Kapitel 36: Chapter 36: Fierce Competition

Xavier Livia opened the match with a series of swift strikes, his thin, slightly curved sword, which was unique and only used by a handful of people across the world, moving like a blur as it unleashed a barrage of attacks. Lewis Krios found himself on the defensive, parrying and dodging as best he could under the relentless assault. Eventually, Lewis leaped back, creating the space he needed. Coating his feet and right arm with primal energy, he prepared one of the spear arts techniques of the Krios family, the "Serpent Thrust".

The move was an illusionary spear throw, appearing to strike from a distance but already having pierced its target. However, Xavier, a spirit summoner, attuned to, wind elements and contracted to spirits heard the whispers of wind spirits, and anticipated the attack. Using the spirits' guidance, he redirected the spear's trajectory with a wind slash, his counter precise and elegant.

Xavier then summoned a mid-level wind spirit, channeling its power into a devastating technique. A vortex of air surrounded him, forming a vacuum that destabilized Lewis's footing. Struggling to breathe, let alone move, Lewis used his magma energy to fracture the ground beneath Xavier, disrupting the storm. Breaking free from the vacuum, Lewis ran grabbed his spear, and charged back into battle.

The two fought fiercely, their movements a blur of light and power. Both reached the limits of their stamina, determined to end the duel decisively. As the crowd watched in awe, they prepared their ultimate techniques.

Xavier melded entirely with the wind spirit, channeling spirit energy to form a tornado around his blade, becoming an agile and near-invincible storm of energy. Lewis, in turn, lowered his spear, allowing primal energy to flood his body while magma energy condensed at the spear's tip, glowing like molten lava.

With a unified roar, Xavier unleashed "Spirit Arts: Tornado",

while Lewis countered with

"Krios Style: Fifth Form - Volcano".

Their attacks collided in a massive explosion that shook the arena. When the smoke cleared, both combatants were battered and barely standing. Moments later, Lewis collapsed, unable to continue.

The crowd erupted in applause, acknowledging the incredible skill and determination of both fighters. Sullivan declared Xavier the victor as both were carried off for healing. Meanwhile, Alaric Krios looked on with disdain, his expression darkening at the sight of his family heir defeated.

---

The next match featured

"Ririna Roberts vs Clea Borris"

Ririna began with a flourish, weaving her three elements, Ice, Fire, and Plant spells into a dazzling display. She conjured thorny vines from the ground, trying to tie up Clea's feet. Their icy tips of Ice bullet spell conjured ready to attack, when casted it was met with a shadow veil that absorbed the icicles. Ririna attacked using a fire spell, to weaken Clea's Shadow, glinting as flames crackled along the edges.

Clea responded with a burst of shadow energy, disappearing into the darkness to evade the attack. Her daggers gleamed as she emerged behind Ririna, aiming a swift strike at her back.

But Ririna anticipated the move, summoning a wall of fire that forced Clea to retreat. The flames shifted, becoming a whirlwind of embers that danced around Ririna as she advanced. Clea switched tactics, pulling out her bow and firing a volley of shadow-infused arrows. The arrows curved unnaturally, weaving through the air to strike from multiple angles.

Ririna countered with a barrier of ice, the shards reflecting the incoming projectiles. With a flick of her wrist, the icy fragments shattered, transforming into a hailstorm that rained down on Clea.

Clea darted through the assault, using the shadows to enhance her speed and precision.

As the fight intensified, the arena was alive with gasps and cheers. Ririna combined her elements one after another in a series of spells cast on quick incantations and mental imaging intricate patterns, creating explosive traps and entangling vines. Clea, ever resourceful, used the arena's shadows to outmaneuver her, launching quick, devastating strikes whenever an opening appeared.

In a final gambit, Ririna summoned a massive tree and cast a spell of ice on the veins to make it more hard to grasp, its roots spreading across the battlefield, trapping Clea in place. Then she summoned a massive fireball and cast it toward Clea.

Clea infused her daggers with shadow energy, slicing through the vines as she leaped into the air. Drawing her bow, she fired a single, charged arrow at Ririna, aiming to end the battle.

Ririna raised her hands, summoning a burst of fire that collided with the arrow mid-air, creating an explosion of fire and shadow. When the dust settled, both stood panting, Clea jumped over the tree which was summoned and made a large distance between her and her opponent.

She brought out a dagger which was longer and bulkier than usual, mounted onto her bow, she concentrated her energy, into her elbows and hand grip, pulling the string, the dagger shrouded in Shadow energy looked eerie, she mumbled slowly,

"Dark Arts Bow Style: Black Point" and released the dagger. Ririna felt her body shudder a bit and took a step back. She tried blocking the attack using multiple spells like Firewall, Ice wall, and Trunks but they failed to contain the attack, only slowing it down a bit.

Finally, Ririna used her highest tier offensive spell she knew, Fire Crack as a counter attack but due to the instability in the spell caused the dagger to only change its trajectory, crashing onto the ground and creating a massive crater. Ririna who saw the impact and the shockwave sent her crashing into the wall.

The crowd roared after maintaining silence till now and seeing yet another good match, Sullivan declared, 'Clea' the winner.

The next match was between Zinni Silvus and an average candidate who forfeited after getting a taste of her first spell itself.

Myra called out the next contestants,

Henry Dragonborne vs Lily Dragonborne

a battle between siblings. In front of their father Dravis Dragonborne, both wanting to showcase their skills.