Four Vs One

A four vs one, I can handle this. I'm sure of it; I have to let Ino handle Boyle for now until—

Sorin didn't finish his thought as all four of them cast a multitude of spells towards him. He instinctively counters using his spell, but a slight wind slash manages to graze his right arm. He darts his eyes around, seeing all four figures split off into groups of two. Isolating them seemed to be impossible.

Their coordination is high; they are also using communication magic. I'm dealing with every element; even if any of them doesn't possess all four, then they will chain together to create the four as if it wasn't an issue. I suppose it's an equal match for me then.

Sorin took out his staff. Seeing the group split off right and left, they were using the same strategy we tried on Boyle. It's mimicry, but it works the same way it would on him. He hits his staff off the floor, causing an earth wall towards his left side before he combines water and wind to make a jet stream-like projectile. Sadly, it was blocked by the bearded man's earth.

From his left, he took down the earth wall to view what the other side looked like. He took in a deep breath, seeing the two hooded figures charging in; he used his legs to cast water onto the floor towards them before freezing it completely. Their legs were now stuck as Sorin dashed towards them.

From behind, however, he hears more earth and a fire spell coming towards him; he twists around to make an earth wall. But as he does that, the two hooded people next to him break free from the ice-casting and retaliate with wind and earth, causing the chunks to fly at insane speed. He weaved to the side before firing himself away from the encirclement they created.

I was trapped; they broke off the ice like it was nothing. I should assume they have their own secret spells, of course. Ice is a no-go. I will have to force this into a speed fight. That way I'll just be able to jump in and take one out; once it's three, it will be simple.

Sorin took on a different approach; he positioned himself around the split-off with rapid bursts of movement. He charged past the bearded man, getting all four of them in range again, while behind him Ino and Boyle faced off.

I won't lose sight of where they actually want to hit me. I might be able to even clash with all four if I'm desperate enough. But more importantly, I'm positioned to the side where Ino and Boyle are fighting, which will also impede their duel. What better person than Ino would win that chaos?

The hooded figures and bearded man stood still without casting a single spell. They had shots ready for him. Fire, one water, two earth. Sorin didn't know who was who with the hooded figures, but he knew that the bearded man really liked earth and also water.

What if I were to put everything into a huge fireball like Boyle… That would kill them. I would hope they try blocking it, but I won't risk it. Not when they are fragile. Limit yourself, Sorin, and find a different way.

Sorin cast a couple of fireballs towards them, causing them to dodge. Nothing major, but it gave him an idea,

Wearing down stamina will definitely be the best move that I can do right now, especially with my endurance and magic capacity advantage.

He started blasting wind slashes, fireballs, water, and even chunks of earth at the group in rapid succession. They all kept counteracting with elements or were forced to move aside. This little effort, however, did not even make Sorin break a single sweat; they too were aware of this.

This is exactly what I needed: keep dodging. Oh— earth..

Sorin clashed with the earth chunk, redirecting it back at them. They weren't trying to cast spells of their own but only used counteracting spells and dodging, but a subtle orange hue began to fill the front of them. A hexagon pattern emerged as Sorin's spells began to dissipate instantly when contacting it.

A real anti-magic shield, not just a projectile but an actual shield! Even Ino doesn't know that.

He kept casting spells, but they all dissipated into nothingness, like the magic itself stopped existing and got erased from existence. It was frightening at the amount of defense. Two of the council members began casting wind, fire, and earth towards him while the bearded man and the other held a fire and water spell that grew larger and larger.

The onslaught continued; Sorin countered by consuming their spell. Or dodging or even counteracting with his own elements. Some even managed to get into the fight with Ino and Boyle, which she seemed to be using well whenever Boyle was too attentive, too aware to the point he would react to even those spells.

“Prepare hero,” The bearded man exclaimed as his other member cast out a massive spell. It wasn't anything compared to Boyle's level, but it was still impressive that he conjured it at such an old age.

Devour the spell.

Sorin extended his free hand and a dark shade of orange appeared. As it began to grow out, it was the perfect chance to do this. He kept his hand as the fire spell travelled. As they were about to make contact, Sorin widened his eyes. He noticed that the water spell was travelling towards him now; they planned the mixing attack, and it worked. The entire room started to cast a thick misty steam.

Damn it!

Casting out earth, he surrounded himself, cutting off any point of attack as the steam and mist caused him to cough slightly. A couple of moments passed; it was rather silent. Even the other fight seemed to stall a bit; the more confusing part was that no one was attacking him.

I can sense Ino and the others more clearly. The mist is clearing up somewhat.

Sorin, help me! They are all on me; I can't move. They are clinging from all sides. I can't move.

Immediately, he took down his cover before slamming his staff down. Knowing his enemies were away, he cast the biggest wind spell he ever did, causing the air to get cleaner as it quickly flew around the area. His eyes readjusted to the light as he saw what happened in his brief absence.

The council members managed to freeze Ino's legs solid; they were casting spells that would kill her in an instant if she didn't react. She was being devoured, counteracting from all sides, getting grazed every so often. Boyle from the other side was charging up his attack; his face seemed grim, his red hair disheveled. He was going to lose, meaning they planned a final attempt.

Sorin then took in the full scene from afar, something only he could see compared to Ino, who was preoccupied,

If Boyle's spell is getting too strong, he might blow this building into bits by accident. I can't tell if it would destroy everything, but he knows Ino will stop it with her devour spell. But if she doesn't, then the building goes down. That's a gamble…