Magic's Return: I Can See The Spirits

'I-It has D-Direction Manipulation as well!'

Eldric's eyes widened in horror. The Fire Spear was coming at him, his defense spell still needed time, and there was no way he could cast it in time.

He was done for!

Eldric's instincts took over, he stopped casting and just focused on running with everything he had. Of course, it was a foolish decision, there was no way a human, a mage with a weak body at that, could outrun a spell, not to mention a spell that was boosted by 'Speed' and 'Direction Manipulation.'

But that's what fear does to one. One could hardly make a sane decision when influenced by fear.

"Aaaagggghhhhh!!!"

Eldric screamed for his life. His heart pounded like crazy, the Fire Spear was catching up and was about to burn him.

However, just as it was about to happen, the Fire Spear suddenly changed its direction and collided with the ground barely 5 cm away from Eldric's feet.

*BOOM*

"AggggghhhhH!!!"

Even though it wasn't a direct contact, the impact was enough for Eldric's body to fly away from the force of the collision.

"Uggghh." Eldric groaned in pain, he had twisted his leg.

'I am alive…?'

The look of absolute confusion on his face was a sight to see.

He was in pain, but at the same time, he couldn't understand how he lived.

But then,

"Oops, looks like a missed, my bad."

Vaan sighed as he shook his head.

Then, a wide smile appeared on his face and, "But I am sure that this time, I won't miss. Get ready, coconut head, I'll be shoving this entire thing right into your ass!"

Vaan had already summoned another Fire Spear. Aldric on the other hand, had no spells ready, heck, let alone spells, he had not even summoned his magic circles yet, Vaan was a complete round ahead of him.

For a Basic Mage, this advantage was so high that Eldric winning this battle was close to impossible.

Why? It was simple.

Vaan can simply fire his Spell,

Vaan can simply fire his Spell, Whether Eldric defends it or dodges it, he would still need 2 extra seconds to cast another spell, by that time, Vaan would already be ready for another attack. For Basic Mages who absorbs the Mana from the surrounding, this cycle can continue for an indefinite time,

Vaan would continue to attack, Eldric would continue to barely defend, there was no other direction this match could go into. Eldric had no other choice but to surrender.

And that's what he did.

"Surrender! I surrender!!"

He shouted in despair as he continued to run away from the Fire Spear Vaan had shot towards him.

However, even after he surrendered, the Fire Spear didn't stop, and neither did the Host or the Audience move, the duel was still on.

"I already surrendered!! What's happening!?"

Eldric shouted.

"Coconut Head, you really did forget those 'free' extra 20 Elemental Stones you wanted, didn't you?" Vaan chuckled.

Eldric's eyes widened in horror and then,

*BOOOM*

The Fire Spear burst right next to his feet again.

"AAaaagagAGghhhhhHH! My leg!!" Eldric screamed, this time, his foot had burned.

"Aha! I was closer this time!" Vaan shouted.

"Well it is still far from your ass, I am sure this one would make it."

And again, another Fire Spear was summoned, Eldric's face got paler, tears streamed out of his eyes as he begged,

"Young Maste-"

"Don't bother, this is like an Aiming practice session for me, the target is your lower hole, and I'll continue till I get the hit."

Vaan laughed, absorbing the surrounding Mana again. Eldric, even though his leg was twisted and his foot was burned, he had no other option but to stand up and run.

He didn't even think about using a spell to defend himself, not only did he not have the time, the fear had completely taken over him, and there was no way he would be able to cast any of his spells right now.

Vaan continued to shoot Fire Spears again and again, making Eldric run all over the stage, etching fear into the hearts of the rest of the challengers and the audience.

"This… is this really a battle between two 2nd Circle Mages…? It's more like a 3rd Circle Mage bullying a newbie mage."

"With those Magic Circles, how is Young Master Vaan any different than a 3rd Circle Mage? He has 12 Inner Circles!"

"This is ridiculous, to think Young Master Vaan was this strong…"

"I guess his Bloodline is finally showing up…"

"Hahaha~ The Blood of the Vesta, how could it produce ordinary mages?"

"Not to mention he is someone who is from the main line of heirs, the direct son of the Family Head. It was strange that he was said to have average talent, I guess he was just hiding his talents and was researching that Advanced Circle."

"Indeed indeed, he really hid well, didn't he?"

"I guess Vesta Family will be producing another, remarkably strong and respected mage, won't it?"

"I am looking forward to it."

The people in the audience couldn't stop talking, the same mouths that were talking about how they were looking forward to Vaan's defeat were now singing his praises.

They were all professional bootlickers, all of them hoping to catch Vaan's eyes and change their fate.

But then suddenly,

"H-Hey…"

One of the men in the crowd called out as he pointed towards the Stage.

"Why is Young Master Vaan running towards the other mage like that…?"

"H-Huh? Is he closing the Distance to cast a spell?"

"But the Fire Spears are working perfectly fine, he just needs to attack and the duel would have ended…"

"Is he trying another spell?"

"An experiment in the middle of the Duel?"

"Heh, Young Master Vaan sure is brave."

"As expected from someone with the Vesta Blood."

"What kind of spell do you think he would use?"

"You think I would have been sitting here with someone like you if I knew that?"

"…"

"I can only say that it must be something amazing."

The crowd was excited, they had even prepared themselves to see something they had never seen before, and Vaan showed them exactly that.

Something they had never seen before.

Something they would never forget for the rest of their life,

The sight of a Mage, jumping at his opponent with a wild smile on his face and then punching the opponent's face with everything he had.

"Hahaha! As I thought, spells are fun and all, but the feeling of your fist on a nose is definitely unbeatable!"

Vaan laughed out loud and then,

"Hey Coconut Head, do you think a Dented Coconut would look good?

How about we try and figure that out?"

"H-Huh-ugghhhh!!"

Vaan, sitting on Eldric's stomach, rained down a barrage of punches onto Eldric's face. Eldric was not a fighter, his leg was injured and his entire body was exhausted from running like a madman, in front of Vaan who was sitting on top of him with that crazy smile on his face, raining down punches at him, Eldric was defenseless.

"S-Stwop this!"

He could only plead.

"Y-Young Master Vwaan! P-please stop this! I surrender! I surrender! I am swure those rumors are f-false, that bwastered who framed you, I hope he dwies a painful death! I was wrong, please, please forgive me!"

After being punched for the fifteenth time, Eldric couldn't take it anymore. No matter how many times he surrendered, the Host didn't stop the battle. Everything was in Vaan's head, Eldric who realized it started bleeding.

Vaan finally paused.

Then he momentarily glanced at the other challengers and then took a deep breath.

"Do you surrender?" he questioned.

Eldric's face brightened up. "Yes! I swurrender! I swurrender!!" He nodded continuously, looking at both the Host and the Crowd to show his complete surrender.

It was without a doubt one of the most enthusiastic surrenders people had seen.

Vaan was a generous and humble man.

Seeing him surrender so desperately, he stood up, then glanced at the Host, the Host nodded and stopped the Battle.

"The Winner of the First Magic Duel, Vaan Astra Vesta."

The results were announced.

"YEAAAHHH!!!"

The crowd cheered. Many started chanting Vaan's name, Vaan waved at the crowd, enjoying the love and attention he was receiving.

"See? This time I didn't hit him till he passed out, I stopped before. I told you I was a good person, didn't I?" Vaan spoke to the two lovely fairies flying around him.

By now, Flamey was already used to this, therefore, she just sighed. Splashy was still a little taken aback, however, with Flamey patting her back like a big sister, she wasn't much affected either.

Vaan smiled at the two fairies, then his eyes fell on a certain red-haired girl watching him from afar.

He waved at her excitedly, Elara blushed a little but then waved back.

The atmosphere in the stadium was good, but then,

"Can we continue the next duel already? If Young Master isn't tired, that is."

A rude voice was heard.

Vaan glanced at the challenger who had spoken up and,

"Ahh! I was wondering why you so looked familiar,

You have been one of my punchbags before!"