I AM A MAGE BUT WITH MILF SYSTEM

Chapter 823: Kraven vs Elara – part 2

Julian barely had the time to appreciate her dual wielding of the elements when a massive blade hurled through the air, clearly making its way for his neck.

krummmmm!!

The water-wind blade was razor-sharp and spun rapidly as it cut through the space between them with lethal intent. The speed was astonishing.

I have to defend, he thought.

He stopped dead in his tracks and raised his own hand forward. “Barrier!” he shouted.

Immediately, the air inside the containment barrier that the mages were maintaining began heating up. A shimmering wall of crimson-gold mana materialized in front of Julian just in time. The massive water blade slammed into it with a loud crash, sending sprays of heated steam exploding outward.

The impact rippled across the barrier, causing the entire dome to shake violently for a moment. The force was impressive for a Peak Sovereign mage – enough that several spectators stepped back instinctively.

Julian held his ground and his expression remained calm even as the heated air around him grew thick and oppressive. He could feel the raw creativity behind Elara’s attack. She had merged water and wind into a single, high-speed attack that carried both cutting power and explosive pressure upon impact. It was not just brute force; it was intelligent spellwork.

Elara’s eyes widened slightly as her attack was neutralized so cleanly. However, she did not relent.

With a graceful twist of her hands, she summoned two more blades, one from each side, attempting to flank him while the first attack continued pressing against his barrier. The courtyard was filled with the sound of rushing water and howling wind as her spells danced in the air.

And Julian, too, knew the power that was contained behind those blades. Let’s check how she reacts to power, he thought with a sly smile on his face.

Honestly, he had already seen through her thought process. With her previous blade battling intensely against his barrier, she was waiting for it to wear down so that she could flank him with the two other blades. And to be honest, that was a good plan but just not… practical against someone of his level.

“Fire Ball,” he whispered, taking a step back.

Suddenly, as if bullets were launched from a gun, a small yet incredibly powerful ball of fire left Julian’s palm. It completely bypassed the water-wind blade that was battling against his barrier and launched itself toward Elara with terrifying speed.

Elara’s eyes widened in panic. She had not expected such a swift and direct counter. Her body reacted instinctively, but she had already committed her focus to maintaining the flanking blades. The two hovering constructs spun rapidly and intercepted the fireball just in time.

BANG!

Another massive explosion occurred. The collision of fire and water-wind mana created a violent burst of steam and pressure that launched Elara backward several steps. She stumbled and barely managed to kept her balance as the heated steam scorched parts of her pink gown. Small burn marks appeared on the fabric near her shoulder and side, and the hem of her dress was singed.

Outside the barrier, the Count and Countess had their eyes blown wide open, especially the Count.

He is equal to my daughter… no, he is stronger, he realized with a mixture of shock and reluctant respect.

However, the one thing that frustrated him more was that he did not sense the use of any artifact. This was pure, personal power.

He glanced at the Duke and flinched upon seeing that the Duke was already looking at him with a mischievous, sly smile on his face. The message was clear: My son is the real deal.

Meanwhile, the Countess had a bit more concern on her face than surprise. Her eyes darted between her daughter and Julian, worry etched into her features as she watched Elara recover from the blow.

Inside the barrier, Elara steadied herself and brushed away a few strands of hair that had come loose during the explosion. Her gown was slightly damaged, but she held her head high, refusing to show weakness. A faint smile touched her lips despite the exhaustion.

“You are… truly strong,” she admitted, her voice carrying across the courtyard. “I thought my timing was perfect, but you saw through it instantly.”

Julian lowered his hand and offered her a respectful nod.

“Your plan was clever. Most opponents would have been overwhelmed by the flanking attack. You have excellent instincts and creativity. With more experience, you will become formidable.”

Elara blushed at the genuine praise. The words seemed to mean more to her than simple flattery. She curtsied gracefully despite her disheveled state.

“Thank you, Lord Kraven. I still have much to learn.”

But then she straightened, and her eyes burned with determination.

“But are you ready for what is about to come?”

With that, the air around her completely changed. The gentle, pure mana she had been using earlier vanished, replaced by something far more intense and violent. The atmosphere grew heavy, almost suffocating, as if the very air was being compressed and twisted by an unseen force.

Julian, naturally, noticed it as well. An involuntary wave of goosebumps prickled all over his body, and he quickly took a step back, his instincts screaming at him to create distance.

Just at that moment, he could hear someone speaking urgently from outside the barrier.

“Dear, stop… don’t use that. You will injure yourself.”

It was the Countess.

Meanwhile, the Countess looked at her husband with wide, worried eyes.

“Husband, stop our daughter. She has lost herself in the flow of the moment and is about to use ‘that’. You know how she gets injured every time she uses ‘that’.”

But the Count had different thoughts. His smile widened, and he glanced at the Duke, who had the same goosebumps as Julian all over his body. The Duke’s expression was tense and his hand instinctively hovered near his side as if ready to intervene.

Vanessa and Olivia, who were less sensitive to subtle shifts in mana, could not feel the full change in the atmosphere. But they too knew that something big was being prepared. The tension in the air was palpable even to them.