Chapter 184
**Lightning Attribute.**
This attribute’s magic and skills are often portrayed as some of the strongest abilities across various works of fiction.
Sometimes as the protagonist’s signature spell, other times as a powerful enemy’s ultimate trump card. Lightning, feared as a simple force of nature, inherently carries the perception of overwhelming power.
In *FBO*, the lightning attribute is also set as a formidable force.
Attack speed, stun capabilities, raw offensive power—unless the opponent has resistance, lightning reigns supreme.
Nel’s only defensive skill is *Water Armor*.
Under normal circumstances, clashing swords with a lightning-infused blade would risk losing your weapon.
*"You think I wouldn’t prepare countermeasures when I already know his skill setup?"*
*"Shocked? Yeah, you should be!"*
I’ve memorized every skill in the *Mad Jester’s* arsenal.
His passive skills are threefold: *Sword Saint Arts*, *Dagger Mastery*, and *Magic Arts*.
*Sword Saint Arts* applies full modifiers to sword-type weapons, but since he didn’t develop it from scratch, he can’t output the firepower I’m familiar with.
On top of that, he also has *Dagger Mastery* (also undeveloped), stacking dual modifiers on daggers.
Lastly, his *Magic Arts* skill enhances magic-based abilities, but—
*"The best way to counter lightning-based attacks is with another lightning-based weapon. Not for boosting attack power, but for absorbing lightning—making it the natural enemy of lightning skills."*
The real issue isn’t his passives, but his active skills.
Given that Nel’s physical abilities are on par with his, we should assume he’s at least *Class 6*.
In the game, the lowest class he could be recruited at was *6*, so anything below that is unlikely.
He doesn’t have the extra skill slots from *Class 0*, and the passive skill cap grants him three additional slots.
Meaning, *Ares* has a minimum of *15* skill slots in total.
That was the bare minimum when recruiting him, too.
Three are taken by passives, and among his remaining skills, the most notable is his *Lightning Magic*.
One of them is *Thunderclap*, a skill that imbues weapons with lightning, adding extra damage and a chance to inflict stun—an annoying ability.
It discharges with every attack and drains mana to maintain, making it inefficient, but its power is undeniable.
Still, it’s not without weaknesses.
Lightning is powerful but tricky to handle. Skills that coat weapons in electricity (*Conduction-type*) are especially difficult to manage.
If it discharges with every attack, the effect naturally depletes unless replenished.
Normally, the trade-off is worth it—the attacks whittle down the enemy’s health and restrict movement, offsetting the inefficiency.
But what if someone forces continuous discharge, exacerbating that inefficiency?
*"Ah, he switched to offensive magic."*
By engaging Nel in melee, the plan was to inflict lightning damage through his halberd, but that’s been foiled. Now, he’s abandoning the inefficient skill and resorting to pure lightning magic.
The greatest advantage of lightning magic? *Speed*.
Too fast to evade, highly accurate, and devastatingly powerful.
Amina, watching from the arena’s center, noticed Ares shifting from close combat to a mid-range hybrid of magic and swordplay.
*"If you know your opponent, you can counter them."*
In *Ares’* case, his true fighting style revolves around *debuffs*.
But given his current state, I doubted he’d suddenly use the poison-based skills I was most wary of. Instead, I bet he’d stick to conventional tactics—focusing purely on lightning magic.
So, I prepared a counter.
A weapon resistant to lightning, accessories with lightning defense—everything to neutralize his advantage.
And it worked. *Perfectly.*
*"What are you doing, Ares?! Finish that little brat already!!"*
The noble brat on the other side was screaming, unable to comprehend why Ares was struggling.
He leapt from his seat, flailing like a madman as he cheered.
At first, he’d been relieved to see a girl like Nel as his opponent. But did he really think I’d send someone who’d lose so easily?
*"Now, if only the imposter keeps playing the role of Ares..."*
I’d already briefed Nel on the real Ares’ most dangerous skills.
Poison skills to drain the enemy’s life.
Weapon-breaking skills to strip them of their means to fight.
Restraint skills to prevent escape.
These three formed the core of the *Mad Jester’s* combat style.
He had *zero* intention of fighting fair.
His entire skill set was optimized for torment. When I first saw it, I was disgusted—but also weirdly impressed.
Without the *Ares* persona, even his lightning magic was just a tool to immobilize enemies.
His masterful swordsmanship in deflecting Nel’s attacks? Just a stalling tactic to create openings.
His true nature was that of a snake—lying in wait, striking with a dagger the moment he spotted weakness.
*That* was his real strength.
In a duel like this, fighting head-on was fine. But in the game, once he marked you, he’d approach disguised as a random NPC, strike up a casual conversation—then *stab you in the gut with lethal poison*.
I remember feeling genuine rage toward the devs when he ambushed me mid-quest.
The scariest part? His disguise ability wasn’t even a *skill*.
He *crafted* all his disguises himself—*without any skills*.
Infuriatingly talented in the most useless ways.
As I silently prayed his true face wouldn’t be exposed, the clashing of halberd and sword echoed through the arena.
Nel was fighting smart—keeping her distance, leveraging the halberd’s reach just as we’d trained.
She chipped away with precise strikes, probing for an opening to land a decisive blow. Ares, aware of this, used lightning magic to suppress her movements.
*"Whoa! Huh?! W-Wait—!"*
*"Calm down, Amina."*
*"But! But—!"*
Amina fidgeted nervously beside me, reacting to every shift in the battle.
Nel’s fighting was a back-and-forth struggle—sometimes advancing, sometimes defending.
Amina’s anxiety spiked whenever Nel was forced on the defensive.
*"Nel’s staying calm. She knows her strengths and is fighting accordingly."*
*"I know, but—!"*
Her restlessness came from worry. I ruffled her hair roughly, trying to soothe her, but she wouldn’t settle.
Nel’s greatest weapon was *Gold Smash*—a one-hit KO skill exclusive to *Combat Merchants*.
No matter how strong the *Mad Jester* was, a direct hit would *obliterate* his HP.
*"She’s hiding her merchant class. He probably thinks she’s a warrior-type."*
But if she used it even once, he’d grow wary.
The battle would turn into a war of attrition—and that would put Nel at a disadvantage.
To reassure Amina, I reminded her of our strategy.
*The more hidden cards, the better.*
The most crucial one? *Nel’s true class—Combat Merchant.*
Honestly, *Combat Merchants* have very few offensive skills outside of *Gold Smash*.
*Attack Holder* is practically built around it—everything else is just for self-defense.
*"Power Swing!!"*
That’s why the *second* hidden card was vital.
By showcasing *Power Swing*, we reinforced the illusion that she was a warrior.
The skill sent Ares flying, breaking his guard.
The crowd stirred—thinking this was the end.
*But not yet.*
Before Nel could press the advantage, Ares raised a finger and unleashed a bolt of lightning.
She blocked it with her halberd, but the delay let him recover.
*"Agh! She had him!"*
*"No, this is fine."*
If she’d rushed in, she might’ve taken a direct hit—paralyzed instantly.
Even with lightning-resistant gear, *total* immunity was impossible.
At best, damage reduction was *20-30%*.
But that’s why we crafted a *lightning-absorbing halberd*.
Thankfully, the Duke’s treasury had the perfect materials.
If not, I’d have had to ask *Claudia* for help.
Back to the fight—Ares was gradually being pushed toward the arena’s edge.
His reliance on evasion made retreat inevitable.
He seemed aware, but Nel’s positioning kept him trapped.
Leaving the arena meant disqualification.
If we could force him out, even better—but the pressure alone was useful.
*"Ah, he’s advancing."*
*"He still has room behind him, but he’s probably wary of another Power Swing sending him flying out."*
The earlier exchange repeated—but this time, Ares pressed aggressively, willing to trade damage to push Nel back.
Step by step, she retreated, forced to mind her footing.
*"Nel! Hang in there!!"*
Amina cheered desperately, but words alone couldn’t turn the tide.
If only her songs could reach Nel—but that’d be cheating.
Bit by bit, Nel was cornered.
She minimized damage and moved optimally, but the pressure was relentless.
The Edelgard faction watched with bated breath, while the noble brat screamed for victory.
Some soldiers probably thought she’d lose.
Then—just as Ares stepped in for the final push, Nel *deliberately* retreated further.
One more step, and she’d be out.
Confident, Ares pulled back his sword and shoved with his buckler.
*But—*
*Sorry. Not happening.*
Despite stepping back twice, Nel *never* touched the out-of-bounds line.
Ares, overcommitted, stumbled forward—
*"Air Step."*
A skill acquired from *Hopping Soldier*.
Nel *kicked off thin air*, soaring over Ares as he struggled to regain balance.
She landed behind him—
He had no time to counter.
Even if he fired lightning now, she’d endure it.
No space to dodge.
All he could do was *desperately raise his shield*.
As he braced, sword crackling with electricity to deter her approach—
*"We’ve won."*
I *knew* it.
Nel charged forward, her golden halberd swinging with all her might—
*"TEN THOUSAND ZENYYYYYYYYYY!!!!"*
Her roar shook the arena.
A deafening crash echoed as Ares’ body was *launched* out of bounds.