'This… this is interesting!'
The butcher thought to himself.
As he keenly observed Callista, absorbing both her presence and the Matriarchs' explanations, Eren felt the puzzle pieces of being an Evoker falling into place. His narrowed eyes focused intently on his duel partner as he voiced his next question.
"From what I gather from Callista's mana signatures, are Evokers not bound by elemental affinities?"
Valeria nodded approvingly at Eren's observation before responding promptly.
"Indeed, Eren.
Elemental affinity holds little significance for those who do not belong to a specific class. As long as certain conditions are met, Evokers can cast spells of any element with near-equal proficiency.
Rankers, on the other hand, are restricted by their class and elemental affinities. They find it exceedingly difficult to alter their class. The higher they climb the ranks, the more challenging it becomes to change their path."
Valeria sighed before speaking up. "Rankers are shackled by their class and affinities. These shackles only tighten further as they advance their ranking journeys.
If not for this inherent limitation, the ranker's path may have been considered superior to that of the Evokers."
A self-assured smile played across Eren's face as he absorbed Valeria's words, weighing them in his mind. Unlike conventional rankers, he wasn't bound by the limitations of his class or elemental affinities. In fact, he possessed the remarkable ability to fine-tune his spells like a true master of the arcane.
Having unlocked six distinct classes for himself, Eren reveled in the vast possibilities granted by his multifaceted elemental affinities. These classes offered him an almost limitless array of approaches to combat. While he was currently restricted to utilizing his classes alternately within Anfang, he knew that once he ventured beyond his homeworld, his multi-class capabilities would set him apart from the rest.
Grateful for the Matriarchs' guidance in clarifying his doubts, Eren tightened his grip on his weapons, a subtle yet mischievous smile playing on his lips as he locked eyes with Callista. His tone dripped with challenge as he addressed her.
"Callista, I'm counting on you to show me the true prowess of an Evoker. Don't disappoint me."
Unfazed by Eren's provocation, Callista chuckled, adjusting her stance in preparation for the imminent clash. No further words were necessary. The intensity of their gaze conveyed their unspoken agreement as they simultaneously unleashed their spells.
Sedated Perception.
Stunning Speed.
Blitz Steps.
Blitz Wave.
Igni Wave.
Eren began with his go-to time element spells, showcasing his proficiency in close-quarters combat. Since he opted not to use his default weapons, he relied on basic spellcasting that synergized with his melee combat expertise.
As for the newly acquired spells, Blitz Wave and Igni Wave, Eren had imbued his elemental mana into his chosen weapons. The Jambiya dagger pulsated with a dense aura of purple lightning mana, while the Khanjar dagger seemed to have emerged from the depths of molten lava, enveloped in fiery mana. Expert-ranked mana surged through them, causing a vibration that produced a distinctive sound akin to a bird's melodious chirping.
Valeria and the other Matriarchs fixed their gaze upon Eren, captivated by his display. They couldn't help but acknowledge that even without the Great Mother's blessings, Eren could be regarded as the epitome of excellence within their settlements.
In a blur of motion, Eren's figure dissolved, vanishing from his initial position in the blink of an eye. Before Callista could fully comprehend what was happening, Eren closed the distance between them.
Clank!
The resounding clash of metal against metal reverberated through the air as Eren's blades collided with Callista's shield. To her surprise, not only did she manage to block his attack, but she swiftly countered with a spear thrust of her own.
However, before her strike could find its mark, Eren vanished, leaving Callista momentarily bewildered. Yet, in a split second, her experience as an Evoker, honed battle instincts, and divine blessing granted her the foresight to anticipate Eren's astonishingly nimble movements.
In a matter of seconds, a flurry of exchanges transpired between Eren and Callista. The clash of their weapons produced a symphony of harmonious sounds, reminiscent of an intricate musical composition. Sparks flew as Eren's blades met Callista's shield and spear blade, illuminating the battlefield with fleeting bursts of light.
Both combatants released their auras, their battle presences colliding with an almost tangible force. Despite the supposed advantage of the sacred ground, which served as their battleground, Callista struggled to gain a definitive edge over Eren.
Growing apprehensive, Callista realized that Eren remained firmly in his element, despite not wielding his favored weapons. She sensed an underlying confidence in him, evident by the smile that graced his face whenever their eyes met during their intense clash.
By this point, Eren's Expert-ranked mana would have started to affect the surroundings if not for the sanctified ground reinforced by divine power. Marla and Almera watched the duel with a mixture of awe and trepidation, barely able to keep pace with the lightning-fast exchange unfolding before them.
A resounding clank echoed through the battlefield as Eren's blades clashed against Callista's shield, their confrontation escalating to new heights. The air crackled with anticipation as their spells intermingled in a dazzling display of power.
Amid their intense exchange, a sudden shift occurred. Eren's piercing gaze transformed, his eyes turning a chilling shade of white. With impeccable timing, he unleashed his Sedating Gaze Ability on Callista, seizing a critical moment of vulnerability.
In a fluid motion, Eren spun on his heel, channeling lightning and fire through his legs. The combined elemental energies enveloped his limbs as he delivered a round kick imbued with raw force, aimed squarely at Callista's shield. The impact reverberated with a thunderous boom, propelling her into the air.
Despite fortifying her soul through various means, Callista couldn't hide the flaw in her defense when confronted with Eren's perfectly timed Ability. Helpless against the sheer might of his mana-infused strike, she was launched skyward, momentarily suspended in midair.
Rather than pressing his advantage, Eren chose not to follow up with an immediate attack. He allowed Callista to descend safely, her body gracefully finding its footing on the ground once more. A smile played across Eren's lips as he began to stride confidently toward the projected landing spot of the Evoker, his voice laced with determination.
"The warm-up is over, Callista. It's time to take things a bit more seriously, don't you think?"
Callista didn't reply with words. Instead, she smiled back at him and decided to use her divine blessing.
AN: VEH crosses another milestone with the 1300th chapter. Thanks and cheers! ;)
