The Second Son of The Marquis Runs Away from Home ~ Lacking Talent, He Abandons Everything and Becomes an Adventurer ~ - 66

Chapter 66: Flames of Desire (Aria’s Side)

“Ah, ahhh!”

I swung down a blade of fire. The man parried it with his left hand and deflected the blade, then swiftly spun around, striking from the other side, only to have his attack blocked by my sword.

I surrounded the man, my legs cloaked in flames, and maneuvered behind him. Without turning, he blocked my attack with the sword that he had just used to deflect my first strike.

“Kuh! Haa!”

I continued to attack from all directions, but each of my strikes was deflected by his sword, and he used his gauntlets to parry them. He moved just enough to evade my blows, rendering my efforts useless.

“Not bad, but… inexperienced.”

The man spoke as he parried my blows, then changed his grip on the sword and jabbed the hilt into my stomach. Although it was a light hit, it sent me flying as if I were made of cotton.

“What?!”

“Aria!… ‘Holy Tear Arrow – Tears Bolt’!”

As I rolled to Serena’s side, she created multiple water arrows and fired them at high speed.

The man infused his alabaster sword with magic and effortlessly cut through and dispersed all the oncoming water arrows.

“This can’t be… cutting through magic…”

“Magic is ultimately an event influenced by magical energy. For a spell of this level, you can cancel it out by matching the same amount of magical energy.”

Both of us were left dumbfounded by the man’s words. While theoretically possible, it was a technique that was practically impossible.

True, if you clash magical energy equal to that used to construct a spell, you can induce an annihilation effect. However, this phenomenon occurs by colliding exactly equal amounts of magical energy.

This man effortlessly perceived and cut through rapidly incoming spells, then infused the same amount of magical energy to sever them. It was a feat that could only be described as divine.

“If that’s all, show me your full power if you have more.”

The man stood still once more and beckoned, indicating that our safety was entirely at his whim.

That’s why…

“Serena, if I step forward, step back and set up a barrier.”

“Aria, I can’t…”

“Please, trust me.”

Serena seemed to sense my determination and reluctantly nodded. I got up, took a deep breath, and charged toward the man.

The moment the man’s interest seemed to wane…

“Flame Armor – ‘Desire’s Beautiful Flame, Ruskdite’!”

I spoke the incantation with all my strength, and flames enveloped my body. The flames transformed into a crimson dress that adorned me, and I wore crimson greaves that resembled a phoenix’s legs on my arms and legs.

I dug my claws into the ground with my feet, and at the same time, I concentrated the overflowing power into the crimson sword. Flames of crimson erupted from the sword, creating a fiery column, and a heatwave spread around.

“‘Crimson Flame Flash Blade – Prominence Thrust’!”

I swung down with all the power I had, and the fiery column created by the flames turned into a tremendous impact, scattering heatwaves, rubble, and dust.

“…You managed to reach this stage.”

A voice reached my ears from behind the dust. When the dust cleared, the man was still standing, with only the edge of his coat slightly scorched.

“It has quite an impact, but there’s too much waste… you’re still inexperienced.”

The man commented and closed the distance in an instant, punching me in the stomach. The tremendous power and the rapid exhaustion from using the Flame Armor caused it to deactivate.

“Aria!”

He grabbed my neck, lifting me into the air. Even so, Serena tried to come closer, but I held her back.

“You still can’t fully control the power of that rare drop. You may be able to slay knights and ordinary monsters on this continent, but you can’t reach me.”

“…I understand.”

“What…?”

“I know I’m weak…”

Even if I reached this level, I couldn’t control it like Berg. I didn’t have the skill or experience to fully wield the power of Ruskdite. That’s why…

“All I can do is what I can do right now…”

If I could buy time before he arrived, it would be enough…

Aria’s eyes reflected the appearance of a lone figure in the overcast sky. Relief for winning the gamble turned into a smile.

“Armor Activation…”

The figure that leaped from the jet-black warhorse was clad in a black storm, and the storm became armor, awakening the black knight.

“Black-clad Holy Army – Chaos Crusader!”

The black knight struck at the man…