The Golem Mage

Since Asher stepped into the arena, Alec’s gaze had been fixated on him, studying him intently.

Although Asher emitted a Tier 3 peak aura, Alec remained unfazed as he continued to observe his features.

”Red hair, irrational behaviour, primary element flame...let me guess, you’re a member of the Ancient Blaze Clan, right?” Alec interrupted Asher, pointing a finger at him.

”Of course I’m a member of the prestigious Blaze Clan and have only agreed to come to this...” Asher was cut off as Alec turned towards Bolton Blaze.

”Is this the best you can do?, Bringing a child to face me, one from your own clan, I have been waiting to face someone from the Blaze Clan to prove my worth against the younger generation they preferred over me and my mother,” Alec declared as his eyes flickered with red light and his robe seemed to be engulfed in flames while staring at Bolton Blaze.

Driven by anger, Alec’s flame element which he least used began to manifest, but he remained focused on Bolton.

”How dare you?, Who are you calling a child? I can defeat you easily, I am already in the Peak Tier 3 realm and will soon advance to the Tier 4 Mage Realm, reaching the realm of the mid-rank mages,” Asher retaliated angrily.

Alec scoffed at his words before replying,

”You fool, there is no pride in being a Peak Tier 3 Mage, The number of peak Tier 3 lifeforms that have fallen at my hands could form a hill, so be mindful of your words when you address me,” Alec rebuked, releasing his killing intent.

As an invisible red aura emanated from him, but as it reached Asher, he only snorted and unleashed his flames to counter it, causing the aura to retreat.

When the aura reached Iver Dragonmir, it seemed to cower and move away from him.

”You are just entering the Tier 3 Mage Realm, Alec, You have disappointed me, I suppose I will leave this fight to Asher, If you cannot defeat him, then I believe you have no right to speak of defeating me in the past,”

Iver Dragonmir expressed his disappointment with Alec’s low realm.

Although he had anticipated Alec to possess a low realm, but the fact that he was just entering the Tier 3 realm came as a surprise to Iver, prompting him to look down on Alec.

Despite Iver’s comments, Alec paid no heed and maintained his focus solely on Asher Blaze.

”Even Iver is disappointed in you; it seems the gods are favouring me in defeating you,” Asher remarked.

”Outer Branch, Inner Branch, or Core Branch?” Alec questioned.

”Hmm?” Asher was taken aback by Alec’s question, as he had not anticipated it.

”I asked from which branch of the clan you hail, Is it the Outer Region Branch, Inner Faction Branch, or the Core Clan of the Blaze?” Alec inquired, which revealed that even he had been conducting research on the Ancient clans following Draco’s teachings in the capital.

”I am from the Inner Faction Branch,” Asher proudly stated.

”Defeating you will not make those old men decision makers wary of me, However, since you are all I have, I shall use you to send them a message to them,”

Alec stated, causing Asher to realize that Alec had been looking down on him all this time.

”You arrogant fool!, How can you act so presumptuous when you are merely a low Tier 3 Mage?, Or do you truly believe the powers of your golems belong to you?” Asher retorted in a subdued tone.

”Of course, their powers are mine, I created them, and they serve me, but I do not require my golems to face you, This is personal, and I am weary of your constant focus on my realm, Imagine attending a prestigious academy and receiving support from an ancient clan, yet you remain nothing but a peak Tier 3 Mage,” Alec explained.

”What do you mean ’just’ a peak Tier 3 Mage?” Asher interjected, only to be retorted by Alec once again.

”Let me speak. What am implying is that despite all your privileges, you inhabit the same realm as me, no matter how hard you try to differentiate yourself by saying Peak tier 3, you are still a Tier 3 Mage.”

” I, hailing from a mid-ranked clan and attending a supposedly derelict academy as your squad claims, stand on equal footing as all of you who are backed by abundant resources.”

”So, tell me now, who truly holds the title of ’trash’? Let me remind you, I didn’t ascend to the Tier 3 realm through my clan’s support or any handouts; I worked diligently to reach my current standing.”

” I have taken lives with these very hands, so when I refer to you as a child, own up to that childish nature of yours,” Alec’s voice reverberated with intensity as his killing intent surged to new heights, overpowering even Asher’s flames.

Enveloped by a crimson aura of lethal intent that seemed to threaten him from every angle, Asher felt the presence of an invisible blade hovering at his neck, warning him of imminent danger with every slight movement.

”Am I truly experiencing this overpowering sensation for someone weaker than me?, I am Asher Blaze, and I refuse to be intimidated by any Mage sharing the same realm as me,” Asher fiercely resolved, dispelling the illusion of impending doom cast by the potent killing intent.

With a swift motion, he withdrew both hands, shrouded in icy blue flames, propelling himself towards Alec at breakneck speed.

Extending his right hand swiftly, he prepared to attack Alec with another spell.

[> Low Tier Spell – Flame Variation – Frost Bite Blast