Legacy of the Dark Sage

The concern felt by the Lumley Family's coach was understandable.

Field Array was a new concept that had recently become a hot topic in the Array community. The idea was proposed with the purpose of imitating a Magus's Domain.

But because a Magus's Domain relied on the mage's magic energy capacity, it was almost impossible to replicate it. Besides, a domain's effect differ from each Magus, making it even more impossible for a Field Array to have fix materials.

Because of this reason, that the required materials and array calculation to create a Field Array was still under debate. And only a few selected factions with their own Array Specialist were able to conduct their research.

To date, only the Royal Army's Research Division succeeded in its creation. Unfortunately, they could only create a six-meter radius array and its duration only lasted for about a minute.

The reason behind its short duration was he materials used in the calculation. It failed to gather the magic energy required in maintaining the array.

No one had come up with the right combination of materials to support the enormous magic energy required by the array.

At least that was what most present in the audience believed.

Until today.

Because Hamish's Field Array had a large area of effect. Not to mention, the amount of magic energy inside the array was too vast, anyone who knew the supposed problem of a Field Array's duration realized had already been solved.

This was the reason why the Lumley Family's coach was shocked.

"What is that array—?"

Matias's words were cut short when he saw Hamish made a sudden dash toward him.

"Tsk!"Gritting his teeth, Matias brandished his flaming and also moved to intercept Hamish.

"What—?" He exclaimed in surprise as he realized that as Hamish closed in on him, the Field Array visible on his feet also moved.

"How is that possible?"

It was unknown who shouted the question. But it was obvious that this question also crossed everyone's mind.

CRACKLE! SIZZLE!

Crackling and sizzling sounds filled the air as Hamish's Field Array and Matias's Magic Enhance Array clashed.

However, the Field Array's tier level was obviously higher compared to the Magic Enhance Array. Cracks began to form on the latter array, it would not be a surprise if it crumbled any time.

This was the biggest difference between an Array created by a mage only to an Array created by an Array Specialist.

At most, an Array created by a mage could only be a low to mid-tier level. But an Array Specialist could increase the tier level of an array according to his own level.

"RAWRGH!"

Ignoring the cracking sounds made by his array, Matias lifted his flaming sword and aimed it at the incoming Hamish.

The air around Matias sizzled as the flaming red sword in his hand gathered more of the fire magic energy in the surroundings. The circling flames on the sword intensified and the flaming Roc behind Matias combined with it.

"BURN!" Matias roared and struck the flaming sword at Matias.

"I'm not afraid of your flames!" Hamish yelled in defiance, as he also brandished his black sword.

There was nothing note-worthy on the black sword.

However, as he swung the sword to meet the roaring flames, a beautiful light blue arc appeared on its blade, leaving a fine cut in the middle of the flames.

Some of the Lumley Family members snickered at Hamish's pitiful attack. Because, soon after the light blue arc touched the flames, the flames' ferocity swallowed it.

"Hahahaha!" Their laughter filled the air.

Even Matias sneered.

He admitted being surprised by the Field Array, but at the end of the day, his magic was far too superior.

"Focus Matias! It is not over yet!"

The Lumley Family's coach yelled from the side.

SHATTER! CRACKLE!

However, his warning came too late as the Magic Enhance Array shattered, and at the same time, the roaring flames froze in midair and slowly turned into blue!

The headgear on Matias's head glowed as the magic energy in the surrounding gathered around him.

"Don't underestimate the Blacksmith Order!" Hamish yelled, as he swung his sword, breaking the frozen flames in front of him. Without stopping, he charged at Matias, light blue concentrated energy gathered on the sword's blade.

"YOU THINK YOU'VE ALREADY WON?" Matias who had just recovered from the shock of seeing his flames turned into ice, bellowed. He raised his right hand and summoned a three-meter radius red magic array.

"I'LL BURN YOU!" He roared.

The distance between the two were only a meter, and as Hamish swung his sword, a flaming roc already appeared behind Matias.

However, because of the Field Array that was still active, not to mention, Matias, being inside its area of effect, the light blue magic energy in the surroundings gathered around the roc.

RAWRGH!

The roc roared as its wings began to freeze. This turn of events did not stop Matias from brandishing his sword and summoning more red magic arrays.

But...

"Stop!"

The female announcer shouted just as Matias and Hamish's swords were about to crash.

Abovehead, the timer had already stopped and a huge light green array, which everyone recognized as a Restraining Array, activated.

"Wha—?"

"Ngh!"

Both Matias and Hamish exclaimed in shock as their movements suddenly stopped.

The audience fell silent, and the only sounds that could be heard was the crackling flames and ice on the stage.

"Because the Lumley Family's representative has roused his own magic, without utilizing the enchanted items and his created array, he is disqualified. The Conclave wins the match!"

Matias's face distorted at once and he glared at the female announcer.

"DON'T F*CK WITH ME!" He roared.

In an instant, his magic energy rose, and the light green array above the arena flickered.

The female announcer furrowed her brows and raised her hand.

"Stand down, if you don't want to—."

"YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO DISQUALIFY ME!" Matias cut her off. The roc behind him who was on the verge of becoming an ice sculpture suddenly burst into flames.

"Oi!" Hamish was flabbergasted at Matias's sudden shift of target.

No. To be precise, he was surprised that Matias's summoned roc managed to free its self from the Field Array and the Restraining Array's influence.

"Matias stop!"

However, before the Lumley Family's coach could make a move a low yet audible sigh filled the air which followed by a disapproving voice saying, "Such a sore loser."

"HUH? WHO F*CKING SAID THAT—?"

BAM!

"—Ack!"

Matias's eyes rolled back at once as something heavy hit the back of his head. The Roc roared behind him, but then began to dissipate in the air as he fell on the floor, unconscious.

"YOU!" The Lumley Family members all exclaimed while looking at the silhoutte— no, that loathsome guy, who knocked out their young master with a wooden staff.

"Ah~ seriously this guy. His temper is worse than mine!" Kyran shook his head disapprovingly while looking at the unconscious Matias. He looked at Hamish and asked, "You, okay?"

Hamish's brow twitched at his question but still answered, "Y-Yeah... but..." he then looked up at the announcer who, even with half of her face covered by a mask, was gaping incredulously at Kyran.

She had not seen him move at all!

All members of the Courtenay Family tasked to be an announcer in each competition had a higher mage level than the participants. This was to ensure they could handle any unforeseen events, such as this, by themselves.

But then this guy...

Seeing Hamish looked in the direction of the announcer, Kyran also turned to look at her, "Ah right. Sorry. I didn't mean to step in but the match is over, right? There is no penalty if I hit this idiot? I am actually itching to do that since the start but because we're in the middle of the competition I could only endure."

One after another the Lumley Family members in the audience as well as the participants standing at one side of the arena, burst in anger.

"Who are you calling an idiot?"

"You actually dare to say that in front of us!"

"How dare you knock out our young master?"

Noir, Vaness and Owen, who had been silent since the start of the mock battle turned pale. They did not notice Kyran's movement, and was not expecting him to provoke the Lumley Family right after the competition!

Kyran looked at the Lumley Family's coach who had not spoken, or made a move after knocking out Matias. He guessed this man was one of the family's elders and was here to protect Matias at all cost.

However, he found the man's lack of initiative a little suspicious. There was also how he seemed to have a good hold of Matias earlier.

If Kyran's guess was correct, then this man was not simply an elder, at the least, he was Matias's master, or an older cousin, like Tobias. But at most, he was his father. After all, Matias was an only child.

"Silence!"

The female announcer's voice reverberated in the hall and the Lumley Family members fell silent at once.

She landed on the arena while looking at Kyran with a slight smile, "Thank you for your help. However, I believe knocking him out cold is going too far."

Kyran only responded with a slight smile.

"The Array Creation Competition between the Conclave and the Lumley Family has concluded. Thank you."

She waved her hand, and Matias disappeared from the arena and reappeared at the Lumley Family's side. Then she looked at Kyran and Hamish and smiled, "The head committee wishes to speak with you, Disciple Tyr. Please follow me."