Became a Demon with Pregnancy System-Chapter 53: Neo Vadis

"A forbidden spell? Hahaha, a forbidden spell?" Morgan Jones sneered, his slender frame trembling with disdain. "Dare you think that with tattered taste and no muscle polishing, you can even dream of being a Forbidden Spell Mage? Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous."

Morgan’s sizzling sharp tongue resonated across that grand courtyard of the Jones family estate. His cold mold of judgment rested on Marissa Jones, his daughter. It was this fiery defiance that had sparked this argument.

The pulse of veins in his two hands throbbed visibly with building frustration.

"Do you understand how scarce Forbidden Spell Mages are?" Morgan continued penetratingly.

"There are just a few hundred in that world! And you thought you would be one? Preposterous."

Marissa didn’t tremble. Her crimson eyes glowed with an unwavering confidence, the voice of unwritten resolve. "If that’s what has to happen, I’ll prove it, she stated with absolute certainty."

A cruel smirk flitted across Morgan’s lips. "You want to prove it, huh? Fine. Neo Vadis is here today. If you can beat him, I’ll allow you to continue your pointless training. The family’s resources will be made available to you. But if you lose, then we’ll all know with surety that it’s you who will have to marry him just like it was already planned."

"Look," Mason Jones interjected, worry clear in his voice. "The Vadis family specializes in fire magic. Cherished is a plant-based magic that’s no match."

Morgan directed a sharp glance at Mason. "Exactly, let her face the bitter truth of her limitations."

Turning toward Marissa, Morgan spoke with finality. "In case you lose, you shall not have anything to argue about anyway. You will just have to fulfill your duty towards your family."

"Then let’s get on with the fight," Marissa said, an epigramatic calm and steadiness in her voice, "I’ve never been afraid to fight."

Morgan smirked. "Good. Let’s move toward the arena. I hope you won’t regret this decision."

"Mason asked as they walked, his face a mask of worry. You’re sure about this, Marissa? Neo Vadis already possesses an intermediate stage-two level and has a spirit seed; this just isn’t a sparring match."

"Uncle Morgan; don’t worry. Marissa will win," Zoe Miller interjected with conviction, her faith in Marissa unwavering.

Mason sighed heavily. "You don’t understand..."

Luke, who had been silent until now, now spoke. "Okay, so who on earth is this Neo Vadis?"

Marissa wasted no time answering. "Neo Vadis? He is, um, the younger brother of Neo Vadis, the top student in the Fire Academy. His strength is quite outstanding. He possesses an interesting magical talent: penetration. The difference here is that his fire could probably, ah, sneak right past whatever defenses you put up on it before hitting the target."

"Yikes. That certainly sounds creepy," Zoe replied. "Isn’t that avoidable?"

"Not absolute," said Marissa, trying to explain. "The more you are above him in levels, the less effective that penetration becomes. Well, he still has a really great advantage, after all."

Luke’s jaw clenched, anger washing over him. "And this idiot thinks he can have you just because of whatever family arrangement? He is looking for trouble."

Glimmers of half and mischievous smiles played on Marissa’s lips. "You do care."

Calm now, but undoubtedly angry, Luke’s composure cracked for a moment. "Of course, darling, I care. Nobody touches what’s mine."

The training arena of the Jones family was large enough to hold an arena for football teams, normally used for sparring among the younger generation, but today it would surely be one for a duel upon high stakes.

Neo Vadis stood at the middle of the arena, a proud and confident young man, his red hair reflecting fiery flashes in the sunlight. His smirk was laced with arrogance, the expression that represented his belief in his superiority.

Marissa strode directly into the arena, maneuvers a gleam of crimson hair just above her shoulders, utterly unimpressed by whatever she saw in Vadis.

"Neo," Marissa asserted, her voice steady, "I said no to the marriage proposal before and I mean it. When I win today, your harassment is over. Forever."

Neo let out a laugh that almost felt like amusement as he shook his head. "Why make such great fuss? The Joneses and Vadis could be great together."

Marissa’s voice became even frostier. "The Jones don’t need your help. I’ll make us stronger on my own."

His gaze shifted only slightly to the right, his self-satisfied grin unabated. "Some talent you possess, Marissa. It’s too bad it’s very far from being close to the genius that I am. You are too fortunate to even catch my attention."

Marissa’s fiery crimson eyes dug into him with fury, her voice remaining terribly angry. "This ends today!"

Neo looked beyond to Luke, who stood at the outer edge of the arena trying very hard not to show he cared in the least. The smile faded on Neo’s face and grew confrontational in tone: "Who the hell is that savage and what is he doing here?"

His tragically lopsided hair glimmered in the sunlight, the purple-black contrast gift-wrapped beside his sharply chiseled and set features. He raised an arrogant eyebrow at Neo’s insult, cool and calm. "Savage? You are about to receive a death sentence."

Marissa quickly stepped up between the two with her hand raised in warning. "It is my fight," she asserted firmly.

The sneer returned to Neo, yet his expression was plainly a mix of irritation and energy. "Fine. I will crush you in front of your little admirer."

Marissa stepped into the center of the arena and allowed her vines to slither around her in their anticipation. Her blood-shot eyes fell upon Neo Vadis, the young mage who was standing nonchalantly and flicking flames in his fingers.

Neo chuckled mockingly. "Marissa, why are you doing this? You know how it’s gonna end. You can come join me and spare yourself the embarrassment of defeat."

"The Jones’ do not need your arrogance or you. Let’s finish this," was Marissa’s ice-cold but instant retort. At the edge of the arena, Luke muttered to Zoe, "Better hurry up with this. I’m sick of this guy.