17 Wind vs Fire

At some point, they took a 15-minute break and they bathed, took super, and chatted for some time. Slipping into a meditative state instead of sleep, he sat picking up the ambient mana circulating.

They lost themselves. Somewhere an owl hooted, and like lightning, the night was pierced by blinding orange rays. A massive sphere of blinding light raised its brilliant head as it illuminated the dorms. It was morning. Through his eyelids, the light burned him and they both shot awake.

It was here! They quickly got themselves ready. Their breathes' were sporting a mint scent, not the stale scent of rotting food material that smelt close to horse piss. Daniel had indeed smelt old ammonia aka urine and he believed it ranked at least top five.

They dashed to the cafeteria after the click of the key mechanism on the door turned. Finding an insulated container filled to the brim with tea and slices of bread neatly arranged in a paper bag. Briefly, they consumed the meal after adding some jam and butter to the bread. The duo chatted until nine-thirty hit.

9.45 am, Daniel had just arrived. The Soul dueling arena was in use by Class One. Permission was swiftly granted and the excited audience murmured. Hushing; after the geriatric's presence was noted. The bets had already been set and Daniel smiled gleefully thinking himself a mini millionaire.

"Now, let everyone's attention focus on the arena. Good, the match for Helen Casey versus Charles Rune will begin soon. I will oversee the bets made by the students." The voice traveled and bounced in their eardrums.

Daniel felt his heart rate spike as the murmurs grew in intensity until it became utter chaos.

Charles was also slightly pale from hearing the erupting noise from the lower floor. This would be his first official fight against a fellow student at Sky. Itchy anxiety colored his expression.

"Her element is fire and mine is wind."

"Normally wind increases fire due to the oxygen molecules present in the air. Some way. Think."

Her explosive speed Is ridiculous, her attack power is nuts and her firepower is bordering mid-tier two.

Before he knew it, he found himself on autopilot walking towards the arena. He looked calm but only he knew the turmoil in him. Helen seemed to also not be as carefree, her brows were knit like a clean knitted sweater awaiting the wearer.

Even she was slightly troubled. Her gait was however cool and collected. Calculated. Their gazes met as the dying embers of fighting spirit blazed like an inferno. Inferno; that was exactly what they felt. Hot, pressured, and tense but also...

...excited about their match. The elder vanished from Daniel's view before appearing before the two. The two distanced themselves, exactly one hundred meters. After stating that the bets had all been set, the audience shut up. Silence. Signaling for the match to begin, the Soul Dueling Arena shone brilliantly shone. The concrete ground shifted and eventually dissipated like mist on a spring morning.

Grainy and solid soil encroached on the former's position. Firmly set in, the contestants and the audience levitated before the laws of gravity pulled them back. The bewildered stares wandered discovering the nearby vegetation and instantly the barrier was placed, blocking them from moving from their allocated areas.

"Please advice me, Helen Casey."

"Please advice me, Charles Rune."

Respectfully they bowed to the other. Charles extended his battle intent and his wind element roared to life propelling his body forward. A clean slice of fire rushed towards him. He felt his scalp tingle as he skewed his body to the right, dodging the attack. With the assistance of the wind attribute, he could make shape turns even in high acceleration.

Stomping his foot, he charged. A green glow enveloped his body and his speed increased significantly. A pair of hands appeared in his view reaching out to him. They looked harmless, like a hug but alarm bells were ringing incessantly.

Shit! Her speed has reached mine. Charles cursed as he twirled mid-air and arrived behind her in two seconds. A Phoenix cry echoed and shook the audience from their seats. The wind picked up speed and blew dust into the air. Daniel stood up due to high-speed battle and clenched his fists.

Meanwhile, Charles unleashed his power in an instant. Catching his opponent off guard - or so he thought. He felt no feedback from his arm. No dice. Blowing the dust, it settled right back down as he saw flames flicker and die out. He looked around quickly, finding nothing. He glanced on the ground, finding shadows. One his and the other next to his.

He quickly looked up - the direction he never looked. Helen's figure descended while he felt the scalding flames' temperature. Adrenaline pumped, he slid backward barely avoiding the flames jutting from her reddened hand. Wait reddened! That was it!

She was getting a backlash from her fire. After all such exponential fire was guaranteed a weakness, at least according to nature. Everything had a weakness. Seeing he was getting closer to the forest, he dashed into the wide-open forest, filled with congregating trees and dark canopies.

The Elder activated her senses broadcasting to the students while Helen pursued Charles as if he was a child needing to be punished. The flames happily followed her. A compass of attacks encompassed Charles as he barely managed to escape.

"He never tries to attack only dodging my attacks. Currently, I'm using too much mana to deal with him." Let's up the stakes. Helen condensed a fireball with effort and aimed at a poor tree. Noticing the fireball reaching saturation, she released it. Like a pistol, it fired and began to burn the wood element of the tree.

The fire began to quickly take shape and scorched the earth black as it burnt up the tree. The tree crackled and it gave way to the short and almost non-existent grass below. A mini hell formed as the fire quickly spread. Let's see how you get through this.

Charles moved to the center of the forest avoiding the broken branches and obstructing objects. After a while, he noticed Helen's pursuit grow cold. Perusing the surrounding he found he was almost at the center. Closer.

He felt his skin prickle and his head felt like an oversized, hot oven. Any human would have recognized it instantly; something that would fill a forester with fear. He could smell smoke, burning wood and he knew what his opponent had done. Charles' thoughts aligned themselves and like a lightning charge, his eyes opened.

Shit. She was planning on burning the forest. Effectively cutting off my escape root she plans to force me to fight her head-on. He could feel he was currently against the wind and the damp foliage would prove no impediment. Now the flames would sweep through the forest, consuming everything in their path.

Now she would be waiting in the expanse; waiting for me to drive out by the fire-storm. Fine, then I'll play your game. His face was set grimly. What alternative did he have but to run east? Already above the billowing of smoke, he could hear the crackle of burning wood, and dark smoke loomed overhead like a sign of danger, blocking out the light of the sun.

Halting his momentum, Charles balanced himself, motioning towards Helen. He knew that she would not let him exhaust her energy so she cut off his escape routes, after all, the map wasn't indefinite. His gaze sharpened as he noticed her spin like a hurricane.

Her hand chopped down. Flames condensed forming a whip-like structure and struck down. Moving on time, barely escaping scorched clothing, he slid to the left. He moved closer. Faster. Sweeping her arms, a ring of fire expanded, bursting out.

A chop was sent out at a thin portion of the ring. Tier 1 skill Dispersion! Separating the air molecules, he created a space for himself as the ring dispersed. His feet connected to the ground. Immediately his stride increased as his limbs burst with vigor.

The scarlet eyes locked onto Charles as she gathered her flames close by. Helen instantly covered the 10-meter distance between them in 2 seconds by lunging toward her enemy. A punch was let loose coated in hot flames. The flames expanded covering the battleground. The audience's expression was uniform - anxiety with their heart rates increasing.

Seeing this the boy followed her lead. His fist moved. Moving air whistled as it was created to disperse the flames. The air coiled around the flame-filled fist and erupting like a volcano. The fire was toned to a lower level but it was still present.

She could see the way his harsh breathing, entering and exciting, the sweat coating his clothing and the scorched clothes. He was being drained. The fists clashed. Struggling to regain his balance, he stumbled backward six extensive steps. The flames still blocked the audience's view which agitated them further after hearing the low hum of the impact.

Helen stood her ground. "Come at me with everything you have, Charles." She was excited. Her blood was pumping. The worry, the cautious emotions were thrown out of the window. All there was this battle. Her body, tuned like a weapon a

Chuckling while starting at his fractured knuckles and dislocated wrist, he set the wrist. The eyes were all she needed. The resolve and the battle intent surging from Helen incited his reaction. "Green Shadow enhancement," The energy raged in his body, green flames danced on his body. The image of a Phoenix is clear to be seen...

...So he's finally gotten serious(Daniel's view). Even though he couldn't see, his sense of mana was high enough to feel mana usage 100 meters away with no issue. The concealed figures erupted in the flames. The flames took a green hue - half of it. The flames fought.

"It is not a type of flame." She hummed. "It is the materialization of winds at their greatest velocity! Sharp and clean like a blade honed on its enemy." Her expression turned solemn. She knew even she might fall to him at a moment of careless.

"Flame Wyvern enhancement." Her body shook. Rattling, magnificent diamond auburn scales settled on her fingers running up like snakes and concluding at her neck. They glittered in the world of flames. The wicked grin was plastered on her face.

Charles and the image of the phoenix stared at one another. Gauging. Seemingly, submitting the Phoenix merged with Charles' body. The rush of power made him feel drunk. He was high on cloud nine or whatever they called it. But he knew he was getting overtaken. Control. Peace.

The mantra resounded in his mind. His broiling emotions seethed like an ocean torrent. They both bent their knees, their muscles taut with tension as they sprang like cold sharp metal springs. The green flames motioned towards Charles as the auburn flames gathered around Helens' fist.

Gritting his teeth, Charles switched hands and swung his fist. Old fashion combat it was. They lived for a purpose. To be born, named, enjoy what life has to offer, and die. Cruel as it was, it was logical. Right now they were having the time of their lives.

Transparent Phoenix wings etched on his back increased the annihilation aura. The image of a wyvern, magnificent, stood behind Helen as it followed her movements. The time had arrived. Seeing eye to eye, face to face, and...

... fist to fist, the flames exploded like a flash-bang stunning everyone outside. Blow after blow was exchanged; left, right, up, down, and center. Charles spun and kicked. Deflecting the kick, Helen responded with her own. Wind and fire combined at this moment, opposing and assisting each other. It would come at this moment. They knew it. Helen's breathing began to labor and her face paled. Charles pushed his body - his body screaming pain and exhaustion.

His palm darted out carrying all wind he could muster. The vicious cry of a Phoenix rose from the fire blockade and the wings on his back glistened and turned opaque with the green flames jutting out. Seeing the threat Helen responded. Fire danced around her staunch figure and integrated themselves on the scales. The scales seemed to burn to turn an even darker shade of red. Flames combusted in them, hardly any smoke rising. Her scales suddenly opened like the cock of a gun, exploding in auburn flames.

Counterattacking, her palm thrust forward, carrying with it all her energy and emotions. The phantom of the wyvern became unstable and more... menacing. It blurred for an instant and burst out roaring in excitement. The elder who had stopped her consciousness from reporting what was inside the fiery hell sent it in. Not aggressively but expertly. She stood rooted to the ground. Watching the power exchange, she seemed excited herself.

Tier 1 skill, Gale Override!

Tier 1 skill, Scalding Embrace!

Creating a fierce explosion, two figures were blasted backward as they hit the concrete wall of the Soul Dueling Arena. What kind of battle was this? They were monsters! They exclaimed and squandered in anticipation. Biting their fingers, chewing of the nails. They were anxious. Daniel stood his expression of worry but he could see...

The barrier shook slightly. That was close to peak Tier 2 power. The elder thought in pleasant surprise. The Soul Dueling Arena reverted to its original state. She had gotten a Tier 2 grade Amethyst crystal to power the Soul Dueling Arena. So when the barrier shook, even though it could tolerate a Tier 3 attack, making it tremble was good enough. Dry concrete and overhead skylights returned in their full splendor. Better check on the two. Vanishing from her prior position she quickly checked Charles and Helen. Seems like it will dr-.

(Note from the author; If you are interested and have some tips or criticism, I highly encourage you to speak out.)