The two figures who were facing each other in the arena were arguably the two strongest acolytes of the Magus Academy. After all, the scoring system of the privileged class put Anzi at rank 1 and Zach at rank 2 in the physical score.
As soon as Zach saw who was standing on the other side of the arena, he suddenly remembered something about the other party and said.
"You are the one who claims to be the strongest acolyte, aren't you?"
Hearing the question, Anzi nodded and confidently answered, "Yes, I am."
The reason Zach ask was that there was actually a rumor going around that the reason the Inhuman couldn't reach a higher rank within the privileged acolyte was that those above him all possessed light elemental affinity, which was the bane of him.
One rumor even said the only reason why Zach was able to pass his rank was that the dragon boy was afraid and chose to skip him, challenging his master Shatter Cross instead.
Reminding about such rumors that he once heard made Zach let out a little chuckle.
Staring at his opponent, he drew out his 2-meter-long broadsword, the Executioner. He then warmed himself up, swinging the huge weapon around so effortlessly as if it was a feather.
"Good! We will settle this here and then!"
Anzi remained calm hearing his opponent's words. He tore off his clothes and his deformed body quickly began to harden, turning into a pitch-black root-like appearance, as he turned into an abomination that towered over the Dragon Prince with his 2.5 meters height.
His two arms transformed into a pair of sharp blades which were menacingly brandished towards Zach. Then, in a heavy and hoarse voice that sounded extremely horrid, he said,
"We Shall see!"
Anzi blasted the ground where he stood as his figure shot at Zach. The arena floor shook with each step he took, furiously charging towards the Dragon Prince.
As soon as he arrived before his opponent, his two arms turned into a dark blade, swinging down with undisguised killing intent. Seeing the attack, the Dragon Prince tightened his hold on his sword and replied with an upwards slash.
BAANNGGGG!!!
A deafening sharp sound echoed through the air and the ground below Zach's feet sank, forming a crater when their attacks connected with each other.
Feeling the overwhelming strength gushing from his opponent, Zach knew his current strength wasn't enough, thus the dragon half-blood used his innate ability, transforming into what he was most known for.
[Bahamut Transformation]
"EAAARRRGHHH!"
Armor-like crimson scales began to emerge all over his body as his muscles expanded and contracted slightly, giving him the necessary strength to push Anzi back, forcing the latter to take a few steps back.
"Hahaha, very good!" the Inhuman cackled as he once again charged with all his strength.
Confident in his own strength, Zach responded in kind, his figure shooting toward his opponent to match him.
What unfolded next was a contest of brute force between the two, where both of them relentlessly sent powerful blows at the other. They would of course occasionally block or parry, but eventually, it would end up with a retaliation of another heavy blow.
There seemed to be no victor in this battle, until Zach decided to use his special [Draconic Aura] to further increase his power. A formless domain exploded from the Dragon Prince, causing the ground around him to sink slightly.
However, unlike what some expected, the majestic pressure created by that ability didn't seem to be able to affect Anzi, as he continued to fight with all his might as if nothing had happened.
At this moment, Zach's attack turned strong enough to leave a crack in the latter's arm blades. Slowly but surely, he began to push the Inhuman backward, inflicting serious wounds from the swing of his sword.
It was clear to the audience that Zach would likely win in this battle of strength. Unfortunately for Zach, his victory seemed like it would also take quite a time as his opponent was not easy to defeat.
The inhuman Anzi had the highest endurance among all, to be precise, the living organism that lied within his blood.
This bacteria was the exact reason why every wound and damage Zach inflicted was negated over time. It was capable of reforming every crack on his arm blades and patching up the wounds all over his body.
It was even able to recover Anzi's heart when it was crushed by Zach's sword.
This was Anzi's true power, what really made him a fearsome foe – his seemingly immortality.
On the other side of the spectrum, even though he was a half-blood of the Dragon bloodline, which was certainly far more durable than normal humans, Zach still needed time to regenerate his dragon scales that were damaged when he got hit by Anzi's oversized limbs,
As an eerie chuckle escaped from the half-disfigured face, Anzi said in a condescending tone, " Stop your pointless struggle. You cannot kill me... Even a magus wouldn't be able to kill without the light element!"
A scoff was the response he received from the Dragon Prince.
"Huh! I am not through with you yet!!!"
Zach's figure shot toward Anzi once more, brandishing his broadsword like a whirlwind as he bombarded the latter with relentless attacks. Ear-piercing clangs echoed through the air as Anzi matched his opponent's aggression with his own techniques.
Although the two of them were fighting fiercely and brutally, each had a solid fighting discipline they had mastered since childhood. The audience was able to witness a spectacular spectacle that sent blood pumping all over their bodies.
Clank! Clankk! Clankk!
Zach once again managed to crack apart Anzi's arm blades with his skillful and powerful moves, and without the slightest hesitation, he seized the opportunity and stabbed Anzi in the knee with his sword, stopping the Inhuman's movement, before using both his arms to release his flames spell.
[Mega Flare]
"Arrghhh!"
Anzi screamed in pain as the overwhelming wave of scorching flames struck his body. However, he endured the excruciating agony and forced himself to attack, piercing Zach's chest with his broken arm blades.
Even though he saw the attack, Zach didn't attempt to dodge it as it would foil his opportunity.
He was ready to take such sacrifice if it allowed his decisive attack to succeed.
"Arrghh!" Zach roared, exploding his fighting spirit as he withstands the pain in his chest, pulled his Executioner out of the inhuman knee, he unhesitantly swung it towards Anzi's exposed neck.
Cracckkkkk!!!
Dark blood splattered into the air as the broadsword managed to cut half of the inhuman neck. Such a grievous wound should be enough to kill any acolyte.
However, it seemed his opponent wasn't finished yet. When he saw Anzi was still staring at him with such a stubborn gaze, Zach inwardly gritted his teeth and said, "This is enough. You have lost, surrender now."
"Haha.. ha... No… Not yet!"
Zach was startled when he saw the torn muscle in Anzi's neck spasming and starting to regenerate, gradually covering the sword that was still there. He stared at his opponent and could see the stubbornness in his eyes.
He let out a sigh before he roared and swung his sword one more time, chopping Anzi's head off his neck.
Splllaaattt!
The crowd became restless and chaotic once again when they saw another half-blood killing an acolyte. But then, the commotion suddenly receded like a tidal wave when they noticed a shocking scene that was completely unexpected.
The headless body of Anzi suddenly stepped forward and grabbed Zach's body with his two large limbs, before pitch-black blood erupted from the gaping wound and covered the Dragon Prince's body.
The situation swiftly turned dire for Zach.
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