Chapter 47: Duel Against Jasper Bennet

The first light of dawn filtered through the grand windows of the guest room, casting a warm glow over the opulent furnishings. Alaric stirred, his eyes fluttering open as he took in the bright morning light. He had moved back to his original position on his bed, careful not to wake his mother and reveal his nighttime exploration of her voluptuous body. He stretched, his muscles aching slightly from the tension of the previous day, but his mind was clear and focused.

Lyra woke up shortly after, her ocean blue eyes reflecting the morning light as she sat up in bed. She looked over at Alaric, a soft smile playing on her lips. “Good morning, moonpie,” she said, her voice filled with warmth and affection.

“Good morning, Mother,” Alaric replied, returning her smile. He felt a sense of excitement and anticipation coursing through him, knowing that today was the day of the Magic Duel.

Lyra stood up, her body stretching gracefully as she made her way to the attached bathroom. “I’ll take a bath first,” she said, her voice filled with determination. “We need to be prepared for whatever the day brings.”

Alaric nodded, watching as his mother disappeared into the bathroom. He heard the sound of running water and knew that she was preparing herself, both physically and mentally, for the challenges that lay ahead.

When Lyra emerged from the bathroom, she was dressed in comfortable yet form-fitting clothes that hugged her voluptuous body tightly. She wore a black leather bodysuit that accentuated her curves, the material stretching tautly over her large breasts and shapely hips. The bodysuit was designed for ease of movement, allowing her to fight and use her skills as an Expert Martialist and Swordswoman without constraint. Her long blonde hair was tied back into a high ponytail, keeping it out of her face and ready for action.

Alaric admired his mother’s appearance, marveling at how the bodysuit highlighted her stunning figure. He felt a sense of pride and awe, knowing that she was not only beautiful but also incredibly powerful and skilled.

It was Alaric’s turn to take a bath next. He quickly washed up, his mind focused on the upcoming duel. He dressed in simple yet comfortable clothes, choosing a plain white t-shirt and a pair of loose-fitting trousers that allowed for easy movement. He knew that he needed to be agile and quick on his feet during the duel, and his clothing reflected that necessity.

Once they were both dressed and ready, Lyra and Alaric made their way down to the dining hall. The grand mansion of the Bennet Family was bustling with activity, servants rushing about to prepare for the day. As they entered the dining hall, they were greeted by Stefano, Nicoletta, and their son, Jasper Bennet.

Alaric’s eyes immediately locked onto Jasper, taking in his appearance with a critical gaze. Jasper was a sixteen-year-old mage, a student of the Verdant Dawn Academy, and in the same class as Rosalind. He had a merely average appearance, with red hair that was neatly styled and purple eyes that held a hint of arrogance. His features were not particularly striking, and he looked rather ugly compared to the handsome and charming Alaric.

Jasper, in turn, stared at Alaric with a mix of curiosity and disbelief. He couldn’t believe that this eight-year-old boy with blonde hair and striking red eyes had challenged him to a Magic Duel. Alaric’s cute and handsome appearance made him seem even more out of place in this situation. Jasper had been informed by his parents the previous night about the challenge, and he found it almost laughable that such a young child would dare to face him.

As a final year student of the Verdant Dawn Academy, Jasper knew that his Magical Energy Reservoir, Magical Energy Quality, and spell proficiency were far superior to those of a first-year student like Alaric. Even though he had heard rumors about Alaric’s talent and prodigious abilities, he dismissed them as exaggerations. After all, eight years was a significant gap in age and experience.

The breakfast was served quietly, the tension in the air palpable as each person focused on their own thoughts and preparations. The clinking of cutlery against fine china was the only sound that filled the room, punctuated by the occasional polite request for more tea or coffee.

As the breakfast came to an end, Stefano turned to Lyra and Alaric, his expression serious as he addressed them. “Lady Steele, young master,” he said. “We should make our way to the training field. The magic duel will take place there, in front of witnesses, under the watchful eyes of the gods.”

Lyra nodded, her expression filled with a sense of determination and resolve as she stood up from the table. “Very well, Lord Bennet,” she said. “Let us proceed. We are ready.”

Alaric stood up as well, his young body filled with a sense of excitement and nervousness as he prepared to face his opponent.

The group made their way to an empty training field on the Bennet Family’s mansion grounds. The field was expansive, with well-maintained grass and a clear, open space perfect for a magical duel. The air was filled with a sense of anticipation and excitement, the tension building as the moment of the duel drew near.

As they reached the center of the field, Jasper turned to face Alaric, a smug smile playing on his lips. “You know, kid,” he said, his voice filled with condescension. “You don’t have to go through with this. You can give up now, and no one will think any less of you. In fact, just daring to challenge me shows how great your courage is.”

Alaric’s expression remained calm and unyielding, his eyes narrowing as he took in Jasper’s challenge. ’Currently, according to the Harem God System, I am at level 19, and I will remain at this level until I reach sixteen years old,’ he thought to himself. ’But if the system had said this to me, then this means that even for someone like Jasper, who is of sixteen years old, his magic core’s limit or the limit of his heart must be at this level or somewhat near this level. This means I have a chance of winning while this guy Jasper is still underestimating me.’

Jasper’s face twisted, and he raised his hand with an incantation that resounded through the field. He spoke with a commanding voice, summoning the magical energy within him as his aura flared.

“By the ancient flames that rage within me, let fire and fury heed my call! Burn my foes, scorch the earth beneath my feet—Blazing Inferno!”

With a fierce gesture, Jasper released a torrent of flames that surged forward, roaring toward Alaric like a wild beast.

The heat was intense, scorching the very air around them, and the fire leaped with hungry tongues, threatening to engulf everything in its path.

But Alaric didn’t even flinch.

He raised a hand calmly and spoke only two words. “Gale Barrier.”

A shield of whirling wind burst into life in front of him, deflecting the flames and scattering the heat harmlessly.

Jasper’s initial confidence flickered as the flames dissipated against the invisible wall of wind, barely reaching Alaric. He immediately shifted tactics, lifting his other hand and drawing upon his family’s bloodline power. The sky above them crackled as purple lightning flickered in his palms.

“Thunder of ages past, relentless power of storms—strike through my veins and descend upon my enemies! Violent Tempest Bolt!”

He thrust his arm forward, unleashing a powerful arc of violet lightning, the air vibrating with the force of the spell.

The purple streak of lightning spiralled towards Alaric at a blinding speed, but Alaric simply stepped to the side, evading the attack with a calm that bordered on nonchalance.

The bolt struck the ground behind him, leaving a smouldering mark on the grass.

Jasper’s face contorted with anger as he raised his hands, chanting fiercely. His voice echoed across the field, each word dripping with venom as he invoked the forces of fire and lightning. He launched spell after spell, his attacks growing more relentless with each attempt, but Alaric remained unfazed, countering each one with almost effortless precision.

“By the searing heat and crackling thunder, let all those before me be scorched! Blazing Orb!” Jasper cried, summoning a fierce ball of fire that crackled with heat as it shot toward Alaric.

Alaric raised his hand and spoke calmly. “Cyclone Veil.”

A spiraling gust of wind burst from his palm, swirling forward to intercept the Blazing Orb. As the two spells collided, Alaric’s Cyclone Veil enveloped the fiery orb, extinguishing its flames and shattering it into harmless embers that scattered through the air. The backlash of Alaric’s spell whipped across the field, the gusts hitting Jasper squarely, pushing him back and causing him to stagger.

Jasper growled, frustration simmering as he began a second incantation. “Thunderous skies and fiery wrath, answer my call and devastate my enemies! Shockwave Inferno!”

A wave of fire mixed with crackling electricity erupted from his outstretched hands, cascading forward in a deadly arc. The searing heat and electric charge made the very air sizzle, closing in on Alaric with frightening speed.

“Gale Wall!” Alaric commanded, his voice low and confident.

A powerful barrier of wind materialized in front of him, whirling with intense speed as it met Jasper’s Shockwave Inferno. The flames and lightning hissed and cracked against the wind barrier before being torn apart, their energy dispersing in a flash. The remaining wind rushed forward, smacking Jasper with enough force to make him stumble, his hair singed by the lingering embers.

Jasper’s face flushed with anger and desperation. He stepped back, drawing a ragged breath as he raised his hands once more, chanting another spell, louder and with growing intensity. “I call upon the fury of the storm and flame! Smite my enemies and leave none unscathed! Firestorm Vortex!”

A whirlwind of flames erupted around Jasper, who hurled it toward Alaric with a fierce cry. The fiery vortex expanded, filling the field with a blistering heat that seemed to consume everything in its path.

Alaric watched, his expression unimpressed. “Tempest Rend,” he whispered, flicking his wrist with ease.

A slicing gale of wind tore through the air, cutting directly into the heart of the Firestorm Vortex.

With a loud crack, the vortex split, the flames dispersing as Alaric’s spell cleaved them apart and continued forward, striking Jasper with razor-like gusts of wind that lashed against his skin.

Jasper winced in pain as small cuts formed on his arms and face, the sheer force of the wind leaving him dazed.

Desperation filled Jasper’s eyes as he raised both hands, pouring every ounce of strength into a final attack. “Hear me, almighty fire! Lend me your strength to consume all in an endless blaze! Infernal Wave!”

A massive wave of fire surged from Jasper, racing toward Alaric in a tide of blinding heat and light. The sheer intensity of the spell threatened to scorch everything in its path, its heat suffocating.

But Alaric remained unmoved as he taunted, “You are too slow.”

“Ember Tornado,” he commanded as a faint smirk appeared on his lips.

A spiraling column of flame surged to life around him, its fiery tendrils dancing with grace as they swirled forward, meeting Jasper’s Infernal Wave head-on.

Alaric’s Ember Tornado not only countered the incoming flames but intensified, overpowering Jasper’s attack.

The blazing tornado rushed toward Jasper, singeing his clothes and forcing him to shield himself as the flames scorched his arms and chest, leaving angry red marks on his skin.

Jasper stumbled back, his face pale and his breaths coming in ragged gasps. He could hardly believe his own eyes.

Each of his powerful spells had been effortlessly countered, turned back upon him with a ferocity that left him bruised, scorched, and humiliated.

Jasper launched into another desperate attack, his voice strained as he yelled, “How can you…! You’re just an eight-year-old brat!”

“Is that the best you’ve got?” Alaric retorted, dodging yet another flaming projectile with ease. “You’re sixteen, Jasper, and you can’t even land a single hit.”

Jasper’s face flushed, his breath growing ragged as he launched another desperate attack. He gathered what little strength he had left, channeling all his energy into a powerful, final spell.

“Ancient flames and power, lend me your strength for a blazing end! Infernal Burst!”

A massive wall of flame surged toward Alaric, engulfing the entire area in its intensity. Alaric, unimpressed, raised his hand, his voice soft but full of command. “Tempest Strike.”

A violent gust of wind erupted, cutting through the flames with a powerful slash. Jasper’s spell was torn apart, the remnants of his magic dispersing harmlessly.

Jasper’s face paled as he realized the futility of his efforts. He staggered back, fear flickering in his eyes as Alaric advanced, unrelenting. Alaric’s face was a mix of calm and cold disdain, his movements calculated as he struck Jasper with a swift punch to his face, sending him stumbling back.

“For all that talk, this is all you’ve got?” Alaric said, his voice laced with contempt. “Is this the power of an heir of Bennet Family? How pathetic.”

Jasper tried to raise his hands, but Alaric knocked them aside, landing another blow to his face. Blood trickled from Jasper’s nose, and he blinked, dazed.

“Is this what you relied on when you dared to trouble Rosalind’s family?” Alaric continued, punctuating his words with another hit. “You think you can bully others because of your status as a heir of the Bennet Family?”

Jasper tried to protest, his lips moving as he tried to stammer out words of surrender, but Alaric cut him off with a hard punch that sent him sprawling onto the ground.

“Not so fast. You’re not getting out of this that easily,” Alaric said, his tone merciless as he pulled Jasper up by the collar and delivered another punishing blow. Each strike seemed to strip away the older boy’s confidence, leaving him a trembling mess.

Nearby, Stefano Bennet watched in horrified silence, his face pale as he saw his son reduced to this state.

Nicoletta gasped, her hand flying to her mouth, her eyes wide with shock and disbelief.

They both exchanged a look of dread as the reality of the situation sank in. Their son was now battered, bruised, and being humiliated by a boy half his age.

In contrast, Lyra stood with quiet pride, her eyes shining as she watched her son dominate the duel with ease

Jasper, bleeding and battered, finally crumbled to his knees, his eyes filled with terror and despair. He barely had the strength to lift his head as Alaric stepped back, satisfied.

“Maybe next time you’ll think twice before going after someone like Rosalind or her family,” Alaric said coldly, his voice carrying across the silent field. “Remember this, Jasper. I’m not someone you can mess with.”

With that, he turned away, leaving Jasper sprawled on the ground, defeated.

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A/N: I hope you all like this chapter.