Silas spread his hand and gathered mana in the air. His mind worked through every barrier spell he knew and chose a newly developed one.
He crafted a spell crest similar to Luna's spell but much more complex. He created another spell and mixed the two, creating a double barrier.
He then sent the crest to the bodies and snapped his finger. The mana inside his core vanished as it became the fuel for the Tier 3 spell.
He didn't name the spell yet.
After making the barrier, he turned to the fight.
Suddenly, he saw a shadow flying toward him. Silas instantly activated the second circle and ordered the water serpent to create a water barrier.
The serpent grabbed the flying body.
It was Roland.
"Sorry." Roland said, his eyes looking in the direction where he was thrown.
"Strong?" Silas asked.
"No but I can't use his weapon. He is tricky." Roland explained. "Be careful of him, don't get closer. I will engage in a close quarter."
Roland readied himself, taking a stance.
A middle aged man with bald hair entered the scene. The scar on his face ran across his face, his nose was crooked and his smile revealed his yellow and rotten teeth.
On his hand was a big axe and the thing that attached at the end of the axe was a chain. Rusty chain. It was thick and most likely heavier than the axe.
The bald man dropped the axe to the ground and grabbed the thick chain.
"Introduction?" He said. His voice echoed in the dark room.
Seeing that, there was no reply from Silas and Roland, the bald man smiled. His face twisted into an ugly shape.
"I am Zeke. I normally don't appear in the spotlight because of my appearance but I served the Floen Family. To be precise, I am from the family. It is a shame that they don't treat me with respect." Zeke muttered. "Or acknowledge me."
"Now, tell me your name, young men? I can see talent and good faces. Such gifted people." Zeke glanced at them with an aroused face, licking his lips.
Silas looked at Zeke and smirked. "I am Silas. Silas Viremont."
Zeke paused and widened his eyes in surprise. "How old are you?"
"I just turned 18." Silas replied.
Zeke rubbed his chin, deeply thinking about something.
"What's wrong? Is it because I am too old?" Silas spat on the ground.
"No. No. Although I desired your flesh, I don't like young skin." Zeke waved his hand. "I am just surprised that you are Viremont. Our families have a very bad relationship. And I am taken back your ritual starting too soon."
"Ritual?" Silas voiced. He had no idea what Zeke was spouting.
"Oh. You don't know about your family ritual yet?"
Silas squinted his eyes. "I don't know but I can guess."
"Hoh… you don't know at all. But it is not my duty to explain."
Roland was looking around, if Zeke made a hint of attack, he would face head on.
The deep silence descended upon the room with the cold penetrating into their bones. Silas and Roland facing Zeke.
Each side was waiting for the others to make a move.
Zeke looked at the two and sighed. "Young people are supposed to be hot blooded. I can't believe you can still calm in this room."
Zeke smiled, looking around at the bodies, protected by the barrier. He had to expend a bit of energy to break the barrier.
'Viremont's kid is a mage. In the battle, it is best to kill mage but I doubt he can do well in this fight. The place is small and he wants to protect the kids.' Zeke licked his lips and his eyes hung low, observing every single detail.
' Such youth. Such talent.' Zeke thought as his eyes landed on the young knight. 'I will attack him first.'
Silas grabbed the sword and took a stance similar to Roland.
He then swung his sword at the air, the compression happened and the air was sent flying to Zeke.
Zeke's eyes widened and dodged the flying slash. He turned to the left but Roland was waiting.
Without a pause, a young knight aimed at the neck. His eyes burning with rage.
"Haha. So you dabble in the sword." Zeke laughed. He lifted up the chain and blocked the slice.
With the other hand, he lifted up the axe and counterattacked at Roland.
Roland turned his body to the side, avoiding the axe and swung back the sword.
But Zeke saw through and always placed the chain.
The sword met with the thick chain.
The energy behind Roland's sword bursted, pushing back Zeke.
Silas gave another flying slash.
If Zeke moved now, he would be cut in half by Roland. But he needed to dodge the slash as well.
Looking at the situation he found himself in, Zeke laughed. He then used everything inside his circle.
'Time to face it seriously.'
First Circle - The art of chain, which gave him the ability to manipulate his energy like a chain.
Second Circle - Energy Control [Gather and Build.]
Third Circle - Explosive attack.
Fourth Circle - the ability to extend his limbs.
With all the Circle now activated inside his body, Zeke was overwhelmed with power.
His physique grew taller and his limbs began to stretch. Zeke extended his hand, trying to catch the incoming slash.
The slash collided with the flesh.
Silas looked at the attack and was dumbfounded by Zeke's movement. Even if the physique of a fourth circle martial artist was strong, it was nowhere enough to shrug off his attack.
Unlike Roland, he added Air slash to his second circle, giving more power behind the attack.
But as a result, his arms were burning.
When the dust settled, he saw Zeke smiling at him. There was blood on his palm but it was not deep enough.
'I can fire another one.' Silas thought. 'But my hand will lose control.'
Silas grinned and took a step, entering between the fourth circle fight.
Zeke and Roland were evenly matched. But Roland was a lot stronger than Zeke.
He only used Burst and Wind Flow Footwork to pressure Zeke. His overwhelming talent in the sword was visible to the naked eyes. The previous alien feeling toward the chain weapon was gone. He adapted as time went on.
Silas observed the two men.
Then he saw Zeke smiling. Suddenly, his limbs extended and reached toward Roland's chest with incredible speed.
Roland immediately tried to cut with his sword but the activation of the circle was instant.
As soon as Zeke struck his chest, the explosion occurred.
Roland coughed out blood and dropped one knee.
Zeke didn't let go of the opportunity and grabbed the chain and pulled it, the axe came up. He grabbed the chain and swung down.
Roland grabbed the sword and blocked the incoming axe. It was like getting struck by a hammer. The ground underneath cracked.
And without wasting the momentum, Zeke kicked at Roland.
Roland was sent to the barrier. He coughed out blood. But Zeke continued to pursue the young knight. He moved at a fast speed and struck Roland with his knees.
Then, quickly, he warped the chain around Roland's neck and pulled up, lifting the young knight in the air.
Roland let go of his sword and tried to break free but Zeke punched at his stomach again with an explosion fist.
Roland dropped his arms, his eyes rolled back. Everything happened within a few seconds. Not even a minute passed.
Zeke continued to choke Roland with his chain.
Silas appeared from the side and motioned his sword like a rapier.
First Circle - Stab. A basic technique executed to perform 120 percent effectively.
The sword blurred, passing through the gaps and sliced off the finger which held the chain.
Zeke groaned in pain and grabbed Silas's sword. The energy around his hand warped around the sword like a chain.
Seeing that, Silas let go of the sword.
Zeke tried making a fist with his fingerless hand and threw a punch at Silas. Even though Silas was backing away, Zeke's hand extended.
Silas lifted up his hands, making a cross, trying to block.