The Laughing Swordsman

For just a moment, Apollo didn't see any of the hyphae around him, nor did he see Otis taking to the air by using the mycelium and the mushroom forest that was being created.

Instead, he saw glowing blue lights that were so bright, everything became dark in comparison.

It was mana.

Somehow, by consuming normal food, Apollo was able to evolve and increase his magic affinity. Even in a fantasy world, it didn't make the most logical sense. However, that was what happened.

There were very few ways to increase one's magic affinity. In fact, it was considered impossible to the majority, most of which didn't even consider it a possibility.

The common knowledge was that one was born with a certain magic affinity and had to deal with that. 

Considering that Apollo didn't even learn a single spell, such a great boon wasn't used to the greatest extent. However, that didn't mean it was useless.

One of the powers he was bestowed because of the crown was lightning. Though Apollo did not have any magic affinity, he was still able to use it.

And now that he did have magic affinity...

Various loud zapping and crackling sounds filled the air. Apollo's body was mostly obscured from bright blue lightning that snaked around his body. As for his bokken and hand, they were essentially replaced with a lightning bolt and a smaller lightning bolt.

Thick unstable arcs of lightning would frequently discharge from his body, forming an arc between him and the ground. Any of the dirt that was touched by the lightning bolt charred almost immediately.

Countless hyphae shot towards Apollo, but once they got within a five meter radius, the excessive lightning on him would move. It automatically discharged from his body and latched onto the hyphae, turning it to ash.

There was something almost disconcerting with how unstable they were, like malicious snakes ready to snap out at anything that got close.

In the end, he didn't have to have to defend against a single hyphae. They would be dealt with before they could even reach him.

Apollo took off into the air, several times faster than usual.

His sights were set on Otis, who was currently shooting up into the sky. At this time, Otis had a nasty frown on his face. Each time he thought the situation was finally going to be under his control, things were overturned.

However, that didn't mean Otis was going to give up.

Several giant mushrooms had already formed, rising high into the air. From them, hyphae shot out, but not for the sake of attacking Apollo. Instead, they formed a mycelium network in the air. In a certain sense, it was like looking at a plant in a glass of water growing roots.

As Apollo shot upwards, he found mushrooms sporadically grew out of the mycelium network, blocking his path. Apollo slashed with his bokken which was covered by blue lightning.

The mushroom in front of Apollo was sliced in two easily and heavily charred in the process. He continued through, but could hardly travel a meter forth before another mushroom blocked him.

Apollo slowly swung his bokken before sending out a large wave of lightning, swallowing up several mushrooms entirely. He shot forth, trying to take advantage of this gap. However, after traveling for just a few meters, he found himself surrounded by mushrooms.

Although these mushrooms did not present a threat to him by themselves, they blocked his way. In the end, he even lost vision of Otis.

Apollo did not give up. He used both his bokken and free hand to slash at the surrounding mushrooms wildly. Lightning crackled like a chained beast that had been let loose after years of imprisonment.

A strong smell of burnt mushroom filled the air and numerous tiny ashes drifted down out of the sky. It was as though they were cherry blossoms.

They were far uglier than cherry blossoms, but the comparison still applies.

However, while the number of mushrooms that were destroyed was numerous, the rate they were growing surpassed that. This kind of mushroom naturally grew fast on its own, thus when forcefully grown by Otis, it grew far quicker than normal.

Apollo would not be able to catch up to Otis like this.

He couldn't even see Otis.

Nonetheless, Apollo continued to stubbornly slash through the mushrooms, slowly making his way upward. In a sense, he was simply aimlessly moving onwards.

Though it was unbelievably difficult for Apollo to reach Otis and kill him, that didn't mean Otis was having an easier time. In fact, he was under quite a bit of anxiety.

The fact was, Otis didn't have anything to harm Apollo. At best, he could just keep Apollo at bay.

However, this was not Otis' goal.

He was here because to kill Apollo, not barely survive his attacks.

Otis continued rising higher and higher up, feeling the filthy rain of this place get heavier and felt a gust of wind above him. Several thoughts flashed past his mind, trying to search for some way to turn the tables.

However, Otis simply didn't have any more abilities that were applicable to this situation.

He grit his teeth.

The only choice left was to try and trick Apollo.

"You will never win, just give up already! You will never be able to destroy the mushrooms fast enough."

In the end, the only response was a series of maniacal laughs. Apollo wasn't deterred in the slightest.

Otis furrowed his brows.

...The only way he saw this situation ending was if one of them gave up.

Otis tried to clench his fists but found that they didn't respond because of how badly injured they were. Nonetheless, his anger remained the same. 

"If I wanted to, the rate at which they grow could be even faster! Don't think that I will be finished just because you keep slashing. I am a collector mage! That means I gather mana from the air, which is limitless!"

Otis yelled with all he could.

"The only possible way you could burn it all down is with a phoenix flame!"