The 9th Class Swordmaster: Blade of Truth-Chapter 327: The Imperial War (3)

“You arrogant...!”

Berchi Blano reached into the air, and a long staff materialized—jade-colored and designed like a dragon holding a jewel in its mouth. Only the master of the Ivory Tower could wield this weapon.

He deflected Serica’s spear with the staff, and as he stretched it out, a powerful surge of energy erupted.

Wooooong...!

The jewel inside the dragon's mouth shone brightly, and an overwhelming force burst forth.

Clang—! Boom—!

The Green Dragon Cruah had had personally bestowed this staff when the Ivory Tower was built. It was one of the continent’s most powerful magical artifacts, comparable to the Blade of Infinite Breath, one of the five greatest Blader weapons. Perhaps it even surpassed them.

“That’s nice. I want it,” Serica muttered as he repositioned her spear.

“Dragon Thunder.”

Ignoring her, Berchi calmly made a gesture with his hand to cast a spell.

“Watch out!” Mikhail shouted at Serica, recognizing Berchi’s dangerous spell.

Berchi Blano was a rare lightning-element sorcerer, as uncommon as wind sorcerers—though for different reasons.

Very few sorcerers were born with an affinity for wind, while lightning-element sorcerers were not particularly few. However, many struggled to control the unstable nature of lightning, and most could only reach the 4th Class in their lifetime.

Lightning spells were deadly even with little mana, making them key for military use, but mastering higher-Class lightning spells was especially difficult. And yet, Berchi had advanced to the 7th Class, his mana already nearing the power of the 8th Class, placing him at the top of the four Great Sorcerers.

Wooooooong―!!

Three sharp lightning bolts surged from Berchi’s staff, lunging at Serica like a dragon ready to devour her. What made this even more shocking was the uniqueness of Berchi’s magic.

“Thunder Scales.”

This was his original spell. Despite the fact that the lightning element was rarely elevated to this level, Berchi had developed an entire system of spells, becoming a trailblazer in magical theory.

“Chain Lightning? No, it’s something else...?!”

Serica was startled by the immense power of Berchi’s lightning spell.

“Be careful!!”

Mikhail, more familiar with Berchi’s magic, knew exactly how dangerous this was. Each of Berchi Blano’s spells unleashed overwhelming destructive force.

Flash!!

With the wind element enhancing his speed, Mikhail grabbed Serica by the waist and pulled her aside just in time.

Kaboom—!

The spot where Serica had stood moments earlier was obliterated by a burst of lightning, leaving a charred crater. Although there were protective wards in the room, Berchi had broken through them with a single spell.

Gulp—

Serica swallowed hard, looking at the Great Sorcerer in awe.

“Reaching the 6th Class at such a young age... your talent rivals even Serga’s. To witness such promising individuals in one era is fortunate. However, it’s unfortunate that you stand as my enemy.”

Serica scowled at Berchi’s comment.

“Serga this, Serga that... Who the hell is this Serga that everyone keeps mentioning? It’s annoying, especially since the name sounds similar to mine. Mikhail, didn’t you say you were going to take his head?”

“Uh, I didn’t say I’d kill him...”

“Don’t be a wuss now. It just pisses me off that every time magic is brought up, his name comes first instead of ours.”

Serica clicked her tongue in irritation. Though she seemed cocky, Mikhail found her attitude oddly endearing. Perhaps he had been cooped up in the tower too long.

“From now on, my name and yours shall be the most famous in the world of magic.”

“...I’ll remember that.”

It felt strange to speak respectfully to someone much younger, but for some reason, Mikhail felt it was natural. He had always believed that luck had played a huge part in his growth. If he hadn’t met Karyl, he might have continued living a meaningless life.

Despite their similar circumstances, Serica always stood with unwavering confidence, a trait Mikhail admired. To others, her demeanor might seem arrogant, but Mikhail understood that it was her way of keeping herself from crumbling.

And that confidence had paid off.

Crack...! Crackle, crackle...!!

“You tried to exploit a weakness in such a short time? Good thinking, but poor match-up. The element of water won’t do much against my lightning.”

Just moments ago, Serica had been in Mikhail’s arms. Now, she had slipped behind Berchi, aiming her spear at his back. But even her concentrated attack couldn’t pierce through Berchi’s powerful magic shield.

“I know. I’ve studied magic too. Lightning is unique. It carries light, heat, moves freely in water, rides the wind, and even holds the darkness of storm clouds.”

Berchi Blano twisted his staff, deflecting Serica’s spear, and a faint smile played on his lips. It was laughable that someone would try to lecture him, a 7th Class sorcerer, about magic theory.

“It’s been a while since I’ve heard that explanation. However, that’s not magical theory—it’s an introduction to spiritology. That’s why Thunder Lord Kungen, the Spirit King of lightning, is seen as distinct from the four elemental Spirit Kings and even the Twin Powers of Light and Darkness. He doesn’t belong with the six great Spirit Kings.”

Berchi chuckled as he went on, “Similarly, lightning magic has its own uniqueness. If you were looking for a counter, earth might work. But unfortunately, you’re dealing with wind and water.”

“Is that so?” Serica asked indifferently, unfazed by Berchi’s words. “Mikhail, remember the book we read in the Antihum Grand Library?”

Mikhail nodded.

“My take is different. Having the power of all elements also means having weaknesses to all of them. You might be especially vulnerable to the earth element, but that doesn’t automatically mean your lightning beats everything else.”

Crack... Craaack!!

Unlike before, Serica’s spear was beginning to chip away at Berchi’s shield.

“What are you waiting for?!” she shouted, pushing her spear with all her might. “Didn’t you say you wanted to prove yourself? Serga’s not here now. Are you going to return empty-handed? Help out!”

[She’s rude, but she’s got a point.]

At that moment, a dark mist began to swirl.

“...!!”

Berchi Blano swiftly swung his staff to repel the black smoke closing in on him.

[Mikhail, you could learn a thing or two from her arrogance. Your enemy isn’t some monster; you’re up against a human.]

This content is taken from fгeewebnovёl.com.

“You...!”

[It’s been a while, Berchi. You’ve been living a cushy life here in this tower, haven’t you? I wonder if your mana has grown as much as your waist.]

The dark mist coalesced into the form of a striking man.

“Nain Darhon,” Berchi muttered as he stared at the man. He couldn’t hide his envy, seeing that, unlike himself, Nain had retained his youthful appearance. Berchi knew it wasn’t some simple magic at play.

“You seem to be using the gift of your bloodline rather carelessly. Out of the four Great Sorcerers, time has blessed you the most, yet you still indulge in such strange sorcery?”

[Strange sorcery, you say? Well, it’s this strange sorcery that’s currently tearing down your Ivory Tower.]

Berchi’s face stiffened at Darhon’s words.

Meanwhile, screams kept echoing from below.

“No! This can’t be happening! Magic isn’t working on them!”

Berchi had been aware of the sorcerers’ cries for some time now.

[Such delightful sounds, aren’t they? And it’s no wonder. What I’ve created aren’t mere undead. They’re slaves infused with the power of the void... or rather, the power of corruption.]

Nain Darhon chuckled as he gazed at the hellish scene below.

[You lecture me on magic? While you lot were busy playing politics, I was the one truly researching magic.]

Berchi was aware this wasn’t Nain’s true form.

To summon undead of that caliber and project this much power as a mere illusion... What kind of transformation has he undergone?

[That’s right. A great master of magic has personally bestowed his wisdom upon me. Your measly lightning spells pale in comparison.]

It was as if Nain had read his thoughts.

“A master...?”

Berchi wondered what kind of figure would get one of the greatest sorcerers on the continent to call him a master.

“Did you meet a dragon or something?”

Nain pointed at the staff in Berchi's hand.

[A dragon? No, but I reckon he’s even greater than a dragon. He’s unlike those lowly creatures that hand out trinkets and act all high and mighty.]

“Trinket...?”

Berchi’s lips curled slightly.

[The Assembly of Seven Elders.]

“...”

Berchi was about to say something else but fell silent at the mention of that name.

[I received the teachings of their leader, Allen Javius.]

“You’re mad... Falling into dark magic has clearly rotted your mind. You must be dreaming, Darhon. You expect me to believe that a figure from the Magical Era has been teaching you magic?”

[Believe what you want. I frankly don’t care.]

Boom!

At that moment, the tower shook.

[It doesn’t change the fact that your fate is sealed.]

The undead slaves poured through the now-shattered doors. The loud cries of the sorcerers had finally fallen silent.

“...!!”

Seeing the approaching monsters, Berchi quickly cast another spell.

Crack! Crackle!

Sharp lightning bolts shot towards the advancing slaves, but instead of slowing them down, the electricity seemed to be absorbed, vanishing into the creatures.

[No one can grow with a dull leader. You heard them screaming earlier, didn’t you?]

“Damn it...!!”

Realizing his futility, Berchi stepped back and infused more mana into his staff.

[Clinging to the old ways, are we? That’s the problem with sorcerers like you. Always sitting behind your desks, concocting strategies. Do you think your enemy will sit still while you gather your magic?]

“You... You bastards!!” Berchi bellowed, struggling as the slaves grabbed him by the arms and legs, their weight pulling him down.

[What are you waiting for, Mikhail? You’re the perfect one to show him the error of his ways.]

Nain Darhon motioned toward Berchi, who was slowly being overwhelmed by the undead.

[There’s a big catch right in front of you.]

“Bahahaha!!” A mere 5th Class sorcerer? To challenge me? Nain Darhon...!! That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!! Ugh...! Argh...!!”

Nain Darhon waved his hand dismissively at Berchi’s outburst. The slaves moved to cover Berchi’s mouth and eyes, silencing him.

“Me... against him...?” Mikhail stammered, his voice quavering with emotion.

[You’re going to pity him now? That sly old snake isn’t going to die so easily. He’s probably pretending to be overwhelmed while secretly gathering his power,] Nain Darhon said confidently.

After all, Berchi Blano was the strongest sorcerer on the continent, so not even Nain Darhon’s masterpieces, the undead slaves, would manage to easily kill him.

[As a mere projection, I can’t deal significant damage to him.]

“Then how...?”

[There’s a way. Berchi thought nothing of giving this to you, but that shall be his undoing.]

Nain Darhon pointed at something next to Mikhail’s feet.

[The magical compendium of Kaye Aesir.]

Mikhail slowly lowered his gaze.

[While it might be useless to us, to you, it’s a treasure worth its weight in gold.]

Wooooooom―

Suddenly, the book glowed red as if it was responding to something.