Chapter 16: A Mock Battle with the Veteran Butler
Rest kicked off the ground, his body enhanced by Body Enhancement, soaring in all directions to bewilder his opponent. Ever since he was taken in by the Honorary Viscount House at the age of ten, he had entered the Forest countless times to battle monsters. Body Enhancement was one of the most frequently used spells in his arsenal, and it would not be an exaggeration to say it was his signature technique.
(This person… is strong…!)
As he fought against the butler of the Rosemary Marquis House, Rest couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. It had barely been three minutes since the battle began. He had managed to land the first blow and send his opponent flying, but he believed that was merely due to the butler’s momentary lapse in concentration—a lucky punch, so to speak.
“Remarkable Body Enhancement… I never expected a youth not yet twenty to wield this spell with such precision…!”
The butler praised him while guarding Rest’s punch. Though he appeared to be over sixty, his movements were sharp and swift, matching the speed of the teenage Rest.
“The surprise is on my end… Despite my appearance, I was confident in my speed,” Rest replied, launching an assault.
The butler ducked low to evade a high kick aimed at his head.
“I have my pride as an old soldier… Moreover, while you possess considerable Magical Power and seem to use Body Enhancement regularly, your experience in combat against other people appears to be lacking, does it not?”
“Well…”
“Your attacks are honest and straightforward, lacking any feints. It is evident you have not trained in formal martial arts and have only fought against monsters. If you had practiced the martial arts, I would have long since been on the ground.”
“…………”
He struck a painful chord. Although it seemed Rest was on the offensive, the butler skillfully deflected his attacks. The difference in their abilities was glaring.
(Maybe I should really learn martial arts properly? Cedric seems to have never studied it…)
The butler launched a sharp knife-hand strike. Rest instinctively braced himself, only to be struck by a low kick to his left leg. The blow landed squarely on his weak spot, and he nearly let out a groan.
“A feint… I see, so that’s how it is…!”
“Oh? Are you alright?”
“I-I’m fine…!”
His leg wobbled. He didn’t think it was broken, but it certainly felt bruised. Without releasing Body Enhancement, he simultaneously activated Healing to mend his leg.
“Oh, quite skillful. You can activate two spells at once.”
“I-I can do it…”
“Many young magicians cannot. The less experienced tend to focus on using powerful spells, neglecting the precision and simultaneous activation of magic. It is lamentable how many youngsters disregard the fundamentals.”
“Then… can I do this as well?”
Having healed his injury, Rest activated another spell. A sphere of lightning appeared in his palm.
“Thunder Ball!”
“Oh… Lightning magic, is it?”
The lightning surged toward the butler, but he deflected it with a knife-hand strike. Although it seemed he had touched the lightning, he showed no signs of being electrocuted. Upon closer inspection, Rest noticed the butler’s arm was coated in brown earth.
“Wrapping magic around your body like this is effective in close combat, you know?”
“I see… This is quite enlightening!”
Once again, Rest attacked with lightning. Although his assault was blocked, he seized the opportunity to leap at the butler.
“Hah!”
“Whoa!?”
The butler gasped in surprise. Rest had wrapped his arm in sharpened earth, the same spell the butler had demonstrated earlier.
“My apologies. I see you have already mastered it.”
“Well, that remains to be seen!”
“Interesting, interesting.”
The two clashed their earth-armed arms together, the sound of hard impacts echoing in rapid succession.
“Ugh…!”
After several exchanges, the butler’s fist struck Rest’s shoulder. It was clear that in a brawl, he was at a disadvantage.
“Then… how about this!”
“…………!”
Multiple Thunder Balls appeared around Rest.
“Take this…!”
Of course, that was not the end. While unleashing the Thunder Balls, Rest also charged at the butler with his earth-clad arm.
“Impressive, impressive…! Truly wonderful…!”
As the butler countered the Thunder Balls with his earth-encased arm, he expressed genuine admiration.
Body Enhancement
Thunder Ball
Earth Wear
The Trio of magic was activated. Rest was simultaneously maintaining three different spells, a feat only possible with strong willpower to control his Magical Power, delicacy, and an immense amount of Magical Power.
“This… I must go all out, or I will lose!”
“Ugh…!”
Just as Rest prepared to deliver a decisive blow, the butler’s figure vanished.
“Ugh…!”
In the next moment, a sharp strike hit the back of his neck, causing his brain to rattle. The sudden blow forced his magic to dissipate, and his consciousness began to fade.
(I lost… What just happened…?)
Without even understanding what had transpired, Rest collapsed to the ground, unconscious.