“Woah…”

“This fight is awesome…”

The stadium was in awe of the display they were able to witness. What they see now are two powerhouses trading blow after blow, seemingly on par with each other.

Our blades clashed- a kick is met with a kick and a fist with a fist. Although I had achieved no progress at this moment, I was filled with joy. A joy that I was fortunate enough to experience a magnificent high like this. This was the same feeling I get when I destroy the opposition in front of me. Fighting with magic is way more fun than sitting down and playing video games all day!

“Hahaha! This is fun, don’t ya think, Doukur?!” I cackled at the chieftain demogre. Icicles formed between my fingers and were thrown at Doukur. He bashed them away before they could pierce his skin.

“Don’t like that? How about this?!”

I backed away from the area and lifted one hand up. Above Doukur, a swirling maelstrom of mana was forming like a powerful vortex. He felt the phenomenon looming over him and, when he looked up, he saw an immense icicle that almost reached his height.

“Hehe! Show me more of your power!”

With a single gesture, the gigantic icicle descended upon Doukur, who bravely confronted the challenge. What happened next surprised everyone.

“Oh, you gotta be kidding me…” I mumbled with exasperation.

Flames were protruding out of Doukur’s left hand and were racing along the icicle, melting it like a scoop of ice cream dropped on a hot sidewalk. A mini-shower of melted ice was occurring around Doukur, and the spot he was standing on was now a puddle.

“So, this is what it feels like to use magic… It’s very stimulating. I’m brimming with even more power!” He roared once again.

I wagged a finger at the ecstatic demogre. “I had a similar reaction to what you’re having right now when I first discovered it. It was great. Enough about me though, take a quick peek behind you.”

“Behind me?”

While he was relishing his latest powers, I was setting up a surprise for him. As he turned his head, he was met with small bolts of lightning. As he was struck by my spell, the deafening sound of thunder arose. The stench of burning meat immediately hit me.

It’s a good thing I know how lightning is formed. Just have the protons and electrons attracted to each other and up their speed and boom! You got lightning. Well, that’s the gist of it. That’s what I learned when I was in school. I had to make sure I set Doukur as the protons in this case and set the electrons in a small area above him.

Plumes of smoke camouflaged his massive frame. As I was sprinting toward Doukur, a big fireball was released from beyond the smoke. With a wave of my hand, the flames dispersed, and the smoke cleared, showing Doukur swinging his metal club at my head. I evaded the blow by sliding underneath the club and placed my palms on the ground, driving my foot at the depression behind his right knee. He buckled against the powerful kick but shook it off quickly and grabbed my leg with his free hand, lifting me from the ground. I was left dangling like a dirty rag.

“Got you now, slippery little cub,” Doukur smirked. He squeezed my leg in an attempt to crush my bones, but he would soon find out his efforts were fruitless.

“Oh? Are you sure about that?” I smiled.

As he was pulling me closer, I already formed a plethora of icicles. I threw them at Doukur’s eyes, but he expected my sneak attack and blocked them with his club.

“Nice try, but THAT won’t work on me anymo-“

A booming noise erupted above us, interrupting Doukur.

“Hm? A thunderstorm is brewing?” Doukur whispered.

Doukur glared at the sky, wondering how a thunderstorm appeared out of nowhere when it was a clear sky just a moment ago. There was a single, dark cloud drifting across the blue sky, which he found unusual. The realization dawned upon his face.

“Was it you?!” He asked me in awe. “Are you willing to strike us both with lightning? Are you insane?”

I simply shrugged my shoulders at him and smiled. “Your first mistake was not finishing me right here and now.”

I snapped my fingers at the still cloud waiting, and on my command, a flash of white light erupted in the middle of the arena; a thunderclap soon after. The lightning then struck Doukur and me. I was able to mitigate most of the effects by creating a sort of shield with mana and with the help of [Heat Resistance]. I felt the grip on my leg loosen, and I took that chance to escape. Doukur, however, wasn’t looking too good. His skin was now charred as if he went through a chimney that hadn’t been cleaned in years. The smell of burnt flesh filled my nostrils once more, and the sound of sizzling was heard like oily burgers on a grill.

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Nevar was left stumbling across his words. “W-W-What fearsome firepower! Isaac was not only able to create ice out of thin air, but he could also summon a bolt of lightning! Just what kind of power does he possess?”

A low growl was emitted in front of me.

“What a monster…” I chuckled to myself.

Doukur was slowly healing the wounds I inflicted. Parts of his flesh that were burnt were now returning to their original color. I took a glance at the weapon I had in hand. It used to have a vibrant blueish color to it, but now it was dimming. Since it’s made of Torqinite, it’s also filled with mana, and that energy source was running out fast. It’s why I’ve been able to use my mana so freely. Judging from its hue and my mana reservoir, I have about one more attack on me.

Doukur was now fully healed, but that regeneration took a heavy toll on his body. His body slumped, and he fell to his knees, his breathing haggard.

“Hey, ogre. It’s about time we finish this.”

With great effort, Doukur rose to his feet, leaning on his metal club for support.

“...Then so be it.”

With one last burst of energy, he roared and rushed at me. He swung his club one last time, but his sluggish movements had barely any strength put into it. Dropping my sword, I grabbed his club mid-swing and locked his arm into place.

“GG,” I whispered as mana formed into my right fist. Doukur, with his free arm, cocked it back and went for a last-ditch effort punch to my head, but he was too late. Just before he could land the blow, I drove a mighty jab to his stomach, freezing him in place. Doukur heaved at my punch, and his arms drooped.

“…It is... my loss… mighty tiger…”

The large chieftain then fell flat on his face.

****

“…Did you kill him?” I worriedly asked Isaac.

Right now, we are in the medical bay. Isaac was getting his body checked by the male healer while the other was watching over Doukur. They had to bring in a bigger bed since he grew mid-match.

“Nah. He’s not dead. Just knocked out,” he answered cheerfully. “You do know killing isn’t allowed, right?”

“I know, but his eyes went white! As if his soul left his body...”

“I’m still alive and I can hear everything,” a deep voice grumbled. We all jumped at the sound of a fatigued voice. Doukur steadily rose from his position and staggered toward Isaac. They both stared into each other’s eyes without saying a single word. Doukur lifted his arm out as if he was going for Isaac’s neck. I had my hand out, ready to use my rapier, but it wasn’t needed.

“That was a good fight. Let’s do it again sometime,” Doukur declared. Isaac stared at him blankly. In two seconds, the realization dawned on him.

“You’re on, big guy.”

They clasped hands and shook on it, both smirking at each other like they’d been best friends for years.

“Okay, break it up,” the male healer growled, smacking Isaac’s back.

“Ow! Why’d you slap my back?” Isaac groaned while massaging the area where he was hit.

“Oh? That actually hurt? I thought you could take some punishment, judging by how your fight went. Guess you’re soft after all.”

“I just got done fighting!”

The healer waved Isaac off. Before he could say anything else, the intercom blared to life.

Looks like I’m up. I should end my fight with Lycaon quickly. I think I’ve had enough of training myself during these fights. After what happened with Mander, I shouldn’t let my guard down.

Isaac appeared over my shoulder, stretching his tired arms and legs. “Your eyebrows are scrunched up again, Laila. Whatcha thinking about in that head of yours?

“The upcoming match,” I replied curtly as I exited the medical bay.

“If you’re thinking about the match… I bet I know what you’re thinking. Are you going to speed run your fight with Lycaon?”

“You guessed right. Speaking of speed run…”

Right before I entered the arena, I froze right in front of the entrance, whirling myself to face Isaac.

“Why did you let him transform? That was your chance to finish the job. No matter what angle I look at it, the only thing I can think of is that you did it for shits and giggles.”

“I wanted to beat him at his best. It’s more fun that way,” Isaac answered matter-of-factly. I expected he would answer this way, but I cannot see this habit of his as a good thing.

I put a hand on his shoulder, staring deep into his eyes. “Isaac… I know this is a tournament, but think about it this way. What if you were in a life-or-death situation, and the same situation happens again? What if you got more than you bargained for, and it costs you your life? What then?”

He was silent for a moment; his facial expression was hard to read. “…That will never happen. I’ll just have to get stronger so no one can stop me. And besides, you’ll have my back in case something goes wrong, right?”

He gave me a pat on the back and went on ahead, without even hearing my response. I sighed while he slowly disappeared from my sight.

“But what if I’m not there, though? We can’t always be side by side…”

****

These damn ants are persistent! No matter what I do, they keep getting back up, especially that old fossil. We’ve been going at it for hours, and the sun has just begun to set. Should I just leave them here and continue with my mission?

“Just where do you think you’re going!”

The female warrior opened one of her annoying portals again to catch me off guard by stabbing through them.

“I don’t have time to waste on you bugs. The madam cannot wait any longer!”

The trail leads to the city named Port Silis. I must make haste or else the mana signatures will disappear!

“You’re definitely looking for somebody with how you are scanning across the battlefield,” said a strained voice. The old man mysteriously appeared above me and launched a savage kick, sending me toppling onto a pile of debris. Soot and dust stained my attire. It was as if I had crawled through a tight cave entrance.

“Geuk… disgusting…” I grimaced. I was too preoccupied wiping off the grime and hadn’t noticed those two were now scowling at me.

“Alright, who or what are you looking for?” The woman asked me harshly.

“As if I should answer mongrels,” I said, spatting at the two.

The veins on her head bulged with fury. The mongrel seemed as if she was going to stab right through my skull, until a piece of rock was thrown near the pair’s faces, forming a large hole in the pile of debris. Unable to identify the source of the rock, they were examining the area in search of the thrower.

“Well- well- well… Look who it is!” A proud voice boasted. The wretched voice sounded familiar. I turned my head to see a man standing tall over the crushed roof of a house.

“If it isn’t Solgen and Morgy…”

Volken was surveying the scene in front of him, his lips curled into a faint smile.

“I’ve finally found you.”