Chapter 589: The Terror of Advancement
Alex and ygon could be in trouble. Isolde gripped the arms of her seat. I have never seen a construct like that before in my life. Nor have I heard of one.
Thundar squinted at Magnus. Did you <em>see</em> what Prime did to everyone it went up against? By my ancestors, Vesuvius was the only opponent that could challenge it.
II am aware, Isolde said. I know ygon is powerful, but this Prime
Hes got tricks that will be hard for ygon to deal with. Theresas jaw clenched. Where did this guye from anyway?
That is a puzzle, but I cannot help but feel there is something familiar about the manthough I cannot say where I know him from. Isoldes grip on her armrests tightened. Is he an expedition member, perhaps?
Not one <em>I</em> know, Thundar grunted. Having Prime around wouldve been pretty damn helpful when that petrifying Ravener-spawn showed up trying to kill everyone. I think I wouldve noticed a construct like that before.
Me too, Theresa muttered. It couldnt be someone from the hells, could it? Someone looking for revenge.
Thundar looked at her sharply.
Selina gasped. Oh no, do you really think so?
I dunno, we <em>did</em> irritate a lot of demons and their allies when we went down there, Thundar growled. But most of them are too dead toe looking for vengeance. And I dont remember anything that looked likethat force construct thing trying to kill us down there.
I also do not believe that it is a cultistwhy would a cultist enter a contest at random? Isolde raised an eyebrow at the masked man, then looked at Professor Salinger, seated across the arena.
The Professor was shaking his head at the maskedpetitor, and rolling his eyes.
I wonder if he knows himOh dear. Realisation struck the young nobleman. I believe I know who he is. This isnot optimal.
Is Alex in danger? Selina asked. Who is that masked man?
No, he is not in danger, Isolde said. If my assumption is correct, at leastbut some folk might be on the verge of losing a lot of coin.
Thundar swallowed. How uhhow real do you think that danger is?
Unfortunately, quite real. I believe Alex faces
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Magnus Ekavir! Alex Roth! the announcer called. Prepare your proxies!
ygon nodded at his father, raising his war-spear. <em>We willdefeat this threat together, father.</em>
Alex swallowed. Well give it everything weve got.
A wave of anxiety washed over himcoupled with images of therge amount coin he and his friends had bet on his match as it sprouted wings and flew awaybut all he could do was acknowledge his anxiety and let it pass. He didnt want ygon sensing his fear, and he also needed <em>all</em> of his faculties to face this opponent.
Magnus raised his gloved hands then began casting a spell using a stato, clipped, rhythm and precise sybles.
Mana gathered around him and the hairs on Alexs neck began to rise.
Thats a huge amount of power, he thought. Maybe a sixth or seventh-tier spell?
The mans voicelow, gruff and clearly disguised with wizardrycontinued to rise in volume, until it reverberated off the walls of the arena. With hushed breaths, the audience waited in anticipation.
Within the arena, the air shimmered as though the day had turned scorching hot. Power pooled unseen, wavering within the cage like the desert heat.
A nebulous shape began taking form.
ck force magic congealed, creating a towering figure that loomed at least half again ygons height, and twice his width. A head shaped like a giants axe-de emerged above hulking shoulders that materialised with a pair of force-magic ballista mounted atop them. A wide torso formed, bearing a pair of arms as thick as old oaks, each ending with a fist the size of Alexs torso.
Six broad, spear-like legs protruded from a humanoid torso, but instead of a bottom half that resembled a centaurs, the lower body was that of a silence spider or other insectile monster. Each leg twitched, scraping their sharp tips along the ground.
The stone screamed.
A long tail ending in a scythe-like de that could have cut Alex in half with a single stroke,zily flicked back and forth.
<em>Primeis incredibleI can see how it defeated Vesuvius</em> ygon said with admiration.
Thank you, Magnus politely acknowledged thepliment in that same clipped tone.
Yeah, buddy. Alex studied the construct, noting the ink-ck colour of the force magic. His suspicions were all but confirmed. Yeah, now I understand why Vesuvius lost, especially when you know whos controlling Prime.
<em>Whois it?</em>
Alex answered mentally. Someone in disguise, buddy. Im not going to out him, but Im gonna let him know that I know who he is. Im not going to y along like a fool.
The Thameish wizard red at Magnus. Hey, were punching down a little, arent we? Whats someone like you doing in apetition like this?
Magnus met Alexs gaze with a forceful intensity. Prime is capable of much more than punching. From the rumours and reports I hear, your ygon is capable of much more than punching as well. I hope I wont be disappointed.
<em>Whoare you?</em> the golem asked. <em>Father said thatyou are in disguise. Iwant to know who I will actually be fighting.</em>
Alex winced.
Its rude to out an opponent who wishes topete incognito, Mr. Roth, Magnus said.
Im not the one who called you out, <em>Magnus</em>! Alex fired back.
The announcer and audience had gone silent, eagerly watching the drama y out.
<em>Father said that he would not reveal who you are </em>ygon said slowly. <em>But I am notfather, and I want to know who Im fighting.</em>
I Alex was about to say something to his golem, then bit it back. I cant say I me you there, buddy.
Hmph, its still uncouthbut, ygon is a warrior and only new to the world, after all, so I will indulge him, Magnus said. Fine, if its my name you want, then you can have it, brave golem. You are facing my proxy, Prime, and as for meI am
Magnus Ekavir threw back his cloak, revealing arms sheathed in long ck gloves reaching to his shoulders. With his left hand, he peeled the glove from the right arm.
The audience held their breaths, then in concert, they gasped.
Where one would expect to see an arm of flesh, blood and bone, a prosthetic force construct was revealed.
Shit, Alex swore as the man removed the mask covering his face.
A darkplexioned face, with a chin edged in a thick ck beard, stared back at him.
It was a face he knew well, right down to the disciplined, no-nonsense expression.
Ive been fighting under a moniker, he proimed, But this brave golem has asked for my true identity, so I shall share it with all of you. My name is Professor Harsha Ram.
Gasps swept through the audience.
Some swore.
Others leaned forward in excitement.
And thats exactly what I was afraid of Alex muttered. A full-on professor who specialises inbat magic. Hes got to be capable of seventhmaybe eighth tier magic. Yeah, as I said. Were in trouble.
<em>Thank youfor giving me your name, </em>ygon gave Ram a slight bow. <em>May we havea good contest.</em>
You have fine manners, Ramplimented him.
<em>Can wewin, father?</em> ygon asked mentally.
Honestly? I dont know, Alex thought. Just because youre a university professor at a magic school doesnt necessarily mean youre abat monster, but it <em>does</em> mean that youve mastered magic in a way that most wizards can only dream of. Seventh-tier spells, eighth-tier, possibly even ninth-tier. And the thing about Ram isfrom everything I know about himthe man is a professor <em>and</em> abat powerhouse.
<em>We havebeaten foes stronger than usmany times. Remember Zonon-In. Remember the demons. Remember Kaz-Mowang.</em> ygon thought.
True, but in those situations, we had strategy, surprise, numbers and coordination on our side. Now we only have you and me against a wizard with at least three to five times my experienceactually, no wait.
Alexs eyes narrowed on Prime. Were not strictly facing Ram are we? were facing his proxy. And <em>youre also</em> a state of the art powerhouse, ygon. You know what, forget my nerves. We can do this.
<em>We willdo it. We will do it.</em>
Well, this is quite the surprise, folks! the announcer shouted. No wonder our intrepid challenger has been destroying thepetition! A professor of the university is indeed a very skilled wizard! So, tell the audience, what made someone aspowerful as you choose to grace our humblepetition?
Ram smiled. There has been much talktely about new constructs and advancements in alchemy. Butin the face of new trendsmany fail to remember that other disciplines make advancements as well.
The professor gestured to Prime. Prime is the result of a spell prototype that I created. For millennia, wizards have had to rely on expensive or dangerous golem craft, unreliable summoning magic, or the lengthy process of familiar-binding in order to create loyal and powerful servants.
Rams pride in his construct was obvious. Well, to that, I say no more! The domain of the wizard is the spell. And modern spellcraft can do anything if pushed properly: here, youre seeing a construct produced by a single powerful spell! No lengthy alchemy, no bargaining with an otherworldly entityjust pure magic and imagination. That is the future, unbound by beakers and summoning circles! I intend to prove that today: Prime will face and defeat ygon, who isording to manythe epitome of golem-craft. You can call our contest a proof of concept, if you will.
For science it is, then! the announcer shouted. Two cutting-edge advances in magical study, facing each other in our arena today, folks! This is not just an epic match-up! This is history in the making!
The crowd roared their enthusiasm.
Witness something that has never been seen before! the announcers voice echoed through the venue, but even his words couldnt drown out the internal screams gripping Alex.
He looked up at Torakasitting in the VIP boxsurrounded by potential clients. Her lips had ttened to a hard line and her bodynguage was stiff like lightning coursed through her body.
The potential buyers were whispering to each other, pointing between Prime and ygon.
Shitshit, shit<em>shit.</em> Alex muttered.
This is bad, colossally bad.
If Prime beats ygon, that could damage the image we want our new golems to haveor even golems in general. Rams spell could devastate the Golem Works <em>and</em> my business ventures with Toraka and Lucia.
A cold sweat rose on his skin.
There was no possible way topete with learn a spell and make all the constructs you want anytime or any ce. He had to prove that ygons quality and value far exceeded Primes.
And even then, itd be an uphill battle.
Hes crushed all kinds of monsters and adversaries to get here, Alex thought. For me to <em>prove</em> that our golems are worth the coin, we cant just beat Primewe have to <em>crush</em> it. Humiliate it. Annihte it.
<em>Ihear youfather </em>ygon raised his war-spear.
Give it your all! Rams voice rumbled. I will not ept anything save for your best!
And thats what were here to see! the announcer shouted. Wizards and their proxies giving their all! And now that all is revealed, we have kept youour wonderful audiencewaiting long enough! And so, get ready for Prime and Harsha Ram vs. ygon and Alex Roth! Who wille out on top?
Alex tensed.
ygons stance shifted.
Primes fists opened and closed like the snapping jaws of a ferocious beast.
A smile curved Rams lips.
Lets find out! the announcer shouted. Begin!
The bell rang.
And Ram wasted no time.
The ballistae on Primes shoulders immediately released a torrent of bolts at ygon. They expanded, blurring through the air until they were the size of the golems war-spear, driving into his chest before he could even move.
A tremendous explosion rocked the air as he was pushed back by unrelenting force.
Rams expression twitched.
And the golem stumbled.
Alex lifted his staff, calling on its power, pouring flight magic into ygon who was able to steady himself before he fell backwards.
And we have a devastating opening salvo from Prime! the announcer called. How will Alex and ygon respond?
Like this, Alex said.
<em>Likethis,</em> his golem said in tandem.
And power poured into his fire-gems.