Damian had his arms up and didn't even stream Internal Energy into his arms to reinforce them when blocking the fireball that the Pyro Mage from the royal academy had flung towards him.

The Pyro Mage along with the leader of the group of royal academy students, who was watching Damian closely while supporting his other two subordinates in taking down the Monkey Beast, were shocked to see that Damian didn't try to dodge the fireball.

They were also shocked to see that he had merely put up his arms to block the attack as although it was quite easily sensed that he was both an Internal and External Cultivoatr, which impressed them, he still wouldn't be able to take on such an attack without suffering any damage.

The royal academy students with the concealment technique that they were taught before they were allowed to go to the beast woods alone observed the beast woods for a few days before they started hunting.

However they weren't planning on hunting beasts, but people that were weakened or unprepared, so that they could steal their loot and get rid of any lower class cultivators, who they saw as peasants trying to wield power that was above them.

After watching Damian in combat against the Moose Beast and being able to sense his aura and use it to gauge his power, they had a pretty good idea of what he was capable of and from what they had seen and sensed, Damian's External Cultivation was only at around rank 4.

Without any armour or reinforcement technique or skill activated, believed that the fireball that the Pyro Mage had launched at Damian would be enough to take him down in a single attack and also scorch his arms badly.

However what they saw completely went against what they thought would happen and as the flames struck Damain's arms, they burnt his clothes to ashes with ease before clashing with his skin.

He was launched sliding backwards from the impact and explosive power of the fireball, but the power of the fireball had been reduced massively upon impact with Damian and the skin on his arms had barely been burnt.

His skin was red and seemed quite sore, but considering the heat and power of the fireball, he should be screaming in pain and his skin should have been badly burnt.

Not only had Damian shocked his opponents, but he had also shocked himself with how resistant his body was to fire attacks and he couldn't even feel any pain on his arms with all the adrenaline coursing through his body that was numbing most of the physical pain he was feeling.

With a smirk on his face, Damian stretched his body and his arms before preparing another arrow that he fired at the Pyro Mage who was dashing towards him with great explosive speed.

"If my ranged attacks won't work on you, I will beat you to a pulp with my fists and close combat skills. Don't underestimate me just because I am an Internal Cultivator" shouted the Pyro Mage, angered by Damian's mocking smirk.

The Pyro Mage reminded Damian of how he was before cultivating externally, not his attitude, but his actual capability and fighting style.

Most Internal Cultivators would opt for support or ranged specialisations, but Damian along with the Pyro Mage from the Royal Academy had made sure to be capable in close combat as well, which was harder for an Internal Cultivator to be able to do.

"Be careful, he seemed to have some sort of skill or technique that increases his resistivity to fire attacks. Or maybe it is another effect of his Soul Spirit, but either way, you should be careful" warned the leader to his subordinate, who was one of his most capable subordinates and didn't want him to be blinded by his anger.

Damian was impressed by the perceptivity and conservative nature of the leader, but since he was facing the Fire User in a one-on-one battle, he didn't need to worry about him intervening and needed to use everything he could to his advantage.

FIring the arrow he prepared, the Pyro Mage wasn't able to completely avoid it and it slashed his shoulder, but he didn't seem fazed by it and continued charging towards Damian as he coated his fist in Fire Energy while reinforcing his arm to be able to handle the impact of his attack.

Damian saw that and instantly recognised it as a skill that was similar or identical to the Fire Fist Skill that he had come up with independently, but had seen be used in the Maxwell Family and had heard about.

"Is this what Fire Users in the Royal Academy are capable of? Couldn't even burn my skin. Such puny flames that wouldn't even be able to keep you warm" mocked Damian as the Pyro Mage neared him and launched himself towards him.

Damian was still calm and confident despite the powerful fist attack that was aimed at his head and he had a few instants to dodge, block or counter, as if the strike hit him, it was unlikely that he would be able to stay conscious, let alone continue to fight.

The fist that was coming towards Damian was extremely powerful and fast, and was also coming from above, which increased the power and momentum of the strike even more.

However, Damian was planning to use that to his advantage and use the fast reflexes along with the strength of his body to counter the attack while avoiding it.

"Die you disgusting peasant" bellowed the Pyro Mage as his fist neared Damian's face.

However just as he was about to strike Damian's face, he moved his head to the side just enough to slightly avoid the punch.

Slipping the powerful punch at such a close distance was a risky move, but Damian's control, timing and speed were perfect and exploited the Pyro Mage letting down his guard slightly as the fist was about to hit his face.

"Now it's my turn," said Damian with a smile.