The fight dragged on further. What began as simple fireballs soon changed.
A spear of flame formed in his hand, spinning before shooting forward to pierce through a vine cluster.
A chain of fire wrapped around a moving root, restricting its motion before exploding in heat.
A wide fireball swept across the ground, clearing space and forcing the man backward.
Arthur was adapting.
Learning. But also training.
Every attack refined his control further.
The corrupted man could feel it too.
His expression twisted with rage.
"You… you mock me!"
Arthur smiled faintly while dodging another strike.
"If you want me to take you seriously," he said casually, "try harder."
The words struck deeper than any blade.
The man screamed, pouring more corrupted mana into his attacks. His vines thickened, turning almost black, their surfaces hardened like armor.
They struck with greater force now.
