August and Mayra rode back to Toledo fort and conversed on the way. Although they encountered some low-level monsters on the way, Mayra was able to deal with them quickly. Also, the mutated wind wolves that they rode were very fast and seemed to be hardly affected by wind resistance.
"So, where do you also go from here, Mayra?"
"Well, I will also be heading back to the sorcerer tower in Nuera city. I am one of the Apprentice sorcerers of Great Sorcerer Hazel’s sorcerer tower. Moreover, I have been slowly revealing my power and I plan to display some of my talents so that I can participate in the clan prodigy meet six months from now."
"The clan prodigy meet?" August was puzzled.
"Yes. It is not surprising that you haven’t heard about it. After all, it has not even been a year since you joined the Brander clan. Although the Brander clan possesses many resource sites-small and big, the share of the cake is also limited as a result. Hence just like the common saying in the Sorcerer World: Power is everything! Therefore there is competition for resources. Only those that are able to prove their value gain more resources. That is why the clan prodigy meet is important."
Mayra began to have a determined look on her face as she continued her explanation. She said in a serious tone.
"It is a gathering of geniuses who are close to advancing to First-Rank Sorcerer. They all battle against each other and the top sorcerers at the end of the competition receive very helpful rewards. I heard that the top 3 prodigies get to obtain a Spirit Elevation Potion, which increases one’s chances of reaching First-Rank Sorcerer greatly. Because of my deadline of 250 years, I have to make use of any opportunity to become stronger. August, although you are at the intermediate level, I am still confident that you can reach the elite level in time for the clan meet."
"You have a point. I may just be able to make it to the elite level soon. Besides I want to grow even more powerful and also quickly so I don’t plan on missing out either."
Mayra was not surprised at all. She knew very well that he had ambitions and was also determined to follow his goal so she felt reassured when she heard his response. After all, without his help in the future, she did not have any hope of escaping her fate.
"I hope we can battle each other in the competition. I think will defeat you for sure at that time, August."
"I see. However, I don’t plan on losing to you though. I am a man, after all, you know?"
"You also know that I don’t mind that, August. You can be the weakest man alive and I will still like you."
"That’s why I like you so much, Mayra. You are different."
The two sorcerers chatted heartily and eventually arrived back at Toledo fort.
At Toledo fort, the apprentice sorcerers all gathered in the hall and wished him farewell. August was not arrogant or impatient and he spoke warmly with everyone before he retreated to his chambers afterwards.
The night quickly passed by and it was the morning of the next day.
August had already prepared himself and was ready to the hall to meet the Brander clan envoy before departing to the Great Sorcerer Phelan Tower. In the hall, all apprentices gathered in front of the entrance and could not help but murmur when they saw a figure walk into the hall.
He was a burly-looking individual who had tight-fitting black battle robes on. He was not as handsome as August, however, he had a certain masculine charm about him as well. He had a bald head and his eyes were stone cold. He had two subordinates, a man and a woman beside him.
"Who is the leader over here? Step forward now!"
August frowned a bit but his expression returned to its natural calm before he stepped out of the crowd, his staff in his hand. A held out the Brander medallion.
"I am the leader. As you already know, I was sent here to hold down the fort before you arrived. Your arrival here marks the end of my mission. You can consult Apprentice Edgar for a briefing on the operations in and around Toledo fort. If you do not have any questions then I will take my leave."
As he said this, August gave a polite bow and started walking out.
"Such insolence! Hey you there, you fool, Master Gaius has not asked you to leave. Do you have no idea of his identity? He is Gaius Brander, the son of a First-Rank Sorcerer Reynard!"
The lady that was standing behind Gaius said arrogantly. She had a sexy figure and wore a black dress that revealed most of her body. From what August could sense, she was an intermediate-level sorcerer.
Gaius himself did not say a word and simply stared at August coldly. The man beside him who wore a black and white robe also said in a condescending tone.
’Don’t think that we do not dare harm you just because you have the Brander medallion, brat."
August halted in his steps and did not bother staring in the direction of two subordinates of Gaius. Rather he met the cold gaze of Gaius unflinchingly and said in an emotionless tone.
"Do the words of your subordinates reflect your viewpoint, Sorcerer Gaius?"
"So what if they were? What can you do about it, huh?"
Gaius’ voice was deep and husky and one could sense a slight hint of killing intent within his voice. From August’s perspective, it was quite clear that Gaius did not care that much for others’ opinions.
"I will just pretend that I did not hear what they just said. After all, this is not worth my time."
"What? You are ignoring us? Do you want to learn a lesson? An intermediate sorcerer like you stands no chance against Master Gaius’ great power, much less us, you brat!"
August just kept walking towards the entrance, completely ignoring their words- as if he had cotton in his ears.
The entire room went silent as the apprentices were dumbfounded. Was August crazy? How can he ignore the envoys of the Brander clan? They murmured among themselves. At this rate, something bad was going to happen.
The two subordinates of Gaius were enraged when they saw August’s reaction. Even Gaius’ look became colder when he heard August’s response
"How dare you ignore me? You’ll pay for this"
Metal Sorcery: Metal Rods!
Whoosh!
The black and white-clothed man sent forth many black metallic-looking rods that flew towards their target August with incredible speed. August could turn around to evade any of the attacks approaching him but he decided against doing so. He simply lifted his staff up in the air slightly before smashing it on the ground. Suddenly the surrounding wind elemental energy formed a spiral shape and rotated with extreme speed around August
Wind Sorcery: Wind Spiral Barrier!
The clash between the two sorceries generated a loud sound in the surroundings as gusts of wind blew everything around away and with the exception of the elite-level sorcerers, all apprentices were pushed back by the strong winds circulating around August.
The wind spiral barrier knocked back all the metal rods with ease before eventually dissipating. However, things did not end there as just as everyone saw August’s figure they immediately noticed wind elemental energy quickly condensing atop his staff.
Wind Sorcery: Wind Blade!
Three wind blades that were about the size of one’s head formed on top of the staff, slowly ’swimming’ around each other, before shooting out towards the black and white-clothed man in quick succession.
However, what shocked everyone was that the seemingly ordinary wind blade did not move in a straight line as they expected. Rather the blade took a parabolic curve making it difficult to predict its trajectory.
The black and white-clothed man was taken aback by his opponent’s counterattack. As the one at the receiving end, he could see what most others couldn’t. Apart from the trajectory of the wind blades that was tricky to predict, He also noticed that they covered all his likely escape routes and all he could do was take them on.
Metal Sorcery: Metal Skin!
The skin of the black and white-clothed man suddenly took a metallic sheen as his body began to harden until his entire body looked as if it was made of metal. He snorted arrogantly as his confidence surged and he crossed his arms around him.
His confidence proved to be useless as the speedy and gusty wind blades hit his leg, hand and back respectively.
AHH!
The black and white-robed man let out a painful scream and fell on his knees, blood spurting out from the areas his body came into contact with the wind blades, forming a small, bloody pool on the ground. Loud gasps rang out among the spectators.
"He was defeated with Master August’s single attack!"
"Such a terrifying wind attack! I would be chopped into pieces if I were the target!"
August stared at the black and white-robed man with a blank expression on his face and said in a stern tone.
"I’m waiting for you. Didn’t you say that I was going to pay? Heal up, I don’t mind."