Clash Clash Clash Clash
As it cut through the air, the scythe destroyed all of the icicles except for one. Seth spun around and docked, dodging the last icicle and increasing the speed and power of the scythe. He then launched the scythe at full speed toward the boy and simultaneously dashed toward the boy.
Clang!
The boy blocked the scythe, however, by doing so he left his guard completely open. Seth, who was enough to strike, gripped his katana tightly, however…
BA DUMP
That second of hesitation gave the boy enough time to react. Seeing how close he was to being hit again, he despaired. He couldn’t allow the match to go to a 4-4. What if he were to lose? That was inconceivable.
The fear of losing made the boy forget about his self-imposed limitations. He quickly blocked Seth’s attack with more strength than he had used in the whole match, pushing back Seth’s arm and leaving his guard open.
The boy swiftly covered his left hand with a thick layer of ice, channeled the energy through his arm, accelerating it, and attacked Seth.
Bang!
The punch pushed Seth a couple of meters back. He had tried to block it but his reaction had been delayed, he had misplaced the scythe and the strike slid alongside it, hitting him on the side of the chest.
“Halt!” the judge exclaimed as he appeared in the middle of the fighting ring and declared the winner.
‘Just how many times have I miscalculated my movements today?’ Seth thought in frustration as he slowly stood up from the ground while holding his right side with his hand.
‘Well, it doesn’t matter much now…’ he turned around to leave the ring.
“Bayard,” the judge called out to him, “you’ve finished your matches, you’re free to go.”
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Seth nodded and left the ring. He thought about watching the remaining matches, but he knew it wouldn’t help. He just couldn’t focus at all.
Out of the six matches he fought, he had won 2 and lost 4. However, even in the matches he lost he was still able to land some hits.
He still had a chance to rank in the top half and go to the next round, but right now, he couldn’t think about that. As he walked down the hallway, he brought one hand to his face and pressed it against his eye.
“I can’t stop seeing it,” he muttered, his voice slightly trembling.
----------------------------------------
In the middle of a dark room, Executioner Leywin stood in a circle next to four other holograms.
“What’s the status on the preliminary phase?” a hologram of Executioner Ryker asked.
In the center of the circle, several holograms showing information about the different venues of the tournament were displayed, including a 3D hologram of the stadium for the final phase, overall information about the participants, information about the top participants, and the recommended espers chose in each venue.
All four holograms were clad in black tactical uniforms and had the word Black Guard written on their uniforms. The placement of their characteristic white masks was different for each one.
“Our preliminary phase finished yesterday, we are currently half a day ahead of schedule,” the beautiful woman standing next to Ryker said, tossing her long hair to one side with a delicate head movement. She had a more melodic and refined voice, quite different from Leywin’s cold or Ryker’s threatening tone.
“Very well,” Ryker shifted his look toward the tall, muscular man standing with his arms crossed next to the woman. He was at least 2 heads taller than anyone in the room and his physique resembled more that of a minotaur
“We’re half a day late on schedule. All due to the incompetence of my subordinates,” the man spat with anger in a deep, raspy voice.
“My, my, but there’s no need to be angry, this year’s tournament has been more demanding due to most of our retainers being away on missions. I’m sure you’re doing your best,” the woman said in a gentle tone.
In response, the man clicked his tongue and looked away from her.
Ryker looked at Leywin.
“Preliminary phase has just finished, all results are currently being analyzed and the final ranking is being prepared,” she said.
Ryker nodded and finally looked at the man standing between him and Leywin.
“Final ranking has just been completed, we are currently preparing everything for the final phase,” the man reported. He was taller, and looked more muscular than Ryker, though not by much.
Standing with both hands on his hips, his chest slightly out and his head high, he exuded an air of confidence and calm. Combined with his inspiring voice, his presence resembled that of the superheroes usually portrayed in media from before the Dark Era.
“What about you, Reaper~?” the woman said in a playful tone, looking at Ryker.
“Bakell,” he looked at her menacingly, “I don’t have to remind you that code names are reserved for the battlefield, ” Ryker told her.
“C’mon Ryker, we have already fought together, there’s no need for such formalities. Plus, we are the 5 strongest espers in the New World. I don’t think the higher-ups would mind us calling each other however we want.”
“Be careful Harcrow,” Ryker turned to the man, “your words could easily be mistaken as treason.”
He hadn’t changed his posture in the slightest yet, somehow Ryker’s whole demeanor had completely changed. Even through the hologram, Leywin could feel Ryker’s killing intent.
Harcrow didn’t appear to be intimidated by him, but he still backed off.
“Anyway, we finished the preliminary phase yesterday morning. We should be starting the first matches of the final phase in a couple of hours,” Ryker said.