“Whee! That awesome, partner!” Flavia jumped on Narias’s neck the moment he came back from the arena.

“Ah… tha… thank you, Flavia,” Narias hugged her back, more so to keep his balance, so he wouldn’t fall.

“That was an amazing fight, Narias. You’ve become… really strong,” Ileena complimented him, a bright flush jumping on her cheeks.

“Thanks, Ileena,” Narias came to give her a hug too.

“Narias,” Ileena hugged him warmly, placing her head on his shoulder for a short while.

“It’s your turn to win now,” Narias added, pulling away and giving her a kiss. “Good luck.” He smiled.

“Thank you,” Ileena blushed more than before. “I’ll be on my way now.”

Narias sat down while Ileena turned to walk down the stairs to get to the arena.

“Let’s watch Ileena win,” Flavia sat down too, yet looked to be too excited to sit still.

“Hello, my name is Ileena. It’s nice to meet you,” Ileena greeted her opponent politely.

“Humph, you’re the one who uses that weird Lightning Claw spell. Well, it won’t work on me, so you might as well give up now,” the boy student scoffed at Ileena without even saying hello.

“Oh, I see,” Ileena spoke more to herself than to the boy, her demeanor changing to a serious yet calm one.

“All participants ready?” Ranga was about to give the signal to start. “Begin!” And the fights started. All except for one, however.

“Huh?” Ileena turned her head slightly, becoming a little confused.

“What’s with the look? I thought I’ll let you attack first, since you’re a girl and all,” the boy student taunted her, throwing his hands to the sides with an arrogant shrug.

“You’re too kind,” Ileena said, closing her eyes for a brief moment before opening them and extending her right hand forward. “In that case… Lightning Strike!” She cast a spell.

“Ice Block,” but Ileena’s opponent defended himself by creating a block of ice, Lightning Strike hitting it, but doing nothing to it. “See? You can’t do anything to me.” The boy added after removing the Ice Block protection.

“Is that all you have to say?” Ileena let out a disappointing sigh, visibly not impressed with the boy’s arrogance.

“Eh? What’s that supposed to mean?” The boy became irritated by Ileena’s words.

“Nothing,” Ileena said, raising her hand in the air again. “Lightning Bolt!”

“I told you it’s not gonna work. Ice Block,” the boy used his defensive spell again.

- ‘Blast! Crack!’ – However, this time Ileena’s Lightning Bolt chipped and cracked the top of the ice from her opponent’s Ice Block.

“Huh? What?” The boy student didn’t expect for that to happen.

“Lightning Bolt!” Ileena cast another spell, hitting the Ice Block at the same exact spot, cracking it even more.

“Tch… don’t think so highly of yourself just because your measly Lightning Bolt left a dent on my Ice Block! Ice Blast!” The boy removed his Ice Block after Ileena’s last attack, so he could cast another spell.

“Huh?” Ileena had to jump away before the Ice Blast landed right where she was standing. She thought she escaped to a safe distance, but the moment the Ice Blast hit the ground, it exploded into a frozen cloud, freezing the area around it in about six feet radius. “Humph.” Fortunately, Ileena was fast to get away before the frozen cloud touched her, although, her left foot has caught some chill before she escaped.

“That’s it, I’m mad now! Ice Blast! Ice Blast!” The boy became angry all of a sudden, starting to cast his spells one after another.

“Lightning Feet,” Ileena had no choice but to use her new skill to jump away from each of her opponent’s spells, in addition to making some distance after the spell hit the ground, so the frost after the explosion wouldn’t reach her too.

“What’s wrong? Ice Blast! Not so confident now, are you? Ice Blast,” the boy kept casting his spells.

However, none of his spells hit their target. Ileena was gracefully escaping the Ice Blasts by using her Lightning Feet spell. She was able to use Lightning Feet only for half a second at best at a time, but that was more than enough for her to get away from the spot where the Ice Blast would hit.

“Tch… Ice Blast,” the boy cast yet another one of his spells which missed Ileena again.

“My turn. Lightning Crush!” After her last dodge, Ileena was in range to use her Lightning Crush spell and was about to swipe her opponent off his feet.

“Heh, I knew you’d do that,” the boy smirked before extending his hand forward. “Frozen Impale.”

The moment he chanted the spell, sharp ice stalagmites shot from the ground, starting from where the boy was standing and running forward directly at Ileena, each stalagmite being bigger and sharper than the previous one. Because Ileena was less than twenty feet away from her opponent, and was in the middle of casting her Lightning Crush spell, she couldn’t use her Lightning Feet to get away and was about to be impaled by one of the stalagmites that were jumping up from the ground.

“Huh? Ha… Haah!” But Ileena was no wannabe spellcaster. The moment she saw the icy stalagmites shooting up in front of her, she shifted her body, twisting her right arm that she was wielding her Lightning Crush spell with before swiping down at the next icy stalagmite that appeared in front of her.

- ‘Swipe! Slam!’ – The ice shattered when the Lightning Claw smashed it from above, Ileena jumping away to the side right after before more icy stalagmites shot up from the ground.

“Hey!” The boy yelled out, becoming ticked off his plan didn’t work.

“That was a good plan, Mister Little Frost Mage. Unfortunately, that won’t be enough to defeat me,” Ileena stated confidently after she escaped to a safe distance.

“What? How dare you call me that! The name’s Malcolm Ruvigar and you better remember it!” Malcolm shouted, his words sounding like an order.

“So sorry, but you forgot to introduce yourself before our fight started, Malcolm Ruvigar,” Ileena responded, putting a certain emphasis on several of her words when she spoke.

“Tch… you…” Malcolm gritted his teeth while clenching his fists. He wanted to get back at Ileena with some snappy comment, but he couldn’t argue about the fact that he had not introduce himself at the very beginning. “Whatever! I gave you a chance to surrender, but now I decided to win this fight by crushing you! Ice Blast!”

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Humph, Lightning Feet,” Ileena used her spell to get away from the Ice Blast before casting her own spell next. “Lightning Bolt!”

“Ice Block,” but Malcolm defended against her spell successfully again. The Lightning Bolt damaged the Ice Block, but it wasn’t strong enough to penetrate it in order to reach the intended target. “Ice Blast!” Malcolm attacked right after.

“Lightning Feet,” Ileena sprinted forward to reduce the distance between herself and Malcolm. “Lightning Crush!” She aimed her spell well and was about to reach her opponent.

“Frozen Impale,” but Malcolm used his other spell again, icy stalagmites shooting up from the ground and forcing Ileena to redirect her Lightning Crush spell at the ground to protect herself. “Ice Blast! Ice Blast!”

“Lightning Feet,” Ileena had to get away and quick.

“It’s useless! You have no chance of winning, but don’t surrender just yet! I want to have some more fun!” Malcolm raised his voice for Ileena to hear him, adding a creepy laugh at the end.

{at the seats}

“Hi,” Growly greeted Narias and Flavia.

“Growly? Huh? Flamiris?!” Narias was surprised to see Growly, in addition to becoming shocked to see Flamiris next to his side too. The reason being, Growly was helping Flamiris walk. “What are you doing here, Flamiris? You should be resting.” He scolded her.

“Hah, and miss the chance to see your matches? No way. Besides, I’m feeling fine. Tch… ouch,” Flamiris tried to act tough, but then almost tripped and fell when she pulled away from Growly wanting to stand on her own.

“Flamiris!” Narias jumped to her side, catching her just in time. “You’re as stubborn as ever. Sigh…”

“And you’re as perverted as ever, Mister Mastermind Pervert,” Flamiris commented back, blushing yet looking pleased.

“Huh? Ah, oh, s… sorry,” only then Narias realized he had his arm placed over Flamiris’ chest.

“See? You look totally glad to see me,” Flamiris teased him more, holding onto his arm that he was holding her with, so he wouldn’t let go.

“Come on you, let’s sit down,” Narias helped her reach the seat.

“Hah,” Flamiris grinned before sitting down.

“Aren’t you hurt yourself, Growly?” Flavia asked, looking a little concerned.

“I’m ok. Flamiris wanted to come, so I helped,” Growly explained himself, sitting down as well.

“So, how are the fights going?” Flamiris wanted to know.

“Narias won his last match and is now in the Semi-Finals. He was awesome. It was the most incredible fight I had ever seen,” Flavia answered her question, waving her hands excitedly when she remembered it.

“Tch… I wish I could’ve seen it,” Flamiris pouted her lips. “What about Ileena?”

“Oh, Ileena is fighting right now. She should win in my opinion,” Flavia added, feeling confident that Ileena would.

“I’m not sure about that,” but Narias had doubts about it.

“Huh? Why? Don’t you trust Ileena, partner?” Flavia furrowed her eyebrows in an upset manner, making her look cute instead of angry however.

“Ileena is strong, but her opponent is a capable spellcaster himself. She hadn’t landed a single attack on her opponent yet,” Narias said, resuming to observe the fight.

“Humph, she better win or else,” Flamiris stated before crossing her arms in front of her, also squinting her eyes, so she could see better.

{back at the arena}

“What’s wrong? Is jumping all you can do? Ice Blast!” Malcolm laughed at Ileena, seeing her jumping left and right.

“Lightning Bolt!” Ileena tried to counter-attack with each opportunity that she had, but Malcolm wasn’t acting arrogant for nothing. He was successfully blocking Ileena’s attacks before resuming his own. “Lightning Feet.” Ileena attempted to get closer to her opponent again.

“Haven’t you learned your lesson yet? Frozen Impale!” And the moment Ileena was in range, Malcolm used his impaling spell again, with the icy stalagmites shooting up from the ground.

“Twin… Lightning Crush!” This time however, Ileena used two lightning claws, the first one to slice through the sharp stalagmites so they wouldn’t impale her, the second one was going for Malcolm himself.

“Huh? Why you! Ice Block!” Malcolm reacted in time, raising a block of ice in front of him to prevent Ileena from reaching him.

- ‘Swipe! Crash!’ – Ileena levelled the Ice Block with her second Lightning Crush swipe, opening a clear path for her next spell to reach Malcolm.

“Ice Blast!” But Malcolm was ready for her.

“Lightning… Huh? Aaah!” Ileena was about to use one of her Lightning spells to hit Malcolm with it, but unfortunately, Malcolm hit her first. Ileena raised her left arm at the last second to cover her face before she was blasted by Malcolm’s spell, the frost explosion after the impact freezing her left arm too. “Aargh… ugh…” Ileena fell on the ground, her body shivering from the cold chill.

“Nice try, hah,” Malcolm scoffed at her. “Oh, come on, what’s wrong? Didn’t you intend to win against me?” Malcolm laughed at her.

“Tch… ach…” Ileena gritted her teeth, trying to keep a calm facial expression and not wanting to show she was in pain. Her left arm was overcome with frostbite, so she couldn’t use it anymore.

“Aaah… Look at you. You’re back on your feet. Good. I wouldn’t want the fun to end just yet,” Malcolm taunted her, an arrogant grin showing on his face. “Well? How about you use your double lightning claw spell again? Oh wait, you have one of your arms frozen now, so you can’t. Ahahaha!”

“Humph,” Ileena lingered in her spot before focusing on her opponent. “Lighting Bolt!” She cast her spell using her right hand.

“Ice Block,” Malcolm defended himself, acting like he wasn’t exactly trying his best just to show his superiority over Ileena. “Eh? That’s it? Oh well, I guess that’s the best you can do. Ice Blast!”

“Lightning Feet,” but Ileena wasn’t about to give in to the pain or give up just yet. She dodged Malcolm’s spell, jumping away rather than towards him this time. “Lightning Bolt!”

“Oh, come on. Ice Block,” Malcolm protected himself again before dropping his shoulders in disappointment. “Ice Blast!” Then shooting his spell at Ileena right after.

“Lightning Feet. Lightning Bolt!” Ileena jumped away again, casting one more spell to force her opponent to block again.

“Really? And where are you going anyway?” Malcolm scoffed at Ileena, seeing her jumping further and further away. “Hey, aren’t you a little too far to use your awesome lightning claw spell?” Malcolm taunted her again, adding a loud laugh too.

“Hmm… phew…” Ileena inhaled and exhaled slowly before lifting her right hand up in the air while pressing her frostbitten arm closer to her body. “Lightning Bolt! Lightning Bolt!” Ileena threw two Lightning Bolts at her opponent before stopping to concentrate, still keeping her hand up in the air.

“I’m getting tired of this! Ice Block!” Malcolm was losing his cool, becoming annoyed with Ileena’s petty attempts to hit him.

“Hmmm…” Ileena was focusing her mana in the meantime, lightning sparks jumping into her eyes and expanding little by little. Her body was tensing up while purple lighting was starting to gather inside her right hand’s palm.

“Oh, please! I’m getting tired of this! I’ll just finish you off here and now!” Malcolm had finally lost his patience. “Ice Blast!” He released his spell at Ileena who didn’t look like she would be trying to dodge it this time for some reason. Instead, she was standing right where she was, keeping her right hand raised up, with the lightning sparks starting to jump here and there around her body. Malcolm’s Ice Blast was flying at her when…

“Haaah!” Ileena exclaimed loudly and a huge flash of purple lightning shot down from the sky, hitting her body and shattering the Ice Blast that was about to hit her, the ice evaporating into nothing.

“Eeh! What?!” Malcolm was shocked to see what happened to his spell. Malcolm had to cover his face with one arm due to how bright the flash of lightning was. He squinted his eyes, trying to see where Ileena was or what she was doing. “Huh?” What Malcolm saw made his face go pale. Ileena was almost fully covered by purple lightning, standing firm and strong right where she was. “What are you… Aargh! Ice Blast! Ice Blast!”

Malcolm started shooting spell after spell at Ileena, the Ice Blasts hitting her but the purple lighting that was enveloping her body was neutralizing the ice spells that were thrown at her while protecting Ileena from any harm.

“Eh? Wha… what’s going on?!” Malcolm made a step back, a hint of fear showing in his eyes.

“Huuummm…” Ileena opened her right hand’s palm wider, a ball of purple lightning appearing and starting to grow above it. – ‘Blast!’ – Until a lightning blast hit Ileena’s hand when she clenched her palm into a fist. The moment she did that, the sparkling ball exploded, creating a lightning rod that extended seven to eight feet in length which Ileena was now holding in her hand above her head, sparks of purple lightning dancing all over and around it.

“No, no! NOOO! Ice Blast! Icicle Shot! Frostbolt!” Malcolm threw multiple spells at Ileena, looking to be at his wits end too.

“Lightning…” Ileena made a step forward, ignoring all of the spells that were flying at her. She shifted her body to the side, moving the arm she held the lightning rod with backwards just a little before leaning forward and… “SPEAR!” Throwing it directly at her opponent.

- ‘ZZZIP! SWOOSH!’ – The Lightning Spear sliced through the air, the purple lightning ripping the ground underneath it, smashing through all the spells that Malcolm threw at Ileena and…

“NOOO! Ice Blo- GHAAA!” Piercing Malcolm’s half-built Ice block and then Malcolm himself, his magic belt activating in an instant to protect him from imminent death.

- ‘KABOOM!’ – The Lightning Spear pierced through the field before hitting the wall of the arena with a huge blast.

“MEDICS!” Someone shouted before even announcing who the winner of the current match was.