Chapter 18: The Battle Begins
The air in the arena crackled with tension as Akira and Julian faced off across from one another. The spectators, still recovering from the shocking entrance of the masked figures, had fallen into a hushed silence. The scene was set, and it was clear that this would be no ordinary fight.
Akira's gaze never wavered as he stood before his opponent, the cool steel of his twin swords gleaming in the daylight. Julian, on the other hand, looked furious. His arrogance hadn't dissipated, but his pride had certainly taken a hit. His sharp, noble features were twisted with contempt as he glared at Akira.
"So, you're the one I have to fight," Julian sneered. "A nobody who doesn't even know how to show up on time. You'll regret that mistake."
Akira didn’t flinch. His face was calm, focused, his entire being attuned to the fight ahead. Inwardly, he felt a thrill. This was the moment he’d been waiting for—the chance to test his strength, to prove that he belonged in the world of Hunters. He could feel the mana flowing through him, the power of his fire magic ready to explode if needed.
The announcer, still somewhat rattled from the unexpected entrance, regained his composure and raised his voice. "Contestants, are you ready? The first phase of the Hunter Exams... BEGIN!"
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Julian’s Attack:
Julian wasted no time, raising his hands and summoning a bolt of arcane energy that crackled with magical power. He fired it directly at Akira with lightning speed, the bolt hissing through the air like a snake. The audience gasped as the spell shot toward Akira’s chest, a sure hit if it landed.
But Akira was ready. He sidestepped the attack with ease, his movement fluid and quick. He didn’t even flinch as the bolt missed, his eyes locking onto Julian as he prepared for his next move.
"Is that all you've got?" Akira taunted, his voice steady. "I was hoping for more of a challenge."
Julian's eyes narrowed in fury, and he raised both hands in the air. The mana around him pulsed, growing more intense. "You’re arrogant for someone who barely knows how to swing a sword!" he shouted. "Let me show you the true power of a Ferna mage!"
He snapped his fingers, and the ground beneath Akira's feet began to shift. Stone spikes erupted from the earth, shooting upward with terrifying speed. Akira’s eyes widened slightly, but his body reacted immediately. He dashed forward, using his enhanced agility to avoid the spikes, his twin swords cutting through the air with deadly precision.
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Akira’s Counterattack:
Akira weaved around the stone spikes, moving like a blur, closing the distance between him and Julian with each passing second. His feet barely touched the ground as he rushed forward, his twin swords raised. He could feel the fire building in his left sword, the flames roaring to life, ready to be unleashed.
Julian’s eyes widened as Akira’s speed caught him off guard. He barely had time to react as Akira was upon him in an instant. The first sword slashed through the air, creating a trail of fire that singed the tips of Julian’s robes. The second sword followed, its edge flashing like lightning as it came dangerously close to Julian’s chest.
"Not bad, but you’re still too slow!" Julian shouted, a defiant grin on his face as he summoned a barrier of arcane energy. The flames from Akira’s sword hit the barrier, sizzling as they met the magical shield. Julian’s grin widened as the barrier absorbed the attack.
But Akira wasn’t finished. With a roar, he poured more of his fire magic into the left sword, causing the flames to burn hotter. The sword glowed with a fiery intensity as he swung it again. This time, the fire blasted forward in a concentrated wave, forcing Julian to leap backward, barely evading the flames.
"You’ve underestimated me," Akira said coldly, his grin matching Julian’s cocky smirk. "I’m not here to play games."
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Ren Watches:
From the stands, Ren watched with a focused expression. He had seen Akira train, and now, watching him in action, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of pride. Akira was more than ready for this fight. He had honed his skills, and now they were paying off.
"He’s got the right idea," Ren muttered to himself, eyes tracking the movements of the fight. "He’s not giving Julian any room to breathe."
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The Final Move:
Julian, realizing that his opponent wasn’t some inexperienced amateur, began to panic. He had to end this quickly before Akira closed the gap even further. With a loud incantation, he began summoning a powerful magic, his hands glowing with immense energy.
"Let’s see how you handle this!" Julian roared, sending a massive ball of energy straight toward Akira.
Akira’s eyes widened as he saw the ball of energy approaching. It was much bigger and more destructive than anything Julian had summoned before. But instead of backing down, Akira stepped forward, his confidence unwavering.
He raised both swords in a defensive stance. With a deep breath, he focused his mana, channeling it into his body. The fire sword flared with even greater intensity, while the other sword hummed with energy. Akira met the energy ball head-on, slashing the air in front of him with both blades. The fiery energy and his own magic collided, exploding into a massive shockwave.
For a moment, everything went silent. The dust cleared, and Akira stood tall, unscathed, while Julian lay on the ground, panting heavily. His shield had cracked, his energy spent. He couldn’t keep up with Akira’s relentless onslaught.
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The Announcer’s Voice:
The crowd erupted into cheers, but the announcer’s voice cut through the noise. "And the winner is... Akira Azami!"
Julian, his pride shattered, glared at Akira from the ground. "This... isn’t over," he hissed. "You’ll regret this."
Akira merely smirked and turned his back, walking away from the defeated mage.
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As Akira exited the arena, the crowd continued to cheer. He had proven himself in his first match, showing not only his combat skill but his confidence and strength. This was only the beginning, and the exams were just heating up.
Ren, still wearing his mask, caught up with Akira, giving him a thumbs-up. "Nice job. You crushed him."
Akira smirked. "It wasn’t even close. Let’s see what the next round has in store."
But as they walked off, their thoughts weren’t on Julian anymore. The Hunter Exams had only just begun, and Akira was more determined than ever to make it to the final phase and earn his Hunter License.
And something told him that this was only the first of many battles to come.