Warlock Apprentice

”I’ve heard that your bizarre powers come from philosophy; I’m quite eager to see it for myself,” Trom said to Onassis softly as he spread his legs in a horse-stance and submerged his palms into the ocean.

At first, the surface of the sea only rippled slightly, but as the sounds of the underwater currents gurgled, a pale blue Water Elemental Energy gathered on the surface centered around Trom’s palms.

With a thunderous roar, a whirlwind carrying a massive amount of Water Elemental Energy shot up from the sea, transforming into a spindle-shaped water projectile in front of Trom and streaking across the sea surface towards the reef where Onassis was standing.

The spindle-shaped water projectile looked like an ordinary water arrow, but the power it carried was beyond anyone’s imagination.

Even though it did not touch the sea surface, the trail it followed was marked by constant burst sounds, and veils of water were lifted by the wind carried by the projectile. Visually, it was as if numerous bombs were exploding in the wake of the spindle-shaped water projectile across the sea surface.

The speed of the spindle-shaped water projectile was extremely fast, and by the time most people had not yet reacted, it had already reached the front of Onassis.

This spindle-shaped water projectile was certainly not a Level 1 Trick water arrow; its Energy Level strength had definitely reached that of a Third Level offensive Trick. Onassis had not employed any Defense Spell; how would he Ward off the attack?

As the audience speculated, the spindle-shaped water projectile had already struck Onassis.

Initially, some people exclaimed in shock, thinking Onassis would face a disadvantage right from the start. However, in the next second, those who exclaimed covered their mouths, looking at the arena with disbelief.

Although the spindle-shaped water projectile had hit Onassis, he himself seemed to have transformed into a Water Element, as the projectile passed directly through his body and shot towards the back.

It was a very plain and unremarkable exchange, but it vividly showed the strength of both parties.

Although Trom was evidently leaning towards Bloodline Wizardry, the spindle-shaped water projectile he released had a power so mighty, it was close to that of a Water System Apprentice. It seemed to be a new type of Trick model never seen before, probably not original but modified, which also demonstrated Trom’s control over the Water System.

Onassis was no different; he wasn’t a practitioner of the Water System, yet he managed to become a Water Element. Even among the numerous Water System users, only top peak Apprentices could have a chance to delve into such a technique.

Even the judges were quietly questioning amongst themselves, ”Are these two really not Water System Apprentices? Not to mention Trom’s modified water projectile, what’s the deal with Onassis’s watery incarnation?”

If Onassis could transform into a watery incarnation, it meant he had an absolute advantage in this oceanic terrain!

Some couldn’t help but look towards Farina. Though known for her Alchemy, her epithet ’Water Pattern Witch’ indicated that she was primarily a Water System Wizard.

Farina pondered for a moment and shook her head, ”A watery incarnation? It’s similar but not quite right.”

It looked like a Water Elementalization, but it lacked the intense energy characteristic of such a state; it rather resembled a ”Fusion,” merging with the water.

However, this notion of Fusion was just Farina’s guess. What she was more concerned about was the action Onassis took at the beginning of the encounter.

When Trom used the spindle-shaped water projectile, Onassis wasn’t doing nothing; his lips moved slightly as if he was murmuring something.

Owing to her focus on Trom at the time, Farina only vaguely caught that Onassis mentioned something related to ”water.”

Farina looked towards Angel: ”Do you remember what Onassis just said?”

”Water is the aide-de-camp of humans,” Angel replied softly.

”Isn’t that a line from the Handbook of the Sea-Listening Wizard?” Farina frowned: ”Could that saying alone enable him to merge with water? Could it really be as speculated?”

”What speculation?” Angel asked curiously.

As Farina explained, a look of realization flashed across Angel’s eyes; it turned out that not just he, but many among the judges, suspected that Onassis could turn philosophy into strength.

Whatever was philosophical could become his weapon and shield.

”Yet everything can be termed philosophy; if he truly can harness philosophy as his power, even if there are limitations now, once he grows, he would become formidably unstoppable,” Farina said.

While they were discussing, a new change occurred in the arena.

After Onassis transformed into a water embodiment, he dodged the torpedo-shaped water bullets, yet everyone thought it was just a straight-forward exchange of blows. They didn’t realize that Trom had a hidden trick up his sleeve.

The torpedo-shaped water bullets shot across the surface, but another force was surging toward Onassis under the water.

However, the target of the torpedo-shaped water bullets was Onassis himself, but the force beneath was attacking the reef under his feet.

Following a massive explosion, Onassis was unscathed, but the reef he was standing on had completely vanished.

It wasn’t over yet; just as Onassis dodged the explosion and slowly fell towards the water surface, a figure appeared behind him unguarded – it was Trom!

Trom, using the roar of the explosion and the cover of the successive water curtains created by the torpedo-shaped water bullets, silently appeared behind Onassis!

Trom’s followers saw this and instantly started cheering. Trom possessed an extremely strong bloodline, and when he engaged in close combat with a non-bloodline wizard, his chances of winning skyrocketed!

All of a sudden, strange white illusions appeared in Trom’s hands, and he fiercely struck towards Onassis’s back.

However, Onassis was still in a watery-like embodiment state. Trom’s hands did not actually harm him, instead, they directly plunged into Onassis’s body.

Trom did not show the slightest surprise, his left hand became fiery red, and his right hand was covered with frostbite.

Heat and cold collided inside Onassis’s body, causing an extreme clash of attributes.

Onassis, who had been composed the whole time, showed a moment of distraction, his eyebrows slightly furrowed, and he was sent flying backward.

He crashed heavily onto the sea surface, causing a tremendous noise and stirring up ripples.

Trom had gained the upper hand, but he didn’t let his guard down, for Onassis emerged from underwater once again, seemingly unharmed.

At this moment, a breeze blew by, and slight ripples were blown across the still water-like embodiment of Onassis.

This might seem like a minor detail, but Trom took notice.

The rhythm of those ripples carried a strange message with the breeze, making Trom feel as if someone was whispering softly in his ear.

Trom furrowed his brow, ignoring the whispering sound, and prepared to press the attack, transforming once again into a meteor hurtling towards Onassis, who stood on the water’s surface.

...

The intense clash within the arena was brief but provoked a continuous outcry from the audience.

However, at the judges’ stand, especially among the special guest judges, all furrowed their brows.

Trom’s opening salvo of three attacks was quite cunning, be it the torpedo-shaped water bullets, the underwater assault, or the concealment by the water curtain; they were all very effective.

Yet, it was flamboyant... and he seemed to have forgotten something.

The name of this venue is — the Sea of the Raging Ocean Troll.

Such a display would only attract the ocean trolls that had just woken from their slumber even faster.

The sea was still calm for now, but bubbles were slowly rising from below the surface. Meanwhile, more dark clouds were gathering in the sky.

Angel looked at the oppressive sky and the humid air that could be seen with the naked eye, and whispered softly, ”They’re coming.”