บท 27: Final Round

The two days were the longest to most present in the city. Kael, not the least slacking, trained diligently, uncovering more about his abilities. Although focused on improving his space manipulation ability, he decided this time around to go through his gravitational skills. It was a gut feeling, and he wasn't going to doubt that now of all times.

"Hey, Eva, show me my gravity manipulation tab." Kael muttered, sitting crossed leg in the centre of his room.

[Eva? When did you come up with that?]

"Oh? I don't... know. The name just... fits you... I guess. Anyway, if you don't like it, I can change it."

[No, it's fine. Thanks for the name]

"There's no need to thank me. We are in this together, remember?"

[...]

[Gravity Manipulation (S)]

[Skills]

[Gravity Aura: Host can surround and manipulate the gravity around him]

[Gravity Pull: Enables the host to attract objects towards himself]

[Gravity Repulsion: Enables the host to repel/push objects away from himself]

[Gravity Shift: Host can create a small area in which he can freely manipulate gravity force on himself and others]

Heading out of the room, he made his way to his usual training ground. 'This is the only day left just before the final match. The previous day was spent deepening my understanding of spatial manipulation.'

Easily activating the void sense and void eyes at once, he scanned the area thoroughly. Having confirmed he had the area to himself, he settled on the ground. He spent an hour going through the gravity manual technique once again.

"Alright, let's give this a go." He rose from the ground, placing little rocks around himself. Raising his hands and spreading his gravity aura, the rocks began floating above the ground. They rose higher to the sky before freely falling back to the ground. "It makes sense for it to fall back. That means my range also extends to a certain height."

"Let's give it a try again," he thought, gathering little rocks once again. This time around, he increased the gravity within the area. Cracks slowly began to form as the rocks trembled under the sheer might of gravity.

They finally exploded with the debris shooting across the area. "Increasing gravity to a certain degree, I'll be able to crush opponents easily just with that."

Gathering another set of rocks, this time around, he was surrounded with large rocks. "Alright, decrease the gravity around the area." The rocks, just like the previous ones, began floating from the ground. They slowly rose up before falling to the ground with a thud.

"Ugh, this... I never thought it would be this hard," Kael muttered, already feeling a throbbing pain in his head. "Let's give it a go again! Instead of wrapping my gravity aura around them... let's see…"

With the gravity shift activated, he slowly manipulated the gravity within the area and the objects, decreasing it to a level. Now, focusing on the rocks, he directed his gravity aura, easily lifting them off the ground. They rose up to the sky just like the previous ones and then controlled them back.

'The higher the height, the more difficult it is for me to control them.' He thought as he allowed the rocks to fall towards the ground. The speed at which the rocks descended slowly decreased as they entered his area. With his gravity aura wrapped around them, he controlled the rocks, making them spin around him.

Shifting his legs, he directed the rocks towards a larger rock fixed firmly to the ground a few metres away from his position.

BOOOOM!

A large explosion occurred as each rock slammed into the bigger one causing it to crack. The last dealt the final blow to the already weakened rock, shattering it.

Kael continued with his practice, expending his energy and refilling it again. With the sun now already dipping down the horizon, he decided to call it a day. With his clothes drenched in sweat and dust, he decided to wash himself in the stream.

"Ahhh." Letting out a misty breath, he relaxed within the water, soothing his sore body. "This feels good." Few minutes later, he was out with his clothes wrapped in bundles.

"I did cause a lot of ruckus," he thought, scratching the back of his head. "Well, they would fix it," he muttered with a smile. The once serene area was filled with shattered rocks and little craters around the area. Closing his eyes, he disappeared from his spot. With each comprehension gained in his abilities, he felt his range of teleportation increasing.

Teleporting once more, he appeared in his room, causing him to let out a smile. "I'm getting better at this." He said with a smile.

[You call that good? You still have a long, long way to go, and I won't be proud of such measly achievements]

"Whatever," Kael muttered, not wanting to spoil his excitement. "Too bad I can't use the abyssal ability in the open."

"Wait a sec! I did unlock the fire ability. I totally forgot about that. But, it doesn't matter. Those two can be used as my ace cards." Deciding to rest for the upcoming event, he firmly shut his door before slumping on his bed.

———

"My Lord, I've reached the final and closer in achieving the goal." Lucius, the follower from the Wukong sect, said to the figure floating above a device on his hand.

"That's good," the figure's voice echoed from the device. "Make sure you win, and make things easier for yourself."

"Yes, my Lord. The only worthy opponent that would make things hard a bit is that young dragon prince. The other one won't amount to much."

"Duncan, the dragon prince. You should be careful of him. A prodigy of the dragon kingdom trained under the dragon king himself. If things become dire, you can use the artifact I gave you, but ensure you don't fail me." Surprisingly, the booming voice was only heard by him.

"Y-yes my Lord." He replied as the connection was cut off.

"I don't think I would have much problem then," Lucius thought as he settled on the bed. "I can't wait to win the final and wipe that smug look off that stupid prince's face. I might even get a chance to have fun with her on our night together," he thought, licking his lips.

Meanwhile, in the last room in the large building, just on the balcony. A muscular guy lay on the rails while staring at the distant stars. "I'm glad I listened to Father's order and came here. It's been a long time since I had this shrill of excitement coursing through my body."

"Marrying her also won't be that bad after a satisfying battle. I just hope I don't get disappointed." Clenching his trembling fist tightly, he stared at the sky for some minutes before entering his room. "I'm doing this for you, mom. I'm gonna make you proud, and I hope you're watching wherever you are now."

— — —

A surge of anticipation filled the air as a new day dawned on the city. The highly awaited final match was set to take place in a vast, open field, situated far away from the residential areas. The venue, a barren expanse with dark clouds filling the sky.

The atmosphere was shrouded in an ominous aura as thunder boomed and crackled, accompanied by fleeting flashes of lightning that illuminated the darkness, casting an eerie glow over the landscape.

This time around, Queen Otrera made sure the barrier was strong enough in holding the three contestants without harming those present. Her eyes were fixed on the trio who stood at the centre, each holding their various weapons. Kael had decided to use the spiked gauntlet that the Queen had gifted him.

With the area now fully packed and the chosen time already passed, the queen rose and gave a short speech, stating the reason for the competition and how it would benefit both kingdoms greatly. With a wave of her hands she declared loudly, "let the final begin!"