a test of power; it was a glimpse into the future of two young prodigies.
As Michael prepared another spell, Lith silently strategized his next move. The clearing buzzed with energy, a palpable mix of magic and determination.
"Let's stop holding back," Michael said confidently as he glanced at his mother. "You can step in if things get out of hand, right?" he asked. Amelia nodded, a calm but watchful expression on her face.
"Alright, I'll be ready. You two go all out," she said with a smile. Then, looking at Lith, she added, "Young man, don't worry about harming my son. But if you impress me, I'll invite you to my estate to study magic alongside Michael." Her words were both an encouragement and a challenge. Lith nodded, his focus sharpening.
"Begin," Amelia declared.
Michael smirked, locking eyes with Lith. "Show me what you've got," he said, summoning six glowing orbs of light that floated around him. With a flick of his fingers, the orbs darted into the air, twisting and turning before homing in on Lith from all directions.
Lith raised an eyebrow, impressed by the spell's complexity. Homing magic, huh? Let's see how good it really is. He cast Wind Step, propelling himself with a burst of air to evade the first wave of orbs. But Michael wasn't letting up—he twisted his hand, redirecting the remaining orbs toward Lith.
"Not bad," Lith muttered under his breath as he summoned Stone Shard Barrage, sending sharp, jagged pieces of rock to intercept the orbs. The resulting clash sent small bursts of light and debris scattering across the clearing.
Michael grinned. "You're good, but you'll need to do better than that." With a twirl of his fingers, the remaining orbs merged into a single, larger bolt of light that crackled with energy as it shot toward Lith.
Amelia watched closely, her expression a mix of admiration and curiosity. "This is getting interesting," she murmured to herself as the duel escalated.
Lith's eyes narrowed as he cast Earth Dome, surrounding himself with a protective shell of solid earth. The powerful light bolt struck the dome, causing it to crack but not break.
From within the dome, Lith smirked. Time to turn this around. He summoned Shockwave Pulse, a wave of energy that shattered his dome outward, sending fragments flying in all directions and disrupting Michael's stance.
"Not bad," Michael admitted, steadying himself as he began casting a more complex spell. "Let's see how you handle this," he said, his voice brimming with confidence. Glowing lines of light formed intricate runes in the air around him, the spell taking shape with precision.
"It ends now," Michael declared as Lith suddenly found himself encased in a cage of light. The shimmering bars of energy radiated an intense glow, pulsating with restrained power. Michael smirked, certain of his victory.
Lith examined the cage carefully, his sharp eyes scanning every detail. He raised his hand, a faint grin on his lips. "Is that all?" he asked, his tone calm and unshaken. Without hesitation, he channeled his magic, forming a dense orb of shadow in his palm.
"Break," he commanded softly, unleashing the orb against the light cage. The collision caused a ripple of energy as shadow and light clashed violently. For a moment, the cage resisted, but Lith's power surged, shattering it into fragments that dissolved into the air.
Michael's eyes remained calm, showing little surprise. He knew Lith was an Awakener like himself, so mastering basic Tier I magic wasn't a big deal. "You're good," he admitted with a slight nod.
But then he grinned. "But you still lost," he added confidently.
Lith frowned, his focus sharpening as he noticed something peculiar. Though the light cage had appeared to break, it was merely the outermost layer. There were five more layers, each aligned with a different elemental attribute, intricately woven together. Breaking through them all would take time—time that could easily prove fatal in a real duel.
Michael's smirk widened. "This is where it ends," he said, watching Lith closely, ready to see how his opponent would handle this unexpected turn. The layered cage glowed menacingly, its complexity a testament to Michael's advanced magical skill.
Lith looked at the cage, nodding slowly. "Yes, I lost," he admitted, just as Michael snapped his fingers, breaking the magical prison.
With the duel over, applause filled the air. The crowd cheered and praised Michael for his skill, while Lith simply lowered his head, silently acknowledging his defeat. 'It seems I still can't match a noble,' he thought, feeling the sting of his loss.
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A/ N : if any of you are wondering how long will he remain in this world, then its just 20 chaps, I am just going to introduce the three worlds he got and then we are back to Marvel.
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