Above the mage

Chapter 594 Passing the Test Easily

Gaode didn't have to wait too long.

A few minutes later, an old monk with white hair and beard, wearing a dark brown robe with gold trim, walked steadily out from the shadowy corridor on the side.

His steps were steady, his eyes were like an eagle's, and behind him followed several young mages, all dressed in uniform brown robes with silver patterns, each with a solemn expression.

They are the guardian mages of the Solon Magic Academy, the elite of the younger generation of mages in Solon County.

"I am Edmund, the guardian deacon of the Sauron Magic Academy," the old mage said in a deep voice as he approached Goddard. "Are you the challenger?"

Gao De, neither humble nor arrogant, nodded slightly and clearly said, "Byron County, Sea Sentinel Mage, Gao De."

"Sea Sentinels..." Upon hearing this, a glint flashed in Edmund's eyes, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

After a slight pause, he continued, "According to the rules of the martial arts academy challenge set by the dynasty, you must undergo a basic age check before the challenge begins to ensure that you are eligible to challenge and complete a simple information registration."

"No problem," Gao De replied.

Edmund nodded slightly, then waved his hand, and a staff member who had been waiting nearby immediately came up with a crystal ball.

"This is a crystal ball bearing the rings of the year, issued by the dynasty. It can sense and calculate the fluctuations of a living being's life aura. Every complete natural year, the aura leaves a unique mark, which can accurately detect your age. You just need to place your hand on the crystal ball," the staff member explained to Gao De.

Gaode readily extended his left hand and placed it smoothly on the cool surface of the crystal ball.

As he touched it, the crystal ball seemed to be infused with starlight, and began to flash clear and steady silver light.

One, two — ten —

The glowing light shone brightly one after another.

After the seventeenth flash of silver light, the light inside the crystal ball completely stabilized, no longer increasing, and emitted a soft, steady glow representing the number seventeen.

This scene caused even the usually composed Deacon Edmund to narrow his eyes slightly.

"Only seventeen?!" He repeated it in a low voice, his tone revealing a hint of undisguised surprise.

It's rare to see someone this age challenging a club, especially in any county.

Gaode nodded, confirming that there was no problem.

"Seventeen years old and already challenging the dojo..." The mages guarding the dojo behind Edmund didn't have the same composure as the steward, and a suppressed commotion and whispers immediately arose from the crowd.

To dare to challenge a martial arts school at such a young age shows confidence in one's own abilities, from Gaode's perspective.

However, from their perspective, it reflects a disdain for the Soren Academy.

"Really only seventeen?? This guy dares to challenge us?? That's too arrogant!" One of the tall monks even shouted it out.

"Silence!" Deacon Edmund's voice was low but carried an undeniable authority, instantly silencing all commotion. "What kind of behavior is this! Don't forget your place!"

He turned to Gao De, his tone returning to calm: "Master Gao De, your age meets the requirements for the challenge."

"Roim!" He paused, his gaze sweeping over the faces of the group of guardian mages behind him, finally settling on the face of the tall mage who had just spoken up excitedly.

"I'm here!" the mage named Roim immediately straightened his back and answered loudly.

"You will be the one to fight and accept the challenge from Master Gaode. Don't disgrace our Solon Magic Hall."

Edmund said slowly, his tone becoming more serious, "Be cautious, don't underestimate our enemy, and above all, don't disgrace the reputation of our Soren Academy."

"I guarantee I will complete the mission, Deacon Edmund, please rest assured!" Roym replied loudly, and stepped forward, just as Gaudí had done before, placing his hand on the crystal ball.

The crystal ball lit up with twenty-one silver rays of light in succession.

This means that Roym is 21 years old, a full four years older than Gaud.

For a mage of this age, a four-year age difference is a very, very large difference.

"Master Gaode, do you have any doubts about your opponent?" Edmund asked routinely.

Gao De's gaze swept calmly over the crystal ball, and he shook his head.

"Alright, then Roim will be in charge of the first battle to defend the stadium."

As Deacon Edmund spoke, his gaze fell upon Gaudre, and his tone became exceptionally serious. "Master Gaudre, before the challenge begins, I must reiterate the rules to you, even though you should already know them."

"First of all, during the Gym Challenge, it is strictly forbidden to take any potions that can enhance combat power before the match, including those that temporarily increase mana, mental strength, or physical strength. The use of any supernatural items other than weapons is also not allowed. If any of these are found, the player will be disqualified immediately."

"Secondly, to ensure safety, both challengers and those accepting the challenge must wear guard badges."

A staff member brought over a tray with two metal badges engraved with intricate runes.

"This badge contains a [Shield Spell] with power reaching the third level. It will automatically trigger when the built-in sensing runes detect that the wearer is about to suffer a physical or magical attack that could cause serious injury."

Deacon Edmund picked up a badge and indicated, "Once the badge is triggered, it means that the wearer is unable to withstand the attack or is on the verge of serious injury, and the challenge is immediately forfeited."

"Finally, this is the area of ​​the Blackrock Heart Arena." Deacon Edmund clapped his hands, and a layer of pale yellow, semi-transparent light illuminated the surrounding rock walls and the open dome.

"During the magic duel, if either of you completely crosses the light barrier, you will be considered to have left the arena and will also be judged to have lost."

His gaze sharpened as he looked at Gao De: "Are the rules clear?"

After receiving an affirmative answer, Edmund said in a deep voice, "Then, the first gatekeeper mage, Roim! Challenger, Goddard! Both of you, please put on your guard badges and enter!"

After Edmund announced the entrance, Roim, holding his staff, quickly stepped forward, took a guard badge, and fastened it to the collar of his robe without hesitation.

He then quickly entered the Black Stone Heart Arena, specifically the area within the light barrier.

When Gao De saw the other party's actions, he knew that Roim's mage level was probably similar to his own and had not yet reached the third ring.

After a mage advances to the third rank, the [Flight] spell becomes an instinctive spell etched into their soul.

Just like in those martial arts films from my previous life, any martial arts master who knows lightness skill would use lightness skill to leap onto the stage or make an appearance.

A second-ring mage... that's far from enough to defeat.

Gao De thought to himself.

However, this was within his expectations.

After all, the gymnastics challenge has three stages, and the age limit for the gymnast is under twenty-two.

A twenty-two-year-old third-ring mage is an extremely rare existence even in the Golden Flower Dynasty. How could there be someone of this level in the first level?

The art museum challenge is said to have three stages, but the first stage should actually be considered a selection process.

After weeding out those mages who overestimate their abilities or want to gain practical experience through the challenges at the Magic Hall, the second and third stages are the real highlight.

Edmund and Roym believe that the seventeen-year-old God is most likely the latter, wanting to hone and accumulate his French fighting experience through gym challenges.

Such an opponent is practically a free military achievement, and the seventeen-year-old mage Roim is quite confident that he can win easily, and successfully defending the dojo will earn him military merits.

So Roim's seemingly impulsive outburst was actually a clever tactic to secure his place in the defense match.

After all, there are quite a few guardian mages responsible for the first checkpoint. If he doesn't fight for it, this "free" military merit might not be his turn.

Having achieved his goal, Roim stood in the fighting arena, looking at God with a smug and confident air.

However, he was dumbfounded the next moment, and the smile on his face froze.

As everyone watched, Gao De, after putting on his guard badge, floated up without warning and slowly flew into the light screen.

[Flying Techniques]!!!

The [Flying Technique], which can only be mastered by a third-level mage.

The seventeen-year-old young monk in front of me is actually a third-ring monk?

How is that possible?!

The stark contrast between Gaode's age and his mage level was something Roim couldn't accept for a while.

What's even more unacceptable is that the military merits he expected to gain for free seem to have left him, and what's coming next will be a one-sided crushing defeat.

Not only him, but the other monks guarding the hall outside the venue also stared wide-eyed, finding it hard to believe that such a young and virtuous monk could be a third-ring monk.

The entire room fell into a moment of deathly silence, followed by a burst of buzzing discussion.

"My God, a seventeen-year-old from the Third Ring Road? Am I seeing things?"

"Roim is in deep trouble this time. Facing a mage who has mastered flight, his advantage has almost completely vanished... or rather, he has absolutely no chance of fighting back."

Only Deacon Edmund frowned slightly, a hint of inquiry flashing in his eyes.

As an experienced high-ranking mage, he keenly noticed that Gaode's method of flying differed from the orthodox [flight spell].

His method of flying did not seem to come from the art of flying, but rather from some other special means.

"Specialty? Or the ability to cultivate techniques?" He analyzed in his mind, but did not say anything to remind Roim, whose mentality was about to collapse.

French Bulldogs have their own rules, and revealing your opponent's information beforehand is a violation.

Moreover, he knew that no matter where Gao De's flying ability came from, the outcome of this battle was already a foregone conclusion.

In magical duels, a mage who can fly has an unimaginable advantage over a mage who cannot.

Flying warriors can freely choose their attack angles and take the initiative in their attacks, while ground mages can only passively defend and are constantly on the move.

Leveraging Boeing's wind-controlling capabilities, AutoNavi quickly entered the market.

He hovered in mid-air, calmly watching Roim, his heart undisturbed.

In magical combat, it's not just about the power of spells, but more importantly, combat skills and mental fortitude.

Seizing every opportunity to achieve victory at the lowest possible cost is one aspect of combat competence.

Efficiency is the key to victory.

So when God noticed that Roim was distracted and had a vacant look in his eyes because of the flying ability he had demonstrated, and had not yet recovered from the huge shock, God had an idea and immediately began to cast a spell.

A bluish-green magical energy flowed from the wood magic crystal, rapidly circulating along the magical energy channels, reaching the sea of ​​magic stars, and then converging in his right palm.

A moment later, a powerful surge of magical energy emanated from Gao De's hand.

With a gentle wave of his hand, the ball of magical energy shot out and landed on the ground.

The moment the spell landed, the hard black rock ground cracked as if it were alive!

Countless thick, dark green thorny vines covered with sharp wood spikes burst forth, twisted, and spread wildly from the cracks in the rocks at an irrational speed.

Like a swarm of hungry snakes, they lunged rapidly toward the direction where Roim was standing, their hostility evident.

In an instant, a constantly writhing thorn trap area formed, blocking his path forward.

[Overgrown with thorns and brambles].

Roym's expression suddenly changed.

He never expected Gao De to be so decisive. The moment he entered the venue, without uttering a single word, his offensive descended like a whirlwind.

Moreover, the casting speed is astonishingly fast.

"Damn it!" he cursed inwardly, and in a moment of haste, Roim reacted based on his years of ingrained instincts.

He is a typical earth-elemental mage from Solon County, who believes in remaining unmoved and using defense as a means of attack.

So even though it was a bit unexpected, they still managed to use magic to deal with it.

He slammed his staff heavily on the ground, and a yellowish-brown magical light emanated from the staff and then surged into the ground.

Rumble!

A thick stone wall rose instantly from the solid black rock ground, like a sturdy shield, blocking the rushing thicket of thorns.

The rampant thorns slammed and tangled against the stone wall, making an unpleasant scraping sound, but they could not directly cross this sudden physical barrier.

To be chosen as the guardian monk of the temple, one must have some skills.

Both of Roim's awakened feats enhance the power of earth elemental spells, making this stone wall incredibly defensive.

I actually stopped them?!

Roym was still somewhat surprised.

After all, in his mind, Gao De was a third-ring mage.

A sense of relief had just risen in his heart as he prepared to devise his next spellcasting strategy.

Despite hovering in the air, Gaode remained calm.

He showed no reaction to the appearance of the stone wall; almost without pause, his left hand was already raised.

A strange, earthy-yellow light swirled around his fingertips. Unlike the heaviness of Roim, this light carried a sharp, penetrating quality.

Gao De pointed to the newly formed stone wall.

A strange thing happened.

On the solid surface of the stone wall, right in the center, the rock seemed to have been instantly devoured by countless invisible, tiny burrowing insects.

With a rustling sound of falling gravel, a perfectly round hole, large enough for an adult to crawl through, was forcibly created in less than a second.

Through the hole, you could even see Roim's astonished face on the other side.

[Quickly Discover]

Roym's thinking was fatally slowed by this sudden change.

In that split second, Gao De's next spell arrived as scheduled.

call out!

A cold, piercing white streak, accompanied by a shrill whistling sound that tore through the air, pierced precisely through the hole in the stone wall.

It was an arrow made entirely of condensed ice crystals.

Wherever the arrow passed, the moisture in the air was instantly frozen, leaving a brief but dazzling trail of milky white ice crystals, its target aimed directly at Roim!

【Frost Arrow】.

Although the "Green Wood Longevity Scripture" does not increase the power of the [Frost Arrow], the bonus from the Intermediate Ice Protection Body is in effect. Under the ring-up casting, the power of the [Frost Arrow] at the first ring is also terrifying.

Gao De's combo was so smooth, it seemed like he didn't think at all and just acted on instinct.

As a result, Roim couldn't keep up with the pace at all.

And to be honest, he hasn't fully cleared his head yet; he's still in a state of confusion after discovering that Gaode might be a third-ring mage.

The icy arrow struck him squarely in the chest.

Just as the target was about to be hit, the guard badge on his chest suddenly burst into light.

A pale golden shield rose up, enveloping Roim's body.

This was because the guard badge sensed the magical attack that was powerful enough to render him unable to fight, and it was instantly activated.

Crunch.

The ice arrow struck the pale gold shield, instantly shattering into countless ice shards, failing to achieve its intended purpose.

However, outside the Blackrock Heart arena, Deacon Edmund took a deep breath and loudly announced, "Guardian badge triggered! Challenger Mage, High Druid, wins!"

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Twelve-fingered cycle