One versus four (1)

Hex and Clannad stood in the center of the stage.

The twins retreated to one corner and Edward went to the opposite corner from theirs.

"It seems we will have to wait for the rumbling part of the match. Two old friends will start first, going one versus one," the hostess commentated from the sideline.

Her job was to build up the tension and she seemed good at it. The crowd, who had been murmuring softly, started to shout.

Hex eyed Clannad who was circling slowly around him. Although he seemed to be standing casually, he was ready.

"Ha!"

Clannad was the first to break their stalemate. He rushed toward Hex, freezing the floor beneath them.

Hex saw him push against the ground, launching himself at Hex. He was quick. Within a breath, he was above Hex in the air.

From there he swung his fist, punching down. Hex, however, wasn't slower. He met his punch with a punch of his own.

Bang.

Ice shrapnels flew. Clannad had created a fist guard of ice at the last moment. But Hex's punch was strong enough to break it.

Hex hadn't activated his mark yet. It was too early. It was better to keep some cards hidden.

Before Clannad reached the floor, Hex raised his knee, aimed at his abdomen.

The ice on the floor came alive, trying to encapsulate Hex's pivoting foot. Hex grinned and forcefully twisted his feet, shattering the ice around them.

Bang.

His knee connected. The ice armor plate Clannad created hastily, shattered too. His knee hit Clannad pointedly.

Clannad spat blood but he was not to be outdone. Seeing the inswinging fist from Hex, he opened his mouth and blew hard.

A hale burst out, right in Hex's face. To prevent his eyes from getting damaged, Hex took a step back. His following punch didn't reach Clannad who had used this opportunity to get away from Hex.

This happened so quickly the audience only reacted when Clannad had retreated.

"Hell yeah!"

"Black hair can punch!"

"It's only started. The champ will show him!"

All kinds of shouts erupted around them. This was what they came to see. The fact that Hex wasn't helpless against Clannad's freezing tactics, made them thrilled.

"It's hard to believe you achieved such levels despite losing six years," Clannad said bitterly.

"This? Pfft. Nothing special," Hex said, shrugging casually. "I find it hard to believe you are still at only this level despite having six years."

Although Hex was smiling, the mockery in his words wasn't missed by either Clannad or the spectators.

High on the thrill of the match, people didn't hide their laughter. Clannad turned red with anger.

"Don't let him get in your head," Conrad whispered, tightening his grip on the armrest till it shattered. None of his friends, not even the crow-faced lady, dared to speak at the moment.

Sadly, CClannad didn't hear his grandfather. He rushed to Hex, casting both fists into ice gauntlets with sharp edges.

Hex didn't wait for him this time. He ran up to meet him midway. Their punches connected. Ice shards burst under the impact.

They didn't stop. Clannad unleashed his freezing powers completely. The floor was covered in ice. Hex used his superior body to withstand the cold.

His punches rained on Clannad, overpowering his old rival. But the ice on the floor kept harassing and disrupting his footwork. It was hard to keep up the momentum.

'He has superior control over the ice element but his strength is lacking. I can keep up with him but it's hard to land a critical blow. And then there are those three.'

Hex didn't think they would remain idle for the entire match. He was certain that the moment he would have an opportunity to finish Clannad, the others would join in, if not sooner.

Hex didn't utilize any of his techniques as he exchanged blows with Clannad. He was waiting for the others to make their move.

'How long can he continue?' Hex wondered as Clannad seemed to unleash ice attacks like crazy.

But a closer look at Clannad showed him the price for such carefree use of the element. Clannad's features were transforming.

Silvery scales appeared on his arms and his teeth grew, resembling fangs.

Bang.

The next punch he received was heavier. The ice didn't get much harder, his bones were sturdier.

'He is becoming more and more beast-like. The Kobold inside him is gaining control.'

Hex had landed quite a few punches and kicks. The bruises turned blue, appearing clearly on Clannad's pale skin.

He suffered some blows in return, none of which truly hurt him. But since Clannad started to transform, each punch packed a lot more power. Even Hex's peak-squire stage body couldn't handle the strength.

'Is he trying to do as much damage to me as possible before withdrawing behind his friends?' Hex wondered with a frown. There was no way Clannad would actively lose control just to win against him.

Not willing to leave the decision in their hands, Hex decided to unleash more power.

'I have to admit, his resolve isn't weak. He is still standing with all those bruises,' Hex gained a bit of respect for his old enemy.

Before Clannad ran toward him, Hex leaped toward him. He didn't hold back. He focused all his strength on his fist.

But while he was midair, he saw Clannad smirk at him.

'Not good,' Hex thought, a sense of unease coming over him.

Right then, Clannad waved his arms, slamming them on the floor. All the ice on the floor gathered in a blink, forming a pillar. The pillar shot up, aimed at Hex.

Flex Step - the second step.

Hex finally used his movement technique, maneuvering toward the side.

The pillar shot past him but Hex didn't feel at ease. He could see Clannad still smiling playfully.

"Ice Serpent!"

A chilly voice sounded from the corner. Hex was still in the air. The massive pillar shook and bent like a serpent. It changed its trajectory, slithering in the air.

Flex Step - the third step.

Just as it was about to slam into Hex, he activated the third step, avoiding the ice again. But he had barely done so when he felt a shiver through his spine.

Looking behind, he noticed he had moved in the direction of an incoming attack. The attack came from the other corner.

'Gotcha,' Edward thought as he laughed viciously. He didn't wish to kill Hex but this was his sole chance to fame. 'Such was the fate of an average man trying to improve his destiny.'

Hex had executed all three steps of his movement. He hung in the air, with the ice pillar coiling to slam into him from behind and the Squire with the tip of his sword, coming from the front.

"This is going to hurt."