Chapter 251 The Fierce Duel of Magic
Dean Bruce didn't allow the dark mages any respite. He continued to wave his wand, sending out beams of radiant light that struck down the attackers one by one.
Yet, just as it seemed the dark mages had been driven off, something strange and foreboding occurred.
The skies above suddenly darkened, heavy clouds rolling in ominously. Thunder rumbled through the heavens, and flashes of lightning lit up the horizon, as though heralding an even greater storm.
"What's going on?" Dean Bruce muttered, his gaze fixed on the turbulent sky above, unease tightening his chest.
A low, chilling voice echoed from the air, carrying an aura of menace:
"Dean Bruce, did you really think you could defeat us so easily? How naive."
At those words, Dean Bruce's expression turned grave. He knew that the owner of this voice must be a powerful figure among the dark mages.
"Who are you?" he demanded, his voice firm despite the tension in the air.
"I am the emissary of the Lord of Darkness, a Dark Mage—Morgana," the voice replied with icy detachment. "And today marks the end of your journey."
As the voice faded, a shadowy figure descended slowly from the swirling clouds, landing at the academy's gates.
It was a woman cloaked in black, her face hidden beneath the hood's shadow. Only her eyes were visible, glowing with a cold, predatory light.
"Morgana…" Dean Bruce murmured under his breath. He had heard of her before—an immensely powerful figure in the Dark World, feared by all who knew her name.
"Dean Bruce," Morgana said with a sinister smile, "are you ready to meet your end?"
Dean Bruce didn't respond. He gripped his wand tightly, steeling himself for the battle ahead. He understood that this fight would be the most challenging of his life.
"Everyone, together! We must not let her succeed!" Dean Bruce called to the other teachers behind him.
The academy's teachers rallied at his command, channeling their magic and preparing to confront Morgana in a fierce duel.
But Morgana merely sneered, a look of disdain curling her lips. "You think you can stop me with this pathetic lot? Ridiculous."
With a flick of her wand, a torrent of dark energy surged forth, emanating from her very being and sweeping toward the assembled teachers like a tidal wave.
Despite their combined efforts, the teachers were quickly overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of Morgana's dark power. Their spells faltered, and their defenses crumbled under the relentless assault.
"This is bad—her power is too strong!" one of the teachers cried out in alarm.
Dean Bruce's heart raced with urgency as he watched his colleagues struggle. He knew that unless he found a way to counter Morgana's immense power, they would all perish here today.
And then, an idea struck him.
Drawing upon the inspiration he had gained while simulating the dark mages' magic earlier, Dean Bruce focused his mind and began analyzing Morgana's dark energy, determined to uncover its core and craft a countermeasure.
Despite his determination, Morgana's power was overwhelming, and Dean Bruce was struggling to keep up with his analysis. Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, and his complexion grew paler by the second.
"Professor Dean, are you alright?" Prolo Hawthorne asked, noticing the strain on Dean Bruce's face.
"I'm fine. Stay alert," Dean Bruce replied, forcing himself to remain composed despite the toll.
He focused every ounce of his concentration on dissecting Morgana's magic, and finally, he found a flaw. A glimmer of hope sparked within him. He swiftly raised his wand and chanted a counter-spell:
"Shield of Light, guard my heart; darkness shall not penetrate!"
As he finished the incantation, a radiant shield of light materialized in front of him, successfully fending off Morgana's dark energy.
"What?" Morgana's face twisted in surprise. She hadn't expected Dean Bruce to counter her magic so effectively.
"Professor Dean, that was incredible!" Prolo Hawthorne exclaimed in excitement.
Dean Bruce didn't respond; his eyes remained locked on Morgana, scanning for the next opportunity to strike. He knew the battle was far from over.
Morgana glared at Dean Bruce, a flicker of anger crossing her face. She hadn't anticipated that this young magician would be so resilient.
"Dean Bruce, you're more capable than I thought," she sneered. "But if you think this is enough to defeat me, you're gravely mistaken."
With a cold smile, she raised her staff once more, summoning an even more potent spell of dark magic.
But before she could unleash it, a brilliant beam of light suddenly shot down from the sky, striking Morgana and sending her flying backward with a pained scream.
"Who dares?" Morgana cried out in fury and shock.
From the heavens descended a figure in an ornate robe, her presence commanding and regal. It was none other than Tia Nars, the President of the Magic Guild.
"Morgana, how dare you wreak havoc at the Magic Academy? You've overstepped your bounds," Tia Nars said icily, her voice filled with authority.
Morgana's eyes betrayed a flicker of fear as she looked at Tia Nars. She knew all too well that the Guild President's power far exceeded her own.
"Tia Nars," Morgana spat through gritted teeth, "so you've come in person."
Tia Nars did not respond. She walked calmly toward Dean Bruce, her expression softening with concern. "Dean, are you alright?" she asked.
"I'm fine. Thank you, President," Dean Bruce replied, his voice steady despite his exhaustion.
Tia Nars nodded. "Good. Morgana, you won't escape today."
Morgana glared at Tia Nars, her mind racing. She knew the odds were no longer in her favor. With a frustrated snarl, she turned and dissolved into a shadowy wisp, disappearing into the night sky.
"She got away," Tia Nars muttered with a frown.
Dean Bruce offered a reassuring smile. "President, she's injured. I doubt she'll cause any trouble again anytime soon."
Tia Nars nodded slightly. "Let's hope so. Dean, you did an excellent job. It's thanks to you that the academy was spared this disaster."
Dean Bruce responded modestly, "It was a team effort. Everyone played their part."
Tia Nars looked at Dean Bruce, his humble demeanor only deepening her admiration for him. She felt certain that this young magician held boundless potential for the future.
"Alright, everyone, get some rest," Tia Nars instructed. "There's still a competition to be held tomorrow."
The group nodded in agreement before dispersing. Dean Bruce returned to the dormitory with Prolo Hawthorne, Alice, and Delina Reba.
Once inside, Delina Reba turned to Dean Bruce and said, "Professor Dean, I have a question... I'm not sure if it's appropriate to ask."
"Ask away," Dean Bruce replied with a reassuring smile.
"What spell were you using back there against those dark magicians?" Delina Reba asked. "I've never heard of it before." Explore more stories with empire
"Yeah, Professor Dean! I'm curious too," Prolo Hawthorne chimed in. "What kind of spell was that? It seemed really powerful."
"Do you want to learn it?" Dean Bruce asked instead of answering directly.
The three of them nodded enthusiastically.
Dean Bruce chuckled. "Those spells might be a bit beyond your reach for now, but I do have some fun ones I can teach you. They might come in handy for tomorrow's second round of the competition."
"What are they?" Prolo Hawthorne asked eagerly.
Dean Bruce cleared his throat, a playful gleam in his eyes. "I've got three interesting spells for you. Listen carefully!"
He paused dramatically, watching the anticipation build among his students.
"The first spell is… 'Under the bridge, a flock of ducks swims by. Count them quickly: two, four, six, seven, eight.'" Dean Bruce chanted, all while mimicking the motion of ducks swimming.
Prolo Hawthorne, Alice, and Delina Reba exchanged bewildered glances, their expressions a mix of confusion and amusement.
"Professor Dean, what kind of spell is that?" Prolo Hawthorne couldn't help but ask.
"Don't ask so many questions. Just follow my lead," Dean Bruce instructed with a serious face.
Though puzzled, the three students obeyed, chanting the words and mimicking the movements. As they performed the spell, a strange yet uplifting sensation washed over them, filling them with an inexplicable sense of joy and relaxation.
"This feels… odd, but also really nice," Alice remarked softly.
"Yeah, it's kind of hard to describe, but I like it," Delina Reba agreed.
Dean Bruce smiled knowingly. "This spell is called 'Happy Little Ducks.' It's designed to lift your spirits and help you feel more relaxed and confident during the competition."
Prolo Hawthorne's eyes lit up. "Wow, that's amazing! What's the second spell, Professor?"
"The second spell," Dean Bruce began, "is... 'Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are. Up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky.'"
As he recited the words, he tilted his head upward and made a gesture as though gazing at the stars.
The three students once again followed Dean Bruce's lead, chanting the incantation and mimicking his actions. This time, they felt a warm and gentle energy flow through their bodies, as though they were forming a unique connection with the surrounding magical elements.
"This spell is called 'Stars Shine Brilliantly,'" Dean Bruce explained. "It enhances your sensitivity and affinity with magic, making you sharper and more agile in the competition."
"That's incredible, Professor Dean!" Prolo Hawthorne exclaimed enthusiastically.
Alice and Delina Reba shared looks of astonishment, their expressions filled with admiration.
"And what about the last spell?" Delina Reba asked eagerly, unable to contain her curiosity.
Dean Bruce gave a mysterious smile. "The final spell is my masterpiece, so pay close attention."
He began chanting the last incantation with dramatic flair:
"Pull the turnip, pull the turnip,
Heave ho, heave ho, it won't budge!
Grandma, hurry up,
Come help us pull the turnip!"
As he finished, Dean Bruce mimicked the action of pulling a giant turnip, eliciting stifled laughter from his students.
"Professor, this spell… it's hilarious!" Prolo Hawthorne said, trying not to laugh too hard.
"Don't underestimate it," Dean Bruce said, his tone suddenly serious. "This spell is called 'Power of Unity.' It's designed to awaken your team's collaborative spirit in critical moments, ensuring you work seamlessly and harmoniously in the competition."
Hearing this, the three students quickly stifled their laughter and nodded earnestly, their expressions turning serious as they fully absorbed the importance of the spell.