Re: Tales of the Rune-Tech Sage

Chapter 340: Unexpected Invitation

CH340 Unexpected Invitation

***

Alex accompanied Archilles Maximillian and Caesar Ludevicus to the Legend’s residence in the entertainment city.

Surprisingly, someone of Archilles’ status had chosen a quiet courtyard on the fringes of the upper district. It was barely within the demarcation of the upper zone and arguably closer to the lower sector. Yet, being on the city’s outermost edge made it peaceful and secluded.

’I guess it’s perfect for someone who doesn’t like attention,’ Alex thought as he took in the serene surroundings.

His mind unconsciously began profiling the man—Archilles Maximillian.

The courtyard itself wasn’t lavish, but it was spacious and well-kept. It had everything an individual—or a pair—would need to live comfortably. There was even a small sparring ring, clearly meant for training.

That was when Alex realised, to his dismay, that he was being led straight towards it by the two powerhouses ahead of him.

’They wouldn’t be... right?’ A premonition crept into his thoughts.

Indeed, his suspicion proved correct. The two men were heading directly for the sparring ring.

Alex tried to stay composed, casually walking toward the observer’s bench by the edge of the ring. However, before he could sit down, Caesar stopped him with a hand on his shoulder.

”Sparring is a good way to build friendship, don’t you think?” the prince said with a wide smile.

”I agree. But that only applies to warriors—it allows them to understand one another while exchanging pointers on their skills and techniques,” Alex replied.

”It doesn’t only work for warriors. Mages can learn through sparring as well,” Archilles added.

Caesar chuckled—a low, ominous laugh that sent a chill down Alex’s spine. ”Which is why...”

Swoosh!

Before Alex could react, he found himself standing inside the sparring area.

”...you’ll be sparring with me. That way, I’ll get to see what kind of person you really are,” Caesar said, grinning.

”You don’t have to go that far. Trust me, you can learn everything about me by simply talking to me,” Alex quickly argued.

”No,” Archilles interjected calmly. ”Learning to conceal one’s true intentions through words is common among nobles and royals. This is the best way to gauge your nature.”

”There you have it,” Caesar said with a shrug.

”Surely you’re not expecting me to fight a peak Saint—no, a Sub-Legendary—are you?” Alex asked, nearly exasperated.

”Don’t worry,” Caesar replied, smiling faintly. ”I’ll suppress my energy to the Intermediate rank.”

”Bullshit! Do you take me for a child? You’re a warrior who’s tempered his body to Sub-Legendary! Do you think shackling your Internal Energy to the Intermediate rank will make any difference?” Alex retorted sharply.

Archilles looked at Alex’s strangely.

”Don’t worry. You’re a mage from the DragonHold Enclave. I’m sure you’ll be fine,” Caesar replied nonchalantly. His grin widened. ”Here I come!”

Bang!

Before Alex could respond, Caesar shot forward like a cannonball and threw a straight punch.

[Abyssal Conqueror’s Step: First Step — Ghost Step]!

Alex instinctively used his family’s footwork technique, flickering to the side in a blur. The evasive movement created a perfect counter window.

[Magic Bolt]!

He immediately fired his fastest spell.

Bang!

Alex didn’t expect it to hurt Caesar—it was meant to buy time.

When the dust cleared, Caesar was already charging through it, eyes glinting. As the distance closed to a few feet, Alex opened his left palm and cast another quick spell.

[Magic Ball]!

Boom!

The explosion created a larger smoke cloud, obscuring Caesar’s sight.

[Third Step — Wraith’s Crossing]!

The moment the blast went off, Alex vanished into a streak of darkness, reappearing several meters away.

Now that he had some breathing room, he extended both palms—two glowing circles appeared simultaneously.

[Fire Lance]!!!

The twin lances of blazing flame, boosted to Grade 3 by his Elemental Affinity Talent, shot straight toward Caesar’s face and chest.

His precision was merciless. Caesar had only just planted his leverage foot when the spell came upon him. He had little choice for where he could move in this moment.

In that instant, a normal opponent would only be able to evade one of the two strikes.

But Caesar... smiled.

Instead of retreating, he channelled a thread of suppressed Internal Energy into his planted foot—and launched himself forward in a low, spinning roll.

In a move that defied logic, he slipped between the twin lances—barely—then planted his hand against the ground and used it as leverage to regain footing to propel himself forward again in one smooth movement.

The distance would close in a mere instant.

Alex wasn’t surprised.

’I would’ve been disappointed if you didn’t,’ he thought calmly.

Just as Caesar regained his footing and lunged again, Alex’s next spell was already complete.

[Shadow Chain]!

Chains of dark mana burst from the ground, snaking upward to seize Caesar in the brief instant of vulnerability before he could charge.

[Third Step — Wraith’s Crossing]!

Alex vanished again, reappearing several meters away. Without hesitation, he raised a palm and fired another spell.

[Lightning Bolt]!

A crack of thunder split the air as the bolt descended, striking toward the trapped Caesar.

’Checkmate!’ Alex thought.

But just before impact, something strange happened. Caesar’s figure shimmered—his body seemed to wobble.

’What the—?’

The next instant, the bound Caesar dissolved into nothingness. The lightning bolt smashed into empty ground—while another Caesar appeared mere inches from Alex, his fist already swinging.

’No choice!’

Alex instantly realised he couldn’t cast a defensive spell in time. Instead, he clenched his fist and met Caesar’s strike head-on.

Both Archilles and Caesar had the same thought at that moment—

’A mage meeting a warrior’s punch with his bare hand? Is he insane?’

Caesar hastily pulled back some of his power to avoid injuring him.

Bang!

Their fists collided with a shockwave that cracked the ground beneath them.

’What?!’

To the astonishment of both royals, Caesar was the one forced a step back.

[Dragon Kumite: Burst]!

Thanks to Caesar pulling his punch, Alex’s strike—enhanced by the Dragon Kumite technique—overpowered him, forcing him to retreat a step.

Alex didn’t waste the opening.

’Still no time for spellcasting,’ he decided, and lunged forward.

He struck again, this time with an open palm aimed at Caesar’s exposed torso.

[Dragon Kumite: Ripple]!

The blow landed square on Caesar’s chest, driving him backward several paces.

Alex pressed on, mana surging through his limbs like roaring currents.

[Dragon Kumite: Flurry]!

His body blurred as he unleashed a storm of punches—a seamless ten-hit combo, each strike following the last in perfect rhythm. It was a display of pure, fluid violence that would’ve made any master martial artist shed tears of admiration.

The barrage ended with a brutal uppercut that lifted Caesar slightly and sent him staggering back.

This time, Alex didn’t chase. Instead, he raised his hand, mana already flaring.

[Fireball]!

Boom!

The explosion rocked the sparring ring. Caesar was blasted backward, tumbling across the ground—but he rolled smoothly with the motion and landed on his feet, dust swirling around him.

Alex took the moment to steady his breathing. His chest rose and fell as the smoke and dust began to clear. When his vision steadied, he saw Prince Caesar standing there—completely unharmed—with a flicker of surprise in his eyes.

Then Caesar smiled, that easygoing grin fading into a more serious expression.

Alex didn’t know what he was planning, but his instincts screamed danger. He immediately shifted into a defensive stance.

”Okay, that’s enough,” Archilles’ calm voice cut through the tension, startling both of them.

”Huh? Already? We’ve only exchanged one round,” Caesar protested.

”That round was enough. If you were a normal Intermediate-rank warrior, you’d have died at least three times already,” Archilles pointed out.

”Huh? I was never that weak when I was an Intermediate rank,” Caesar frowned.

”I said a normal Intermediate rank,” Archilles countered. ”Do you really think you were ever normal at any rank?”

”Oh... that’s true,” Caesar admitted with a nod and a casual shrug.

”Besides, even you would’ve been injured by now if you were truly at that level,” Archilles added.

”Yeah, I was about to use Sun Body,” Caesar confessed without shame.

Archilles shot him a sharp look. ”Exactly why I stopped the fight.” He then turned his gaze back to Alex. ”Good job. The reputation of the DragonHold Enclave holds true. You Enclave mages really can stand toe-to-toe with warriors. Though, I suspect—even among Enclave mages—you’re a special case.”

”I wouldn’t say that.” Alex relaxed his stance and shook his head. ”The Prince was holding back against me. If he fought seriously, even at the same rank, I wouldn’t have lasted long.”

Caesar feigned a shiver. ”Don’t do that, kid. Modesty doesn’t suit you.”

”I’m not being modest. That’s just how I see it,” Alex replied sincerely.

Archilles chuckled. ”You’ve got sharp instincts. This guy here,” he said, gesturing at Caesar, ”has more than a few trump cards that make him a pain to fight.”

Caesar only shrugged in agreement.

Archilles turned back to Alex, smiling faintly. ”But I’m guessing I could say the same about you.”

”Everyone has their trump cards, no?” Alex replied with a shrug. ”So... did I pass whatever test you two had in mind?”

”With flying colours,” Archilles said firmly.

”Then maybe you can tell me what this was all about?” Alex asked, brow raised.

Archilles held his gaze for a long moment, his expression turning solemn.

”Alex Fury,” he said at last, voice steady, ”would you like to join the Order of Valour?”

***