The Legendary Mage (Alavin)

Alavin paused for a moment, then, under the incredulous stares of those around him, he rose to his feet. He shrugged his shoulders, limbering up, and once again assumed the starting stance of the Goliath Force, his four fingers dancing in the air, beckoning to Galos.

Without a word, he challenged again.

His physical constitution, having been enhanced multiple times through the Restoration Mantra, was much tougher than that of an average person; especially after the second phase of the Restoration Mantra, his resilience was at least tenfold that of a normal human.

Galos couldn't believe his eyes. Alavin was standing up again!

Many onlookers exchanged glances, wondering whether Alavin was merely putting on a brave front or if he truly had the strength to fight once more. His silent, head-down, relentless charge exerted an inexplicable pressure on them. His body, covered in wounds and blood, deterred many of the female Protégées from looking too closely.

"Bravo! Truly an eye-opener today!" Galos spat out a mouthful of blood, taking a deep breath to steady his churning life force.

People looked from Alavin to Galos, sensing a turn of events.

"There's still half the time left, Galos! Fight, what are you waiting for?" someone in the crowd shouted with glee.

Galos glared red-eyed at the crowd, and the shouting Protégé shrank back, not daring to make another peep.

But while he fell silent, others cared not for restraint.

"A Novice Mage of Stage VII can't beat a Stage V? Galos, you're really doing your mentor proud," called out a bold voice. The Protégés were shocked at the audacity, but when they followed the voice and saw it was Cedrick, they all fell silent.

"Don't be so arrogant. After I defeat Alavin, you'll be my next challenge," Galos replied coldly.

"Let's talk after you defeat Alavin, shall we? Time is running short. Faster than you think, right?"

"That's enough." Galos charged at Alavin once again, this time forgoing the use of Blink Sprint and rushing straight ahead, his momentum surging. Arcs of electricity crackled fiercely around his body, growing more intense and concentrated until they nearly engulfed him.

Alavin frowned slightly, sensing the murderous intent from Galos, which felt different than before.

"You want a head-on clash? I'll oblige!" Galos roared. After taking a dozen steps, he leaped from the ground with his right fist charged with all his might, heading straight for Alavin. The electricity around his arm gathered into a torrential force.

Thundervein Valor, the fifth sequence! The Roar of True Lightning!

This was his most powerful Combat Magic, the final sequence of Thundervein Valor. Galos was provoked and wanted to end the fight quickly, to crush Alavin with a single blow.

The arena fell silent, with only Carlys anxiously reminding Alavin, "Don't take it head-on, dodge! There's not much time left. You can drag it out to the end. You can do it."

"You forced me to use the fifth sequence. You should be proud. This battle shall end today." Galos swung his arm, the lightning culminating into a brightness like a blazing sun that engulfed half of the dueling platform, making it impossible to see.

People held their breath, trying to discern the situation, but nothing could be seen.

Alavin did not dodge; his face was solemn, his eyes closed as he began to unleash the fifth sequence of Goliath Force-Shadow Sabre. His skin flushed red, blood boiling hot, his clothes and hair moving without wind. He threw a punch directly at the incoming attack, and his strength surged by sixfold.

An explosive force of immense magnitude!

Galos' attack arrived at that moment, and the head-sized ball of lightning... exploded...

This was a clash of titans, a strike of life and death.

The Roar of True Lightning vs. Shadow Sabre.

"Crack!" A loud blast, like thunder on a clear day, reverberated across the platform, engulfing the audience, many of whom were left with only a ringing in their ears, having lost their hearing. Within the blinding light, Galos released his spell with a vicious smile, intending to cripple Alavin.

However...

Alavin's heavy punch managed to shatter the exploding tide of lightning, piercing through it and landing on Galos' fist.

In that instant, amidst the thunderous roar that echoed throughout the arena, there was the sound of shattering bones and the following screams of agony, all drowned out by the relentless thunder. Alavin was knocked back by the blast of the Roar of True Lightning, retreating more than a dozen steps before he could steady himself. His right fist and arm were bloodied from breaking through the lightning, but the wounds were not serious.

The seemingly powerful Roar of True Lightning was shattered by his diamond-like strength, now dissolving into errant sparks.

He stood retreating, while Galos was sent tumbling across the ground, rolling over twenty meters before coming to a stop, his agonized screams filling the air. His right arm was grotesquely twisted out of shape.