Chapter 267

The story was a biting critique of Schwarz, who, as the crown prince, often relied on the strength of other mages rather than stepping forward bravely himself.

Schwarz gritted his teeth, but he still couldn’t move as easily as before.

His eyes were filled with wary suspicion as he studied Christian.

Everyone watching the duel shared the same sentiment.

“This isn’t an ordinary magical skill.”

“It seems to be a sword technique of some kind. What kind of skill is this?”

Magical skills come in different tiers.

The deeper the insight and enlightenment a mage attains, the more powerful their skills become.

In that regard, the skill Christian was displaying was unlike anything they had ever seen.

Meanwhile, Christian smirked inwardly at their thoughts.

“Of course. Among sword techniques, this is the ultimate skill.”

Among the offensive skills that knights or battle mages acquire, they generally fall into three categories:

First, skills that enhance the method of attack—like surpassing physical laws to gain speed or unpredictability. These are the simplest and lowest tier.

Next, skills that increase the destructive power of the attack itself—rarer and deadlier.

And finally, the highest tier: skills that completely ignore the opponent’s defenses by transcending the laws themselves.

The skill “Extermination” that Count Kazar possessed was of this last type.

So what about the skill Christian gained as a 7-star Holy Light mage?

“It’s called ‘Single Point.’ It’s a skill that allows me to cut exactly where I intend, transcending the laws.”

More precisely, it lets him cut wherever his will directs.

To others, this might sound impossible, even absurd.

But it was true.

“It’s inspired by the ‘Heart Sword’ technique Evan used after reaching 9 stars.”

Of course, it wasn’t comparable to the real Heart Sword.

It only produced a similar effect—but that alone was devastating.

“Especially for a sheltered flower like him, it’s poison.”

Christian’s ‘Single Point’ skill wasn’t invincible.

There were ways to counter it.

A top-tier mage who could manipulate the laws more skillfully could nullify the skill.

Or, by sensing the subtle unnaturalness when the skill was activated, one could react in an instant.

“If none of that works, you could just protect your vital points and ignore minor damage while pushing forward aggressively.”

But Schwarz couldn’t manage any of those.

He lacked real frontline experience despite being the crown prince of a noble family.

“Plus, it’s a skill optimized for fighting destruction mages.”

Just then, Schwarz tried to cast destructive black magic again.

But just before it could manifest, the spell was nullified.

Christian had sliced through the core of the magic with his Single Point skill.

This was possible because Christian had the insight to see through the structure of magical formulas and locate their cores.

Especially with destructive black magic, which always has a core due to its nature, Christian’s attack was particularly effective.

“Just give it up already. Hey, you’re not crying, are you? Your eyes are all red. I don’t want to see an old man’s tears, so hold it in, okay?”

“Shut up!!!”

Schwarz lost his composure and shouted.

With a flash!

He withdrew his shield and focused his magical energy on his vital points.

Since the skill couldn’t be blocked by a shield, he was trying to protect his critical spots.

At the same time, he unleashed a fierce aura.

“Enemy! Enemy!!”

With a chilling sound, the air around him began to warp like heat haze.

It was Schwarz’s skill magic: Destruction.

A terrifying spell that literally transcended the laws to annihilate the opponent.

‘He’s come up with a decent countermeasure.’

Knowing he was bound to lose if this dragged on, he wanted to end it in one decisive strike.

But Schwarz hadn’t accounted for one thing.

“You’re an idiot, aren’t you?”

“!!”

Schwarz’s eyes widened as if they might tear.

Christian’s voice came from behind him.

‘When?’

At the same moment, Christian’s figure in front of him vanished like mist dispersing.

He had used an illusion spell to distract Schwarz’s vision and sneak behind him!

“Did you forget I’m a dark mage? My specialty isn’t just the sword.”

Normally, Schwarz wouldn’t have been fooled by such an illusion, but he was so focused on Christian’s attacks that he made a basic mistake.

Schwarz tried to react desperately, but it was too late.

Bam!

Christian’s fist landed squarely on Schwarz’s face.

Because he had lowered his shield to prepare for Single Point, he was completely defenseless.

“Ugh!!”

He tried to raise his shield belatedly, but it was useless.

Once a black mage lets you get close, you’re as good as a mouse caught in a cat’s paw.

Bam! Bam!

The brutal punches left everyone in the arena pale with shock.

Not only was he losing, but the crown prince of the renowned destruction mages was being humiliated like this.

Finally, thud! Schwarz collapsed to the ground.

But Christian wasn’t done—he raised his foot, ready to stomp down on Schwarz’s neck.

If he did, Schwarz’s neck would break, leaving him crippled.

Terror filled Schwarz’s eyes.

Just then, someone couldn’t hold back any longer.

“Stop this at once!!”

Crackle!

Black lightning shot up beside Christian as a warning.

A sudden, ominous thunderclap.

A ‘skill’ that transcended physical laws.

Turning his gaze, Christian saw a woman glaring at him with furious eyes.

Jessica, the vice head of the destruction mages’ faction, Black Thunder.

Despite her youthful appearance maintained by powerful magic, she was over seventy years old.

The moment this highest-ranking 8-star mage stepped forward, the arena fell silent.

‘As expected, she’s here. Jessica is known for doting on her nephew, Schwarz.’

Christian nodded inwardly.

In fact, he had deliberately pressured Schwarz, hoping Jessica would intervene.

It was all part of the plan.

“This is a sacred duel. Why are you telling us to stop?”

“…The outcome has already been decided.”

Schwarz, bloodied and bruised, snapped back.

“Aunt! I haven’t lost yet!”

“Shut your mouth! How much more disgrace will you bring upon our family’s honor? Step back immediately!”

Schwarz clenched his fists tightly.

But soon, shame overwhelmed him, and he hung his head and disappeared.

All the destruction mages glared at Christian with fury.

Especially Jessica, who had stepped in for Schwarz, growled as if she wanted to tear Christian apart.

“You’re quite impressive. But this is as far as you go. Your dark mages will end up kneeling before us in utter defeat.”

“Well? Saying that after losing isn’t very intimidating.”

“What did you say?”

Christian scoffed arrogantly, digging into their ears with his words.

“Are you all talk? Maybe you should be called ‘Tooth Mages’ instead of destruction mages.”

“You bastard!!”

The destruction mages all erupted in anger.

Christian pointed at Jessica and shouted nonsense.

“If you’re so confident, why don’t you show me what you’ve got?”

“…What?”

“You interrupted the duel earlier, and now you say it’s over? You’re not backing out, are you?”

The arena fell silent.

Everyone stared at Christian like he was insane.

‘We knew he was crazy, but this is outright madness.’

‘Is he really trying to commit suicide?’

Even the dark mages were stunned.

‘Your Highness, why take such reckless risks?’

‘We have to stop him immediately.’

Some, like Count Kazar and Duke Shpen, knew Christian’s plan but were still anxious.

‘This crazy kid… is he really going to go through with this insane plan?’

But Christian didn’t stop.

“Ending the duel like this is too dull. Show me the true heat of a destruction mage.”

“Ahahaha!!”

Jessica laughed loudly.

“Fine then. I’ll be back shortly, Head of the Faction.”

The Duke of Vessen frowned but nodded.

“Do not kill him. It’s not fitting for the vice head to take his life directly.”

He added one more thing.

“But he needs a proper lesson. Make sure he never acts so arrogantly again.”

In other words, cripple him instead of killing him.

Jessica nodded.

Suddenly, like a flash of lightning, her figure appeared on the stage.

“Kid, if you kneel and apologize for your arrogance in front of everyone now, I might forgive you.”

“As expected of the vice head of the Tooth Mages. You do talk a lot.”

“Hmph.”

Jessica gave a dry laugh at Christian’s relentless provocation.

“Just once. If you can withstand my destruction magic safely, I’ll concede your victory.”

Her voice was full of confidence, certain he wouldn’t survive a single attack.

But then Christian said,

“That doesn’t seem fair.”

“What?”

“We should each get one attack, don’t you think? You attack once, I attack once, then we decide the winner.”

Jessica laughed in disbelief.

“Fine. As you say.”

Her eyes began to gleam.

The light of black lightning.

Fwoosh!

The atmosphere shifted.

The sky darkened as if heavy storm clouds had gathered, like sinking into a sea of darkness.

The air grew heavy, and sparks crackled here and there in the void.

This was Jessica’s domain: Thunder Dragon Black Sea.

A domain of domination that amplifies the power of her specialty: destructive black magic of the brain-electric type.

“I won’t kill you. Instead, you’ll be doomed to never hear or see anything again, unable to move even a finger, forced to regret your mistakes today for all eternity.”

Jessica’s signature move had always been to incinerate her opponent’s entire nervous system with brain-electricity.

Those who faced her ended up completely broken, reduced to nothing more than breathing shells.

“If you kneel and apologize now…”

“Enough with your empty words. I have just one question.”

“What?”

“How is Lady Fresia doing? I heard she’s your beloved niece.”

“!!”

She was the biological mother of the Third Prince Maysak, who had suffered at Chris’s hands. She had tried to harm Chris but ended up losing Maysak and fled to the Destruction Maga family.

Since then, consumed by hatred for Chris, she had lived like a madwoman. And now, mocking her, this was brought up.

“You live so wickedly, you deserve punishment. Isn’t the Destruction Maga family’s upbringing to blame? Tell her to try living a little kinder from now on.”

“You bastard!!”

Enraged beyond measure, Jessica summoned her power.

Zzzzzzt!!

A wave of electric shocks surged through the domain of domination.

The dark Maga figures watching paled.

“No! Stop this!”

Count Kazar, desperate over his son’s peril, was about to rush in.

But Marquis Shupen grabbed his shoulder.

“Wait a moment.”

“But even Christian can’t handle that…!!”

“Look into the Grand Prince’s eyes.”

In Christian’s gaze, there was no trace of fear.

Only fierce determination.

As if to say, he could overcome this.