novelraw Chapter 329: Fierce Battle with Nolan and His Master Servant
Chapter 329: Fierce Battle with Nolan and His Master Servant
After the brief midday rest, the afternoon arrived, marking the official commencement of the finals of this Academy Grand Competition.
The audience below the stage remained packed, but they seemed to lack much enthusiasm.
The main reason was that the strength of the Imperial First Academy this year was simply too overwhelming. By this point in the competition, there was no longer any suspense.
However, the opponents were, after all, the dark horse. Although their strength was a bit weaker, it at least offered some entertainment value.
By now, that catchy phrase about Lin Mo had spread quite widely.
Some people firmly believed it, but of course, many others expressed skepticism, feeling it was too boastful and thus harbored resentment.
Regardless of which side they were on, everyone wanted to see if Lin Mo, going all out, could truly contend with a Transcendent Level expert.
"It's about to start!"
On the stage, contestants from both sides began to step onto the platform one after another.
Lin Mo took the lead, standing at the very front of his team. Opposite him, standing at the forefront in direct confrontation, was precisely the representative of the Violet Empire's First Academy—Nolan Oxivis. "Hmph, I've finally run into you..."
Nolan on the opposite side spoke first, taking the initiative: "Your luck was pretty good before. Whether it was the group stage or the elimination rounds, you didn't run into us. But in the end, you couldn't escape!"
"The feeling is mutual."
Lin Mo wore a faint smile, no longer bothered by the other's condescending tone.
There wasn't much to say to this kind of bratty girl. The quickest and most efficient way was to directly teach her a lesson with strength.
"Well then, are both sides ready?"
The referee for this match was different from before. It had been changed to that Ice Element mage who performed during the Grand Competition's opening ceremony. He seemed to be the leader of the Ice Element department in the Imperial First Academy's Mage Academy.
Ice Element magic was balanced in offense and defense and possessed certain control capabilities, making it indeed very suitable for controlling the field. Having him as the referee could minimize unexpected occurrences to the greatest extent.
After Nolan and Lin Mo nodded one after another, he straightforwardly announced: "Then, the finals of this Academy Grand Competition officially begin!"
As his words fell, a warrior immediately stepped forward from behind Nolan, raising his sword to point at Lin Mo.
"I've long heard of your formidable strength. The top student of the Imperial First Academy's Warrior Academy, I come to seek instruction!"
After speaking, he also glanced sideways at Nolan beside him with the corner of his eye.
Lin Mo immediately understood.
Oh, a simp...
Before he could speak, Nolan beside him was the first to turn cold-faced: "Who allowed you to act on your own?"
The man's expression instantly stiffened, slowly turning his head: "Junior Nolan, I... I just wanted to vent your anger for you..."
"Shut up!"
Nolan's voice wasn't loud, and her expression was very calm, but her tone was icy cold.
At this moment, she wasn't the arrogant, tsundere brat, but a true superior, reprimanding and questioning.
"I'm... I'm sorry..."
The warrior immediately lowered his head, sweat beading on his forehead, and hurriedly retreated.
Only then did Nolan turn to look at Lin Mo: "How do you want to fight?"
"Oh?"
Lin Mo raised an eyebrow. The competition had its rules. Since the other side said this, it seemed they didn't want to follow the rules?
"In my opinion, unnecessary personnel don't need to waste time taking the stage."
After saying this, Nolan directly looked towards the old man on the main viewing platform.
"Grandpa Aaron, what do you think?"
The area below the stage immediately buzzed with discussion.
"Is she going to change the rules right on the spot?"
"In front of so many kingdoms, this is too..."
This young lady's level of willfulness truly exceeded their imagination.
Aaron also wore a bitter smile, shaking his head helplessly: "If the other side agrees, then do as you wish."
Hearing this, Nolan smiled, pointing at the students on Lin Mo's side who hadn't even reached level 10: "Those few, why don't you just step down? To avoid getting injured later."
Lin Mo roughly understood her meaning. It actually wasn't really changing the rules, just slightly accelerating the competition process. And it might not even accelerate it much. Instead, it would let Milun and the others suffer less.
Thus, he readily agreed.
Soon, only Lin Mo, Ellie, Finnie, and Sherfilia remained on the stage. Even Eve, persuaded by Lin Mo and Flora, had left the stage.
Because if she stayed, there would still be five people on the stage, preventing Flora and Amy from directly stepping up. Moreover, with Eve's strength, she could still contribute in the earlier matches, but by the finals, she couldn't really play much of a role anymore.
She understood this very well herself, so she didn't refuse. However, when leaving, she gave Lin Mo's group a look full of unwillingness, her gaze sweeping over Ellie, Finnie, and the others one by one.
"Well then, correspondingly..."
Nolan then turned her head, having the six weaker students on her side also leave the stage.
At the same time, the three instructors from the Imperial First Academy also stepped onto the stage.
The disparity in combat power between the two sides was still significant. However, swapping out several people on both sides clearly benefited the Doria Academy side more.
After all, they only had nine students total. It was essentially five for six, and the swapped-out individuals were clearly weaker than their counterparts.
Lin Mo glanced at the opposing lineup, his thoughts gradually clarifying.
Now both sides had four students remaining on the stage. As long as one more person left the stage, the final two instructors could ascend.
So then...
"Do your best to hold off the others. If you can't hold on, you can leave the stage earlier."
That way, the academy's last two instructors would take the stage.
With all five instructors together, plus Ellie, and Finnie's support... it still wouldn't be enough to completely hold off the opponents.
But it wasn't a big problem. They still had an "external reinforcement."
And Lin Mo's target was very clear.
He looked at that maid with a cool expression and an impressive figure, and at the master standing in front of her.
To win this match, the first person from the Imperial First Academy side to leave the stage had to be Shirleyas. Otherwise, facing two Transcendent Level experts simultaneously, even Lin Mo couldn't withstand it.
Moreover, he had to fight one against two, taking on Nolan as well, because the others couldn't hold out for long.
"Finished discussing? Then let's begin."
Nolan still wore a look full of confidence. Although she knew she might not be Lin Mo's match, she still had Shirleyas. No matter how strong this guy was, he couldn't possibly defeat Shirleyas.
"Alright."
Lin Mo responded with a smile. The next moment, he activated a series of skills including [Attribute Enhancement], [Swiftness], and all the buffs from Finnie's side were also in place.
And then...
[Flash]!
In the next instant, Lin Mo had already appeared in front of Nolan.
While the young girl was still stunned, the tip of Lin Mo's sword was already on the verge of piercing her chest.
"Ding—!"
A crisp sound rang out as two interwoven thin swords blocked Lin Mo's blade.
Shirleyas's expression changed drastically. Her figure was sent flying backward, and Nolan was also knocked back over ten meters along with her.
"Hah, indeed not that easy?"
Lin Mo wasn't surprised by this.
After all, Shirleyas was a Transcendent Level assassin. Her reaction speed and agility were top-tier, and she was extremely close to Nolan. Even using [Flash], she still managed to react.
Moreover, his target wasn't Nolan. Although Finnie's younger sister was also quite strong, no matter what, her threat level still couldn't compare to Shirleyas's.
The first person from the Imperial First Academy to leave the stage could only be her. Otherwise, winning this match would be very difficult.
So that earlier move was just a simple probe...
"What's going on... how did he get over there?"
"I don't know, I couldn't see it clearly at all. How is his speed so fast?"
At this moment, many spectators below the stage were completely bewildered.
Just moments ago, they were dawdling on stage. How did the situation change so drastically in the blink of an eye?
On the main viewing platform, Aaron opened his eyes wide in surprise.
"Space Magic!"
This kid, he's even mastered Space Magic?!
Lin Mo's first strike unsuccessful, his target immediately switched to Shirleyas.
He quickly stepped forward, thrusting with his sword.
Lin Mo was fast, but Shirleyas was even faster. She returned a sword strike, this time using a skill. Powerful Qi and Blood offset the difference in Strength, instead causing Lin Mo's arm to go numb, forcing him to retreat uncontrollably.
After all, he currently only had a high Mage level. The levels of his other professions were still far behind. So in terms of Qi and Blood intensity, he was no match for Shirleyas at all.
Shirleyas quickly pursued, brandishing the twin swords in her hands, her movements incredibly ghostly, attacking continuously.
Lin Mo barely managed to block a few strikes before he could no longer hold on. Seeing the opponent's sword about to land on him, he could only use [Flash], appearing behind her. Then, with a backhanded slash, he unleashed a blood-red Sword Energy.
Without even turning her head, Shirleyas thrust backward with the sword in her left hand, easily dispersing Lin Mo's Sword Energy. Simultaneously, she twisted her body, the sword in her right hand lunging towards Lin Mo's chest and abdomen.
Lin Mo didn't have time to bring his sword around. He could only use his empty hand to execute a [Void-Shaking Fist], but he still couldn't block the opponent's sword technique. The sharp blade struck the mithril gloves, cutting through the mithril as easily as slicing tofu.
If Lin Mo hadn't retreated fast enough, his fingers might have been severed.
Transcendent Level, truly not easy to deal with...
And the Shirleyas before him was no ordinary Transcendent Level. For a genius of her caliber, challenging those above her level was practically routine.
Her true combat power was probably around level 22 or even 23!
Up to this point, she still hadn't gotten serious.
Although Lin Mo was the same...
Looking at the damaged mithril gloves, Lin Mo didn't feel particularly distressed. Times had changed. For him now, these gloves were no longer considered expensive items.
He quickly healed the injury on his hand using [Greater Healing Art]. Shirleyas opposite him clearly paused for a moment, but her movements didn't stop. She continued her assault towards Lin Mo.
At the same time, Nolan wasn't idle either. Holding her staff, she glared at Lin Mo, gritting her teeth.
"[Slowing Spell]!"
A stream of gray light accurately entered Lin Mo's body. The next moment, he felt his movements as if slowed by half, becoming much more sluggish.
And the degree of sluggishness was significant, over one-third!
His speed was already far inferior to Shirleyas's. After being slowed, it was even worse. He could only use [Flash] again to escape.
Glancing sideways at the other battlefield, as expected, Flora and the others were having a very hard time.
So he hurriedly used the [Shadow Split] skill, summoning a clone to join the battle.
However, the clone summoned by the [Shadow Split] skill couldn't use skills, so the inherited Mana attribute was completely useless. Therefore, its combat power wasn't actually strong; it could only slightly alleviate their pressure.
Lin Mo looked at Shirleyas, who was pursuing him, his expression turning completely serious.
The next moment, his figure directly vanished from the spot.
Shirleyas's pupils contracted. A stealth skill?
No, she was a Transcendent Level assassin. Ordinary stealth skills couldn't possibly escape her eyes, let alone vanish right under her nose.
What Lin Mo used was indeed not an ordinary stealth-type skill.
His [Vanish] would be ineffective against Shirleyas, but...
Equipment Skill: Shadow Devour: Enter the Shadow Devour state for 2 seconds (Vanish and immune to physical damage). The power of "Phantom Assault" triggered during the Shadow Devour state is doubled!
Shadowblood Stride Boots! This was the equipment he borrowed using Spirit Vein Mithril as collateral. The stealth skill attached to an Epic Level piece of equipment wouldn't be so easily seen through.
Lin Mo didn't hesitate. He directly flashed right in front of Shirleyas, at a distance where their chests were almost about to collide.
To defeat Shirleyas, the power of the skill had to be sufficiently great, and the speed also had to be fast. Otherwise, she might react and dodge.
So overall, the combined [Thunder Dragon Piercing Kill] from [Demonic Light Piercing Kill] and [Thunder Dragon Devour] was the most suitable.
No need to charge it. The power of this move was already too great. If he charged it further, something bad might really happen. So Lin Mo struck directly. Dazzling thunderlight instantly transformed into a beam, surging forth.
The moment Lin Mo attacked, Shirleyas had already reacted. Even though Lin Mo deliberately chose a frontal assault against logic, rather than the more common choice of attacking from behind or the side in such situations, Shirleyas's experience was extremely rich. She still reacted easily and quickly counterattacked, thrusting her sword towards Lin Mo's chest.
"Huh?!"
The next moment, both sides let out sounds of surprise simultaneously.
The sword Shirleyas thrust at Lin Mo pierced through his armor without too much difficulty, but it stopped at the surface of his skin, unable to penetrate further.
The duration of [Shadow Devour] hadn't ended yet. Lin Mo was still in a state immune to physical damage.
At the same time, that thunderlight beam that should have directly pierced through Shirleyas's abdomen, at the instant before it was about to enter her body, seemed to be blocked and guided by something, actually being "refracted" away.
Shirleyas was completely unharmed. Instead, Nolan behind her paled, nearly losing her balance.
"Young Mistress!"
Shirleyas frowned tightly but didn't look back, continuing to swing her sword at Lin Mo.
Lin Mo frowned, flashing away to create distance, and glanced at Nolan.
It was probably some kind of Cursemaster skill that deflected his skill.
This profession seemed to have many very interesting skills.
What she used earlier was probably something similar to a "Deflection Field" or "Energy Interference," not directly blocking, but converting Mana into a curse to interfere with his skill.
But this wasn't without cost. Presumably, the stronger the attack interfered with, the more Mana it required. Lin Mo's [Thunder Dragon Piercing Kill] was too powerful, so Nolan's Mana consumption was also severe.
This was getting troublesome.
Lin Mo frowned. The heir of an Imperial Royal Duke Family was indeed not simple. This battle was proving much more difficult than imagined...