Kapitel 437: Surging Hydra
Line slammed into the ground and stopped abruptly. Standing up he found his arm shaking, his side was bleeding. There was an error in his judgement, Mira wasn't a Pugilist at all! He was a Berserker!
Still that was an abnormal amount of strength! Even for a Berserker. There was roughly and inch or two of space, but the swing was that powerful? What kind of insane amount of strength was needed to pull that off?
Line's thoughts stopped abruptly as he saw an axe spin across the air towards him. Leaping to the side it barely brushed passed him. Taking a breath he regained some confidence, 'He just threw his weapon! That regains my advantage in-'
BOOM-!!
A shockwave slammed into his back, making him look back in surprise. The wall of the Arena, it was shattered from impact?!
The Arena was an ancient creation. It automatically repaired any damage dealt during the fights for the next match. But its main feature was the adjustment in Stages. Additionally it adjusted the strength of itself to be one Stage higher than the fighters in order to save energy. Meaning the walls and forcefield of the Arena was a low Third Stage in defense!
Yet it was shattered?! Just from a throw?! Does that mean Mira was capable of dishing out Third Stage level attacks at merely Second Stage?!
Line looked back in fear. What a monster! To be this strong at such a young age. What would his future be like?!
This move made the audience speechless. Those doubting Mira's strength found themselves swallowing their words. Suddenly Mira became the focus of attention, of the audience and the Provinces.
'No! Calm down! If I let my fear take over me right now I won't be able to win! Calmly assess the situation! There has to be something! The swing! Was there something off about it? Replay it in your head! What did I miss?'
Line watched as Mira closed the distance between them. It then hit him at that moment, Mira was lacking in speed! Gripping his hook swords he quickly analyzed the damage he received. His entire right arm was practically useless. Although it probably still could be used to bluff. His ribs were broken, and his own hook sword caused a nasty gash from the impact.
The lack of speed could very well be a trap, but it wasn't like Line had many options anyway! Tightening his grip on his swords he charged towards Mira. It was time to put his theory to the test!
Hooking his two swords together to gain some more range he swung forward. Mira dodged the swing and reached out his hand, a streak of blood shooting forward and connecting with the axe. It then rapidly shrank, bringing the axe back to Mira's hand. Line disconnected his swords and swung towards Mira's neck, he had to finish this before Mira got his axe-!
BANG-!
Mira delivered a swift punch to Line's abdomen and sent him flying back. Casually grabbing his axe he looked towards the direction Line flew off to, "He didn't dodge it. . ."
Line crashed into a wall and heaved. Again! There wasn't enough space for Mira to use any decent momentum! He had once again ignored it! There was no movement to react to! What was the most annoying was that it wasn't even speed! How was he supposed to tell if any slight movement was an attack?
This confusion was precisely what Stars' previous wielder was aiming for! If Mira only needed the smallest of space to deliver a powerful blow, didn't that mean any slight movement could mean the end? This level of overthinking could only be applied by Mira!
There was a high possibility only Mira was the one capable of executing this! While there might be others blessed with great strength, not all of them had an abundant amount of energy like Mira! With such a strange but sort of unique way of fighting, Stars insisted he would be the one to name the style.
{Surging Hydra}! With inspiration from the coiled cobra Stars went with a different approach. A power capable of being released with only the slightest of movement! This style, and Mira's strength gained the attention of the other Provinces.
Winter asked, "What was the Trial of his like?"
Vin shook his head, "There was none."
"No Trial? Then how did he enter The Gated Arena?"
"No idea, we're currently investigating that."
"Well not that it matters. This alone is a testament to his potential. I can't believe the South had found someone like this."
"Does Line stand a chance?"
"Line never stood a chance to begin with. The only reason why I sent him was to gain some experience. Although I hate to admit it, we're going to have to place our bets on Tyran."
"Damn, I really hoped we didn't have to see him in action."
"I think his twisted personality might be a little stress relieving. The South has been a thorn in my side this whole time."
~ ~ ~
Line freed himself from the rubble, blood practically covering his entire body. His right arm lacked the ability to even hold his weapon. Dropping it he continued to fish for air. His knees wobbled and he collapsed onto the ground grasping at his chest.
Mira had a complicated expression, "Sorry. . . I didn't mean to hit you so hard."
Due to his constant training Mira had gotten used to not limiting his strength. Now facing with an actual foe he once again faced the reality of his monstrous strength. His axe returned to the mark on his palm and he asked, "Are you okay?"
Line looked up, his vision tunneling to one person in particular. The Head of the East Province, Winter. Except her gaze wasn't at him, it was directed towards Mira. He lowered his head and balled up his hands, gripping pieces of rubble. Is talent really such an important thing?
From beginning to end Line had struggled. He wasn't anyone of talent. He only passed the Trial with a stroke of luck and determination. Yet despite this he worked hard constantly. He might not have anything special. No unique aspect of himself as a fighter, but through hard work certainly even he could beat the talented people!
But this guy. . . This level of strength no longer something on a 'talented' level. This was something far beyond that! This was-
"You okay?"
Line's eyes widened, his vision tunneled too much. He hadn't even noticed Mira approach! He needed to quickly defend himself. . .
Mira held out a hand with a tilted head, "I didn't mean to hit you so hard."
'Is he making fun of me?! Because I said to not hold back-?!'
Line's thoughts stopped. When he looked at Mira he saw not a face of scorn, but one of genuine concern. Raising a hand Line grabbed Mira, "You pack quite the punch. . ."
"Sorry."
"It's my own fault for getting hit by it.", Line spoke as he stood to his feet.
"Do you want to continue?"
"I don't think I can in this state. You win, but whatever you do. . . Don't hold back against the next guy."
"What?"
Line slumped and was quickly transported out of the Arena. Mira formed a confused expression as he looked towards the East Province Spectator Box.
Winter's voice suddenly broadcasted, "Normally you would be allowed a five minute break to gather your breath. However if you feel like you don't need it you can continue."
"I'm fine!"
"Very well, we shall send our next warrior."
Line entered the spectator box, "Head I-"
Winter shook her head, "Don't bother yourself over it. You already knew what you were going to get into when you asked to join. Am I wrong?"
"No. . . but-"
"Then don't blame yourself. Find what you lack and improve upon it. That is the purpose of The Gated Arena."
"Yes Head, thank you for your guidance."
"I merely said what needed to."
Line exited the room almost immediately. His focus shifting to further improve himself. If he couldn't beat someone that monstrous with his current effort, he clearly wasn't putting enough effort in! No matter how long he needed to train, he will overcome this wall!
~ ~ ~
"Line lost to some kid? Always figured that guy was some weakling. Ah whatever I'll win this match and get it over with."
Mira shook his head, "Line wasn't a weakling."
"Sure kid."
Mira frowned, he didn't like the way his new opponent talked.
Tyran adjust a pair of caestus on his hands, "Right, let's get this over with. Hit me with everything you got."
"Okay. . . ?"
Winter's voice spoke, "And let the match begin!"
Mira dashed across the Arena while forming his axe. Oddly enough Tyran didn't move, he merely watched. Once the distance was closed Mira swung his axe with an enormous amount of strength.
WHAM-!
In the blink of an eye Mira was suddenly sent flying across the Arena?! He flipped several times before landing on his feet. Tilting his head he placed a hand on his chest, a wound had just finished healing. It was odd! He swore his attack landed. Yet the one who was hurt was him?
There wasn't enough information to fully understand what was happening. He just needed watch a little closer next time.
Tyran suddenly called out, "If you couldn't find that out already you can't win."
Mira didn't reply, instead he raised his axe and slammed the ground. The floor of the Arena shattered from the blow, cracks spreading across almost the entire floor. Shards of stone and dust scattered like fragmentation. Tyran squinted to protect his eyes, but he still refused to move.
A figure's shadow appeared in the cloud of dust. An axe swing cutting through the dust reached towards Tyran's chest.
[Reflective Ripple: Redirection]
In a smooth yet incredibly quick motion Tyran raised his hand and blocked Mira's attack. With a strange series of movements he also threw a punch forward and connected with Mira's chest. The blow was powerful enough to scatter the dust and clear the shrouded Arena. As Mira once again recovered Tyran taunted, "You got hit by it a second time. As far as I'm concerned you're not qualified to continue. Especially if you can't figure out something this simple."
Mira took up a stance, just a little bit more! He noticed something that time!
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
-- Power-
Rangliste 
-- Power-
Stein