The Earth Spirits, emboldened by Jared’s magic, unleashed their spears to pierce his enemies. Each spear boasted a killing power befitting a final blow. In contrast, the shadows manipulated by Dennis transformed into whips, meticulously shattering the spears one by one. The head of the Court Mages showed no signs of panic, calmly dealing with the situation.
After all the spears were destroyed, he generated multiple fist-sized rocks and launched them as blunt weapons. They hurtled towards Dennis with a roar, intent on crushing him. However, his opponent remained calm. He prepared the shadowy whips, now wielding them like swords with swift movements. Not a single rock hit him; they were all cleaved in two and fell to the ground.
Dennis seemed hesitant to attack Jared, adopting a defensive stance, but he must have realized he couldn’t continue like this. He kicked off the ground, switching to close-quarters combat.
Jared, who had not intended to engage in a magic duel, was surprised by Dennis’s aggressive initiation and showed a hint of ferocity.
He unleashed his magic, boosting his physical prowess, and kicked off the ground to meet the attack. Jared’s fist connected with Dennis, and Dennis’s fist connected with Jared.
Both were sent flying backward, rolling across the ground.
Dennis was the first to rise, though he coughed. He managed a wry smile, his knees already weak from the single impact. He hadn’t underestimated the boy. As the president of the Mage Association, he was well aware of his accomplishments. Still, somewhere within him, he had believed he would win.
“…It was arrogance to think I could stop Lord Jared. You are strong. Eventually, you will surpass me and become like the late Liz Murphy. However, even so— I am still stronger now.”
Dennis declared this as Jared, still coughing, got back on his feet.
“So what of it?”
“You are kind. I know that very well. You worked tirelessly to protect Olivier and her family, who were once like strangers to you. You did it for your cousin, Yeny, for your friend Luzer, and for Ernesta, who was put in a difficult position. Lord Jared has always fought for others. I believe that you, who have done so, cannot kill someone in a fit of emotion, even for Olivier.”
“Just because I can’t kill—”
“Therefore, you cannot defeat me, who can kill anyone without hesitation.”
Every hair on his body stood on end. What emanated from Dennis was not hostility or murderous intent, but something else entirely. His normally gentle expression now seemed alien. It was like looking at a doll. If ordered, he would kill without hesitation, as if controlled by someone else. Jared himself would be no exception. In fact, he would likely kill even Cassandra, his former fiancé.
“Your attacks, while lethal, lack the crucial intent to kill. Even if I can feel your resolve to defeat me, you don’t truly intend to kill me.”
Jared couldn’t deny it.
Jared was enraged by the loss of Olivier. He wanted to kill Cassandra, the source of his pain, as well as Rasmus and Dennis, who sought to protect her.
—But ultimately, it was just a thought.
He hadn’t never taken a life. When he fought, he sometimes killed. At times in self-defense, at times by his own will, he had taken lives. But now, it might be difficult. He had become soft since meeting Olivier. He had developed feelings of not wanting to be disliked by her.
“The proof is that you haven’t used the Petrify Magic that could easily kill me. I thought you might be hesitant so as not to involve Yeny, but that wasn’t the case. Your kindness prevents you from killing me.”
“Shut up!”
Jared kicked off the ground again. He circulated his magic within his body, dramatically increasing his physical prowess. He closed in on Dennis and delivered a powerful blow. However, one of Dennis’s shadows formed a thin yet sturdy wall, blocking the attack.
“The fact that you won’t use Petrify Magic, even when I say this, is proof. You are angry about losing Olivier. You are grieving. I cannot say I understand your feelings, no matter how much I might try. However, calm yourself, Jared Murphy. Do you truly believe the Progenitor will be satisfied and release Olivier if you kill Cassandra?”
Dennis gently clasped the hand of the boy who was bleeding from punching the wall of shadows.
“What meaning is there in you and me killing each other? Is this truly the right thing to do?”
“…Shut up.”
“It’s not wrong to grieve. It’s understandable for humans to fall into despair. However, you don’t have to do that.”
“Shut your mouth.”
“This will be harsh, but what would Olivier think if she saw you like this, Jared? I’m sure she would scold you.”
“SHUT UP!”
He knew that without being told. Given Olivier’s personality, she would not wish for Cassandra’s death. Nor would she wish for a fight with Dennis, who tried to stop him.
Even though he knew this, he had to vent the grief of losing the person he loved most somewhere. If he didn’t, his heart felt like it would break.
“Are you planning to just stand by and watch, Progenitor?”
“…Ah, yes. I got too caught up watching. Olivier is fortunate to be loved by a boy like Jared. Perhaps because they share the same body, she wouldn’t wish for Cassandra’s death, just as you said.”
“Then why did you try to make Lord Jared do something like that?”
The Progenitor, who had been watching Jared’s actions the entire time, faced Dennis with a gentle smile.
“Well, what do you think?”
“…You were once a king of a nation. Please stop giving childish answers. It’s infuriating.”
“Oh, my apologies. Then I shall answer. The reason I wanted Cassandra killed by Jared is— I cannot lay a hand on her, the very person who resurrected me.”
