"Emery Ambrose wins!"
As soon as the referee announced those words aloud, thunderous cheers erupted in the air as millions of people present in the Grand Hall turned rowdy. Many applauded the spectacular fight the two had put up, but there were also some who were irritated and disappointed by the outcome.
Even though their eyes were currently seeing it, these people still couldn't believe a dominating figure like Olivier would end up losing to a half-blood, who originated from a lower realm at that.
The same thoughts were also shared by most of the people watching the tournament from across the universe via the broadcast.
"This is impossible! How could this be?!"
"What's with that sphere? We can see nothing!"
"That half-blood must be cheating!"
While people had various reactions to the unexpected result, said half-blood who had just been proclaimed as the third place winner of the Magus Tournament didn't show any particular reaction. In fact, he was just standing still in the middle of the arena as if oblivious to his surroundings.
The medical team rushed into the arena and approached the unconscious Sword Saint. At the same time, a beautiful young woman jumped from the other side of the arena and dashed towards the half-blood with a wide, beautiful smile that radiated her happiness.
She was so ecstatic with his victory that she didn't even care about the prohibition on other than participants from entering the arena.
"You won, Emery! You won!"
However, instead of joy or fascination, all the girl found on her beloved's face was a blank stare devoid of anything. Before she could ask what was wrong, her eyes widened as his body seemed to lose its strength and fell to her shoulder.
"Healer! Help!"
Hearing the panicked voice, the medical team who attended Olivier quickly sent some of its personnel to deal with the situation. Emery was quickly brought into the medical center together with the Sword Saint and his condition was immediately checked.
"The acolyte seems to have gone through some brain trauma. There is foreign energy still lodged in his brain, but fortunately, it's slowly receding. We expect him to wake up in a few hours."
****
While Emery was being treated, the situation outside was getting more exciting as the next match taking place in the Grand Hall was about to begin. This one match was the focal point of the entirety of the Magus Academy's Magus Tournament. The one that would decide this year's champion.
Once again, the charming Magus Serene made her appearance in the arena and warmed up the spectators by introducing the two people who would be competing for the title.
Sweeping her eyes over the audience, she smiled brightly and spoke with apparent passion. "Finally, the time has come, now is the moment we have been all waiting for! Let's welcome them with a round of applause! The two finalists, Zach Talon and Mahinder Nieves!"
The female magus went ahead and introduced a brief summary of the two's backgrounds for the audience, especially those who had only watched the final day of the tournament, to know more about them. Only then did she finally summon the two into the arena.
With the accumulated hate towards the half-bloods, coupled with the recent incidents, it was even more obvious that most of the audience placed their bets on the Monk instead of the dragon half-blood. Unfortunately for these people, Zach completely ignored them as he brought out his Executioner and readied himself for the fight.
[Bahamut Transformation]
As he had planned, Zach held nothing back and prepared to give his all from the first strike. The moment his crimson armor enveloped his entire body, he swiftly charged towards his opponent smashing his huge sword with untold ferocity.
The Monk responded in kind as he grabbed his beads and turned them into a pair of ring gauntlets. Uttering an incomprehensible mantra, he unleashed his martial art to deal with Zach's sword charge.
Bammm! Baammm!
Surprisingly, every single strike Zach made managed to knock the Monk's body a step or two, even though they were parried perfectly. This could only that the Dragon Prince had a significant advantage in strength over the Monk, otherwise the latter wouldn't be pushed around.
Knowing he couldn't keep up with Zach, Mahinder quickly chanted a few incantations that would be familiar to those who watched yesterday's fight. A moment later, a huge golden figure appeared behind him, following its appearance, a dozen golden arms began to form from his back.
"That will not be enough!" Zach roared and blazing dragon flames appeared behind him as if challenging the golden figure.
[Draconic Aura - Bahamut]
The audience who expected the direction of the fight to change when Mahinder released his golden figure were surprised when they saw Zach was still dominating the fight with his Draconic Aura.
As if he were a ferocious beast, the Dragon Prince continued to launch attacks at his opponent, battering and hurting Mahinder's body every time they clashed. This wild display of raw physical strength proved his standing as the strongest acolyte in the Academy.
Even when Zach finally managed to send Mahinder stumbling on his feet, not wanting to give his opponent a chance to breathe, he simultaneously unleashed [Draconi Flare] and [Mega Flare]. The combination of the two fire spells brought about an enormous vortex of scorching flames that nearly engulfed the entire arena.
In less than ten minutes, Zach managed to force the Monk to use his hidden skill.
From under his half-burn clothes, the figure tattoo opened its eyes for the world to see. Mahinder gained a tremendous boost that allowed him to block the flame and escape Zach's brutal bombardment.
"Don't you dare run away!"
Although the Monk escaped, Zach didn't stop and kept his pressure on the former as he continued launching attacks. Mahinder did his best dodging and parrying every attack he could, burning all his spirit pool for defense, yet Zach kept able to break through seemingly with ease.
The audience's cheers grew rowdier, entertained by such a blood-pumping, jaw-clenching fight. Drowned by the excitement of the moments, it seemed as if they all forgot who Zach represented. They were just excited with all the blazing flames and explosive attacks happening in the arena.
Ten minutes had passed, but Zach's attacks were still as intense and relentless as at the start of the match. At this point, the Monk was in terrible condition with wounds riddling his body. However, to the cheers of the audience, he used his mysterious ability to once again return to his peak condition.
Even though he saw his opponent basically turn his last ten minutes of hard work into nothing, a smile was seen on Zach's face.
"Ten minutes! you need that much before you can use that ability of yours again!"
Mahinder's facial expression turned sour, but Zach had already arrived before him again. The latter once again charged fiercely at the former, overwhelming and pushing the Monk even harder than before.
Clankk! Clank!
3 minutes
5 minutes
7 minutes
With a loud roar that shook throughout the arena, Zach gave all he got at Mahinder. This unrestrained act of his allowed him to force the latter in a corner in just seven minutes. It was an unbelievable feat to behold.
"You lose!" He said as his sword was brought high into the air. A faint gleam enveloped its huge blade.
[Hell Raiser]
Splalaat! Splaatt!
Blood profusely spurted into the air as Zach's sword inflicted several deep wounds on Mahinder. He fell to his knees as his body was covered in his own blood.
The Dragon Prince calmly walked over, ready to lay the final attack as he said, "Give up now, otherwise I will cut you in half!"
To everyone's surprise, the Monk shook his head. He looked at him with a smile as he tried his best to get back on his feet.
"So be it!"
Saying those words, Zach unhesitantly swung his greatsword. But at that exact moment, the eyes on the tattoo opened once again, shocking him greatly. After all, it hadn't even been seven minutes!
As the eyes revealed their brilliance once more, Mahinder regained his strength and immediately launched his retaliation.
[1000 Blossom Sacred Strike]
Caught completely off guard, Zach could only put up a subpar defense before he was overwhelmed by a torrential rain of palm attacks. The barrage swiftly cracked through his defense and smashed his flesh, breaking his bones.
Baammm! Bammm! Bamm!
Dozens of strikes filled with tremendous power hit Zach continuously, having almost entirely spent stamina and spirit pool in his earlier actions, there was nothing he could do but accept the attack in full.
The previous display of powerful dragons had turned into a standing mess of blood when the referee finally put an end to the match.
"Mahinder Nieves wins!"
The tournament ended with loud cheers that shook the sky, with the Monk as the champion.
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