Inter-kingdom tournament (3) Master of the Grey Tower

Eric watched as Evagoras ripped through the defenses of the combatants. It was like watching a crazed beast tearing through defenseless puppies. As he went through them like a bulldozer, limbs and appendages flew everywhere creating a battlefield that was shrouded with blood-filled mist.

With every step he took, the ground splattered with blood and hysterical laughter could be heard. If one was to look closely at his face, one could see that Evagoras had loss all sense of rationality. In his place stood a mindless machine, with a body coloured bright with the blood of his fallen foes. This must be how the infamous nickname 'Scarlet Beast' was born.

'Hmm, True Vampires should be able to keep their blood cravings in check, looking at his state, this does not seem normal at all.' Eric studied the scene. "Could it be that his weapon is affecting his mental state?"

Returning his attention back to his own fight, Eric faced the six combatants. They were all still plastered onto the ground from his gravity magic, not bugging an inch. Eric was expanding a considerable amount of magicules just maintaining the spell on all of them.

As he strolled between the combatants, he saw that there were still looks of determination in their eyes.

"I'm going to give you guys one chance to back out, if you do so, things will proceed very quickly and no one will get hurt." Eric said in a cold tone.

"Fuck you!" one of the elves spat out venomously. "Do you know how much blood sweat and tears we have put in just to enter this tournament? We will not give up just because you say so, this isn't over till I am out!"

The others in around him nodded in agreement. All their efforts would go to waste if they just gave up on the very first round.

"Look, if you stay stubborn and want to fight, I can't promise you that your limbs will stay intact after this." Eric warned them.

~Gulp

There were a few audible gulps from the combatants. There was turmoil inside the elf's mind. Part of him wanted to keep going, but the other part of him was telling him that it will be the worst decision he'll ever make if he goes through with it. But what was glory without risks?

As if they came to an unanimous decision, all the 6 of the combatants exploded with power. The sudden expulsion of power from their bodies made maintaining the gravity spell harder. If it goes on, Eric would burn too much magicules. With no other choice, he dissolved the spell.

As soon as they were released, they immediately rushed Eric.

"Man, I really wanted to save it for later, but you all forced my hand." Pulling out his katana from his dimensional storage, Eric felt the familiar weight of the sword resting in his palm. Lowering his body and moving into a stance, Eric got a little serious.

"Morningstar Series: True Eclipse."

With a flash of light glinting of the blade, Eric disappeared from view. The combatants went on full alert mode, their eyes flickering everywhere.

- Watch out! Behind!

- Aaaah-

Eric appeared behind on of the combatants, unleashing a few Lunar Slashes and vanished once more. This went on for a minute before the sound of all weapons ceased. The outcome of the battle was not pretty, there were pools of blood everywhere. Some of the combatants were trying to stump their bleeding arm, while others were crawling away with a missing leg, none were in any shape or form to continue fighting.

Over at Evagoras's side, the battle was already over, but there was still a feral look in his eyes. It seemed that whatever the weapon had affected him with has not wore off.

"ALRIGHT AND STOOOOOP! WE HAVE COME TO THE END OF THE FIRST ROUND! THE LAST EIGHT COMBATANTS PLEASE GATHER AROUND, ITS TIME TO PICK LOTS FOR YOUR NEXT OPPONENT!" An announcement was suddenly made causing all to stop whatever they were doing.

As Eric looked around, he was relieved as he spotted Anastasia was alright. Somehow she managed to group up with the high elves and defeat the rest of the combatants.

"THERE ARE 4 NUMBERS INSIDE THIS BOX, AND EACH NUMBER WILL APPEAR TWO TIMES. YOUR OPPONENT WILL BE THE ONE WHO HAS THE SAME NUMBER AS YOU!" The announcer explained.

Extending his arm into a box that the announcer provided, Eric took out a piece of paper. On it was the number '1'. After everyone got their pairing, there was one that got Eric interested. Each holding up the number '3' in their hand, Evagoras and Nevilet stared at each other. Eric's opponent was a dark elf, there was no noticeable trait to him but a mysterious air shrouded him.

He and Aerin were in one category while the others were in another. This meant that only one from each category will meet in the finals.

"NOW LETS TAKE A SHORT BREAK OF THIRTY MINUTES! REFRESHMENTS AND ENTERTAINMENT WILL BE PROVIDED TO THE AUDIENCE, PLEASE MAKE YOURSELVES COMFORTABLE AS THE QUATERFINALS WILL START SOON!"

---

5 DAYS AGO IN EREWHON KINGDOM...

INSIDE THE GREY MAGE TOWER

Amongst all 4 mage towers, the grey tower was said to be the most mysterious. No one has ever seen the tower master, but there were rumors spreading around for a long time that the tower master was a being that was just as powerful as the Mage King. There was no concrete evidence, but the sheer presence the tower gave off indicated that the master was extremely powerful.

Each tower master was at the minimum an Archmage, and they were the 4 pillars supporting the kingdom. If the kingdom was ever under attack, they will have the most authority on the battlefield. As they each had the power of a one-man army, they can act independently in battle and not take orders from anyone.

Situated at the top of the tower was an enormous room filled with a mountain of gold and jewelry. If one were to guess, they would have thought that it was the kingdom's treasury room. The size of the room was a lot bigger than what was shown outside.

Atop the mountain was a single woman who was laid back on the throne of gold, reading a book. There were several plates of delicious and exquisite food floating around her. Occasionally when she felt hungry, she would bring the food to her mouth with a flick of a finger. Her tranquil gaze and carefree attitude created a very serene atmosphere. Such was the way of life for the tower master of the grey tower. Nothing bothered her and nothing ever will... that was until the man in front of her brought an intriguing piece of news.

"Teacher, I have bought news that I thought you might wish to hear," said the man while prostrating. The look in the man's eyes were one of utmost respect, almost bordering to the point of reverence.

"Oh? And what would this news be, Mage King?" The tower master asked lightly, her eyes still fixed on the book.

"Recently a boy appeared out of nowhere, there were no known records about him, the weird thing was, he asked about you, he would even go as far as entering the Inter-Kingdom Tournament to meet you."

"Me specifically?"

"No, but somehow he knew there was someone more powerful than me in this kingdom. For a moment there he reminded me of... you."

"Me? Hahahahahaha," the tower master laughed, but in the next instant her gaze became icy as she looked at the Mage King. "There is no one else like me left."

"T-teacher, I have stayed with you for a long time, from what I felt about him... I know I was not wrong."

"What did he look like?" She asked after a moment of silence.

"Platinum-coloured hair and light blue eyes around twenty years of age." Manik recalled the appearance of the teen.

"No... It can't be, that's not possible..." Her fingers froze just as she was about to flip a page on the book.

"Teacher, do you know him?" Manik asked, but the the tower master was silent, her thoughts already elsewhere.

Two ancient red eyes looked to the ceiling, recalling past memories.

'Is it really you? No... If it's you, I'll believe anything.'