The next fight announced perked even Aria up. As Keilan slid down the wall, Sorn noticed that Aria’s cheeks had gone bright red while staring at him. He was still in shock from Serenne’s brutal loss, but seeing Crystal win and now this had contributed to him somewhat forgetting about that unfortunate event.

Sorn: “Do you fancy him?”

Aria glared as a response.

Aria: “Try to say anything like that again and I’ll kill you bitch.”

Sorn: “Oh, I’m sorry.”

Keilan stood before his opponent, analyzing him. Scorpion was an unusual individual. The scorpion anima had been missing for about two hundred years. However, one day, an orphan stepped into the Academy from the outer fields. He fought against one of the Spears as his entrance exam. His victory was overwhelming. Since then, he was someone that kept to himself, keeping his abilities secret.

Keilan cracked his fingers. He was cautious but unafraid. He created his go-to sword, gripping it tightly as a shield appeared at his side as well.

Sorn: “Wait that-”

Aria: “Yep, it’s the Knights’ weaponry.”

Sorn recalled Keilan materializing a similar Sword on the first day they met, but he had never given it any thought thus far. As Aria was speaking, a long and shining spear also appeared over Kelan’s head. Sorn gave Aria a surprised look, but her eyes were fixated upon Keilan. Her expression was full of pride.

Aria: “Keilan is a true weapon prodigy. He’s learned every fighting style within years.”

Sorn watched with interest. Keilan assumed the Dancing Blade stance with the sword still in his hand.

Scorpion simply stood there with his tail of ice swaying back and forth. Sorn couldn’t describe it exactly, but the tail had a sinister vibe coming from it.

Keilan began the fight by launching the spear towards Scorpion’s torso. Scorpion responded by swiping the spear aside with his tail, breaking it instantly. Immediately, Scorpion lunged forward, his tail aimed straight towards Keilan’s chest. Keilan’s shield switched to move right in front of him. However, the tail broke through the shield as if it was a bullet ripping through glass. This shocked Keilan greatly, as this shield was one of the best defensive techniques in the history of the Fortress. Keilan moved away just in time, but the tail opened a wide gash at the side of his head. He had his sword raised to act as a second defense, but the tail had shattered through that as well.

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Aria looked even more shocked than Keilan. For the first time, she was actually engaged with watching a fight.

Scorpion: “I’ve studied you for a while, your Royal sacrifice. Your tactic has always been to overwhelm with your weapons and techniques. But here, with me, you’ve met your match.”

Scorpion swiped his tail to the side, splashing the blood onto the floor of the arena. His empty eyes were cloudy and lacked pupils. An endless ethereal void. Keilan gripped the handle of his broken sword tightly as he ignored his new wound, preferring to focus on his adversary instead. He let the hilt disappear into nothing. He switched to a needle, grabbing its end and giving his foe a cold stare.

Keilan: “I guess we’ll see about that.”

Keilan stabbed towards Scorpion, who easily broke the object with his tail. The tail made a wide arc and seemed to grow in length to follow Keilan.

Keilan leaped back faster than the tail could reach his area. He materialized an even longer ax, deciding to strike down on the tail. The ax shattered. Keilan took another step back, in case Scorpion tried to counterattack. However, Scorpion stood still.

Scorpion: “Do you understand why you can’t beat me now?”

Keilan threw another spear at him in response, but to no avail.

Scorpion: “I am your natural enemy. It would be best for you to surrender before I decide to seriously damage you.”

Keilan created a new sword, deciding to ditch the shield.

Keilan: “Do your worst.”

Scorpion: “Very well then.”

Scorpion ran towards Keilan, his tail splitting in two as both made movements to stab. Keilan jumped above, sighing. He didn’t really want to use this, but since push came to shove-

Freezing Howl

A shockwave emerged from his mouth, filled with rough bits of ice that rained upon Scorpion. As Keilan fell, he used his sword to slash the back of his now vulnerable opponent. Scorpion was brought to the ground.

Keilan: “I believe it’s more accurate to say I’m your natural enemy.”

He ignored Varian’s glare from above as he made his way back to his original place.

From above, Aria was cheering and Sorn felt a twinge of nervousness. He had recognized that attack from the Second Stage, but even Aria had no clue what it was. His concentration was broken however, as Varian announced the final battle. Kaen, the heir of the Spears, was fighting against Zalen the Marauder.

Aria also took interest in Kaen’s name being spoken.

Aria: “I noticed him when I first came, and I thought maybe he was helping manage the exam. I could've never imagined that kid made it here, much rather first.”

Sorn: “Is he really that weak?”

Aria: “An Ice Elemental that can’t generate ice belongs in the outer fields as a peasant. They have no combat worth. Strength for us cannot come without an ability.

Sorn watched curiously at Kaen looking up at someone twice his size, unconcerned. He recalled their conversation from earlier. At the time, he hadn’t wondered as to why such a closed off person had suddenly become extremely talkative with him. Perhaps it was because they were alike. Outcasts who were looked down upon just for being who they were.

Once the battle started, neither individual moved. Zalen shouted some things that were drowned out over the distance. Based on his cocky grin, Sorn assumed it was nothing nice. Eventually, Zalen made a large ax, akin to the size of Serene’s. However, this one was only single bladed. He moved his hands back, charging before releasing a powerful swing. Sorn blinked and suddenly, Kaen was standing on top of the ax. Zalen looked shocked and the ax disappeared just as quickly, but Kaen had already jumped off, landing on Zalen’s head. He bent down, putting his hands behind Zalen’s ears, causing him to go unconscious and fall. Victorious Kaen walked away as though nothing had happened.

Sorn observed as Kaen looked up at Varian. A block of ice returned Kaen to his original spot. Meanwhile, a hole opened underneath and Zalen, taking him away. Only ten remained.

Varian looked down at the crowd, and the ice blocks they were standing upon collectively began to come down to the middle of the arena. Waiting until everyone was on the arena floor, Varian cleared his throat.

Varian: “Congratulations. You have made it to the final. I will now explain how the remainder of this stage will work.”

End.