Release That Succubus

"Since you brought a fire mage to show your power, I have called on a competent water mage to duke it out with your companion. Let us see what you are so proud of to challenge me in my own home."

Zach had already expected Frederick to fall into his trap due to his inflated ego.  This was exactly the kind of attitude that he had come to expect from the elite families in this city. They were all so concerned with maintaining their power and status that they often underestimated their opponents. It was a common trope in the dramas that he and Luna enjoyed watching together and he was pleased to see it had worked.

Zach felt like a protagonist of a novel as he too was sure that Frederick would suffer due to this decision today. It might even be hard for him to show his face in public due to how swollen it would be by then.

He had been anticipating this moment for weeks and had planned everything meticulously. He had trained his subordinate, Luna, for this very match, knowing that Frederick's ego would not let him back down from the challenge.

Frederick, a seasoned mage, felt confident in his strategy. He had called upon his most competent water mage, who was also his subordinate, to assist him in the upcoming battle. He knew that in a battle between fire and water mages of the same rank, the water mage would have the upper hand due to the elemental suppression effect.

The elemental suppression effect refers to the fact that certain elemental magics have a greater effect on others. In this case, water magic is particularly effective against fire magic. If two mages of the same rank and physical capabilities were to engage in battle, the water mage would be able to suppress the fire mage, making it difficult for the latter to effectively cast spells.

This effect is significant enough that many mages are reluctant to reveal their elemental affinities to others. Revealing one's elemental affinity could give an opponent a significant advantage in battle. Thus, many mages keep their elemental affinities hidden from prying eyes.

Zach on the other hand had openly revealed his subordinate's element in front of his enemies. Frederick could not help but find that foolish.

This was a risky move, as it gave his opponents valuable information about his team's strengths and weaknesses.

However, Frederick had his own strategy in place. He had purposely not revealed the full strength of his own subordinate, wanting to imply that the strength of his family was deep and powerful. Just a random subordinate of his would be able to easily defeat Zach's trusted subordinate.

Frederick's true target was not just to win this particular battle, but to recruit Zach to his cause through a show of power. He believed that by defeating Zach's team, he could demonstrate his own strength and convince Zach to join him. By not revealing the full extent of his own team's abilities, Frederick hoped to give the impression that his family was even more powerful than it appeared on the surface.

Zach, pretending to consider the suggestion, eventually accepted Frederick's proposal for a duel between their subordinates. The underlying bet of the duel was the topic of discussion, with both parties agreeing that the loser would have to back off regarding their pursuit of Diana.

The stakes were high for both sides. If Zach's team lost, he would have to give up Diana. If Frederick's team lost, the Sosis family would be forced to break off their engagement with Diana, as they couldn't afford to mess with Zach, who had become the new backer of the Luther family.

Frederick's water mage was renowned throughout Elizabeth city for his impeccable defense and the significant restraint effect he had on his enemies. As a D-rank mage, his power was capable of not only restraining but also weakening his enemies. His ability to weaken his opponents made him a formidable opponent in battle, and his impeccable defense allowed him to withstand attacks from even the strongest of foes.

Zach and Frederick exchanged nods before standing up from their respective seats and making their way outside. They were accompanied by several servants, who walked in a line alongside the walls of the hallways, and several guards who had been standing by inside the study.

As they made their way outside, Frederick and Zach walked side by side, with Luna and Raisman following closely behind them. The guards formed a protective ring around them.

The tension between the two groups was palpable, with both sides preparing themselves for the upcoming duel. Despite this, the group moved forward with purpose, eager to settle the matter once and for all. As they stepped out into the open air, the sound of birds chirping in the distance provided a stark contrast to the looming battle that was about to take place.

"You seem to be very confident even though my subordinate is a water mage." Frederick asked without looking at Zach who had somehow started to act as his equal.

"Why shouldn't I be? My friend is strong." Zach replied nonchalantly as if this didn't affect him in any way.

"Each strength has a weakness and water seems to be the antithesis of fire. Shouldn't you be worried?"

"I don't think so. I believe in absolute power; the power to blast through any weakness with sheer strength, the type of strength that has no flaw for my enemies to exploit." Zach's unshakable resolve to win was evident from the way he talked and that seemed to annoy Frederick a lot as he didn't ask any further questions.

Despite the tension between the two, the group continued on their way, eager to see the outcome of the upcoming duel.

The group had stepped outside into the vast garden surrounding the Sosis family mansion, where they found themselves in a quiet clearing.

Zach stood next to Frederick, observing the scene, while Luna faced off against the water mage some distance away.

A guard, dressed in full armor, stood between them, ready to officiate the fight. He cleared his throat and loudly declared, "Begin!"

Luna and the water mage sprang into action, wasting no time. They charged towards each other, their eyes locked in fierce determination. They both knew that the first strike would give them the upper hand and allow them to dictate the pace of the battle.

The sound of spells being cast filled the air, creating a dazzling display of light and color.

Controlling the pace of the battle was crucial for mages, as they not only needed to attack and defend but also had to manage their remaining mana. The mage who controlled the battle's pace could influence the enemy to expend more mana and gain an advantage. For example, a mage might feign weakness and lure the enemy into overusing their mana, leaving them vulnerable to a counterattack.

As she faced her foes, flames surrounded her figure, creating a fiery cocoon that burned the air around her. Her lithe figure moved with agility as she launched attacks, her control over the fire precise and powerful. Even Zach, who had watched her train every day since their first encounter, was impressed by her accuracy and finesse. It was as if the flames themselves were an extension of her will, responding to her every command with deadly force.

The water mage, in contrast, had a different approach to combat. He conjured transparent water bubbles around both of his hands, suggesting he was a close combat mage who used elemental attacks alongside his physical strength. His movements were fluid and graceful, as if he was one with the water that surrounded him.

Luna waved her hand, and a flaming sword appeared in her grasp. It was a two-handed long sword with an impressive reach. She held the sword firmly and slashed it horizontally twice, unleashing two large arcs of flames that spread out toward the water mage.

The water mage brought both of his hands in front of him and concentrated the water element to conjure a shield that could ward off the flames. The shield shimmered with a bluish glow as it stopped the flames in their tracks. A hissing sound echoed as the water suppressed the fire, and a stream of mist rose from the point where the two elements met.

As the mist enveloped both fighters, they disappeared from sight, hidden from the spectators who were eagerly waiting for a direct confrontation. But despite the veil of mist, Luna continued to dash forward with her sword in hand, a small smile creeping onto her face as she anticipated the water mage's next move.

The color of her sword changed from fiery golden red to bluish as the temperature of her flames increased further. This had happened when she managed to train her flame control past a certain limit after having become a C rank mage.

"Arrghhh~"

Both Luna and the water mage clashed in the centre as more and more mist began to be produced because of their constant collisions.

Since no one could witness the fight due to the smoke hindering their vision, Frederick couldn't notice the fact that his subordinate was busy cursing him at that moment. The reason was that his master had pitted him against a mage that was a rank above him in strength.

As the mist thickened, Frederick couldn't see the outcome of the battle and wondered if his subordinate would emerge victorious or if he had made a costly mistake.

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