Frost Nova!"
Cold air surges from my staff.
The ground cracks, frozen, masses of cold air reach the black clad soldiers that circle us.
"Nah!"
"Mm?"
The black clad soldiers panic as the ground below their feet begins to freeze.
I did it...!
It might be a sneak attack.
But this way, it can't be avoided.
While I was thinking.
A voice rang.
"Bursting flames cover my body, [Burning Place]!"
One man, like on fire hot air spreads from him.
Like he's challenging my Frost Nova.
The man, and the two soldiers next to him, manages to defrost.
That man is Moore.
The old soldier begins to recite as soon as I raised my staff, taking advantage of the time gap.
Even so, no matter how powerful, no matter how fast,
Even if it's me, I will show no mercy...
But Moore's magic only managed to defrost himself and the two besides him.
Everyone else is completely engulfed in ice like sculptures.
By pure power, I have won.
Also, I, have finally killed...
"Even freezing our black armors... what incredible power! Everyone, recite Burning place!"
"Yes! Spirit of fire, everywhere between the sky and earth..."
Moore shouted to his surroundings, and the black clads in the ice begins to sing.
Not dead.
No one died.
That black armor.
That black armor can resist water magic?
Curses.
I used the wrong spell?
"Mm."
Cliff squeezes pass Atofe's side.
"Moore, do not let him escape!"
"Ha!"
On Atofe's command Moore begins to move.
A moment later, the soldiers unfrozen by Moore's magic start running as well.
Elinalise dashes over, sliding in front of them.
And with her sword raised, stops them.
"Rudeus! Go!"
Moore chases Cliff without looking back.
Cliff lugging a large baggage and sapling.
Although Moore is wearing armor, he's fast.
He's only 7 steps from Cliff.
I point my staff towards Moore.
"Stone Cannon!"
It's fine. I can make it.
I pour magic into my staff and fire.
"The earth... Grr!"
Moore runs with a hand raised while chanting.
But like a laser the Stone Cannon strikes his arm, sending his armor flying.
With one hand left Moore stumbles... but did not stop.
"Spirit of Water, become my strength - 'Icicle Field'."
Moore's magic surrounds him in mist.
Using fog to evade my attack?
Still, his incantation is short.
Almost like Roxy, chanting omission?
"Wind Blast!"
I form wind with my staff and clears the fog.
And maybe to blow him away too, but, without regard to pain he approaches Cliff.
That black armor, does it resist wind magic as well?
No, not just wind and water, but resists the others too.
What do I do?
He's only 6 steps away.
I miss the kill shot, and if he dodges, it'll hit Cliff--
Just now, my Demon Eye sees.
"Spirit of Earth all across the land! I call upon you, answer-"
"Disrupt Magic!"
Instantly released, the magic I have practiced at home.
The spell I trained with Sylphy.
Moments before Moore's magic is complete, it disappears.
"Seriously? Even Disrupt Magic?"
Moore looks at his hand in shock.
But his legs have not stopped.
Only 5 steps away.
I follow, like using my hand to block his way, and fires.
Of course, I should use what I'm used to.
My well worn tactics should work no matter how experienced the opponent.
Just like in practice.
"Quagmire!"
Between Moore and Cliff, a giant quagmire formed.
Moore steps one foot onto that sticky quagmire..
"Mm... The unknown God! Answer my prayer, bring heaven on earth! [Earth Lance]!"
Instantly, Moore releases magic under his feet.
From his feet, a great spear of earth appears.
Running on this spear, Moore quickly passed the Quagmire.
His legs have not stopped.
Only 4 steps away.
Countered.
I was stopped.
How unexpected.
"Rudeus, Cliff! Hurry!"
"I know!"
Elinalise screams out.
Glancing over, she's currently busy with the two soldiers.
Two versus one.
The black clad soldiers do not press the attack, merely to keep her busy.
"Hey, I said, you shameless person! Let me go! At least fight with your hands!"
"I won't even if I die!"
Zanoba headbutts Atofe. Trying his best even with blood flowing down his head.
I need to hurry too.
The other black clad soldiers are also unfreezing.
Steam rises all around, coloring the air white.
"Grr."
What do I do?
What do I do to stop Moore?
He is strong. In a magic fight he's far more experienced than I.
He parries basic magic like nothing.
Would stronger magic work?
No. If it's too strong, then even Cliff will get dragged into it. Then there's Moore's counters and the armor's resistance.
"...!"