Chapter 23 – Duel of Magic
The mist of the Shadowed Forest thickened until even sound seemed swallowed.
Towering black trees loomed like silent sentinels, their roots writhing like serpents.
All around, crimson eyes gleamed through the fog as Dark Elves circled, their whispers filled with scorn and anticipation.
At the center of that ring stood two figures: Valdyn Thalorian, bow of emerald light in hand, and Nymeris Veytharion, the young mistress of the Dark Elves, silver staff etched with glowing runes of violet shadow.
---
Status: Valdyn Thalorian
Age: 17 (920)
Occupation: Arcane Archer
Stats:
Attack: 120
Vitality: 215
Magic: 285
Intelligence: 200
Endurance: 110
Magic Resistance: 130
Passive Skills:
Reproduction (S)
Nature Magic (A)
Forest Affinity (B) (from Sylwen)
Keen Sight (B) (from Sylwen)
Active Skills:
Windpiercing Arrow
Flameburst Shot
Stonebind
Triple Volley
---
Status: Nymeris Veytharion
Age: 142 (480)
Occupation: Shadow Sorceress
Stats:
Attack: 90
Vitality: 180
Magic: 300
Intelligence: 220
Endurance: 100
Magic Resistance: 150
Passive Skills:
Shadow Affinity (A)
Mana Control (B)
Darkvision (B)
Witch's Charisma (C)
Active Skills:
Umbral Veil (cloak of darkness)
Dark Lance (piercing lance of shadow mana)
Illusion Weave (creates multiple false bodies)
Binding Shadows (shadows bind like chains)
---
Valdyn scanned the display in his mind.
Her Magic and Intelligence exceed mine, her resistance is higher too. If I clash head-on, I'll be crushed. But I have what she doesn't—instinct, precision, and the flexibility of nature's mana.
Nymeris stepped forward, lips curling into a cold smile.
"There is something unusual in the way you call upon nature. Intriguing… and irritating. If you value your life, you would do well to stop now, Valdyn Thalorian."
Valdyn raised his bow, emerald eyes hard. "I didn't come this far to surrender."
---
Nymeris thrust her staff down.
"Umbral Veil!"
Black fog erupted, drowning the arena in suffocating shadow. Whispers hissed from every direction, like countless spirits taunting the living.
Valdyn's young companions panicked.
"We… we can't see her at all!"
Valdyn's gaze sharpened, emerald light flashing. Keen Sight activated—he pierced the false veil. He spotted Nymeris slipping left, hidden to ordinary eyes.
He drew, forming a razor-green arrow.
"Windpiercing Arrow!"
The shot tore through the darkness. Nymeris flinched but slammed her staff.
"Binding Shadows!"
Chains of black erupted from the ground, lashing around the arrow. It shattered mid-flight with a sharp detonation. Roots shuddered.
---
Nymeris smirked. "Sharp eyes. But that alone won't save you."
Mana surged into her staff, humming like a storm.
"Dark Lance!"
A spear of pure shadow thundered forward, air quaking in its wake.
Valdyn rolled sideways, loosing a blazing arrow.
"Flameburst Shot!"
Orange fire met black spear—explosion roared, blasting mist aside, scattering sparks and ash.
Dark Elves hissed and cheered, astonished that a mere Forest Elf boy resisted their mistress's strike.
Valdyn steadied his breath. Raw strength… incredible. But I can even the field with versatility.
---
Nymeris's violet eyes glowed.
"Illusion Weave!"
Three Nymerises appeared, moving with identical mana and sound, surrounding him.
His followers gasped.
"Th-there are three of her!"
Valdyn narrowed his gaze. Not three. Only one casts a shadow beneath her feet.
He infused more mana, bow humming.
"Triple Volley!"
Three arrows streaked. Two ripped illusions apart. The last struck the real Nymeris, slamming her back. She staggered, shield of shadow flaring to soften the blow.
Nymeris straightened, tension etched across her face—but respect flickered in her eyes.
"You… are not the cowardly Forest Elf I expected."
---
The mist twisted wildly, drawn into Nymeris's staff.
Her mana spiked, crushing down like a tide. The ground quivered.
The Dark Elves at the edge recoiled, murmurs hushed into silence.
Valdyn's skin prickled, every nerve alert. This… is her true strength.
Nymeris's smile turned dangerous.
"Then come, Thalorian. Let us see who is worthy of our ancestors."
Emerald light flared around Valdyn, violet shadow stormed from Nymeris.
The air trembled—nature's light clashing with abyssal darkness.
---
The duel had only begun.
Arrows of wind and fire struck shadows, illusions broke, but now Nymeris revealed her full power.
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