Vanessa's Resolve

Noon arrived swiftly and it was time for the second stage of the exams to commence. The remaining 35 participants who managed to qualify for the second stage were already present in the debriefing hall. Principal Helen took her position in the middle of the stage and cleared her throat before she spoke.

"Welcome back, without wasting any more time than we have to, the second stage of the exams commences now!" As she spoke the halls reconfigured leaving the whole participants flustered at the sudden change in environment.

The hall was made into a large rectangular ring with several stairs acting as seats around it. Principal Helen had already activated her ability [Countdown], the entire hall was converted into a domain of her creation till the time limit of 2 hours had elapsed or she deactivated it herself.

"The second stage comprises of a battle between the remaining 35 participants, we already have strength in numbers. What we need is absolute strength that would assure our kingdom victory." A voice spoke from above the domain, as every eyes turned to it's source, every knees went on the ground and bowed to the princess of the Silvercrest Kingdom.

Neo hesitated a bit as he had no knowledge of who the figure above was, Vanessa pulled him quickly by his arm forcing him to get to his knees. The princess had her eyes set on Neo after watching his performance in the previous stage.

"With all said and done let the battle stage begin." She commanded before taking her seat watching them from above.

"Where is Xenos?" Neo asked Vanessa as he looked around the hall, the final stage had already begun but Xenos was nowhere to be seen.

"I don't know, but if he doesn't show up before his turn arrives. He'll lose by default." Vanessa replied.

A large holographic board appeared in the middle of the ring displaying the fighter's who were to battle first.

"For the first Round, we have Vanessa Leonheart vs Rick Star!" The principal announced, a smile was drawn on Vanessa's face as it was revealed she was to start the battle.

"So I'm already up?" She spoke softly getting to her feet and walking down the stairs towards the ring. Asides Neo, Vanessa was another valuable soon-to-be Aenist the princess had her eyes on considering she was one of the first place fighter in rankings.

She took her place on the left side of the ring while Rick, her opponent took his place on the left side of the ring. Tension rose as Vanessa had a mischievous smile as she looked at Rick.

"Before we begin, I believe it is proper to lay out the set rules. No killing is allowed, the moment your opponent is injured to the point he can't move you win. With that cleared out." A barrier appeared at the four sides of the large ring to prevent the spectators from being caught up in the crossfire. "Let the battle begin!" The principal exclaimed permitting the start of the first match.

"Tch.." Rick made his move as he could feel the intimidation Vanessa put down on him, he joined his hands together as he ran towards her. A green blinding light emerged from his hands which made it difficult for Vanessa and everyone spectating to see.

As the light died down and Vanessa's vision returned, the tip of a wooden staff was sent towards her forehead for a swift victory. Driven by instincts, Vanessa threw her hands backwards and backflipped barely dodging the tip of the staff, her legs kicked the staff out of the hands of Rick as she was now standing with her hands.

Swiftly she threw her two legs downwards towards the abdomen of Rick who groaned coughing out saliva before he was propelled backwards away from Vanessa. She was taken aback at how swiftly she was put on defense.

"Not bad, but you missed your only chance." She assured him that he won't be able to succeed twice in close range combat anymore.

Out of the fear of failing, Rick's eyes twitched in anger. "Don't look down on me!" He placed his hands on the ground and the same green light from before emanated from the ground, several large hands created from the ring's floor rose up swiftly and was launched towards Vanessa. Each hand swooped down at her but she dodged everything with a series of flips.

"How mediocre." She commented on his use of the Alchemist Aen class.

"I'm not done!" He yelled as more hands that were more leaner than the others emerged from the ground and they all swiftly swooped down at Vanessa with more velocity.

"His speed increased?!" Vanessa exclaimed in her thoughts noticing the vast difference in speed between the first set of hands and the second. The fast movements of the multiple hands created from the ground backed Vanessa into a corner.

"Got you!" Rick exclaimed, Vanessa's eyelids spread wide as she turned her neck over her shoulder and gazed behind her back, she was met with a fist created from the ring. It punched her all the way to the middle of the ring.

Vanessa groaned landing hard on the ground as all the hands surrounded her instantly and swooped down at her.

"Enough!' Vanessa yelled using her second ability [Radiant Dome] a defensive spell which enabled light energy encase her in the form of a dome. It blocked all the hands before dispersing around the ring as a wave of energy which shattered the whole hands created by Rick. The sudden rush of energy blew Rick of his feet as well as fragments of the ring.

Vanessa rose to her feet and dusted her clothes, in annoyance she approached him. Rick elevated to his knees and gazed upon Vanessa with his twitching eye lids. "It can't be..it can't!" He exclaimed, the bitterness from his past rose to the surface.

"If I don't win then all my efforts, all I've struggled to protect would be pointless!" Memories of Rick's father, mother and brothers being slaughtered by the opposing kingdom after his village was invaded rushed through his mind. His little sister was the only family member he had left.

"No.. I'm not done yet!" He cried out dashing forward at Vanessa, he used his alchemy class Aen ability to create double swords from the ring fragments and slashed relentlessly at Vanessa. His will was the only thing that fueled his desire but it was not enough. Vanessa evaded the slashes effortlessly before grabbing his two arms with her hands.

"Are you done?" She asked, swiftly she shoved the back of her right foot into his face. He rotated backwards and fell to the ground just besides the edge of the ring.

Vanessa approached him with a look of concern, she felt his pain but at the same time she couldn't afford to lose. A drop of tears fell from her eyes, she knew what she was about to do was wrong but there was only one way to win.

"I-If I can't beat you, how am I supposed to protect her?" Rick stammered, struggling to get to his feet with a bloody nose.

"Vanessa..." Neo spoke softly as he could tell this match left mixed feelings within Vanessa, whether or not she won the match it would still leave effects on her either way.

"I'm sorry." Vanessa spoke as she took a deep breath before raising her left hand towards Rick and built up light energy in her palm. "But your resolve is not strong enough."