Vaan glared at Karl, his entire body was trembling due to the after-effects of the electric shock, he couldn't move as his nervous system was a mess, his eyes, however, were red in rage.
This was the second time he had been through a near-death experience since he came to this world and it was the exact same scenario as before.
Vaan was cursing himself for falling for the same trick again, he was angry at himself and all that anger, he decided to direct it all the man standing in front of him.
"You started it you bastard."
Vaan growled, his golden eyes shining intensely.
"Huh? What did you say?" Karl frowned.
Vaan's eyes weren't of someone who was struck with high-voltage electricity, those were the eyes of a beast who was about to chew down its enemy to the last muscle.
Karl was taken aback, seeing those eyes, a forbidding feeling enveloped him.
'He will kill me!' Fear crept over Karl's body, he had to end this here and now. Thinking that, he quickly activated another Instant Spell.
*Flicker*
A huge 30 cm Fire Ball formed over Karl's head. Yes, it was the same spell Roland used to hurt Vaan, the same spell that nearly killed Vaan and that was when Vaan defended himself in time by kicking Roland's hand away.
Right now, however, with Vaan's entire body electrolyzed and unmovable, Vaan was defenseless. Karl's had a crazy expression on his face, this was not a simple duel anymore.
Karl was planning to kill Vaan.
The audience widened their eyes in shock, everyone knew that this was not a smart move, however, before anyone could stop him, Karl had already shot the Spell towards Vaan.
*Whoosh*
*BOOOOOOOOM*
A huge explosion was heard.
Karl's entire body trembled as he saw the explosion right in front of his eyes.
He had done it.
He had actually done it.
"…"
The audience was absolutely silent.
They never thought they would be witnessing the death of a member of the Vesta Family. A direct descendant at that.
Everyone in the audience quickly turned towards Astra, this was definitely not going to end well. Whether he was from the Vesta Family or not, Karl was done for.
When Karl finally realized what he had done, his eyes widened in absolute horror and his entire body turned weak. He quickly turned towards Astra, his heart beating as loudly as it could, however, as his eyes fell on Astra, he froze.
Astra was simply looking at him with an emotionless expression, her face was no different than what it normally was, rather, it looked even calmer.
Even Orion, Astra's husband who was known for his sudden outbursts was simply sitting down without any change in his demeanor.
Orion's reason was simple, he had already accepted his role here, others may not see it but he could tell,
His wife's eyes meant destruction.
Something big was going to happen here and he needed to have a stable head to stop that from turning into a bigger mess.
As for his son's condition?
Well, Astra didn't react so Orion knew Vaan was absolutely safe.
And he was right.
Even with such a huge explosion, Vaan was completely fine.
"I told you, did I not? You were the one who started it."
A voice was heard.
The smoke cleared up and seeing Vaan's standing as he looked into his eyes,
"!!!"
Karl's eyes widened in surprise.
He wasn't alone, everyone in the crowd had the same reaction as well. Especially the experienced mages sitting in the stadium, they weren't shocked that Vaan had survived, their eyes were fixed on the Transparent Veil that had covered Vaan's entire body.
It was his Instant Spell.
Diamond Veil.
The mages could recognize that Instant Spell the moment they saw it.
Vaan wasn't a fool either, being attacked by an Instant Spell, he had been in this situation before as well,
So he had done his own preparations.
Diamond Veil was one of the strongest Water-based Instant Spells, normally, this spell needs 70 Elemental Stones to work, something that no new Mage had access to, and even if some did, no fool would dare use all those Elemental Stones on a single Spell.
Even the Mages from the Mainline of the Vesta Family were the same.
Vaan, however, was different.
He had a cheat.
"Grruurr!!"
A little blue-haired Spirit with knowledge from the unknown realm, not only did Splashy reduce the cost of Spell to 40 Elemental Stones, but she also raised its strength to an even higher level.
She allowed Vaan to create a Defense Spell that no Basic Mage, the 4th Circle Mages included, could even make a scratch on, let alone, break.
With this Spell Cast, Vaan's defense was impenetrable. Whether it was the Instant Spells or the Strongest Spells they used, breaking through Diamond Veil's defense was absolutely impossible.
"Grruurr!"
And right now, little Splashy was angry and was glaring at Karl with absolute hatred in her eyes. The water around her was boiling, her blue hair was floating in the air, she looked like that if she could, she would have destroyed that human in front of her.
Honestly, the current Splashy didn't suit her calm water element at all, she looked more like a Fire Spirit.
As for the Fire Spirit, Flamey, she was flying around Vaan with a worried look on her face.
"He cheated…"
Vaan, who was feeling a bit better after using 'Heal' Instant Spell on him, glanced and Flamey and chuckled.
"Guurrur!"
Suddenly, before Flamey could say anything, Splashy appeared in front of Vaan, her eyes filled with rage, Splashy then created a miniature, 10 cm tall Karl in the air, and before Vaan could be surprised about how perfect that sculpture was,
*Bam*
Its head burst apart.
"Gurr!"
Splashy called out.
"You… You want me to kill him…?" Vaan was shocked. This was the same little spirit who was all nervous when she first met him.
Splashy nodded her head. She pointed at Karl and,
"Guurr! Grruu! Grruu!!"
Splashy was extremely angry, and Vaan, who saw her getting angry in his stead couldn't help but smile.
His eyes then fell on Karl, who still couldn't make sense out of this situation and,
"I hope you are prepared for the consequences, punchbag."
Karl gulped, Vaan's horrifying smile… this was the first time he saw something like that… This man was not the Vaan he knew. He was not the same pushover.
Karl realized it, but it was too late.
*Step*
Vaan stepped towards Karl.
"Y-You! Stop spouting bullshit! There are no consequences!" Karl shouted.
*Flicker*
Another Fireball appeared on top of his head and he shot it at Vaan.
*BOOOOOOM*
Another explosion was heard.
*Step* *Step* *Step*
However, before the flames of the explosion even died out, Vaan walked out.
Again, there was not a single scratch on his entire body.
There was just that demonic smile plastered on his face.
"You should use any stronger spells you have, Punchbag.
Because I won't be pulling my punches once I start."
Vaan spoke as he took out his next instant spell for Karl to see.
It was Vaan's public declaration,
'I will use Instant Spells to destroy you.'
Karl was scared, in fear, he quickly turned towards the Host and,
"I Surrender! This Duel, I lost! Quickly announce the results and end it!"
Karl shouted, giving up before Vaan could attack him.
Vaan, however, just smiled.
"Hey! What are you doing!? Why aren't you announcing the results!?
I ALREADY SURRENDERED!"
Karl screamed, the Host, however, simply glanced at Vaan, waiting for his order.
"Huh…"
Karl couldn't believe it.
"You really thought you could run away huh…"
Vaan chuckled.
There was a smile on his face, however, his eyes weren't smiling.
"Prepare your defense spell, Punchbag. I want to see you suffe-"
"Young Master Vaan!"
Suddenly, a loud voice from the crowd was heard.
Vaan turned around with a frown on his face, his eyes falling on a middle-aged man who was standing on his seat.
"F-Father…" Karl called out.
Yes, that man was Karl's father.
"Young Master Vaan!" Karl's father called out again, then, he bowed his head and,
"I am a 5th Circle Mage who works for the Vesta Family! My son is a fool who does not know his limits, Young Master Vaan, however, is a forgiving and big person, I hope Young Master Vaan overlooks my foolish son's mistake and spares him,
If he does, I swear with my Magic on the line that I will always be loyal to Young Master Vaan and will do whatever he tells me to!"
Karl's father announced.
The Mages in the audience were taken aback again. A 5th Circle Mage working for the Vesta Family… if someone like him swore Loyalty to Vaan, his status would increase to another level. Heck, he might even join back the Battle of Heirs. He had already won the duel, he would be getting the rewards, it was a deal where Vaan had nothing to lose.
However,
"Are you saying that if I spare your son, you are willing to be my dog just like I said before?"
Vaan questioned without even looking at Karl's father. His eyes were fixed on Karl, that wide smile as he looked at his reaction while waiting for his father's reply, Karl clenched his fists in anger.
His father, on the other hand, just kept his head down.
"Yes, I will be your Dog…"
He knew the stakes. He knew his son had messed up and he had messed up badly.
In this situation, Pride was useless.
People like them could only bow their heads.
Hearing his father's reply, Karl closed his eyes.
He wanted to say something, he wanted to stop his father from embarrassing himself in front of all these people, however,
He was scared for his life.
Even though he was angry and frustrated, he still wanted to live.
However,
"A 5th Circle Mage as a Dog huh…
That sure sounds interesting…"
Vaan muttered.
But then, a crazy smile appeared on his face and,
"But your son can't live, Dog.
He already lost that chance when he used the Instant Spell on me.
I am not a merciful owner."
Vaan spoke and,
*BOOOOOOOOM*
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