“Meet me outside the town... Bring your swords and crossbow so you stand a chance.”

I guess he knows my fighting style, at least enough to know what weapons I use. He might have been secretly watching me... I'm not sure what the case is but it worries me slightly. There is still some light outside. I rush to get my equipment in my room and drop off Gizmo. Then I head towards the fortress.

I talked to Gobber briefly about what was happening and he accompanied me to watch the fight and start it as the judge. Before I meet Epieoth, as an added precaution. I grab Socks and Pokodo from the stables. We all head towards the entrance to meet him.

The sun is just now setting. We walked about 5 minutes away from the entrance, we might get attacked by monsters during the fight. If we're both unlucky, we might die to a monster attack if the fight drags on for too long. He speaks now with his back turned away from me. Walking in front of me without turning to talk to me face to face.

“You asked Leo what his classes are, mine are red mage and you have to find out the hard way.”

Well that's not good, what class could he be? Maybe another black mage combo? There's no reason to guess it since I'll find out soon enough. While we were heading here, I taught Gobber how to start a match and what to say to start it. I doubt that Epieoth would be willing to break the rules of dueling, chances are that killing someone would get him kicked out of school since he isn't a human... Especially if the person he killed was a human. Gobber had his hand raised like normal before saying.

“3, 2, 1, match begin.”

He makes a chopping motion with his hand. I guess it's now or never. I chant silence on him. He stands there the same as Leo. He's slowly walking towards me before I see something terrifying. He pulls out a sword and cuts the magic off his face.

“You cant stop me with just that right? You have something else right?”

Fuck, now he's taunting me. I'm far enough away that I can't make out his sword. It looks special compared to my a normal one. I pull out my "duality of magic" and start chanting a big flare. If he runs his mouth, he should be able to take a few hits.

I cast it and the spell heads towards him. Before it hits he slices it in half with his sword. The magic spews off in both directions with him standing safely in the middle. How can you cut magic in half!?

“What!?”

How is that possible!? What class allows you to just stop magic like that? He also cut through the silence spell... Now isn't the time to think, it is the time to fight. I need to stay focused. I start channeling water to make water traps and sinkholes like I did with Leo.

“If it didn't work on Leo, do you think it would work on me? Come on now. You should try something different to defeat me. Show me everything you have and I will defend against it.”

Epieoth said calmly, slowly walking towards me. I pull out my crossbow and fire a poison bolt. He's not weak enough that it will stop his heart, I think as I fire it. He easily deflects it, still walking slowly towards me. I start channeling another flare and grab a scroll out of my bags for freeze magic.

I cast double magic, 1 following directly after the other. I haven't had to use this method yet to beat any opponents but he's not normal. He blocks the first spell but before the second can land it disappears. From what it looked like, he absorbed it instantly into his hand.

Nothing is working against him, I'm trying to think of something. THINK DAMN IT! You're too smart to let him embarass you like this! Should I use the rock cannon against a person? He could... I could kill him on accident if I'm not careful... It only broke the hobgoblins arm so he shouldn't die from it. No! That is my trump card! I need to think of something else before I rely on that.

I still have that stat potion I can drink. Even without injecting it, it should still be potent enough to give me an edge. Thinking that I pull out the potion and chug it, I feel myself getting stronger, smarter and faster than I've ever been. I also active my harmonicas to play strength and intelligence ballads. I start to rush at him.

At the same time he rushes at me at a similar or faster speed, which scares me. It is almost like he's still holding back, only matching my exact fighting ability... I swing my wooden sword at him, he easily cuts through it like it was just a piece of wood without enchants on it to make it more durable… Jumping backwards, I pull out my family sword and the "earth shield". He smirks and rushes towards me again. I start silently chanting a spell. Summon undead right in front of him. He looks confused as he chops it.

“I got him.” I think to myself. As I go in for an opportu-. Before I can even get through the entire thought I'm launched backwards onto the ground. He questions.

“Is that it? How have you lived this long? Someone as weak as you couldn't have possibly beaten that hobgoblin king.”

No! I still have my trump cards and I don't give a damn if I hurt him now!

I pull out my rock cannon firing at him. It flies at such a speed that even from a few steps away he couldn't dodge it completely. It caught him in the stomach and I can instantly see skin bruising where it landed. Ripping the clothing he had worn, blood starts to soak through. It isn't enough! I'm not done yet! I start channeling chi wave. 10%! 20%!

“Counter spell.”

My magic blows up in my face. It is strong enough to knock me back and and knock the wind out of me. I'm probably covered in cuts and bruises from my own attack. Staggering to my feet, readying for his next attack. I switch into complete defense. When I do that, I hear some chanting. Damn! Whats he going to do!? I try to cast silence but his chant was far to short to interrupt. I feel my defenses weakening and at the same time it looks like he's shining as if he gained something. I think he just stole my defenses somehow. How is that possible!?

Fuck this! I go into berserker's rage and rush at him. I use frenzied strikes first attack is parried, second attack is parried, third attack is parried. It looks like an opening in his defenses! I go for a big attack and use heavy rending slash. It doesn't hit, I'm interrupted with an uppercut from him. I pass out.

Class learned Spellthief- passive skill Anti magic runes- able to apply runes to your weapon to cut opponents spells apart

Spellthief skill upgraded Anti magic runes--> Infused anti magic runes- Applies magic and antimagic to the weapon

Level 1 skill Counter spell- able to turn an opponents mana against him causing feedback damage dependent on the spell (1 minute cool down)

Spellthief skill upgraded Counter spell--> Improved counter spell- Counters magic causing feedback as well as silencing the enemies (puts silence on cooldown as well)