Mixarnt’s grin widened as he faced the dangerous bandit leader, a spark of mischief in his eyes. Despite the threat of Kaelzar’s deadly daggers, the boy remained calm and carefree, his relaxed attitude a sharp contrast to the ruthless villain in front of him.

"Name's Mixarnt. I'm 11, I've already taken down your men once. How about we make this a habit?"

As he spoke, Mixarnt picked up his wooden sword, the worn blade seeming to hum with a strange, natural energy. The air around him shifted, as if the power of the World Tree itself was responding to his playful challenge, giving him a subtle but undeniable advantage in the coming fight.

Kaelzar’s expression darkened, his icy blue eyes filled with rage. "You insolent brat!" he snarled.

The wooden short sword Mixarnt is using is made from the World Tree, making it incredibly sturdy and unbreakable, even against iron or metal swords.

"Mana Wave Slash!" Mixarnt shouted, sending a flying mana wave attack toward Kaelzar. Despite the attack’s power, Kaelzar’s lightning-fast reflexes allowed him to dodge it easily, his speed and agility overwhelming Mixarnt.

"Your weapon may come from the World Tree, but a toy is still just a toy!" Kaelzar sneered. "Against a master like me, that little blade won't save you!"

"Really? Then I guess I’ll have to step it up. Enigma Enhancement—100%!" Mixarnt declared.

In response, his spirit weapon, Enigma, stirred within him, activating its latent power without needing to manifest physically. A surge of energy coursed through his body, maximizing his speed to the fullest in an instant. Black lightning crackled around him, distorting the air as his movements became a blur.

Kaelzar barely had time to react before Mixarnt closed the distance, matching his lightning-fast steps. His wooden sword, now infused with his own mana, hummed with raw power as he struck with unrelenting precision, forcing the bandit lord onto the defensive.

"Mana Burst!" Mixarnt shouted as his wooden sword clashed with Kaelzar’s dagger, triggering a powerful mana explosion.

"What the—?!" Kaelzar exclaimed, caught completely off guard.

The impact between Mixarnt’s enchanted wooden sword and Kaelzar’s sharp dagger released a massive burst of mana energy, sending shockwaves through the air. The ground trembled as if the village itself was shaken by the sheer force of the magical explosion.

Kaelzar, stunned by the sudden blast, stumbled backward, his eyes wide with surprise and a flicker of annoyance. His usual unshakable demeanor faltered, revealing a rare moment of vulnerability.

As the dust cleared, Mixarnt stood firm, breathing heavily, with dark lightning still crackling around him. He looked at Kaelzar with a fierce, triumphant grin, his confidence soaring after their explosive clash.

"Looks like you underestimated me, Kaelzar," Mixarnt said boldly.

Kaelzar smirked, eyes gleaming with menace. "Heh... You're too arrogant, kid. I can see you're struggling to maintain that enhanced state just to keep up with me."

With a flick of his wrist, he discarded his dagger, summoning two new weapons that pulsed with a dark, ominous glow. "These daggers are legendary relics, forged from the bones of a demon general. Let’s see if you can match me now."

He swung one blade casually to his side—an effortless motion with devastating consequences. In an instant, half the burning village was cleaved apart, the force of the attack sending a deep, echoing thud through the night. Flames flickered wildly, buildings collapsed, and the air grew thick with smoke and ash.

Mixarnt's eyes widened as the sheer power of Kaelzar’s strike settled in. Keeping up with such a monstrous opponent while sustaining Enigma’s enhancement was pushing him to his limit.

But surrender was not an option. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to endure, letting the crackling black lightning surge through him as he prepared to fight on.

"Damn... this is bad," Mixarnt muttered, feeling his strength nearing its limit.

Just then, a group of veteran adventurers arrived to back him up.

"Giga Fireball!" Arthur, an old but powerful mage, roared as a massive sphere of fire shot toward Kaelzar, lighting up the night sky.

"Giga Glacier!" Another adventurer cast a towering ice spell, sending a freezing mass hurtling toward the bandit leader.

Kaelzar reacted instantly, slashing through the icy attack with a single strike. But the moment his blade made contact, the glacier exploded, creating a blinding burst of frost and mist. "Tch," Kaelzar clicked his tongue in frustration, realizing the battle had escalated beyond his favor. Without hesitation, he took advantage of the distraction, vanishing into the night before the reinforcements could close in.