Radiance - The Alight Archives Book #1

85. Counterattack

Torrid flames engulfed the forest clearing, scattering their ignited embers that pranced with spinning cycles of wind, knocking back thieves and rogue mages alike in roaring explosions, etching shadows into the earth. With a flick of his wrist and a leg stretched behind him, that insufferable fireboy expelled a howling stream of flames that consumed any who got too close to him.

Kliff Dresden was the kind of mage who required no external validation or support; his unmatched prowess and formidable skills ensured he stood alone in his power. Custas had witnessed Kliff's extraordinary capabilities firsthand—not just in the confines of their lessons, where spells were practiced and theory dissected, but more vividly, like when Todd and his gang of sulmos plotted to "ambush" them at Lakestone.

In the realm of sorcery, Kliff was often spoken of in hushed tones of reverence, regarded as a prodigy destined for greatness. Whispers of his potential echoed through the halls of their academy, with many believing that he would undoubtedly rise to become a Professional Sorcerer. As he continued to hone his skills, it seemed inevitable that Kliff would ascend to the ranks of legends, carving out a legacy that would etch his name among the greatest sorcerers Incante had ever known.

Now, Custas wasn't as easily blind-sighted as most others. He had seen enough to understand the illusions that ambition could cast, and while he harbored doubts about that brash fireboy's prospects at Glyph Academy, he could recognize a spark of potential when he encountered it. It seemed almost absurd, but there was no denying that Kliff possessed an extraordinary gift for magic. Despite his upbringing as a gold-blooded noble, one could hardly overlook the fierce determination and raw talent that surged within him, setting him apart from the crowd. Even in his currently diminished condition, Kliff stood out as more than a match for most of the men present.

Out of the corner of his eyes, Custas spotted Kliff whip around in a motion as free-flowing as water, thrusting his arm over his chest and lashing it out before him, a spell launching out of his mouth as monstrous flames collided with three sorry sulmos who had gotten too close for their own good. Men in burned clothing dropped to the ground one after the other, their wands or weapons lost from their grips and their pale-eyed expressions kissing the dirt at Kliff's feet. Just under the first three minutes since the fighting had started, Kliff had already defeated a quarter of Serpent Fang's forces without the need to rely on his more advanced spells. Honestly! Why were assholes like him always so damn lucky?!

However, that wasn't to suggest that Kliff was invulnerable. Custas observed closely the way the idiot moved, noting the subtle signs of weariness etched across his features. Fatigue gleamed in his tired eyes, which seemed to sink deeper into their sockets while the dense rhythm of his breathing accompanied every movement he made—labored and uneven—as if dragging an invisible weight with him. Sweat cascaded down his unkempt face, smothered with dirt and grime.

Kliff could hold his own in a fight, but not even he was immune to the effects of enervation. From what Custas could gather, Kliff had already endured several grueling duels with some of the other members of Serpent Fang before this, each encounter leaving its mark on him. The sheer fact that he could still stand upright, let alone prepare for yet another confrontation in such a short span of time, baffled Custas. The fire mage was simply a puzzle he couldn't quite piece together.

Fortunately, for his sake, he had Elaine by his side. She stood resolutely, her rippling, golden hair catching the sun as she invoked her Light Magic. Despite her vocal objections about using magic for harm, her actions spoke volumes; she held her own remarkably well. Each time a projectile hurtled toward them, Elaine raised her Common Wand, casting shimmering barriers that refracted the incoming threats, deflecting them harmlessly away, the air around her sparkling with radiant energy.