Chapter 122: Flames Over Steel
Wilfric’s voice rang like steel:
"Clone Secret Technique—Unbreakable illusion multiple!"
A chilling hush swept over the arena.
Celia’s eyes narrowed. "What is this...?"
Without waiting, she sprinted forward, sword blazing with white and red fire. "Then I’ll end this—right here!" she cried.
Her blade cut clean through his form—shhhh!
Dust scattered. Her eyes widened.
"What—?"
Wilfric was gone.
She spun around—only to see another Wilfric behind her. Then another. Then another. Within seconds, ten identical shadows stood around her, swords gleaming, each one moving with the same deadly rhythm.
The crowd erupted into panic and awe.
"Is this an illusion?!" someone shouted.
"No... those are afterimages," another corrected. "He’s moving so fast, the eye can’t follow!"
Celia gritted her teeth, raising her flaming sword high. Which one is the real him?
She tightened her stance, sweat sliding down her cheek.
This... this is going to be a problem.
"Wow... that’s actually impressive," Lyra muttered, eyes fixed on the arena. "He’s making clones of himself. But they’re still illusions."
"Yeah, it’s truly remarkable," Nolan agreed. His gaze sharpened. "But Celia better not fall for it."
Lyra tilted her head, studying closely. "Don’t worry. I think she has the power to see through it. This—this is what 0.001% of your mana can achieve. Just imagine the full extent..."
She paused, her tone carrying a weight only Nolan understood. "If you went all out with the Behemoth, or unleashed your full power right now, Nolan... it could cause an explosion strong enough to wipe out half the Empire. Even the shockwaves alone would tear through human defenses."
"Stop saying it like I’m some kind of monster," Nolan sighed, though his jaw tightened. "I know my power’s grown drastically... and I’m only level four. What happens when I reach ten?" He clenched his fist. "That thought scares me more than it excites me."
Lyra smirked faintly. "Maybe so. But for Celia, this fight isn’t about raw power. It’s about not falling for cheap tricks. If she stays calm, she’ll realize—among all those ten illusions—only one of them is speaking. Focus, and the truth will reveal itself."
Nolan’s eyes flickered. "Strong words... but you’re right. With my heightened senses, I can already tell which one is real. Linda..." He glanced at the elf beside him. "If you were in her place, this technique would be useless against you. You’d read him in an instant."
Linda shook her head. "Maybe. But Wilfric is a close-range fighter. Even if I could read his moves, dealing with that speed would be tough." She clenched her fist, then raised her voice. "Celia! You can do this!"
Celia turned, catching Linda’s eyes. Then she noticed Nolan watching silently, and her heart tightened.
Her grip on her sword wavered for just a breath. Master is watching me. Am I about to disappoint him... in my very first battle?
Her jaw set, her eyes hardening. No. I won’t.
Celia inhaled, flames sparking brighter along her blade. "It doesn’t matter where the attack comes from. I will find a way out of this!"
A white flame started increasing. Increasing it. I will make it more hotter, Celia said as she increased. The heat was odd, the white flame was growing.
What is she doing again? That flame is getting really hot, so hot. She is filling her sword with the heat on her body too. While it doesn’t matter, I will strike her down, Wilfric said, as three of his clones moved to confuse her.
Celia did nothing to know who she really was, but she decided to strike the three. But the three were clones. That was when Wilfric slashed her at her back. The crowd paused. Did he do it?
Then Celia smiled. Finally, it went according to my plan. Before he could move away as he slashed her, she turned, like she didn’t feel a single pain, and started clashing her sword at him.
At his sword, the both of their swords started clashing. I won’t give you a chance to use your technique, Celia said.
The both of them continued. No, I’m a bit more better than her when it comes to using the sword, but the problem is that flame. It’s melting. It’s going to melt my sword if they clash further. Although this is one of the highest metals forged by one of the greatest blacksmiths. And what type of flame is that which is burning white, and a little bit red flame beneath? She’s dangerous, Wilfric thought as the both of them kept slashing their swords.
Finally, I’ve seen my chance, I can escape, Wilfric thought as he smiled, then he jumped back. But as he jumped back, it was as if Celia’s speed had increased ten times before. As he jumped back, all she saw, she jumped, she was on the same side with him.
Huh? He moved, trying to react to it. Trying to react and trying to jump away. Flame. She used a flame ball, which was white, and she tossed it to him. He couldn’t do it, it landed on his stomach.
He fell on the ground. The bone is too much. It went through. No. No. The bones. He was on the ground, breathing fast.
How come did I lose? Have I lost? No, I haven’t. Who is this lady? I’m supposed to be S rank. Huh? How did she have the upper edge? No, I won’t lose, Wilfric thought as he raised his sword up.
As he raised his sword up, about to reach Celia, she covered her sword with flame and divided his sword into two. Shattered. Then she put a sword on his neck.
Huh? I can’t seem to go any further. I give up, Wilfric shattered. He fell on the ground, breathing out in serious pain, and from the bones in his stomach.
The crowd. What is going on? Team Nolan have proven themselves again. Wow. This lady was even more outstanding. Against an S rank. The elf Linda fought an A rank, but this one, she won against an S rank and one of the best in the empire, someone in the crowd said.