Chapter 52 - Twilight Mansion 02.

[Chapter Size: 1974 Words.]

Lucius POV

Twilight Manor, Orario.

...

On a radiant morning, the sun's rays began to illuminate the training grounds of the Loki family. The gentle light of dawn painted the sky in shades of pink and orange, creating a serene yet vibrant backdrop for the impending battle. As spectators gathered, their numbers continued to grow, transforming what was initially an intimate event into a spectacle watched by fifty pairs of eager eyes.

"Wow, I can't afford to lose in front of so many people, can I?" thought Lucius, feeling the additional responsibility in front of the numerous audience. He stood at the center of the training ground, while Bete, the imposing wolf-man, stretched his muscles in the morning light. Bete's mocking gaze revealed confidence, but behind it gleamed a fierce determination.

"What's the matter? You're not going to tell me you're scared now?" taunted Bete, a sadistic smile contouring his lips, increasing the tension in the air.

"Let's get started already; your stretching is getting boring..." replied Lucius, impatient, revealing his indifferent attitude towards his opponent's prolonged preparation.

"What did you say, little mage?" growled the wolf-man, challengingly. The training ground, bathed in morning light, was about to become the stage for a collision of forces under the watchful eyes of an audience eager for excitement.

Meanwhile, at some distance, the group of spectators eagerly awaited the start of the fight. Tiona, full of enthusiasm, couldn't contain her curiosity. "Who do you think will win?" she asked, eager to witness the unfolding battle.

"Isn't it kind of obvious? I don't think he'll beat Bete... Don't you think so, Captain Finn?" Tione, her sister, commented beside her, her gaze revealing a hint of skepticism.

"Anyway, I think it's going to be an interesting fight!" Gareth added, palpable enthusiasm in his voice.

"BETE, BEAT HIM FOR ME!" Loki shouted, his voice echoing with enthusiasm among the spectators, demonstrating his unwavering support.

Meanwhile, Finn, the Captain, showed his insight. "Riviera, can you create some magical barrier? If he really is the one behind what happened on the eighteenth floor, then his magic must be quite destructive. It's better to be cautious."

"Yes..." Riviera replied, raising her staff with elegance.

"...my name is alf!" Upon concluding the chant, a magical barrier began to materialize in the middle of the training ground, enclosing Lucius and Bete in a 40-meter space. Riviera's skillfully woven magic created a defensive barrier promising to contain the potential damage of the imminent battle.

"Hehe, I'll be able to hit you without worrying about others," taunted Bete, arrogantly looking at the barrier rising around them.

"Whatever, come on, dog. Let's fight." Lucius showed no intimidation in front of the numerous audience, the magical barrier, or the challenging Bete. His only desire was to end the confrontation to continue his magical studies.

"Then let's begin!" The demi-human growled in response, echoing a palpable tension that stretched across the training ground.

Lucius closed his eyes, immersed in concentration, and suddenly, the training ground was bathed in a profusion of ethereal lights. Each invoked spell manifested as a spectacular display of colors, creating a magical spectacle that captured the attention of everyone around.

"[- Strength Boost Spell!]" he proclaimed, and an intense blue light began to outline his body, revealing a visible increase in his strength. Muscles seemed to pulsate with new vitality, exuding an imposing presence.

"[- Speed Boost Spell!]" echoed the next invocation, and a green light, like a trail of swift energy, radiated from him. It was evident that Lucius's speed was being enhanced, preparing him for the challenges that would unfold in the training ground.

"[- Alteration Spell, Ironflesh!]" he uttered, and a dazzling white light flashed on his body, drawing intricate runes before disappearing. The magical alteration in Lucius's resistance became visible, transforming his figure into something more than merely human.

The spectators, witnessing this dazzling demonstration of magical ability, remained in a state of shock and surprise. The murmurs of voices whispered the question of whether this was some kind of unique skill or a rare talent that Lucius possessed.

The statistics displayed at this moment were like a revelation of his new strength:

- **Strength:** LV1: 1,381 + LV2: 770 = 2,151 +10% -> 2366

- **Resistance:** LV1: 1,454 + LV2: 812 = 2,266 +10% -> 2492

- **Dexterity:** LV1: 1,386 + LV2: 603 = 1,989 +10% -> 2188

- **Agility:** LV1: 1,433 + LV2: 412 = 1,845 +10% -> 2030

- **Magic:** LV1: 2,223 + LV2: 1,120 = 3,343

Sensations of power vibrated in each of these numbers, marking the beginning of level 3 for Lucius. Despite not having the 10% bonus, magic remained at a considerable level, keeping him at a nearly average level 4 status.

The audience, now enveloped in the magic's radiance, remained stunned, questioning whether this was the result of some peculiar ability or if Lucius possessed an extraordinary talent. The training ground, bathed in the magical light surrounding Lucius, became a stage for speculation and surprises. The conversation among Tiona, Riviera, and the other spectators reflected the awe in the face of the unfolding unique magic.

"What magic is that, Riviera? It seems like some kind of support type to strengthen the body..." Tione inquired, her eyes fixed on the magical display.

"I don't know; I've never seen anything like this before." Riviera's response carried a glint of interest in her elven eyes, denoting the rarity of the phenomenon.

"Incredible, magic that strengthens the body... I thought only skills had that capability." Surprise echoed in Tione's voice beside her.

"For most people, that would be a skill, but for our first-class adventurer senses, it's different; we can feel the difference." Gareth clarified, sharing the peculiar perspective of experienced adventurers.

"He didn't even chant; it seems like he cast the magic just by thinking instantly..." Lefiya timidly commented in a corner next to Aiz, indicating the extraordinary nature of Lucius's ability.

While the audience processed the novelty, Tione broke the silence. "They've started!" Her vibrant excitement filled the air.

On the battlefield, the magic dance began. Six fireballs materialized around Lucius, orbiting him with fiery grace before being launched toward the agile Bete. The wolf-man, mocking the magical attacks, disappeared like a shadow, leaving the explosions of the fireballs echoing in the empty space.

*Boom*

As the explosions echoed, Bete reappeared, rapidly approaching Lucius. The mage, anticipating the confrontation with the fierce berserker-style fighter, prepared for the unfolding clash. The training ground, now enveloped in magical aura and echoes of explosions, witnessed the beginning of a battle where magical cunning would meet physical ferocity.

Sun rays cast a golden light on the training ground, revealing the intensity of the imminent confrontation. Lucius, recalling the last time a level 5 attacked him, felt the echo of Shakti's blow reverberate on his cheek, even though he was already healed. A flash of caution crossed his thoughts.

Thanks to his last experience, he already had an idea of what he would face here, so he prepared.

Bete, the imposing figure of the wolf-man, emerged at his side, a glimpse of ferocity in his eyes. Lucius, anticipating the attack, instinctively planned his strategy. The only possible reaction was the quick decision to dodge.

Vanishing from Bete's punch, Lucius reappeared a few meters ahead. However, the opponent's surprising speed required an immediate adaptation. His heightened senses went on alert, forcing the level-two mage to adopt a defensive stance. Despite the initial mistake, Bete adjusted with supernatural agility, delivering a blow that found Lucius before it could be seen.

Seeing the next blow unfold, Lucius, raising his arms in instinctive defense, was sent flying like a puppet for a few meters. He landed on his feet, but the pain, even from this defense, was glaring.

'This guy is no joke... His blows are so powerful; I'm seeing that fighting level six is so horrible!'

Recovering from the onslaught, Lucius watched the wolf-man advancing again. With no choice, he channeled a large amount of magic toward the path of the formidable level-six opponent in a desperate attempt to curb the momentum of the attack.

In a desperate effort to change the course of the confrontation, Lucius channeled his magic with a determined expression.

"[Gravitational Spell, Gravitational Field!]"

The atmosphere around Bete took on a purplish hue, indicating the manifestation of the gravitational spell. Even under five times the pressure, Bete, with his imposing stature, faced the challenge without being shaken, casting a mocking glance at Lucius.

"[Fire Spell, Multi-Firebolt!]"

Fireballs were launched towards the wolf-man, but with the speed worthy of a first-class adventurer, Bete easily dodged them. The mocking expression remained, as if he were just having fun.

'This guy is just toying with me, so I'll have to fight with everything I have...' thought Lucius, raising his hand and shouting.

"[- Fire Spell, Fireball!]"

*BOOOM!*

Unlike the previous attempts, the explosions now caused more significant damage, leaving the ground marked with craters where the spells hit. While Lucius chanted these spells, Bete, for the first time, seemed to perceive a real threat and stepped back as soon as he saw the mage's hand raised.

The explosions roared in the spot where Bete had been, but his agility still allowed him to dodge the attacks. Amidst the smoke, Lucius heard a frustrated expression from Bete.

"Tsk, how does he have so much power..."

Lucius, knowing that a direct victory was unlikely, couldn't help but taunt the wolf-man. Bete, now in defensive mode, realized that the battle wouldn't be as easy as he initially imagined.

Meanwhile...

"Now I believe he broke part of the third floor; this power is no joke, not when he seems to cast so quickly and has so much magic." Finn's measured observation denoted a genuine appreciation for the power manifested by Lucius, even though the Captain was unaware of the truth about the fight against the Variant Goliath.

"Very impressive, if he can cast that magic multiple times as we heard in the rumors, he is very powerful. If we had someone like that, our dungeon dives would be much easier, as he could destroy a horde of monsters or even distract bosses and monsters from the deep floors with those attacks." Gareth shared his enthusiasm, envisioning the strategic possibilities that Lucius's power offered.

"Yes, the chibi got another precious adventurer. No, this one is even stronger than that record holder. A mage who can cast magic like this is unprecedented in the hundreds of years I've been here in Genkai." Loki, observing the fight seriously, expressed his awe at the uniqueness of Lucius's power.

"BUT HE WANTS TO STEAL MOMMY!!!" Suddenly, Loki started to cry, turning his surprised expression into determination. His abrupt mood change resulted in a cry of pain when Riviera acted firmly, reprimanding the goddess for her interruption again.

"OW!!!" Loki couldn't help but scream at the sudden pain in the head caused by Riviera and her staff.

"Pay attention, Goddess Loki," said Riviera stoically, imposing discipline.

The training ground, once tranquil, was now a boiling cauldron of comments and emotions, each spectator immersed in the nuances of the battle between Lucius and Bete.

"Watching the fight so far, he's very powerful for a level 2, and I don't say that in magical terms... What do you think, Captain?" Tione shared her thoughts, revealing sharp insight in evaluating Lucius's ability. The attentive looks of those present reflected the complexity of the scene.

"Because his physical stats are already at a level 3 adventurer..." Finn spoke, his eyes fixed on the battle, immersed in his strategic analysis.

"What?? But he's not a swordsman, is he?" Lefiya's question echoed in general perplexity.

"It's incredible; he's a mage who prioritizes his physical stats, from what we've heard in the rumors. He fights with a sword enveloped in lightning magic, something no one else has as that kind of style here in Orario." Gareth pondered, connecting pieces of the puzzle that was Lucius's fighting style.

"And in magical terms, he's already at level 4... That's why Bete had to dodge; those last spells are no joke, even for a level 6." Riviera's stoic voice cut through the murmurs of the training ground, adding a layer of seriousness to the discussion.

"He wasn't at this level when he was at the camp, was he?" Finn inquired, and Lefiya's displeased expression revealed her discomfort with the idea of being surpassed by an unknown mage.

"True," Lefiya commented, expressing surprise at Lucius's rapid growth.

"It hasn't been even a month since he leveled up, and he's already entering level 3 in physical strength and level 4 in magic. This is truly abnormal..." Finn remarked, echoing the general astonishment at Lucius's extraordinary evolution.

"First the white-haired brat, now this mage? Is that chibi doing something to her kids?" Loki asked seriously, casting a shadow of suspicion over the notable developments.

"Anyway, he's quite strong; I want to fight him too!" Tiona expressed her excitement, seemingly oblivious to the suspicious atmosphere that was settling in.

Aiz, always seeking strength, observed with interest. Lucius's rapid growth echoed what she had witnessed with her friend Bell, inspiring and thrilling her to see another adventurer evolving before her eyes.

"Let's watch the fight and see if he can show more about his secrets." Finn spoke, gathering everyone's attention back to the fight. The Loki family, along with the rest of the members of the training ground, remained enveloped in anticipation, witnessing one of their main team members against a rising adventurer.

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