Extra Of The Magus Academy-Chapter 53: Asserting Dominance

"We begin on the count of three."

Dustan listened to Ashfelt make the declaration, already preparing himself for what would come next. He already had his strategy mastered, and he knew precisely how to move that would surprise someone like Ashfelt the most.

’A straightforward assault between the two of us will ultimately lead to my victory since I have the superior Spirit.’

Plus, Ashfelt had also taught him all his tricks regarding simple Spells like Enhancements, so he wasn’t going to be caught off-guard by any of those.

"One… two…"

’I’ll be the victor of this round, Ashfelt, and you will have no choice but to treat me with respect!’

"... Three!"

WHOOOSH!

Dustan charged forward, quickly using an Enhancement Spell to boost his speed and physical strength. Charging at his opponent with such an elevated velocity, especially with additional strength stacked on top, would add considerable weight to the projected damage.

That was his goa—

"Wooooaaahhh…!" As soon as he got halfway between his initial position and Ashfelt, he felt a slippery jolt that caused him to lose complete control of his movements.

"You’re an idiot." He could hear Ashfelt’s voice dance in his ears. "Why would you attack me in a straight line? Did you think there’d be no trap or something? Do you think I’m an idiot like Arius or something?"

While Arius was still struggling to find his hearing, his eyes were suddenly attacked by a bright flash of light.

"[Grease] and [Flash]... two basic Spells you should have anticipated before making your move."

The blind Dustan nearly screamed in frustration, as his body still flailed out of control. He was confused… no, perplexed.

’H-how did he cast Spells so quickly?!’

Dustan already knew about those Spells, and he had developed counters for them, but he thought he would be able to detect Ashfelt casting them before he would need to deploy his countermeasures.

However, he was gravely mistaken.

"You’re right that your Familiar is stronger than mine, but that hardly means anything when your basics are crap."

"Uooooarrghh…!"

BAM!

Dustan crashed into the wall of the training room, finally halting his movements.

"If I had not prepped you for your match with Arius, simulating his exact moves so you could counter them when the time came, you would have lost miserably."

"...."

"You make too many assumptions; you’re impulsive and arrogant." Ashfelt’s voice echoed even deeper in the room. "You fight like a child."

Dustan gritted his teeth, slowly rising to his feet as he recovered from the effects of the temporary blindness. He made sure to cast [Shade] on his eyes and strengthened his body’s momentum with [Friction] enabled.

He clenched his fists and let his heart burn with determination, finally opening his eyes to attack his enemy once and for all.

However, the moment he did so—

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"Let me show you how to fight like a man."

—Ashfelt stood right in front of him, his fist already nearing his face like a falling meteor.

WHAM!

Dustan felt searing pain as his body was knocked back by the blow.

It bounced on the wall and surged back at Ash, who already prepared a kick, sending it straight into the boy’s guts.

"Guhh!" Saliva poured out of Dustan’s mouth as he let out an agonized gasp.

Then, right as he recoiled from the attack, his throat was suddenly assaulted by a tight grip—one that pressed tightly against his skin—threatening to never let go.

"G-guhh… urgh…!"

Dustan watched powerlessly as Ashfelt raised his body high into the air.

’Let go!’ Trying very hard, but failing to break free from his hold, Dustan realized his Enhancement Spell was nothing compared to the physical might that Ashfelt displayed at that moment.

’Let go, you bastaaarrrrrd!’

WHAM!

Ashfelt sent his body crashing into the ground, pressing on him with even more ferociousness.

Feeling his back forcefully impact the hardened surface of the ground sent Dustan crying out in pain, but his opponent showed no mercy.

His crimson eyes revealed no empathy… no consideration.

"Y-you… I’ll just use…!"

FSHUUUUUU!!!

Right as Dustan considered using [Externalization], a powerful surge of energy enveloped Ash’s body, causing green bursts of energy to decorate his body as a portion of it was altered.

His eyes turned bright green, and wings appeared behind him.

Certain markings decorated his body, and sheer greenish white light coated some parts of his arms and legs in their energy. Despite how disoriented the pain had made him, and how incredibly stunned he was by the sight, there was no way Dustan would not be able to recognize such a majestic sight.

This had long passed the realm of [Externalization].

It was… it had to be…

’... [Fusion]?!’

"Partial Fusion." Ashfelt corrected him. "I’m yet to master the main thing, but this is enough to beat you."

’T-this is Partial Fusion…?!’

Dustan was confused.

Even though he didn’t know as much about ’Legend Of The Lost Prince’ as Ashfelt did, he had seen tons of fanart and even official art covering many things in the Novel… including [Fusion].

’He resembles someone who has achieved full [Fusion], though, especially since his Familiar is a Lesser Grade Wind Spirit.’

The changes to a Mage’s body reflected just what kind of Fusion was taking place.

If up to half of their bodies were covered with the qualities of their Familiar, that meant they had achieved complete [Fusion].

Partial Fusion occurred with anything less.

"This is why you’re an idiot, Dustan." Ashfelt sighed. "Your thinking is so predictable that I can read your thoughts."

"W-what…?"

"You’re wondering why I called this a Partial Fusion even though the energy of my Familiar already covers over half of my body, right? It’s because I chose to coat my body with the energy, not transform it."

"E-eh?" Dustan was even more confused. "There’s a difference?"

"Yes. Yes, there is." A deeper sigh echoed in the room.

"Normally, the energy and qualities of a familiar replaces the part of the body that they appear in, but mine is just a hollow shell that wraps around my body rather than fully consuming it. As such, while it appears as a perfect [Fusion], it’s not."

"B-but… you just said it appears like [Fusion]. How was I supposed to know the difference?"

"You would know if you paid attention to the novel."

"...."

"In any case, do you still want to proceed with the duel?" Ashfelt asked, raising his fist as his other hand pressed against Dustan’s helpless body.

"I have a punch waiting for you if you insist on continuing. All you have to do is say the word."

"No… no, I think I’m done."

"You think?"

"Okay! Fine! I’m done… you win!"

Dustan sighed, finally accepting his defeat as Ashfelt slowly released him from the chokehold and rose to his feet.

’I didn’t know he was this strong with his regular Familiar…’ He thought. ’And he just pointed out how weak I actually am.’

If it wasn’t for Ashfelt’s assistance, he would have lost against Arius.

No, he probably wouldn’t have even been able to confidently compete in the Promotional Exams.

’I should listen to him more…’

"It’s my loss." Dustan stood up and shrugged. "Per our agreement, I’ll forfeit the Exchange."

"Don’t be mistaken, Dustan… you would have forfeited anyway." Ash smiled, walking away from him, deactivating his Partial Fusion at that moment.

"H-huh?"

"You seem to have forgotten your position as my subordinate. We may act as friends when we interact on campus, but make no mistake about it… I still control you and you will do whatever it is I need of you."

"...." At this point, Dustan fell silent.

"I should also remind you that I recently had a conversation with Raven Nightshade, and he seemed very interested in fighting the co-conspirator behind the murders that Elma committed. Perhaps I ought to point him in the right direction…"

"What? No…"

"Maybe I should even show him some evidence… for good measure."

"I get it, I get it already!" Dustan cried out. "I understand my place, so please… stop."

’Malleable and humble… just how I want him.’ Ash smiled and nodded as soon as he saw how scared Dustan had become.

"And don’t you ever forget it."

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[A/N]

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