329 Chapter 329

Elizabeth was leading the youngest kids with Helena at her side. They were playing in the forest area of the arena with Amy. Both of them volunteered to keep the kids' team safe, and Amy enjoying their company sought them out immediately to play.

Out in the canyons, a small battle already erupted between Zack and one of the children. His name is Takashi, and he's been in Yuki's care for two years now. During their training sessions, Takashi would usually run around with the others.

There was no use in learning magic as an oni, after all, but recently his transformation occurred in a game of tug of war. Whenever an oni reaches this stage a strong desire for combat erupts. Kishi happened to be nearby drinking against a tree observing them.

Kishi found it amusing to see the pecking order forming between the young ones as he indulged in sake. He didn't expect an oni to awaken this early, and if not for his rapid intervention injuries may have occurred. It's been a week since then, but the results of Takashi's training were already showing.

When the teams separated Zack was surprised to see Takashi interested, but now he understood. Takashi may have had a height disadvantage, but after his essence flared he was within range. He jumped hurling a knee that Zack narrowly blocked. Takashi was barely thirteen, but the blow sent a sharp pain through his palm as the force lifted him.

Zack dodged the next punch with a smile as he hurled Takashi towards the river. Before he struck the water a cyclone lifted him. He looked over to see Tanya swiping her fan in his direction as two more erupted. Zack directed his hand outwards clenching it as the cyclones combined, and expanded.

"Don't spread your attacks out so much until you learn control. Right now you're just helping the enemy." Zack declared.

A dark bident nearly struck Zack's shoulder, but he knew Lilith's aura too well. Before the bident could pierce the ground he slammed his hands together as the canyon opened. Black flames erupted but failed to make it out of the chasm before it sealed.

"You should practice what you preach," Lilith smirked as the cyclone was upon him.

Zack extended his hand halting it a centimeter from his palm as it dissipated. Lilith landed behind Zack to strike him with the scepter. Once it hit the back of his vest one of the crystals immediately lit up as she went for another strike.

"If we get out fast enough maybe we can finish." Lilith teased as she reared back for another strike.

"Or you can just watch from the stands," Lilith smirked.

Wind swirled around them violently as spell circles surrounded Lilith. The hard canyon morphed into quicksand that engulfed Lilith's legs. She glared around for the culprit and saw Crowley up above.

"Hurry!" Crowley shouted while warding off the others.

Zack glanced at the irritated Lilith and took off into the sky. He grabbed Crowley and sped away to another section of the arena. When they reappeared in the swamp Crowley was puffing out his chest with an accomplished look on his face.

"Showed that noble who's boss," Crowley stated.

"You know how reckless that was right?" Zack asked.

"I'm not scared of them." Crowley boasted.

"Showing no fear to the ruling class is a good thing, but you choose the wrong target. She can hold a grudge." Zack examined his surroundings.

"I'll be fine." Crowley boasted.

A wicked aura erupted behind them, and Crowley looked over his shoulders. Flying their way at tremendous speeds was an irritated Lilith. There was a polite smile on her face resembling someone playing, but the veins on her forehead said otherwise. Seeing this sent a shiver down his spine, and he looked at Zack with a forced smile of confidence.

Zack tried not to laugh and patted Crowley on the shoulder. Lilith was within striking range as they faded away, and she halted her in tracks. She glanced around, and with Zack out of sight, she focused on Crowley's aura.

All the battling going on around them made it difficult to pinpoint. During her training as a child, Lilith always neglected sensory training. Samuel would often preach the necessity of it in the heat of battle, but Lilith would just boast of her strength instead.

'Damn it.'

Witnessing the children below waving playfully Lilith smiled.

'I'll find that little shit later.' Lilith dove down to play.

Appearing at the edge of the desert was Crowley, and Zack. The first thing he did after landing was helping Crowley mask his aura. It wasn't too effective but was more than enough to hide him from Lilith.

"We should try to lay low for a little while," Zack told Crowley.

"Should've picked a place with better cover," Crowley replied.

"This was the area with the least traffic," Zack stated.

While traveling through the desert battles continued. There were two forces moving through the battlefield with ease. One of the groups was led by Ashleigh and the other Tanya. As the participants began to dwindle they crossed each other.

They both were moving in groups, but once their gaze met they separated as a battle began. The comrades with them kept searching for Zack knowing they couldn't keep up. As soon as the area was clear of others they clashed. Looking back a cyclone ravaged the land as sparks of lightning evaded the storm. Meanwhile, flashes of red flames battled for supremacy over blue ones

Speeding around Tanya drawing spell circles was Ashleigh. Before the formation could finish Tanya swung her fan wide as a powerful gust surrounded her. She extended her hands to gradually push the storm out. Before the force reached Ashleigh the last spell circle was drawn.

'They're both learning so quickly.' Kaya was proud to see her students modeling her techniques.

Half of the spell circles ignited as a powerful barrier was erected. When the storm hit the barrier it began to glow erratically before settling. Tanya was applying more force, but it wasn't having much effect. Ashleigh stopped running as she stood triumphantly outside.

'It's not impossible to beat.' Kaya glanced at the snickering Savannah waving a few seats over.