Chapter 432 Shadow Shroud
Archer, wielding his greatsword, stood ready to face Teuila and Talila, in a fierce sparring match.
Their swords gleamed in the moonlight as they advanced with coordinated precision. Teuila rushed towards him with a swift sword swing.
With a deft movement, Archer blocked her attack, the clash of their blades ringing through the air.
His strength and skill were on full display as he held his ground. Talila, not to be outdone, joined the assault, her sword aimed at Archer's flank.
Archer adeptly moved to intercept her strike, demonstrating his ability to match the girls' coordination and synchronization.
His training and the knowledge he had absorbed from souls he ate enabled him to keep pace with their formidable skills.
Leira saw an opportunity to intervene. With a spell ready, she approached the melee. As she extended her hand to cast her magic, Archer, always vigilant, sensed her presence.
In a swift and unexpected move, he used the handle of his greatsword to gently but decisively guide her hand away, disrupting her spellcasting.
Leira's magic dissipated harmlessly into the night air, and she paused, momentarily taken aback by Archer's agility and awareness.
A playful grin crept across his face, acknowledging her attempt. The battle continued under the moon's watchful gaze.
The four resumed their intense dance of blades and spells, their trust and camaraderie evident even in the heat of battle.
That's when Archer saw an opportunity to gain the upper hand. He focused his attention on Talila, who was engaged in a swordfight with him.
With a swift, powerful swing of his greatsword, he aimed directly at her, aiming to catch her off guard.
Talila, skilled and agile, managed to block his strike with her sword, but the sheer force of his blow sent her hurtling backward and out of the arena.
She landed just outside its boundaries, temporarily out of the fight. Archer's move had created an opening for him, but he remained ever vigilant.
In an instant, he shifted his attention to Teuila, who was pressing the attack. Her sword came slashing towards him, but Archer blocked her strike.
As this happened, Leira was prepared to support Teuila with her magic. She channeled a powerful spell, conjuring thunder magic to strike at Archer.
However, with remarkable agility, he sidestepped the incoming thunderous blast, narrowly evading its destructive force.
Archer found himself locked in fierce combat with Teuila, who proved to be exceptionally skilled.
Their blades clashed with lightning speed as they exchanged blows, and Teuila's defenses were impeccable, blocking every one of his attacks.
However, Teuila was not just a formidable swordswoman; she also had a keen eye for opportunity.
In a split-second decision, she deftly deflected one of Archer's powerful strikes, using her superior technique and timing to her advantage.
Seizing the moment, Teuila swiftly delivered a powerful kick to Archer's chest, channeling her strength and precision into the move.
The impact sent Archer hurtling backward, and he soared through the air before landing with a thud just beyond the arena's boundaries.
He lay there on the ground, catching his breath, while Talila approached with a content smile on her face.
She spoke gently, her words filled with a sense of encouragement, "Teuila has taught you well, but remember, there's always more to learn. Starting tomorrow evening, we'll take turns teaching you everything we know, my dear husband."
Archer acknowledged Talila's offer with a nod and rose to his feet. The rain continued to pour down, but it was repelled by the protective Cosmic Shield.
He stood there, watching the rainy scene, Teuila approached him and wrapped her arms around him from behind.
She spoke with a hint of remorse, "Sorry for hitting you like that, Darling. I got carried away."
Smiling as he turned to face her, capturing her lips in a sudden kiss. Teuila was taken by surprise but gladly reciprocated the affectionate gesture.
After they separated, Archer responded, "No need to apologize. I had a great time, and your skills are truly impressive."
Teuila's smile remained as she and Archer began to make their way toward the walkway leading to the treehouse.
Leira, however, couldn't resist some light-hearted complaints about Archer deflecting her attacks, which brought about laughter from the group.
As they entered the treehouse, they found the other girls except for Sia, gathered in the living room.
Stella was engrossed in her book in front of the fire. Once they all took their seats, their attention turned to Archer, waiting to hear what he had to say or share.
Archer let out a sigh and then began to share the story of how he had encountered the little dog girl who attempted to pickpocket him.
His tale prompted laughter from the girls as they found the situation amusing. He went on to reveal his plan to offer the girl a job at the potion shop, which was set to open the following day after their lessons.
The girl's curiosity was piqued by the mention of the potion shop, and Archer proceeded to explain that he intended to open it for Hecate so she wouldn't be bored.
He added the bonus of earning coins, which resulted in a collective eye-roll from the girls, who were accustomed to his greed.
Following their conversation, the group continued to chat well into the night until, with playful insistence, they all coaxed Archer into his bedroom and piled up on the bed.
The combined presence of so many bodies on the bed made the covers snug and warm. Each girl found her comfortable spot beside Archer before drifting off to sleep.
As the night progressed, a chill seeped into the room, but Archer, sensing the change, cast a spell using Mana Manipulation.
He created a ball of fire and sent it toward the fireplace, which blazed to life, dispelling the cold air.
With that, he settled back into a peaceful slumber alongside his beloved girls. The next morning he woke up and shivered as he felt the cold.
Feeling the combined weight of everyone on the bed, Archer cast the Blink spell and found himself outside the crowded bed.
He stretched his limbs and, with a wave of his hand, cast the Cleanse spell on himself to refresh.
Archer then changed into a fresh set of clothes and exited the bedroom. As he made his way to the living room, he noticed Ella in the kitchen, busy with cooking.
She turned around with a bright smile before speaking. ''Arch. Breakfast is nearly done and we have a few hours until classes start.''
He nodded before sitting down and started eating as Ella placed a plate of food in front of him.
Once Archer was done eating he decided to explore the city before classes began. He looked at Ella and spoke. ''I'm going to wander around the city for a little while.''
Ella smiled and nodded her head before going to wake the others up so they could start getting ready.
Archer opened a portal and entered it to appear in an alleyway and made his way to the main street.
He wandered through the bustling streets of Starfall City, a place teeming with life and diversity even at this time in the morning.
People from all walks of life hurried about their business as the sun started rising. As he meandered through the streets, his curiosity led him down a narrow, less-traveled path.
Amid the urban chaos, he stumbled upon a somewhat rundown, yet intriguing, establishment called "Cursed Chronicles."
The shop's exterior bore the marks of time, with peeling paint and faded signage, but it held an undeniable aura of mystery.
The name itself piqued his interest, and he couldn't resist the urge to explore its contents.
With a quiet creak, he pushed the door open, revealing a dimly lit interior filled with dusty tomes and ancient manuscripts.
The smell of aged parchment and ink filled the air. Shelves lined the walls, filled with books that seemed to beckon him with untold stories and secrets.
As Archer ventured deeper into the shop, he couldn't shake the sensation that he had chanced upon a concealed treasure trove.
He carefully perused the dusty shelves, his curiosity deepening with each title he read. The books bore names that seemed ancient, their contents veiled in the mists of history.
Archer found himself immersed in their pages, captivated by them as he came across a spellbook named ''Shadow Shroud''.
When he heard the aged voice, Archer turned around, his violet eyes meeting those of an elderly figure who seemed as timeless as the books themselves.
Without wasting time on pleasantries, Archer got straight to the point. "I'm looking to buy spells, and I'm interested in this one. How much?"
The elderly man, his eyes crinkling with age and wisdom, moved closer to examine the book that had caught Archer's attention.
After a brief examination, he responded, "That one will cost you eight gold coins. It's a rare tome; the mage who created it passed away not too long ago."
[A/N - Leave some comments, power stones, and gifts. It all helps support the book. Artwork in the comments or discord]
Follow current novels on freewe(b)novel.c(o)m