“Shit even he can do that?” Alex asked surprised at his use of mana.
“Everyone who wields a weapon can do that, you aren’t an anomaly human but he is.” Blake said as he pointed to the dagger wielder. “Vice-Captain, Nozark-The swift slasher!” He said out loud.
“Swift Slasher? Is t-that like a title?” Alex asked as he blocked an incoming attack.
“Yes, he is the only one among the Vice-Captain’s in the royal guards to have a title. Though from what I’ve heard, he isn’t anywhere near as strong as Gale. Still we need to keep our guard up considering that I have never faced him before, h-he could be q-quite troublesome.” Blake cautioned as he forcefully kicked the soldier in front.
Suddenly the charging soldiers fell back confusing them both. But they soon understood their intention.
*Clank* *Clank* *Swish*
“Ahh!” Alex groaned in pain as he held the side of his arm. Nozark had appeared out of nowhere and attacked him thrice in a second. He managed to block the first two attacks but the third one got in. Fortunately, he had covered his body with mana like an invisible shield. It was something he had read about in one of the library books. But the impact from the attack still travelled causing his arm to jerk back violently.
“Oi! Human don’t let your—
Blake was cut off as Alex pushed him back and intercepted another one of Nozark’s attack. Before Nozark could follow up Alex jumped back quickly pulling Blake along with him.
“His title is befitting him, we can’t relax for a mome—
*Boom* *Boom* *Crack*
Before Blake could say anything, a few dozen spells rained down on them but they were immediately protected by their barriers. However, just like that it had already began to crack. This didn’t go unnoticed by anyone.
‘Although you two are impressive, you both are still little kids.’ Nozark internalized.
“Press on with the attack! Co-ordinate with my movements, they are weakening.” Nozark commanded as he charged forward. The barrage of spells continued for a few seconds before they abruptly stopped.
“Tier Two: Rush!”
Suddenly Nozark’s hands and legs began to glow in a dark green hue as his speed shot up several fold. He quickly appeared beside Blake and stabbed in succession three times. This time Alex didn’t even had time to react to it. Similar to Alex even Blake’s body was covered by mana forming an invisible armor protecting him from Nozark’s attacks.
But the impact blew him back along with Alex. Having lost their balance, Nozark fell back as another volley of spells rained down on them. They quickly erected their mana barriers. Using this method Nozark wasn’t letting them get into the middle of the soldiers while maintaining pressure on them.
The same process repeated several times exhausting the two of them and backing them into a corner. It had become quite clear that it won’t be long before the two of them fell.
“Aren’t they low on mana yet? They’re releasing those spells like spare change upon us!” Alex complained while maintaining the barrier.
“Those attacks aren’t coming from the use of their own mana but rather from their weapons. They are modified and fitted with individual mana cores enabling the weapons to release such attacks constantly!” Blake explained. Nozark’s strategy was proving quite effective as Alex and Blake found themselves to be completely helpless.
“Damn! Damn!” Blake grumbled as he felt frustrated for not being able to use his own magic. “Looks like we’ll have to retreat.” Alex said as cracks developed on his mana barrier.
“Run? We can’t possibly run in this situation! They’ll kill us!” Blake protested.
“We don’t have any other option! As soon as my barrier gets destroyed, I’ll create a smokescreen. I need to take you piggyback with me.”
“I’d rather die human!” Blake scoffed. “That’s the only way Blake! You can’t run as fast as me not while I have my spell activated.” Alex reasoned. After a bit of debate Blake realized that it was indeed the only option left. They’ll either be stabbed to death or evaporated by magic.
With the plan set as soon as the barrier broke Alex launched a mana slash at the ground causing the dust to kick up. Not wasting even, a second, he ran in the opposite direction with Blake. Due to his boost spell, all of his physical capabilities had increased and doubled which made it easier for him to carry Blake without him slowing down.
But there was someone who was still faster. Nozark immediately appeared in front of the two blocking their way further. Alex didn’t stop and continued to run as he changed his direction but Nozark caught up to him running side by side as he kicked the duo from their left.
Both of them fell on the ground completely becoming vulnerable. The next moment spells again rained down on them. The two quickly put up their barriers but only to break under the pressure of the attacks.
With no other line of defense alive, the spells rained on them as the two took a direct hit. Alex opened his eyes to a slightly blurred world as a constant ringing sound rang in his ear. As he lay on the ground, he saw the silhouettes of soldiers approaching him from a distance. His first thought was where was he. But soon reality sunk in as Alex’s legs felt weak.
“No… I-I don’t w-want to die…” Panic arose in his heart as Alex tried to crawl away. But he didn’t get far as he felt a restriction. His hand was still cuffed.
“No! Please! Aahhh…” He tried desperately several times to break the wire of the cuffs but it didn’t budge. Blake on the other hand lay next to him unconscious. It didn’t happened suddenly but Alex realized that the earlier advantage they had against the soldiers was slowly broken and all by a single man, Nozark!
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