10 Unexpected turn.

The bell toll and the battle began, with explosive power Chiyoko came striking at Illusionist.

Everyone was shocked to see Chiyoko's punch tearing the air apart, like a cannonball it came crashing down on Illusionist. Awestruck, everyone was awestruck when the saw the punch being blocked in the mid-air, but the airwaves still continued and hit Illusionist. The cloak fluttered and all the contents hidden under the cloak were now exposed, there was a strange armor that was made from metallic threads, and when his hood got off, the armor had extended and had formed half helmet, it gave a strange feeling and seemed like the armor was alive and had fused with The Illusionist.

When the contents appeared, strange looks appeared on many experts, "Isn't that a level 3 armor, that guy Illusionist sure is rich," some experts among the crowd recognized the armor. "sure, that is why he is so strong that even Chiyoko is having a hard time. And that is not made from just any metal but that is adamantine, I am sure about that, and I am afraid Chiyok is going to lose this battle, it is said that if a person has level three weapon on him then the veteran should get ready to sweep the ground." The prowess of the level 3 armor was sure something that even Chiyoko had raised his eyebrows.

"I see, that guy he was actually using the strings to block the attacks all the time against Royan and just did that now too, no one was able to see the string that is the reason we thought he was playing with his opponent's perception whereas the truth is that he is called Illusionist because he could hide the string from everyone's eye, he actually played with everyone's perception." slowly but steadily all the notes were undone when experts among the crowd complimented on Illusionist's arts and techniques.

There were admirations and excitement in many eyes, the battle that they thought would end with no turns and twists came out with such a twisted turn that the outcome was very hard to determine, but one thing was clear and that was the prowess of the armor, it had changed many's points of views. Many bystanders now thought that Illusionist was going to win no matter what.

TIP! TIP!

Blood was trickling from Chiyoko's hand, his fierce fist that could even shatter the rocks was bleeding at this moment. There were again three fine but deep cuts on his knuckles from where blood would gush with every heartbeat.

A clear smirk now appeared on Illusionist's lips that declared his upper hand. With a grave expression, Chiyoko took out two knuckles and then put them on, the luster that the metal gave was very refining and showed that it was a very tough metal. Without delaying, Chiyoko launched a barrage of very fierce attacks, he was like a wild beast that was unstoppable when enraged.

The fiercer his attacks got, the more dumbstruck people got as every attack he launched was blocked, not only that but he was not even able to take a single step forward. A made expression appeared in Chiyoko's eyes he was feeling unreconciled, there was a fear of his first-ever defeat in his career.

With a loud shout, he burst more power into his attacks, his attack's speed increased, explosive strength increased. Finally, he took a step forward, another one and soon he was able to make a shoot like an arrow that came with unstoppable strength. He was a few inches away when suddenly he found that many strings had already entangled him, and now he was in a dire situation, the strings tightened the more he moved and it looked like the strings might cut Chiyoko into thousand pieces any time and it was already too late for him to step back, the only thing he could do was stop right there but the problem was that he would lose the fight then.

"No! Just a bit more, I can't just give up now, I have to avenge my little brother," Chiyoko was saying it aloud in his mind. "Just a bit more, a bit more."

HAAAAAA!

A scream so loud as a thunderclap resounded throughout the arena. Everyone was flabbergasted to see what just happened.

Chiyoko was bearing excruciating pain but he still continued his advance, and when his punch was just an inch away to strike Illusionist on the face his arm was severed from his body. Everyone turned pale when the saw the blood splattering all over the stage forming a small puddle. Chiyoko screamed so loudly that blood came along with his scream.

The arena turned quite, nobody expected such a showdown, a genius was crippled that was something no one was willing to accept especially when that person is the representative of the town when that person's future is the town's future. No one would want such a result.

Chiyoko's father who was present and watching all of this did not budge a single word, in fact, he had a smirk on his lips that showed disdain, disdain for his own son.

Although Chiyoko was a top fighter of the town, he was trash in his family, all his siblings were in the capital, they had a glamorous future ahead of them whereas Chiyoko was just a failure. Today he had last chance to join his siblings in the capital but he abandoned that chance for his little brother -Royan who in truth was not his blood brother. This was something that only a few new and Zuko was one among them and as for how did he get that information, it was Royan who had told him everything.

But now, he lost to someone as low as Illusionist so that was the reason for disdain from his father.

That fight did not stop here, Chiyoko who had lost one arm and just now was grimacing due to so much pain stood with extreme difficulty, he had madness in his eyes like the enemies for generations would have for each other. Moved once more, this time he gave it all and like a ferocious bull, it came on Illusionist to crush him under his ruthless punch, the restricted battle got a free hand and now Chiyoko was openly going for a kill.

SPLASHHH!

blood once again splattered on the stage, another severed arm was sitting on the stage, more blood gushed from Chiyoko's mouth. He was near death, with so much blood one would surely die but to Chiyoko's stubbornness, he still pursued his attacks and came again and again until he could not stand back anymore.

Soon Chiyoko was unable to stand and fell unconscious. The screen lit brightly and Illusionist was announced as the winner of the battle. The entire arena was silent but after the announcement was made all of them roared with excitement. It was after all human nature, they had a hidden dark side which would make them have a liking towards bloodshed and other unethical acts.

The ranking list changed once again, Zuko was on the top followed by Illusionist and on third place was Chiyoko.

Everyone new the completion will continue and there was still one more showdown waiting for them to be watched and it was between two dark horses 'Illusionist and Jace'. Zuko was aware that the next battle was between him and that ruthless fellow so he sent a message to Royan and asked him to challenge him when he kicks Illusionist ass. He also told Royan that he had other plans for himself though did not tell him explicitly but cleared that he had no intension to go on this path hence the only thing that he could do for his friendship was to help Royan get to the capital.

Like everyone had thought, Illusionist challenged Zuko, and two names appeared on the screen 'Jace vs Illusionist'.

Both the participants had a very casual manner, calm and composed, looking into each other's eyes, both waited patiently for the bell to ring.

TRING!

The system rang the bell but both the participants stood in the same place until Zuko took out many beads from his pouch and threw them all around the stage. Cold energy gushed from the beads and froze the surrounding, many spikes appeared on the edge of the stage but Zuko was not done yet he still continued and kept on throwing beads all over. More and more spikes appeared on the edge of the battle, he was literally making a barrier all around the stage so that his opponent does not knock him out or he did not want his opponent to be knocked out. Whatever the reason was, the show was spectacular.

Illusionist was standing in the other corner and observing Zuko without making any move, he was waiting for him to finish his joke and make his move. There was a smile on his face that showed his confidence in himself.

when Zuko was finished with his work he took out another pouch that carried red beads, unlike the blue ones that he just used, and started throwing them at Illusionist, he did not even let him breathe as the explosions continued when Zuko was done with all the beads he waited on the same place for the surrounding to get clear.

Soon a figure came into view, he was Illusionist he was standing on the same place, not stepped even a single step back, "That is all you have got, with my armor here neither your ice nor fire can do me anything." everyone had some doubts that the armor might not be able to withstand so many explosions but their worries were unnecessary. Illusionist was as fine as ever.