Kael's aura had grown even more formidable than before. Simply standing there, he radiated an imposing presence—like an unshakable mountain towering over the land.
Dylan and Ethan were stunned. Kael's mana is this terrifying? And what he showed earlier wasn't even his limit?!
Gavin's pupils contracted sharply. Only now did he grasp the true extent of Kael's power—but it was too late. The arrow had left the bow; there was no turning back.
His expression darkened further, eyes glinting with frost. "Attack! This one's trouble—all of us, together!"
"Cowards! They're actually ganging up on him!" Dylan clenched his fists in fury, his voice a low growl. Facing defeat, these bastards had resorted to sheer numbers.
But Dylan and the others, mere level eights, couldn't intervene—they couldn't even safely observe the battle at close range.
At Gavin's command, the remaining six Crystal Spire members—including Roland—fanned out, their auras locking onto Kael as they struck simultaneously.
Gavin and Roland unleashed their miniature worlds, attempting to ensnare Kael within their dominion.
The seven moved as one. Aside from Gavin and Roland—both level ten—the other five were all peak level nine. Such a lineup was formidable even among the continent's younger generation.
Gavin, in particular, was extraordinary. Surging water elements coiled around him, their chill piercing to the bone. Among the Sacred Council's current younger elites, only Kael could rival his prowess.
Despite the overwhelming pressure from the seven, Kael remained unshaken, his calm gaze betraying absolute confidence.
Then—his miniature world unfurled.
Empowered by the World Tree, Kael's domain dwarfed those of Gavin and Roland. The oppressive force gripping him shattered instantly, while the seven attackers staggered as if bearing the weight of a mountain.
"Damn it! His miniature world is abnormal—finish this quickly!" Gavin barked, his voice sharp with urgency.
Kael's eyes flashed coldly as his body blurred into motion. His mana vibrated intensely, and fire elements surged forth like a raging dragon taking flight. Surprisingly, he didn't use lightning magic—instead, he wielded pure fire. His fusion with the Fire Element was at a critical stage, and this battle was the perfect opportunity to hone his control.
Flames erupted violently, forming a torrential elemental onslaught that lashed out at the five peak-level-nine mages—bypassing Gavin and Roland entirely!
Gavin's heart lurched. He's trying to eliminate our support first!
"Watch out—!"
But his warning came too late.
Kael's steps were like phantom flashes. In an instant, he appeared behind the five mages, fiery magic already coalescing in his palm.
If even Roland couldn't withstand a single strike from Kael, what hope did these five have?
A devastating wave of magic tore through space, crashing into them with brutal force.
BOOM!
The deafening explosion sent all five mages flying like broken kites, their bodies slamming heavily into the ground.
One move.
That was all it took. The five lay sprawled, coughing blood, their auras withered—utterly defeated.
By the time their agonized groans echoed, Ethan and Dylan were still gaping in disbelief. This was too fast! The gap between level nine and ten was colossal, but facing Kael? It was outright annihilation.
"Kael!!"
Gavin's roar of fury cut through the air. His face twisted with rage as he twirled his staff, chanting rapidly.
"Frostbound Orb!"
Blue ice crystals condensed at his staff's tip, the temperature plummeting so drastically that even bystanders shuddered, forced to circulate mana to resist the cold.
"Hellfire!" Seizing the moment, Roland gritted his teeth and unleashed his own inferno.
The two spells—scorching flames and freezing ice—converged in a pincer attack, their opposing elements intertwining as they hurtled toward Kael.
Ethan and Dylan's hearts clenched. This was bad. Trapped between ice and fire, Kael's situation had just turned dire.
"Wrath of the Fire God!"
Once again, Kael unleashed the same spell. Towers of flame, over ten meters high, erupted forth as dazzling frostfire collided head-on with Gavin and Roland's combined magic.
A shockwave rippled outward, icy-blue radiance overwhelming the battlefield. Gavin and Roland's faces flushed crimson, their bodies trembling mid-air before staggering backward uncontrollably. Their robes tore violently under the magical storm's fury, and with pale faces, they ultimately collapsed onto the ground—blood spilling from their lips.
Both stared at Kael in disbelief, their widened eyes frozen, even forgetting to wipe the blood from their mouths.
How was this possible?!
Gavin and Roland were both level ten powerhouses. Yet even joining forces, their spells couldn't withstand a single cast from Kael?
Gavin's gaze turned hollow, his expression one of utter defeat. He couldn't fathom losing so miserably—how could the gap between fellow level ten mages be this vast?
"Kael is... monstrous!"
Dylan and Ethan were equally stunned before erupting into exhilaration. They'd never imagined Kael would dominate so completely under such circumstances. No wonder Zorath the Silent had brought him to Moonmist Lake!
Kael's strength might genuinely rival the "Saint" Einar's!
The Crystal Spire members lay strewn across the ground. Gavin and Roland, injured and disheveled, helped each other up, their eyes reflecting a storm of emotions—fear, shock, anger, but above all, bewilderment.
They simply couldn't comprehend how Kael possessed such terrifying power.
Even among level ten mages, disparities were colossal. Not only was Kael at the peak of level ten, but his frostfire alone could overwhelm ordinary practitioners. Add to that the World Tree's legacy from the Water Dragon and his mastery over rule-based forces...
As Gavin and Roland shakily rose, Roland shot Kael a resentful glare. "Fine, Kael, you win. We're leaving!"
Kael remained calm. His gaze locked onto the battered duo as he smiled faintly.
"Did you really think leaving would be that easy?".
"What else do you want? This is Moonmist Lake—factions from across the continent are watching..." Roland's expression shifted, his tone growing defensive. Regret churned in his chest. Why did we provoke this monster? Now, not only had they been humiliated, but they were also trapped in this predicament.
Kael narrowed his eyes. "You destroyed my tent. Did you really think you could leave without apologizing? I'm sure the Crystal Spire isn't so ill-mannered, right?"
"You—!" Roland and Gavin's faces twisted through a spectrum of emotions. Forcing an apology from them was worse than death, yet the faint smile on Kael's lips sent a chill down their spines. Their defiance crumbled.
"W-we apologize..." Roland gritted out first, followed by the rest of the Crystal Spire members. Their earlier arrogance had completely evaporated, leaving only deflated pride.
"Get lost." Kael waved dismissively.
The group scrambled away like pardoned convicts, their eyes still shadowed with lingering fear.
"Kael, that was brilliant!"
As the Crystal Spire fled, Ethan stepped forward with a grin, punching Kael's shoulder lightly. His voice brimmed with awe and envy. "You've turned into an absolute monster. You just crushed the Spire's two strongest juniors without breaking a sweat."
The other Sacred Council members nodded in agreement, their gazes filled with newfound reverence. The Three Continents operated on one principle: strength commanded respect. Having witnessed Kael's power firsthand, they were thoroughly convinced.
"Hah! Well done, Brother Kael! That was beyond satisfying!" Zorath the Silent's booming laughter echoed as he strode over. He'd arrived earlier but stayed hidden, using the confrontation to gauge Kael's capabilities—and the results had delighted him.
Kael smiled faintly. He'd sensed Zorath the Silent's presence all along but had chosen not to mention it.
"Boss Zorath the Silent, when do we meet the Grand Speaker?"
"Hah! Right now!"