The Sorcerer Who Loved Magic But Hated Reading

Elyas tightened his grip on his sword, his eyes scanning the empty clearing for any signs. Broken branches and scattered footprints caught his attention, pointing toward a direction. He turned to Claire. "He's already been here," he muttered, worry threading through his voice. His gaze settled on a faint trail disappearing into the dense forest. Without a second thought, he moved forward, hoping he wasn't too late.

Meanwhile, deep in the forest, Alaric found himself surrounded. Bandits stepped out from behind trees, their weapons glinting in the faint light filtering through the canopy. He backed up until his shoulders brushed the rough bark of a tree. His heart pounded as he glanced at the man who had led him here—the one he had trusted to guide him through the woods.

The man smirked, a wicked gleam in his eye. "So, you're with them, huh?" Alaric said, his voice laced with betrayal and anger.

The man chuckled darkly. "Yes," he said, crossing his arms. "And what business do you have with my master, Dragon?"

Alaric ignored the question. His jaw tightened, and he drew his sword, readying himself for the fight. The bandits circled closer, their laughter echoing through the forest.

"Attack him!" the man barked, pointing at Alaric.

The first bandit lunged at Alaric, swinging a rusty axe. Alaric sidestepped, his movements quick and precise. He struck back, his blade slicing through the bandit's leather armor. The man fell with a grunt, and the others hesitated for a brief moment.

"Come on, you cowards!" their leader shouted, urging them forward.

One by one, the bandits came at Alaric. His sword flashed in the dim light as he parried blows and struck back with fierce determination. Despite the odds, Alaric refused to give up. His movements were sharp, his instincts honed.

The man watched from a safe distance, his smirk growing as he observed the chaos. "You'll tire soon, " he taunted. "No one escapes my master's wrath."

But Alaric didn't listen. He fought on, his mind focused on survival. For every bandit that fell, another took their place, yet he refused to yield.

Alaric wiped sweat from his brow, his sword still firm in his grip. The bandits around him hesitated, seeing their comrades fall one after another. The man who had betrayed Alaric stepped forward, his smirk replaced by a dark scowl.

"You're stronger than I thought," the man sneered. "But let's see you dodge this."

He raised his arms, and a fiery glow erupted from his palms. Flames swirled into a massive ball of fire, burning brighter with every second. "Hellfire Burst!" he roared, hurling the attack forward.

The fire shot through the air like a blazing comet, roaring as it tore toward Alaric. Alaric's eyes widened, but his reflexes saved him. He leapt to the side just in time. The Hellfire Burst exploded behind him, engulfing the bandits closest to him in flames. Screams filled the air as the traitor's comrades stumbled back, some consumed by the fire.

"Be careful, you fool!" one of the bandits shouted, his voice panicked. "You're attacking us too!"

But the man ignored their cries. His eyes were locked on Alaric, filled with fury and madness. "You think you can mock me?" he growled, his hands glowing again. He began to unleash more blasts of fire, one after another, the ground shaking with each attack.

Alaric dodged each burst with skill, his movements fast and fluid. Flames exploded around him, scorching the earth and charring the trees, but he danced through the chaos, smiling.

"You're wasting your energy," Alaric taunted, his grin unshaken. He flicked his sword, reflecting a small burst of fire back toward the man.

The traitor's eyes narrowed in anger. "Enough!" he shouted, his voice echoing through the forest. "I'll burn everything to ash!"

Raising both hands toward the sky, the man unleashed his most powerful spell. "Hellstorm!" he roared.

The air grew heavy, the clouds above turning black and swirling violently. Fire began to rain down from the sky like a storm of molten meteors. The forest ignited in seconds, trees bursting into flame and smoke filling the air. Bandits screamed as they tried to flee, but the Hellstorm showed no mercy. One by one, they fell, consumed by the fire.

Alaric stood firm. With a deep breath, he raised his hand and muttered a spell. A glowing barrier of light formed around him, shielding him from the deadly rain. The flames crashed against the barrier but slid harmlessly off, leaving him untouched.

The man watched in disbelief as his comrades were wiped out. "What are you smiling at?" he shouted, his voice trembling with rage.

Alaric lowered his sword, his grin unwavering. "Is this your best?" he asked calmly, as the Hellstorm began to fade.

The man clenched his fists, his fury boiling over. "I'll destroy you!"

But Alaric only tightened his stance, ready for what would come next. The forest burned around them, but the real battle had just begun.

Elyas and Claire heard the roar of magic in the distance, a crackling of power that sent shivers down their spines. Claire turned to Elyas, her brow furrowed. "What was that?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Elyas's jaw clenched. "That was Alaric's doing," he muttered, his eyes fixed on the direction of the explosion. "We need to find him." Without another word, he took off at a run, Claire close behind.

Elyas and Claire heard the roar of magic in the distance, a crackling of power that sent shivers down their spines. Claire turned to Elyas, her brow furrowed. "What was that?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Elyas's jaw clenched. "That was Alaric's doing," he muttered, his eyes fixed on the direction of the explosion. "We need to find him." Without another word, he took off at a run, Claire close behind.

They pushed through the dense underbrush, their breaths heavy with exertion. The forest seemed to quake with each step, the air thick with smoke and the acrid scent of burning wood. "We need to move faster," Elyas called over his shoulder. "He's in the middle of a fight."

Claire nodded, worry etched across her face. "Let's go," she said, picking up the pace.

Together, they moved through the forest, following the sound of the battle. They were determined to find Alaric before it was too late.