"Diffindo!"
After using the Snake-Summoning Spell to counteract the Corrosion Curse, Nundu wasted no time, quickly casting a Severing Charm to target Blade Unsheathing and Fear Shudder. He shattered both spells in mid-air and, with a swift flick of his wand, conjured a Shield Charm to block the final Blasting Curse.
Nundu, who had barely fended off the attack, was now furious. He hadn't expected Thunderbird to respond to his offensive in such a humiliating manner, using the exact same casting techniques and spells just to show off his raw strength. Moreover, he had clearly overheard the conversation between Thunderbird and Ashwinder earlier. This damned club was indeed full of arrogant individuals. Nundu's face, hidden beneath his mask, was contorted with rage.
*In that case, don't blame me for being ruthless. I originally thought this was just a routine authorization assessment, but you've gone too far and completely disregarded me.*
Nundu secretly swore in his heart, and his wand began to vibrate rapidly again. At the same time, the magic in his body gathered and resonated, as if he were preparing to unleash a powerful ultimate move.
Thunderbird, standing directly opposite him, saw this but did not interrupt his opponent, merely watching him calmly, completely indifferent to his actions.
*Hmph, as expected!* Nundu sneered inwardly. He knew that the scoundrel opposite him would be arrogant enough not to interrupt his casting. In that case, he would let him witness what true power was. *What a foolish fellow.*
"Whirlwind Ice Storm!"
After accumulating magic to its absolute limit, Nundu suddenly roared and swung his wand fiercely. Immediately, a violent surge of freezing air erupted from his position, instantly coating the surrounding ground with a thick layer of frost.
At the same time, a fierce whirlwind swept around Nundu, and massive ice crystals condensed out of thin air, rotating at high speed around him. They were crystal clear, reflecting the firelight from the eternal flames and looking dazzlingly abnormal.
But if anyone thought these ice crystals were just ordinary decorations, they would be gravely mistaken. Each of these crystals was as sharp as the ice blades from the Blade Unsheathing spell, and they carried a powerful freezing draft. Not to mention being hit head-on, just having the ice crystals brush past would cause severe frostbite.
"Oh? Isn't this Manticore's signature move, Whirlwind Ice Storm? I didn't expect you to teach him this spell. This doesn't seem to be a magic that a mere Level Two authorized member can exchange for, does it?" Thunderbird recognized the spell Nundu cast, then turned to look at Ashwinder next to him with a strange gaze.
Was he being too partial to these newcomers, actually violating club rules by allowing them to exchange for spells reserved for Level Three authorized members in advance? Alan knew exactly what this magic represented. The Whirlwind Ice Storm spell was one of the few high-tier elemental spells preserved within the club's database. The inventor of this magic, Manticore, held a very special identity; he was once the brother of Thunderbird, Golden Knight, and the other core elders. He was one of the original seven founders that Thunderbird had introduced to Alan.
Manticore had died in battle during the later stages of the movement. It was for this reason that his unique magic spells were cataloged into the central database. Manticore was originally the most talented duelist among the initial seven siblings. At that time, Thunderbird was recognized as the strongest among them in terms of raw power, while Phoenix was recognized as the most knowledgeable, having invented the most spells. Manticore possessed strength second only to Thunderbird, and spell development capabilities second only to Phoenix.
In fact, Thunderbird's only true self-created spell was his specialized insulation shield. Although Blue Fiendfyre was his signature magic, he had actually learned it from Grindelwald. But Manticore was different; he was keen on academic research and favored elemental magic, meaning both Blade Unsheathing and Whirlwind Ice Storm in the club's inventory were developed entirely by him.
If their former brother had survived, his current achievements and strength might have surpassed the others. Furthermore, Manticore had shared a very deep bond with his siblings back then. It was also for this reason that his codename had not been reissued to anyone else, and the four who survived rarely utilized the spells he invented, mainly out of fear of being reminded of his death.
According to Thunderbird, the reason why the surviving few were willing to become dependents of the Elixir of Life was mainly because they had developed a profound fear of death. They lamented the fragility of life—how even a genius like Manticore could wither so easily like a frail flower. Alan had a deep impression of the Whirlwind Ice Storm magic, which is why he recognized it the moment it appeared.
Ashwinder, watching from the side, suddenly darkened his face when he saw Nundu cast the spell. He didn't remember ever authorizing this magic for Nundu. But now this guy had actually cast it. Did that mean Golden Knight had privately taught this spell to Nundu?
*This violates the club's core rules,* Ashwinder cursed inwardly. Then he looked at Thunderbird with a trace of worry. He wasn't worried that Nundu could actually harm Thunderbird with this spell, but he knew what this magic represented. If Thunderbird were to recall their old friend because of this and go berserk, it would be extremely troublesome. Thinking of this, Ashwinder nervously swallowed and quickly gripped his wand.
"You audacious fool, I'll show you what true power is! See how you handle this!" At this moment, the Whirlwind Ice Storm had fully formed, and Nundu roared wildly at Thunderbird.
But Thunderbird stood directly opposite him like a stunned doll, staring blankly at the storm before him, as if lost in past memories.
Seeing this scene, Nundu smiled coldly. Had he been completely scared out of his wits? *In that case, kneel and beg for mercy.* The malice in his heart raged alongside the ice crystals swirling around him. He pointed his wand forward fiercely, and the violent cold wind, mixed with sharp ice crystals, swept toward Thunderbird.
"Being able to use this spell proves that your strength is decent, and your mind is quite clever," Thunderbird, who had been motionless, suddenly muttered. Then he raised his head and looked coldly at Nundu. "But you are also very foolish, because you actually dared to use this magic in front of me."
"Fiendfyre—Flying Petals!"
Following his sudden roar, a terrifying wave of magic burst forth from Thunderbird's body. With the violent outburst of his power, points of dazzling red light illuminated the space around him, and then a crimson, viscous Fiendfyre appeared out of thin air. It bloomed faster and faster, quickly converging into a vast sea of flowers composed of cursed flames.
This sea of fire crashed forward like a raging tide, instantly engulfing the surging ice crystal storm. Then, the flowers made of Fiendfyre began to merge with each other, gradually forming a single massive wave of flame that surged furiously toward Nundu.
Nundu was so terrified by this sight that he nearly lost his composure on the spot. Was this Thunderbird insane? Was he trying to kill him right here? But Nundu had no time to think; he could only desperately output his magic, using the cold air and strong winds of the Whirlwind Ice Storm to firmly block the surging Fiendfyre wave and try to push it away.
However, the Fiendfyre unleashed by Thunderbird was as heavy and viscous as mercury. He was struggling even to defend himself, and Nundu estimated he wouldn't last another minute. To resist this raging fire, he had exerted all his strength, leaving him unable to even surrender or beg for mercy.
"I don't want to waste any more time with trash. Fire Blade Curse!"
Without giving Nundu any time to react, Thunderbird called out the incantation in a cold tone and forcefully drew his wand. Immediately, as if pulling a blade from a scabbard in the void, a crimson fire blade spewing raging flames materialized. Thunderbird raised the flaming blade with one hand, his eyes holding deep disdain. Like swatting a fly, he casually swung it downward.
At this moment, Nundu saw the Fiendfyre wave split down the middle, and a long, fiery blade continuously grew larger in his vision, heading straight for him. Facing this terrifyingly oppressive slash, Nundu didn't even have time to react. He could only watch in horror as the crimson blade drew closer. His heart was filled with nothing but absolute dread, and his entire body was frozen in place by fear. For a moment, his mind went completely blank, as if he had already stepped into the world of the dead.
Boom!
A sudden loud noise echoed throughout the dueling hall. At the same time, a violent magical collision erupted at Nundu's position. A wave of magical fluctuations gradually spread out, and the rampant Fiendfyre in the hall finally began to recede, leaving behind only the smoking ground and scorched walls, proving how high the temperature had risen.
After a few seconds, Nundu realized that he was still alive. Standing in front of him was a figure whose clothes were smoking from the heat.
It was Ashwinder!
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