Chapter 440: Givale's Magic
-<>-
"What a simplistic use of your ability. You mean to tell me this whole time you've used it like this?"
Givale argued, "So what? It's been working!"
"Working?! Until it no longer works, and then what?"
"Uh-"
"Exactly, you're a one-trick pony. It's surface level."
"But-"
"No excuses, I refuse to train someone who doesn't even understand their own ability."
"That's not fair!"
"Is it? Then study your ability, come back to me when you can understand even half of it."
Givale grit her teeth, "I'll show you!"
"Good luck with that."
-><-
Givale once believed her ability was space. However after the time she spent fully understanding it she realized it was something slightly different. She didn't have the ability to create space, she had the ability to 'control' it. Warping, stretching, shrinking, erasing, and more. Once she came to this realization her control over her magic skyrocketed.
In the split second that it took for the match to start, she warped and erased the space between her and Tyran. This worked akin to a teleport, but had none of the signs of a traditional magical teleport. Because of her fine control it also had no startup, making it an instantaneous teleport.
Her dagger flickered towards Tyran's neck. He narrowed his eyes and his whole body warped as the dagger passed through harmlessly. Givale's figure flickered and she appeared behind him, "As I thought that's just an illusion."
[Reflective Ripple: Flux]!
Tyran's fist shot towards Givale's face, but she kicked upwards and knocked it above her head. Her two daggers stabbed forward, creating two wounds on Tyran's chest. Strangely enough the wounds that formed failed to bleed, if anything it looked like they were starting to twist. . . ?
Givale spun and formed another deep cut across Tyran's chest, "You're honestly not that good are you? You only won because you could reflect Mira's strength."
Tyran grinned, "And I still can!"
[Reflective Ripple: Raging Geyser]!
He still had some of the momentum behind Mira's attacks stored. It would have dissipated, but since Givale asked for the match to start it still remained! His fist shot forward with strength comparable to that of Mira's! As it flew Givale didn't even move. Right as his fist was about to touch Givale the space warped and his fist passed through it.
Tyran's eyes shot to the side, where he saw his own fist now progressing towards his face. Unlike Mira, he lacked the ability to completely stop this much power instantly. Raising his other hand he blocked his own fist.
[Reflective Ripple: Redirection]!
"Nice try!"
Retracting his fist he threw another punch towards Givale, but the space warped again! This time his fist came from a direction he couldn't block!
[Reflective Ripple: Still Waters]!
Givale faintly smiled, "Good, you're as simple as I thought."
{Spacial Control: Twist}
The two wounds on Tyran's chest suddenly spun violently, heavy wounds appearing at their location. Givale spun her daggers within her palms, "Use that ability of yours. The one that releases your stored momentum."
"The hell are you on about?!"
[Reflective Ripple: Raging Geyser]-
Tyran's whole body froze, and for the first time panic spread across his face. Givale shook her head, "You've never fought anyone with Mira's level of strength have you? The only reason why he can wield that much power is because he can heal any injury it causes. You cannot. The amount of power you've been letting course through your body has finally taken its toll. You've ripped your own body to shreds from the inside!"
Givale's hand opened and the dagger hovered above her palm. Mana swirled and formed a bow, "And now you're gonna pay for what you did!"
The bow formed around the dagger, but did not at all hinder Givale's ability to use it. In her other hand she grabbed the string with three fingers while holding the dagger in the others. The magic arrow vibrated and split into five direct copies. Kicking Tyran to the air she pointed the bow upwards, "Grit your teeth, this won't kill you!"
{Spacial Control: Dark Matter Dance}!
She fired off the arrows, due to how many there were none of them hit Tyran directly. Yet this was intentional! As the arrows flew they hit areas of warped space and teleported into a different direction. This process repeated, each time they passed through a portal they gained in speed. In just a few seconds they were moving so quickly they blocked any sight to what was happening inside.
For Tyran is wasn't so nice, each time the arrows passed through they seemingly erased whatever was in their path. Yet their size wasn't anything impressive. So instead of a few arrows quickly finishing him off, he instead was being riddled with tiny holes across his body. What annoyed him was that they somehow missed all his vitals, as if intentionally avoiding them.
Suddenly it all stopped, granting him the sight of Givale pointing a massive arrow directly towards him. A calm smile rested on her face, "Alright, be erased now!"
{Spacial Control: Erasure}!
Tyran's eyes failed to lose their fire! He mustered up the last bit of strength he could to pull off one last move!
[Reflective Ripple: Still Water Reflection]!
As the arrow hit Tyran is suddenly bounced directly back towards Givale! This action garnered a sigh from the Dragon, "Did you really think I would be unable to stop my own magic?"
A portal appeared and absorbed the arrow. It reappeared behind Tyran and shot into his back. In just a split second it exploded. . . and there was nothing remaining of Tyran.
Givale waved her hand and dissipated the magic bow. Placing her daggers back in their sheathes she stretched, "I did it Mira! Just like I said I would!"
~ ~ ~
Akiol solemnly nodded, "Yeah I might not be able to take them both on at once now."
Mira slumped, "I couldn't beat Givale after she figured out her magic. . ."
"It seems she's finally gaining her strength as a Dragon. Good to know, now she won't be held back by her stagnated growth anymore."
~ ~ ~
Tyran gasped for air. He didn't think the Arena would have been able to bring him back, for a moment he felt like there was nothing of him.
Winter stood at the doorway, hands behind her back, "Look at you."
"That damn kid, if it weren't for the fact that my body stopped responding she would have been dead!"
"As if. You never stood a chance to begin with."
"What?! I clearly had a chance! Quite a large one at that!"
"A clear chance? Oh please, did you really think that? Do you have any idea of who you fought?"
"Some kid who got a little lucky with their magic."
"You fought a young Dragon."
". . . What?! What is a Dragon doing here?!"
"It seems both the Dragon and the kid with horrifying strength follows the one named Akiol. At least that's what our intel has gathered."
". . ."
"From the very beginning you only got lucky. Had they not forcefully canceled the first match you would have been beaten."
"That's not possible! That first kid barely stood a chance!"
"Turns out the reason why they stopped the match was because Mira had a card that even they were afraid of him using."
"Enough with these lies, I'll be sure to beat them next time!"
"There will be no next time Tyran. I had hoped that this match would be an eye opener. You're nothing special here, just some above average fighter at most. Until you realize this and humble yourself, I will not allow you to participate any longer."
"You can't do that! You need me!"
"I've already made the arrangements. You will get to spectate tomorrow's matches, and then you will head into seclusion."
Tyran clenched his fists so hard his nails caused blood to trickle to the ground. Shaking with anger he still asked in the most calm voice he could manage, "What's so special about tomorrow?"
"Looks like the North is going to make an interesting move. In the end you're still someone of the East Province, I give you this bit of freedom so you can witness it for yourself. It is my duty to assure you're aware of your flaws. So after watching the match the North has, it should give you enough to reflect upon."
Winter shook her head, "I sure hope it does at least. Else you very well may be a lost cause."
"Yes. . . Head. . ."
"Good, now rest up."
Winter turned her back and left without another word. In the end the reason why she brought Tyran to the Arena in the first place was to widen his horizons. An act to humble him. She truly believed it was a shame it didn't work the way she had envisioned.
As she walked back to her seat her eyes narrowed, "The South, what a fight you have put up. I am impressed. Perhaps I was wrong about your downfall. . ."
She stifled a small laugh, "I'm interested to see what your plan is for tomorrow."
~ ~ ~
Thus ended the second day of The Arena. Horrow stood at a stand located in the South Province. All his candidates had headed off to further improve themself. The only one who remained by his side was Aaron.
A faint smile appeared on Horrow, "What a feeling. How long has it been?"
Aaron lowered his head a bit, "Too long Chief."
"Yeah, too long indeed. What an amazing group we have selected. You did a fantastic job."
Aaron silently took the compliment.
Horrow continued, "If the South remains after this all. . . I guess I'll have quite a bit of work ahead of me. So I ask of you, will you still be by my side if that happens?"
Adjusting his glasses Aaron responded, "Of course Chief. I've known the South Province all my life. I wanted it to return to its glory just as you had."
"Yeah, of course you have. I thank you, you're truly the best sub-head this Province has ever seen."
"I wouldn't say that much, but thank you."
"Now, let's prepare for tomorrow. If we continue this pace first place will not be out of our grasp."
"Of course!"
~ ~ ~
Akiol stopped walking, "Alright let's address the elephant in the room."
Mira tilted his head, "Elephant?"
"Don't worry about it. You two disappeared for a few days and come back like this. I want to know, what happened?"
Mira looked at Givale and they both shrugged.
Akiol chuckled, "Long story? It's alright we got all day. I intend to fully understand what you're capable of now. Unless you don't want to tell me, that's okay too."
Givale was the first to speak, "No there's so much! I want to show you everything I can do now!"
"Then let's go!"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone