Hank's entrance brought the venue back to silence. His earlier display of easily defeating seven mages single-handedly had left a deep impression, demonstrating his greater strength than George. What would happen if he challenged Amy?
The young mages from the Mage Tower were also somewhat worried. Although they had considerable confidence in Hank's strength, but Amy's previous spell was simply too powerful. At least any one of them would have been unable to withstand it.
George and Hank had initially easily defeated the fourteen students from the Magic Academy. While their participation was somewhat uninteresting, but they were at least able to return with honors, thus successfully completing their mission.
However, now an incredibly powerful half-elf mage, a four years old mage, has suddenly appeared, casting an unpredictable shadow over the outcome of the challenge. If the Mage Tower loses this challenge in this manner, they don't know what kind of wrath they will face from their teachers upon returning to the Mage Tower.
Hank was also feeling a bit irritable. As the captain of this challenge, his ambition was to win every match and humiliate Chaos Academy in this way. He never expected that his plan would be ruined by Amy.
George not only lost, but he lost badly. A level three mage was instantly killed by a four years old half-elf with a single spell. If word got out, the reputation of their Mage Tower would suffer significantly.
Therefore, he had to get his revenge. Moreover, he came here specifically to humiliate Crassus's apprentice. Before he left, his master had instructed him to make Crassus lose face if he had the chance. This was the most important thing for him on this trip.
In the past, a debate raged within the Mage Tower between two factions over whether magic should be melee or ranged. With Crassus no longer managing the Mage Tower's affairs and the transmission of melee magic failed to take shape, so the factional disputes eventually faded.
However, his master, Brent, as Elder Richard's most ardent supporter, still harbored this grudge and sent him specifically to settle scores.
Amy had already demonstrated her magical abilities. Even if Hank defeated her now, it wouldn't bring him any praise. Instead, it would make him appear to have bullied the weak, a victory that was unsportsmanlike.
However, if the competition were to shift to a contest between melee and ranged magic, there would be no problem for Crassus's only apprentice to represent melee magic. Furthermore, if he was to represent the Mage Tower and defeat Amy, as Brent's apprentice, he could declare that ranged magic completely crushes melee magic.
As for the difference in age and strength, those are irrelevant to the rumors, only the result matters—the result of this challenge.
People will only know that the apprentice of the continent's number one melee mage, using melee magic, lost to Brent's apprentice, Hank. His master would probably be very pleased to hear this.
A sinister smile crept across Hank's lips as he looked at Amy like a wolf eyeing a lamb, pondering where to tear her apart with his sharp teeth.
"Melee magic? I'm super good at that too." Amy looked at Hank and said matter of factly, then asked somewhat strangely, "But Green-haired Monster, do you really want me to hit you on the head with this big stick? You might cry if I hit you like that."
A burst of enthusiastic cheers erupted from the audience. Amy had given everyone so many surprises and thrills today.
Everyone was wondering if Amy would accept Hank's challenge. Even if she refused, no one would think much of it. After all, even Klaus and the other two seniors had been easily defeated by Hank. Amy's victory over George had already redeemed Chaos Academy. Even if she lost today's challenge, it wouldn't be too embarrassing.
Unexpectedly, Amy's answer was still simple and blunt. Although her tone and expression were still cute, but her words sounded strangely domineering.
"As expected of my disciple, she has the style I had back then. As for magic, of course, melee magic is the strongest. Anyone who disagrees, I'll beat them with my stick until they submit." Crassus laughed heartily, his face full of joy.
Aside from Yulian, he hadn't debated melee versus ranged magic with anyone for many years. He had initially regretted that melee magic might decline again after him, but Amy's appearance made up for that regret, at least melee magic wouldn't die out in his hands and could continue to be passed down.
As for just how powerful melee magic truly is, only battle will tell. Those mages he dominated back then knew, and those dominated by Amy in the future will know as well.
"Melee magic... Could it be that she learned melee magic in such a short time?" Albert glanced at Crassus out of the corner of his eye, a bad feeling suddenly creeping into his heart.
He didn't harbor any ill will towards Crassus. In fact, when he joined the Mage Tower, Crassus was his most admired figure. But now, the Mage Tower was ultimately under Elder Richard's control. He had brought a team here this time, and it was clear without him having to say it that the Elder Richard and the other elders were thinking.
George's loss was already embarrassing enough for the Mage Tower. If Hank lost too, the Mage Tower's challenge and the congratulations to Crassus would become a complete joke, and might even become a stepping stone for Crassus's apprentice.
"There shouldn't be any problem. Even with that spell just now, Hank can withstand it. Melee mages at lower levels are at a complete disadvantage against ranged mages of the same level. How to block all the magical attacks of a ranged mage before they get close is not an easy task. And Hank's intermediate spell, Entangling Vines, is a natural enemy of melee mages." Albert thought quickly to himself, calming himself down. Looking at Amy on the stage, he felt a sense of emotion. If such a talented girl hadn't died young, she would definitely have left a significant mark on the world of mages of the Nolan Continent.
"Little brat, I hope you're not the one crying later, or I won't be so lenient with you." Hank's green hair stood on end with anger as he glared at Amy and said coldly.
"Green-haired Monster, I hope you cry quietly later. You're so ugly, your crying will be really scary. It wouldn't be good if you frightened the children." Amy said seriously, looking at Hank in return.
"Challenge match eleven, begin!" Capas announced loudly, looking at the two of them.
The two teachers stood a short distance away from each of them. The female teacher closer to Amy only about two meters away, seemingly ready to protect her at any moment.
"Little brat, as a melee mage, you use such a tiny magic wand?" Hank didn't rush to attack, but instead looked at the magic wand in Amy's hand and mocked, "Could it be that you don't even have a mage's staff? Is Lord Crassus so poor? What kind of melee mage are you then?"
"In my name, unseal this staff! Ruyi Mofa Bang, transform!"
Amy, her expression somewhat serious, recited the command. A flash of purple light appeared from the purple crystal on her magic wand, and a two meters long purple mage's staff materialized in her hand.
A fist-sized, round purple crystal ball was surrounded by purplish-gold branches, and the purplish-gold light shimmered inside the crystal ball, dazzlingly bright.
"Wind and Fire Wheels, appear!"
Holding the mage's staff in both hands, Amy gave another soft shout, and two balls of flame suddenly appeared beneath her feet, rising about twenty centimeters into the air. The flames spun rapidly, like two galloping fire wheels.
"Green-haired Monster, you mocked my master, and I'm angry, so you will cry." Amy said to Hank with a serious expression, pointed her mage staff forward, and the Wind and Fire Wheels carried her forward with a whoosh!