Chapter 518: Semi-plane Duel

While training Stuart and the others in chess strategies, Xia Duo already knew that seven of the ten Arcanists from the Seven Towers were also participating in the Spell Duel.

Not all Arcanists are willing to participate in Arcane Competitions; although there are rewards for losing, the pressure is immense, and there is another very important reason, which is—

During the competition, one must display their combat strategies and spell details in front of others.

This is something many people cannot accept; after all, no one knows if an enemy might use this information against them. Only spellcasters with backing dare to be so bold.

As far as Xia Duo knows, all ten Arcanists participating in the Spell Duel are from the Seven Towers; even in a competition like the Arcane Maze, which involves indirect combat, there are only three non-Seven Towers Arcanists.

Seven Towers Arcanists are not necessarily stronger than Arcanists from other places. With only three non-Seven Towers Arcanists, could it be just because the Snow Melting Competition was opened to non-Seven Towers Arcanists this year? Conservatism is everywhere; of course, danger is everywhere too.

Xia Duo watched quietly as Stuart chose an Eaerlann Elf, and then both sides walked onto the combat platform in the center of the Arena simultaneously. A magical scene occurred—

Once they fully stepped onto the combat platform, it was as if they had entered another world. Their entire bodies began to gradually shrink. It gave the impression that they were shrinking, yet at the same time, not a single detail was lost.

One could still see their full appearance, even more clearly than when they were outside the combat platform before.

Just at this moment, the host, Elkamon, took the initiative to explain:

"On the combat platform is a small Semi-plane that overlaps with the Main Plane. The actual distance between the two combatants exceeds two hundred meters! However, for the convenience of our viewing, the Great Arcanist has made some small adjustments to this small Semi-plane."

Before Stuart walked onto the combat platform, he had long been informed about the situation regarding the Semi-plane, and his opponent—an Elf Mage—had also received the relevant information before today.

This did not need to be hidden, nor was there any need to hide it. Stuart had confidence in defeating his opponent.

Hearing Elkamon's "Ready" in his ear, and simultaneously seeing a strange flickering phenomenon appear within the Semi-plane, Stuart knew the competition had begun.

He unhurriedly cast various Protective Spells on himself, whether they were true Protective Spells used to resist and absorb damage, or filler spells used to offset Dispel Magic.

Afterward, he buffed himself with spells for anti-interference, anti-Scrying, and enhanced Perception. Once everything was prepared, he raised his hand and made a gesture.

Although the Semi-plane he is currently in overlaps with the Main Plane, and one can see inside from the outside, one cannot see outside from the inside. The preparation time is limited, but as long as both sides are ready, it can officially begin.

Outside, in the Arena.

Everyone could see Stuart raising his hand to signal, and not just their physical movements; all the spells from the preparation stage just now were displayed one by one before everyone.

Perhaps because the Semi-plane on the combat platform was specially set up, even from far away, Xia Duo could still see all the spell details of the opponents from the spectator stands.

Of course, only up to the fifth layer of the Magic Net; deeper details could not be seen.

But even so, Xia Duo gained quite a lot, at least knowing the state of other Arcanists when casting; what rules exist for the dismantling of a spell's Element Units; and some unfamiliar spells that he either understood or did not.

However, the form of the Semi-plane combat space still made Xia Duo feel somewhat uncomfortable. Although he could see all the details, he also truly saw their figures become smaller.

This sense of contradiction in spatial information perception was simply dizzying.

Soon, with Elkamon's "Begin," the competition officially started. Xia Duo no longer kept his attention on the superficial sense of difference, but delved into the essence of the spells—

Into the changes of the Magic Net! Whether it was the Magic Net reconstruction within the Arena or the special settings of the Semi-plane, Xia Duo greedily absorbed the experience of the two spellcasters currently in combat regarding Magic Net manipulation.

And beyond experience and knowledge, the philosophy of the combat also made Xia Duo feel very satisfied! Similar to Xia Duo's philosophy, both combatants placed their main goals on dispelling the opponent's Protective Spells and restricting the opponent's movement. Of course, this was on the offensive level; there was also the defensive level.

As for direct damage spells, they had yet to be seen using them.

Xia Duo has always believed that the essence of spellcaster combat does not lie in individual damage spells. As long as the opponent's Protective Spells are dispelled and their mobility is restricted, even a very ordinary Dagger is enough to cause very serious, fatal damage.

Unless one possesses a natural Adamantine body, otherwise, one only needs to push lightly on the weakest link; all living beings have weaknesses.

There is a saying in Xia Duo's hometown called "attack where they are unprepared," which actually means specifically targeting the enemy's weaknesses. Knowing the opponent is fully shielded and still attacking desperately—if that isn't foolish, what is?

Breaking the armor first, then attacking—isn't that simpler?

In Xia Duo's eyes, a flashy big fireball is far less practical than a seemingly inconspicuous Dispel Magic or Restriction Spell.

……

Inside the Semi-plane combat space.

Stuart looked at the opponent's blurry and flickering figure; the Restriction Spell was truly difficult to lock onto, and he couldn't help but feel a bit anxious. Netherese Mages know the most about Eaerlann Mages; the Snow Melting Competition has never been interrupted for hundreds of years.

Stuart had long ago thoroughly studied the combat style of Eaerlann Mages, and he had even personally participated in a Snow Melting Competition in his early years. He had also made full preparations before this competition, but applying previous experience to the present still left a certain distance from his expectations.

"I can't lose the first match!" Such a thought drifted through Stuart's mind.

But in the high-intensity spell confrontation, the result of a slight distraction was that he failed to counter the opponent's Restriction Spell. His figure suddenly became somewhat heavy. Looking at the opponent again, their figure was even more flickering, and there were even faint signs of disappearing.

This was not a good omen. Stuart knew it was bad, but he couldn't shake it off for a moment. This stemmed from the changes in the surrounding Magic Net environment and did not act directly on him.

Now that the disadvantage was apparent, there was only one choice left to counterattack—

Unfold part of the Magic Net Strings of the Arcane Fire root, replace the surrounding Magic Net, and form a Domain more favorable to himself. If it were a real battle, Stuart would certainly not use such a method.

Because unfolding the Arcane Fire, while favorable to himself, meant that the enemy could also attack the Arcane Fire. Perhaps it would only be the loss of some Magic Net Strings, but it could even seriously damage the Arcane Fire root.

But now, in this first duel, how could Stuart lose? In order to win, he was willing to pay a certain price for it.

(End of chapter)