The Golem Mage

As Alec and Liam finally clashed, the crowd watched in anticipation, attempting to discern the outcome of their lightning-fast exchange, Liam, moving like a blur, brushed past Alec, leaving the spectators in awe and unsure of who had struck whom first.

Alec was the first to turn around, only for the crowd to discover a deep cut across his chest. However, to his surprise, no blood dripped from the wound.

It was covered by the same black ice as Pale’s variant ice power, making him feel increased weight but manageable, as the realization left Alec astonished, he had believed such powers to be exceedingly rare, and he hadn’t expected to encounter another mage with the same abilities as Pale.

Initially, Alec had been on high alert, expecting Liam to unleash a time spell, as he is rumoured to be a time Mage, even the crowd, who already believe that Liam had the upper hand, was shocked when Liam, too, turned towards Alec, and they saw a line of blood streaking down his own chest.

”I’m becoming increasingly interested in you!” Liam exclaimed, a smile of joy and surprise playing on his lips as he examined the deep wound on his chest.

Liam had never imagined that Alec, despite being slower, could keep pace with his lightning reflexes, he even began to suspect that Alec had intentionally allowed himself to be cut, just to have an opportunity to land a counter-attack.

Liam’s irritation grew as he realized he had failed to anticipate Alec’s hidden motive behind the assault.

”How much more talking will you do before you finally come after me?” Alec challenged, moving towards Liam with a display of deft footwork that closed the distance between them effortlessly.

Without wasting a moment, Alec brandished his Changdao with both hands as he struck down, aiming to gain the upper hand.

But Liam simply joined both of his hands together, causing the surrounding area to be mysteriously covered in a surge of plants.

Vines shot out, attempting to restrain Alec, but he wouldn’t be defeated by such simplicity, with an unnatural, backwards duck, Alec evaded the vines, refusing to be restrained.

With the Changdao supporting him, piercing the ground, Alec struggled to regain his footing, however, Liam showed no interest in giving him a moment to recover, conjuring dual short axes crafted from ice and slashing down with them.

”Fuck!” Alec exclaimed in pain as the icy slash sent him hurtling through the air.

However, he managed to twist his body and land gracefully on the ground, though not without sustaining two scratches on his body.

Alec now regarded Liam in a different light, he had witnessed Liam display two distinct powers—one resembling Pale’s and the other mirroring Endrick’s.

While Alec had the urge to retaliate with an overwhelming spell of his own, his instincts warned him to proceed with caution.

He had a suspicion that Liam had not truly awakened these powers but had somehow copied them, explaining why he had restrained himself from employing elemental attacks, Alec deduced that Liam possessed the ability to replicate elemental spells.

”I thought you were eager to fight, what’s the hold up?” Liam taunted, closing in on Alec while swinging one of the ice axes.

Alec quickly shifted back and positioned the Changdao in front of him to deflect the second attack that followed.

Clang!

Alec absorbed the onslaught of the attacks, pushing him back, however, in that moment, a smirk formed on Alec’s face, provoking an angered response from Liam.

”That’s it, isn’t it? I believe you can copy spells, but it seems you can’t use a spell you haven’t seen, that’s why you haven’t shown something different, since I’m not casting a spell, how long can you endure this barrage before you need to cool down? Seems like you’re growing desperate,” Alec taunted, causing Liam’s anger to finally show for the first time.

Liam discarded the axes and grabbed onto Alec’s shoulders, bringing him down and delivering a knee strike to Alec’s nose, he then swung Alec and threw him toward another nearby tree.

Bang!

Alec’s back collided with the tree, clearing out a section of the forest upon impact, but in the following instant, he rose to his feet, wearing a confident smile on his face as he prepared to face Liam once again.

”This is quite boring,” Alec remarked, raising his hand to wipe the blood off his lips, suddenly, flashes of light began to fall from the sky, but they were not targeting their current location.

Liam looked at Alec and said, ”I hope you still find this as boring as possible when my team eventually takes your flag!”

”Well, I know for a fact that my team has won that battle, with the plan I have set, they would have worn out your team by the time my vice captain arrives, so, get prepared, just as my team has done their part, I have to do mine,” Alec responded, attempting to move forward.

However, after walking for about three seconds, Alec felt himself being pulled back to where he had started, as if caught in a rewind.

In that moment, the desperate expression on Liam’s face disappeared, replaced by a smile.

”I have to say, you are quite the scheme, though I have great confidence in my team, it’s clear that you have truly outwitted them, as you claim, if victory of my team hasn’t been announced yet, it means you have gotten them good, but you see, I have always aimed to be one step ahead,” Liam revealed.

”Yes, I can copy other people’s abilities, my primary ability, however, is time traps—a branch of the time element, It was often belittled since I didn’t possess the main time manipulation ability, but with my copying ability, I can adapt and become something else,” Liam explained.

”Indeed, you are good, you were able to discern the cool down aspect of my copying ability, which you were cautious about, but there is one thing you overlooked—I was acting desperate to lure you into a trap, so Farewell, Alec. I have a team to eliminate, enjoy being trapped in my time loop,” Liam said, starting to walk away with closed eyes, humming contentedly.

At that moment, he didn’t care about explaining his powers to Alec, as he believed victory was already within his grasp.

”And where do you think you’re going?” Alec’s voice echoed, reaching Liam as he opened his eyes and looked ahead.

Standing before him at that very moment was Alec himself.

”How is this possible? It’s practically impossible to break free from a time loop until its duration runs out,” Liam complained, perplexed by what had just transpired.

”You know, you’re not the only one who sets traps,” Alec responded, retrieving one of the random spell cards he had acquired from the Chronomancer.

Infusing his mana into it, he threw the card towards Liam, although Liam and the spectators only saw what appeared to be a talisman being thrown, Alec knew it was much more.

The card streaked towards Liam with incredible speed and, as it drew closer, it transformed into an astral image of the Chronomancer, with his hand outstretched towards Liam.

Liam attempted to move, but discovered he couldn’t evade the attack, it seemed to be locked onto him, leaving him no choice but to defend against the unknown impending attack, however, that was the problem – he had no idea what would happen, the astral image of the Chronomancer finally touched his hand.

[> Mid Tier Spell – Time Pause