Amidst the raucous jeers of the crowd,

Enzo surveyed the scene, a subtle smile gracing his lips, “Cruise, since you possess such courage, I shall grant you this opportunity. However, for the sake of fairness, I propose that Thunder Mage allow you three initial strikes. What say you?”

At Enzo’s words, a flicker of surprise crossed Cruise Main’s eyes, swiftly replaced by resolute determination as he nodded, “Very well, I accept!”

Enzo turned to Thunder Mage, “Thunder Mage, will you grant Cruise these three strikes?”

Thunder Mage furrowed his brow momentarily, then relaxed, offering a serene smile, “As Lord Enzo commands, I shall comply.”

Thus, Enzo declared the terms of this extraordinary challenge, positioning Cruise Main and Thunder Mage upon the stage.

Taking a deep breath, Cruise Main’s eyes shimmered with unwavering resolve. He formed intricate hand signs, murmuring arcane incantations, as a delicate aura of magic enveloped him.

“First strike!” he exclaimed, sending a bolt of ice from his fingertips toward Thunder Mage.

Thunder Mage remained motionless, allowing the icy projectile to strike his armor, leaving only a faint white mark in its wake.

“Second strike!” Cruise Main launched his next assault, conjuring a blazing fireball that hurtled straight towards Thunder Mage’s face.

Unfazed, Thunder Mage merely waved a hand, extinguishing the flames before they could reach him, as though they had never existed.

“Third strike!” Cruise Main’s voice now bore the weight of exertion as he summoned all his magical might, unleashing a massive sphere of shadow, brimming with devouring force, that surged relentlessly toward Thunder Mage.

At last, Thunder Mage made his move, effortlessly dodging the shadow sphere before positioning himself behind Cruise Main, his voice gentle yet imbued with undeniable authority: “Three strikes have passed. Now it is my turn.”

Cruise Main’s complexion paled. He was acutely aware that the disparity in power between him and Thunder Mage was far greater than a mere three strikes. Yet he did not flinch, tightly gripping his staff, resolute in facing Thunder Mage’s impending counter.

Instead of launching an immediate attack, Thunder Mage spoke slowly, “Cruise, your valor is commendable, but true combat demands more than mere courage. You are still young, with boundless potential ahead. Do not let a transient setback dishearten you.”

With gritted teeth, Cruise Main nodded, recognizing the grace bestowed upon him by Thunder Mage.

At that moment, Enzo’s voice resonated above the arena: “Very well, Cruise has displayed remarkable courage. We commend his challenge, yet we also acknowledge the chasm in skill. Let us now applaud Thunder Mage for his victory!”

The audience erupted into applause, celebrating Thunder Mage’s triumph and honoring Cruise’s bravery.

However, amidst the thunderous ovation, Cruise Main suddenly raised his staff once more, determination blazing in his eyes, “Wait! Lord Enzo, I have one last strike to present, and I seek Thunder Mage’s guidance!”

Both Enzo and Thunder Mage were taken aback, astonished by Cruise’s resolve to continue the fight.

Enzo inquired,”Are you certain, Cruise?”

“I am certain!” Cruise Main declared loudly, as magical energy surged around him once more, this time more intense than ever before.

Thunder Mage smiled faintly and nodded, “Very well, then I shall brace myself for your next strike.”

Closing his eyes, Cruise Main focused entirely on the gathering of his power. On the arena, magical elements whirled vigorously, gradually forming a complex Magic Circle.

“What is this…” Enzo and the audience held their breath, captivated by the unprecedented magical intensity.

At last, Cruise Main opened his eyes with a fierce shout, “Shadow Tempest!”

With his words, a colossal shadow storm erupted on the stage, swirling menacingly towards Thunder Mage, its power sending tremors through everyone present.

Thunder Mage, his expression grave, recognized the gravity of the situation and did not dare to underestimate the assault. He swiftly formed hand seals, his body crackling with lightning as he prepared for this extraordinary challenge.

When the shadow storm collided with Thunder Mage’s lightning, the arena seemed to shudder. The intense magical fluctuations sent waves of apprehension rippling through the audience.

However, just as everyone anticipated a fiercely balanced confrontation, Thunder Mage suddenly vanished, emerging from within the shadow storm to appear behind Cruise Main. Explore more at mvl

“You…” Cruise Main turned in disbelief, confronting Thunder Mage with a mixture of resentment and admiration in his eyes.

“Cruise, it’s over!” Thunder Mage grinned ominously, “Everything has concluded. You have lost!”

With that, the assured Thunder Mage raised his hand, ready to strike at Cruise Main’s crown.

But in that fleeting moment, the most astonishing scene unfolded.

The seemingly doomed Cruise Main suddenly radiated a peculiar light.

His eyes suddenly sparkled with an extraordinary brightness, as if two flames were ignited within them.

“No! This cannot be!” Thunder Mage exclaimed, sensing the power radiating from Cruise Main escalating dramatically, far beyond his previous estimations.

Cruise Main gritted his teeth, gripping his staff tightly, as magical energy surged through him like molten lava.

“Shadow Fury!” Cruise Main roared, unleashing a torrent of shadow energy several times more potent than before, manifesting as a colossal black beam that surged toward Thunder Mage.

Thunder Mage swiftly summoned all his elemental energy, conjuring a lightning shield in a desperate attempt to withstand this sudden and lethal onslaught.

However, as the shadow beam collided with the lightning shield, the latter began to tremble violently, as if on the verge of shattering.

“What… what kind of power is this?” Thunder Mage gazed at Cruise Main in disbelief. He had never witnessed such formidable shadow energy.

The spectators below were equally astonished, holding their breath in rapt attention, fearful of missing any detail.

In that moment, the shadow beam finally pierced through the lightning shield, striking Thunder Mage with tremendous force. He let out a pained cry, propelled backward by the sheer impact, crashing heavily onto the arena floor.

“I have won!” Cruise Main gasped, his voice weak yet imbued with determination and pride.

The audience fell into a moment of stunned silence, before erupting into thunderous applause and cheers.

“Incredible! Cruise Main has triumphed!”

“This young man is truly a genius!”

“Where did that power come from?”

…

Patricia inquired,”Enzo, did you see that clearly?”

Enzo nodded, “I saw it all.”

“May I inquire about the situation?” Matilda asked, “It seems that Cruise is merely in his teens and has not previously been seen in the Envy Temple. How has he achieved this?”

Enzo smiled slightly and replied, “This fellow is quite intriguing. He is a rare talent on our Alfa planet. What he demonstrated earlier was a forbidden technique from the shadow magic realm, known as ‘Shadow Fury.’ This spell can instantaneously unleash all the shadow energy within a mage, allowing for a remarkable surge in power, albeit at the cost of significant strain on the body, potentially resulting in permanent damage.”

Patricia exclaimed in realization,”Ah, now it makes sense. No wonder he could suddenly unleash such formidable strength.”

Flora said with a furrowed brow, “However, this forbidden technique should not be employed lightly. Though he emerged victorious, it is likely that his body has sustained considerable harm.”

“Indeed,” Enzo nodded, “Moreover, while his sudden surge of power is astonishing, it is not sustainable. True strength is built upon solid training and relentless perseverance.”

At that moment, Cruise Main, assisted by those around him, slowly rose to his feet. His complexion was pale, clearly indicating that the previous spell had drained him significantly. Yet, as he gazed at Thunder Mage, his eyes sparkled with an unwavering determination.

Cruise Main declared, his voice weak yet resolute,”I have won. According to our agreement, I am the new leader.”

Thunder Mage, rising from the ground and wiping the blood from his lip, looked at Cruise Main and managed a rueful smile. “You have triumphed. I concede. Henceforth, you shall be our new leader.”

Enzo approached Cruise Main, feeling a swell of emotion within him. This young mage, with his audacity and talent, had earned the respect of all.

Patting Cruise’s shoulder,Enzo said,”Cruise, you performed admirably. But remember, as a leader, you must possess not only formidable strength but also wisdom and a sense of responsibility. The future of planet Alfa rests in your hands.”

Cruise Main nodded, a resolute glimmer in his eyes. “I will strive wholeheartedly for the peace and prosperity of planet Alfa.”

Enzo smiled, acknowledging his words, then turned to the crowd. “Now, the contest has concluded. Let us celebrate our new leader!”

Cheers erupted once more as the audience burst into applause, rejoicing in Cruise Main’s triumph and the immense responsibilities he was about to shoulder.

Yet, amidst the jubilation, Cruise Main suddenly paled, his body swaying unsteadily. Observing this, Enzo rushed forward to steady him.

“What ails you?” Enzo asked with genuine concern.

Cruise Main forced a smile. “It’s nothing serious. Merely the aftereffects of using the Shadow Fury are starting to take their toll. I require a moment of respite.”

“Not quite.” Enzo intuited something deeper at play and quickly examined Cruise. To his astonishment, he discovered that although Cruise Main was undeniably talented, he harbored a congenital flaw—a peculiar entity within him that was incessantly draining and devouring his life force.

This was the reason Cruise Main’s true potential remained concealed, relegating him to the status of an ordinary outer disciple within the Envy Temple.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep