Robb stared coldly at him. "Your servant attempted theft. I believe the Enforcement Squad can verify that easily."
"Oh?" Marcus narrowed his eyes.
"Too bad it's just the three of us here. By the time the Enforcement Squad arrives, it'll just be my word and Danielle's against yours."
As he spoke, a strange glow flickered in his eyes. An invisible wave of mental energy began to spread through the corridor.
This was the mental interference ability unique to apprentice-level witches—capable of directly disrupting thoughts and reactions. It was one of the key powers that made the sorcerous path superior to other transcendent systems.
In mundane kingdoms, such mental interference was enough to throw even powerful knights into disarray. Only specialized individuals like Demon Slayers had the spiritual strength to resist it.
At the level of a full wizard, that interference wasn't just confusion—it could explode your brain.
Robb's mind blanked for just a moment—but clarity quickly returned.
He gripped his wooden sword tightly, a cold glint in his eyes.
Marcus's expression shifted when he saw Robb resist the interference. But he quickly smiled again, eyes icy.
"So you really did kill that mutated freak. Your mental strength is impressive. Still…"
While Robb reeled from the brief disorientation, Marcus began forming a ball of dark red energy in his palm—a zero-ring offensive spell.
"Do you really think that with just a wooden sword, you can stand against a true apprentice?"
Robb smiled slightly as he tightened his grip on the sword.
This wasn't just any wooden sword—it was a new one he'd bought at the apprentice market a few days ago for six magic crystal fragments. It was crafted from a rare material called Blackheart Ironwood.
Grown deep within the Black Mist Forest, this wood was as hard as steel and, more importantly, naturally resistant to magic.
Robb calmly watched Marcus. The sword spun lightly in his hand, its tip lowered in a relaxed stance—but every inch of his posture radiated danger.
"Why don't we find out?"
Marcus's eyes flared with anger, his twisted face contorting even more.
The dark red energy orb in his hand had grown to the size of a fist, its surface crackling with arcane sparks. A burning scent filled the air.
"Die!"
With a shout, Marcus hurled the orb.
This was his best zero-circle spell—Scorching Sphere—modified by his older brother for increased power.
The orb tore through the air, leaving a trail of red light in its wake. The air shimmered from the heat.
Knowing he couldn't dodge in time, Robb moved the instant before impact.
The resonance of the Solar Breath synced perfectly with his swordsmanship.
As he inhaled, the ironwood sword gathered force.
As he held his breath, the momentum built.
And as he exhaled, the sword exploded with power, like a torrent.
Buzz... buzz... BUZZ—!
The orb collided head-on with the blade, producing a heart-jarring roar.
Dark red energy burst like a tidal wave, scorching the hallway walls and leaving charred marks everywhere.
Yet Robb's ironwood sword didn't move an inch.
Blackheart Ironwood's natural magic resistance, combined with the rhythm of the Solar Swordcraft, had perfectly neutralized the ferocious attack.
Ripples of energy shimmered across the blade as it sliced through the orb cleanly—without taking any real damage.
"Impossible!"
Marcus's eyes bulged, his cruel grin vanishing into shock.
He knew the power of that attack. Even weapons forged from steel would have melted or warped under such heat.
But the shock wasn't over yet.
The moment the orb dispersed, Robb was already on him, moving like a phantom.
His sword drew an eerie arc through the air—light and graceful, but hiding deadly force.
"Energy barrier!"
Marcus panicked and activated his defense spell.
A translucent shield flashed into being in front of him, etched with runes.
As a basic apprentice, Marcus couldn't normally cast such spells in combat. But his powerful older brother had given him a preloaded auto-cast spell module.
Just as he felt safe, a massive impact smashed into the shield.
Robb's sword strike, guided by the Solar Breath, carried a special resonance. The breathing pattern infused his every movement, giving even basic strikes a powerful penetrating effect.
["Sharpened" trait activated — Weak Point Breakthrough! Basic Swordcraft EXP +2]
CRACK!
Spiderweb cracks spread across the surface of the shield.
Marcus felt a chill climb his spine and scrambled backward.
His precious mental shield had nearly been shattered by a mere apprentice candidate's single sword strike!
"You—you… how is this possible?"
His voice trembled.
A coward who bullied the weak and relied on a powerful backer, Marcus had never suffered such humiliation—let alone from someone of lower rank.
Before the duel could escalate further, rapid footsteps echoed from the far end of the hallway.
"Enforcement Squad! Cease immediately!"
A group in gray-and-white uniforms approached, led by a higher-level apprentice wearing a deep blue gemstone badge. He looked sleepy and unconcerned.
Yawning, he casually glanced around at the scene.
"You lot again. How many times has it been now?"
The captain shook his head.
Marcus instantly adopted a respectful tone.
"Captain Peter, this apprentice candidate attacked my servant without cause and—"
"Shut it." Peter cut him off, clearly annoyed.
"Oliver is your brother, right? Yeah, I know him. Doesn't mean you get to act like you own the place."
He glanced lazily at Danielle's severed hand and the blood on the floor.
"My judgment is—both of you spend half a month in the confinement chamber. Cool your heads."
Marcus's expression turned ugly. He hadn't expected the captain to ignore his status so easily.
"But—"
"No buts." Peter waved a hand, motioning to his team. "Take them both."
As the enforcers moved in, Peter leaned close to Robb and whispered:
"Hugo asked us to keep an eye on you. Consider this me doing him a favor. But next time, try not to make such a scene."
This wasn't even my fault…
Robb gave a helpless nod, quietly noting down this favor from Hugo in his heart.