The Max Level Hero Has Returned!

Reina's recognition of Merlin was somewhat serendipitous. His overtly arrogant demeanor and his determination to attract attention by challenging the Great Sage had not gone unnoticed. Reina, a warrior hailing from a parallel dimension and reborn here as an artificial being known as a Celestial, shared her insights based on her experiences.

While Davey couldn't confirm the accuracy of Reina’s information, Merlin's remarkable talents made her accounts plausible. His abilities were undeniably exceptional.

In a tournament meant to foster unity across the continent, the idea of spectators and participants engaging in death matches at the risk of their lives seemed ludicrous. To an outsider, it might sound like a jest, but the reality was far graver. Such actions could easily escalate into an international crisis. Deliberate attempts to kill went beyond a mere violation; trying to take a life for personal gain was an exceedingly bitter pill to swallow.

The course of the match took an intriguing turn, enveloping the audience in silence as they observed Davey and his opponent on the arena floor. A showdown between a spectator and a participant? It was a spectacle unlike any other.

"Are you truly abstaining from blade energy and divine power?"

"Yes, I'll adhere to using only magic, as you requested."

"You'll come to regret it."

With an air of composure, Merlin extended his hands, his fingertips moving gracefully before emitting a resounding clap. Suddenly, a substantial surge of mana radiated out, exerting pressure on Davey.

"Not bad. It seems your constitution is quite robust… But is that your best effort?”

"We've only just begun!"

As Merlin spoke, the ground beneath Davey began to crumble under the strain. Yet, Davey remained motionless, refusing to yield.

"You may be concealing it, but I can discern the four Circles around your heart," Merlin continued in a leisurely tone. "It's a rarity to find someone skilled in both sacred and regular magic."

Grinning widely under the mounting pressure, Merlin added, "Keep your promise. If I defeat you, grant me the duel with the Great Sage."

"Then, make your move."

"You'll regret... this!"

With those words, Merlin forcefully stomped the ground, unleashing a massive shockwave that sent huge rocks hurtling into the air, where they began to spin rapidly. A fierce wind enveloped Davey, and the slightest movement could result in being struck by one of the hefty stones. Yet, Davey remained resolutely still.

Noticing Davey’s lack of a response, Merlin sneered. "Why not attempt a counter?"

Merlin then channeled energy into both of his hands, causing the air to rapidly expand and compress, generating immense pressure. He manipulated elemental symbols, weaving together the incantation for a fire spell. Charging forward with this magical power, he advanced on Davey amidst the swirling gales.

"Though I have the authority to kill, I don't relish tormenting the weak for too long. I won't end your life!"

As Merlin charged forward with intense aggression, onlookers screamed in terror. This had transcended the realm of a mere magic duel; it was undeniably perilous. To the spectators, it likely appeared that Davey, who seemed to offer no defense, was on the brink of meeting his demise.

Yet, Davey remained eerily composed. As Merlin closed in, Davey took a measured step, preparing one spell. Then, just as Merlin, taken aback by Davey's audacity to confront him without a shield, drew near, Davey unleashed the second spell.

[Dispel]

In the blink of an eye, the situation underwent a dramatic transformation. Merlin, who had been charging forward with fierce flames, was left dumbfounded as the magic in his grasp shattered suddenly.

Caught off guard and bewildered, Davey's opponent found himself already hurtling toward him. With no need to conjure any mana, Davey tightly clenched his fist and delivered a powerful punch straight to Merlin's face.

Thud!

"Ugh!" Merlin staggered back, grimacing.

"Why not come closer?" Davey calmly said, a sly smile playing on his lips. "By the way, if you have the skill, you can deflect any dispel magic."

Merlin spat out blood and frowned, then began to conjure magic with both hands. However, Davey merely moved one hand, pointing his finger toward the sky.

"What are...?" Merlin instinctively looked up and froze.

"You said something earlier? That you don't enjoy tormenting the weak for too long? Sorry, but I really enjoy tormenting others," Davey taunted.

"Huh?!"

"In less than three minutes, I'll drop that from the sky. I'll survive, but if you don't stop it, you'll die. By the way, I've set a barrier outside the arena. No one can hear our conversation."

Merlin's eyes widened, and fear began to shake him.

"What are you waiting for? Stop it!"

Davey's smile grew as Merlin desperately launched magic at him. Unfortunately, Merlin's spells vanished before reaching Davey. He stuttered, "H-How?! A 4th Circle mage dispelling a 6th Circle spell?"

"It's not impossible, actually. It just means your overconfident spell was sloppy."

Of course, it was nearly impossible for a lower-tier mage to dispel a higher-tier spell, but that was beside the point.

"Stop joking around!" Merlin began launching fiery balls at Davey.

"You said you get stronger when you fight? Can you prove it now?"

In response, Merlin angrily shot more magic at Davey, but it was continuously countered and dispelled. Meanwhile, a blue fireball in the sky slowly descended.

"If you kill me, you won't be safe either!"

"Are you kidding? You tried to kill me first! This is a death match. There might be criticism, but no sanctions. And no one will punish me for killing the likes of you."

“…”

"...Why can't you dispel it? Isn't magic boring and monotonous? By the way, Yulis can dispel this spell. You know what that means, right?"

"You..." Furiously, Merlin reached out to the sky. "Fine, I'll show you. I'll destroy that overconfident spell of yours."

He started gathering mana to erase Davey's spell. However, suddenly, he was violently thrown back. He was vomiting blood, looking as if he did not understand what had just happened.

"What was…?"

"What? You just failed. But you still have chances. Try again."

Picking himself up in anger, Merlin saw the burning blue orb was now uncomfortably close.

Scanning the crowd, Davey caught sight of Perserque, who looked worried. Then, looking back at Merlin, he remarked, "The Great Sage might wonder how to guide you, but I have no intention of sparing you."

"AAARGH!”

“Your magical life ends here. If you can't stop it, you die. That's unchangeable."

Merlin furiously shot magic at Davey again, but Davey merely demonstrated his 4th Circle prowess, dodging or dispelling every spell. Eventually realizing his efforts were futile, Merlin attempted physical combat. But he, relying solely on his magical prowess without physical training, was no match for Davey.

With a swift kick, Davey sent Merlin flying. He said with a smile, "You're so weak."

"You bastard!" In desperation, Merlin recklessly changed elemental symbols and launched indiscriminate spells at the blue fireball. "Icicle! Icicle! Ice Spear! Water Break!"

It seemed he did not even have the time to hide his fake silent casting as he yelled out spells. Conjuring magic with both hands, he continued to throw spells until his mana was drained. But the blue fireball, unaffected, continued its descent.

"Ah... Ah... Ahhhhh!!!!"

Due to excessive use of mana, Merlin began to experience mana depletion. His hair turned bleach white, and his face showed signs of confusion and shock.

"You thought you could understand and break my magic just by watching, did you not? But it's not so simple, is it? Once you actually try, you can't figure out why it doesn't work, can you? It's unsettling when things don't go as you anticipated, huh?"

Merlin stared at Davey with a hardened expression upon hearing his words.

"Is my magic too boring? Too easy for you?"

"..."

"You think highly of yourself, but can't even solve a simple spell like this?"

"S-Stop it!"

"Let me give you some advice. Just as there's a sky above a mountain and space above the sky, it's your choice to be arrogant within your small well. But when faced with the world outside, you should be willing to admit when you're wrong."

‘Your talent? Impressive indeed. But…’

"There are many monsters in this world with greater talent than yours."

Due to the heat, Merlin’s clothes were drenched with sweat as if he had been caught in a rainstorm.

"You've been foolish. Now, there's nothing left but to die."

"You won't kill me."

"Idiot." Davey scoffed and intensified the speed of the fireball.

"S-Stop it! Stop right now! There are things I haven't done yet..."

"Why should I care?"

Merlin trembled as Davey spoke calmly.

"Stop!! Stop!!"

"Why don't you try to dispel it? The Great Sage and even Yulis could easily dispel this. But it's impossible for you now."

Davey precisely pressured Merlin endlessly in ways Merlin himself could not comprehend. And he, knowing this fact, felt even more desperate.

"If you can't, then you should die."

"Stop! I, I was wrong! Please, stop!"

"I don't care!"

Whoosh!

"I, I don't want to die! Save me! I was wrong. Please!"

As Merlin screamed with tears in his young eyes, trying to get out of the barrier, Davey let the fireball descend even faster.

The barrier ensured that the only way to die was within it. Once a line was crossed and lives were at stake, it did not matter who died. The heat was so intense that it seemed like it would scorch Merlin’s skin. In the end, he fell, frothing at the mouth, unable to overcome his direct encounter with the terror of death.

Merlin had always been too powerful, never encountering anyone who threatened him. Thus, he never experienced the fear of death nor had any immunity to it.

Davey silently watched Merlin, who had passed out with foam on his lips. Seeing cracks forming in his mana circle due to excessive mana usage and mental pressure, Davey withdrew his spell.

With a shattering sound, everything in the arena changed as if none of the battle traces between Merlin and Davey had ever existed. It was as if it had all been an illusion.

"..."

In the midst of the stunned silence, Davey raised his hand toward the white-haired boy who lay unconscious. He said, "Take him to the temple. He will survive."

"W-What... What did you just do?" A noble, who was overseeing as a judge, looked at Davey in shock. "All I saw was the two of you standing still. Conversely, it appeared as if Baron Merlin was screaming at the sky in agony."

Davey replied indifferently, "I showed him an illusion. Let him know when he wakes up that it was just a 4th Circle illusion."

It was a mere 4th Circle lower illusion. Davey had deliberately used a spell from the level Merlin had once surpassed. Yet, the boy had felt an overwhelming barrier, cried, wet himself in fear, despaired, begged, and frothed at the mouth.

A low circle meant simple mana control, a mana domination battle. Basic truths discovered by mages after long contemplation in the mage tower existed. Something a genius who solely relied on their talent might struggle to understand.

It was about big data. It was the accumulated experiences and truths over time. While Yulis and the Great Sage understood this, Merlin, who had only ever relied on his talent, was unaware. His arrogance had hardened him, and he would forever be scarred by this incomprehensible fear.

A mage's circle was heavily influenced by mental strength. In extreme situations, the circle would break. And a mage with a broken circle was no longer a threat, even if they considered ending their life. His only pride was in his magic, and it was what allowed him his arrogance and his noble status. Now that he had lost its essence, his future was predictable.