the clash of steel beckons all

all around him standing in a circle warrior from all the corners of the lands could be seen. vagabond knights, rogue bandits, archers, mages, samurai and shinobi, sword dancers and powerful half giants, across him a noble lady yet he knew that she was very likely the most dangerous of them all judging by the sweat practically dripping down the mage's brow. Leonel focused on his spirit energy constantly sending it to his feet and the moment that the horn blew he disappeared from his are and reappeared in the sky several feet above the arena.

below the fight was ongoing, the samurai began to cut down any and all foolish enough to challenge them unarmored. the mages summoned their glint stone magics making short work of any who dared approach too close as magical blades floated above them and impaled contestants. the knights clashed against one another with brutal efficiency using their plate against those who did not have blunt weaponry. Iris stood at the edge and watched it all go down but if one paid close attention they could see her hands subtly moving with a slight red glow. within the arena some of the blood itself would become extremely slippery or even latch onto fighters leading to more deaths which meant more blood.

he shook his head and decided to come back down, pumping mana into his body he came down like a glint stone meteor crashing into the thick of it. his crash sent several glint stone spikes into the bodies of those around him killing or maiming the unfortunate souls. a halberd spin severed a head and cut off half of another's arm assuring a wide berth be given to him, a mistake. the glint stone spikes not lodged into someone suddenly shot off with more speed towards random directions as he dashed towards one of the knights clashing steel against enchanted and empowered steel.

the knight's sword snaped like a twig under the raw power which sent the shrapnel into the face slits of his helmet as the halberd cleaved into the armor rending it like a powerful beast claw almost severing his shoulder. the knight screamed out in agony but was quickly silenced by a powerful kick delivered to his midsection which caved in the steel plate before sending him flying towards an arena wall. an archer took this chance to let an arrow loose but much to everyone's dismay an ethereal tail snatched it midair and flicked it into a barbarian's throat with deadly precision.

before Leonel could advance further a crimson tentacle wrapped around his legs locking him in place. he turned to Iris who only shot back a flirtatious smirk. a hammer strike threw him off his feet and a sword swipe slammed him down as two Kaiden northern men tag teamed him. one of the samurai took this chance to stab towards the chinks in his armor but he suddenly stopped as a crystal dart stuck out of his forehead as a drop of blood trailed down towards his now lifeless eyes.

Leonel jumped up with a quick pivot and sent two kicks which gave him distance from the mob that now surrounded him. two magic bolts smacked onto his back destabilizing him just enough for a spear to stab towards him forcing him to snatch it with his free hand and impale the spear man with the halberd in the process. his tail wrapped around a hand wielding a poisoned dagger then snapped the bone forcing a pained scream out of the unfortunate bandit. the tail wrapped around his neck and used his body as a club to swat off the incoming attack from one of the Kaiden barbarians which gave him enough time to stomp his foot and send out sharp glint stone towards everyone around him although they were ready and only two got injured.

while this was happening, crimson tentacles continued to increase the chaos within the fight as more and more focused on one another thinking that they attacked them. this freed Leonel slightly who took the chance to spin his halberd and behead two unfortunate fighters and send a powerful kick towards the final knight caving in his skull and ending his short life. before more slaughter could ensue, the horn was set off again cooling their lust for combat if only briefly. Leonel found himself grinning widely and unable to stop. " And that marks the preliminary round, the survivors please head for the infirmary where a healer will tend to your wounds" the battle master, a giant of a man likely of giant decent said as he stood on the podium overlooking the arena.

the warriors did as such and collected whatever teeth or limbs they lost and filed into the infirmary with the most injured first. Leonel took off his helmet as the sun's rays kissed his face in congratulations over a hard-won fight. " Oh my, so the lion tamer does indeed bleed?" Iris said as she approached him with a smirk yet the worry on her face was evident. " Just a scratch from that hammer, the helmet took most of it, I'll be fine before the next round" he said as he waived it off. " Nonsense, any wound is important, especially one to the head, I'm sorry I did not know that they would rough you up this bad" she said as she tip toad to his Hight and wiped away the blood and sweat with a handkerchief.

atop the stands in the VIP section the Hoslow family not participating in the revelry watched the two with great interest. 'a simple befuddlement spell and you took him to your room, one day and this is the progress? I must say daughter in this regard you are faster than your mother, that dunderhead of your father denied me for six whole years, best your little lion today and your prize will arrive much earlier' the matriarch of the Hoslow family thought as she stared intently at her daughter with a soft smile. " You know I thought I was going to lose some gold, but Leonel is probably as strong if not stronger than iris" Diallos said as he watched the event with great interest.

" We at least agree on something stupid brother of mine" Juno said offhandedly. before the two could continue two crimson tentacles wrapped around their mouths shutting them up quickly as they remembered mother dearest sat beside them. down in the arena the 1v1 matches had begun, all who were still left were powerful warriors. the first matches were between the last samurai and the sword singer. single edged blade against two scimitars, the battle was bloody as the two warriors drew blood regularly but ultimately the sword singer won due to the rigid nature of a katana style.

next after that was Iris against one of the mages who stepped onto the arena as if ready to meet his maker. it was quickly show why as the blood on the ground from the previous match quickly wrapped around the mage and ripped him to shreds. soon after it was one of the Kaiden northern men against a bandit. that fight was far more interesting as the bandit wielding the short bow and dagger combo found it hard to pierce the chainmail and leather armor of the brute. unfortunately for the northern man the bandit was a fluid and cunning warrior as he weaved through attacks with ease.

the battle dragged on as the northern man continued to lose more and more blood from the cuts delivered in unprotected areas and arrows sticking out of him. the bandit on the other hand was running out of steam as he continued to sweat due to the exertion of the duel, but the Kaiden northern man eventually fell. next up was a duel between two mages, one a master in gravity magic which attracted Leonel greatly. gravity magic did not require a connection with the primeval current and thus was something he could study.

the other was a famed crystal sage who wielded glint stone magic with great power. it was fierce, conjured glint stone comets slammed against erected walls of stone and flying balls of dirt constantly keeping the two at a stalemate. unfortunately, the crystal mage was younger and thus had a lower reserve of mana which spelt his undoing. he was spared by the gravitational mage and was let free due to a good match.

next was Leonel against the Kaiden warrior with a hammer. the two entered the arena and stared each other down. " Would you do me the honor of dueling me on an equal field?" the northern man asked. Leonel looked at him for any form of deception and simply agreed before releasing the built-up mana within him back into his reserves and brandishing his halberd behind him as his free hand aimed at the northern man.

the battle commenced by the sound of a horn as the northern man let out a fearsome howl mixed in with that of a beast and charged forward hammer held high. Leonel met his charge with strong kick to the leg stopping his charge then he flipped in the air delivering another kick to the chest pushing him back before he landed on his feet and struck forward with his halberd. the halberd met the steel plating upon the arm of the Northen man which he used to snatch the polearm and drag him closer, a mistake.

a strong knee was all that he received in return, but he took that chance to head butt him disorienting Leonel. a hammer strike upon the chest slammed him onto the bloodied stone below him but Leonel took it as a chance to deliver a powerful kick with both his legs from the floor sending the man flying up slightly. he stood up and stared down the northern man who got up. the two roared, the northern man mixed in with that of a bear as Leonel roared out imitating a lion, if one could see below the helmet, they would see his pupils shrink as if that of a lion. in his eyes there was only one thing and that was the prey before him stupid enough to challenge him.

they charged, Leonel struck forward clashing halberd with steel hammer before pivoting and delivering a powerful kick which disoriented the man enough for him to raise the halberd up high and slam it down cutting through chainmail and leather before rending flesh and bone. the halberd cleanly cut into his shoulder where his heart lay. he placed his foot on his chest as leverage and dragged his halberd out as the northern man fell onto his knees. "You... are quite the warrior... no mere lion tamer... crystal lion of the north... I name thee" the northern man said. from the stands several northern men roared in agreement as the life within his eyes faded and his body fell.

following the northern men, the arena stands erupted as well in thanks to the glorious match. Leonel turned to the northern men to see them slam their chest towards him with vigor. he stared in confusion but still he took off his helmet and nodded to them before heading for the infirmary, those broke ribs had to be dealt with. Iris watched him walk funny in worry, but a horn called up to fight, in front of her stood the sword singer. she stared down her opponent although her eyes sometimes wandered down to the open infirmary tending to the shirtless Leonel who winced whenever the healer prodded at his body looking for injuries.

she readied herself as she drew a dagger from her waist and sliced both her pals open as they released crimson blood forming floating daggers around her, her eyes turned crimson and mesmerized any who stared two deeply, the sword singer knew of this. hose Hoslow had two magics. the art of blood, and the eyes of the beholder.