Rest kicked off the ground.
Using [Physical Enhancement] to bolster his strength and speed, he darted in every direction to keep his opponent off balance.
Ever since he had been taken in by the Honorary Viscount’s household at the age of ten, he had spent countless days in the forest, battling monsters.
[Physical Enhancement] was the spell he used most frequently; it was no exaggeration to call it his specialty.
(This man... he’s strong!)
Rest was inwardly impressed as he traded blows with the butler of the Marquis Rosemary House.
Not even three minutes had passed since the fight began.
He had managed to land the first blow and send the man flying, but he knew that was a fluke—a lucky punch that only landed because his opponent had been caught off guard.
"Splendid [Physical Enhancement]... To think a youth not yet twenty could utilize the spell with such precision!"
Guarding against Rest’s fist, the butler offered a word of praise.
Though he appeared to be well over sixty, the butler’s movements were sharp and agile. He moved with the same explosive speed as the teenage Rest.
"I’m the one who’s surprised... I was actually quite confident in my speed, you know."
Rest launched another assault.
The butler dropped into a low crouch, effortlessly evading a high kick aimed at his head.
"I have my own pride as an old soldier to maintain. Besides, Master Rest, while your mana capacity is immense and you clearly use [Physical Enhancement] daily, you lack experience in fighting other people, don't you?"
"That’s..."
"Wide, straightforward attacks with no deception. It is proof that you have never studied formal martial arts and have spent your time fighting monsters instead. Had you been trained in the arts of war, I would likely have been floored long ago."
"............"
The man had hit a sore spot.
While it appeared as though Rest was the one on the offensive, the butler was neutralizing every attack with superior skill. The difference in their technical ability was glaring.
(Maybe I really should have learned martial arts properly? Cedric didn't seem to study them much, but still...)
The butler unleashed a sharp knife-hand strike.
When Rest instinctively braced for the blow, the man transitioned into a low kick that caught his left leg.
The strike hit his shin with agonizing precision, and Rest nearly let out a groan.
"A feint... I see. So that's how it works!"
"Oh? Are you alright?"
"I-I’m fine!"
His leg felt unsteady. He didn't think the bone was broken, but it was certainly bruised.
Without deactivating his [Physical Enhancement], he simultaneously activated [Healing] to mend the damage.
"My, how skillful. You can maintain two spells at once."
"Of course I can..."
"Many young mages cannot. The more immature the mage, the more they obsess over using 'strong' magic, often neglecting precision or simultaneous casting. It is a lamentable trend to see so many youths disregard the basics."
"In that case... how about I try this too?"
With his leg healed, Rest activated a new spell.
A sphere of lightning flickered into existence in his palm.
"[Thunderball]!"
"Ho... Lightning magic, is it?"
The lightning surged toward the butler, only to be swatted away by a knife-hand strike.
The man had definitely touched the lightning, yet he showed no sign of being electrocuted. Upon closer inspection, Rest saw that the butler’s arm was coated in a layer of brown earth.
"Cladding the body in magic like this is also quite effective in close-quarters combat, you see."
"I see... Thanks for the lesson!"
Rest attacked with lightning once more.
Even as the attack was blocked, Rest used the opening to lunge at the butler.
"Hmph!"
"Oh!?"
The butler let out a surprised exclamation.
Rest’s arms were now clad in soil, sharpened to a blade-like point. It was the exact same magic the butler had just demonstrated.
"My apologies. It seems you had already mastered it."
"Well, who knows!"
"I see, I see."
Their soil-clad limbs clashed.
A series of hard, metallic clanks echoed through the air as the rigid surfaces collided repeatedly.
"Ngh...!"
After several exchanges, the butler’s fist found its mark on Rest’s shoulder. As he had feared, Rest was at a disadvantage in a direct brawl.
"Then... try this on for size!"
"............!"
Several [Thunderball] spheres materialized around Rest.
A volley of lightning surged toward the butler all at once.
"Take this!"
But that wasn't the end of it.
While the lightning flew, Rest pressed the attack with his soil-clad arms.
"Brilliant, truly brilliant! Wonderful!"
The butler voiced his sincere admiration as he neutralized the lightning with his earthen arms.
[Physical Enhancement] [Thunderball] [Earth Wear]
A [Trio] of spells.
Rest was currently maintaining three different types of magic simultaneously. It was a feat that required a powerful will to control mana, incredible delicacy, and a massive reservoir of energy.
"In that case... I suppose I shall lose if I do not get serious!"
"Ngh...!"
Just as Rest was about to land a full-power strike, the butler vanished.
"Guh..."
A split second later, a sharp blow to the back of his neck rattled his brain.
The impact forced his magic to deactivate, and his consciousness began to fade.
(I lost... What did he...?)
Without even understanding what had happened, Rest collapsed into unconsciousness.