Combat Class Part 3

The upcoming battle featured Chris and Scarlett, setting the stage for what might be the most challenging moment he had faced thus far. Chris had undergone rigorous training with his family guards, yet their restraint had been significant to ensure his safety. As he prepared to face Scarlett, the arena buzzed with anticipation, curious to witness the outcome of a clash that promised to test Chris in ways he had never experienced before.

Chris leaped onto the arena, his gaze fixed on Scarlett, who entered the field with a menacing smile. As Scarlett stepped onto the battleground, an air of ominous anticipation surrounded her. In a display of eerie spectacle, she swiftly drew her scythe from a red and black portal that seemed to mirror the depths of hell itself. The atmosphere crackled with tension, setting the stage for a showdown between the agile and determined Chris and the ominous presence wielded by Scarlett.

In response to Scarlett's ominous presence, Chris conjured his sword, its hilt materializing on his chest. With a swift motion, he drew the blade and pointed it directly at Scarlett. Despite her seemingly casual demeanor, holding the scythe on her shoulder, Scarlett's strength lay in her mastery of dark arts.

While Scarlett might be slightly weaker physically, her proficiency in dark arts hinted at a potential advantage that could sway the outcome. The contrast between Chris's determined stance and Scarlett's seemingly nonchalant posture created an intriguing dynamic, as the arena braced for the unfolding clash between lightning and shadow.

The dark arts, rooted in the legacy of the first Demon from the Hero's party, held a lethal reputation. Exclusive to the Demon race, attempting to master these arts was rumored to result in being engulfed by indomitable black flames, an inescapable fate akin to succumbing to Amaterasu.

Scarlett, forbidden from using her shadow attribute, knew that this restriction would prolong the fight more than necessary. Despite being slightly weaker than Chris physically, her proficiency in these deadly arts hinted at a formidable arsenal that could make the battle more intricate and challenging than it initially appeared. The weight of the history behind these dark arts cast a shadow over the impending clash, adding layers of complexity to the unfolding spectacle.

Chris gripped his lightning-embedded long cross blade, his gaze fixed on Scarlett with cold determination as he prepared for the impending clash.

"Alright, you may begin!"

*Boom*

With explosive speed, Chris propelled himself toward Scarlett. Anticipating the onslaught, Scarlett raised her guard, clutching her scythe tightly. The meeting of their blades created a dazzling spark, a visual representation of the lightning-fast exchange between the two combatants. The arena crackled with energy as the clash of their weapons echoed through the air, setting the stage for a battle that unfolded with lightning speed and calculated precision.

In a relentless onslaught, Chris unleashed a barrage of swings and slashes, each strike aimed with precision. Undeterred, Scarlett responded with a mesmerizing display of skill, spinning her scythe in blinding speeds. The blades clashed in a dazzling choreography, deflecting Chris's strikes with a deftness that left sparks dancing in the slightly lit room. The exchange showcased a breathtaking blend of speed and technique, transforming the battleground into an arena of dynamic movement and luminous flashes.

'Chris awakened the Strongest Hero's sword. This is the sword that was used to kill the Dark King, and this kid has it. Very interesting,' Samantha thought inwardly.

As Scarlett approached the edge of the battleground, she swiftly sidestepped, executing a precise move. In a seamless motion, she slashed downward towards Chris, her scythe closing in on him with lethal intent. The arena held its breath as Chris locked eyes with the impending danger, a moment frozen in time as the gleaming blade of the scythe descended towards his head.

In a moment of resolute determination, time appeared to freeze for Chris as he fiercely declared, 'No, I won't lose this fight! I'll win!' The inner conviction surged within him.

Suddenly, his eyes flashed with sparks of lightning, and he maneuvered with electrifying speed, evading Scarlett's slashing scythe. The air resonated with a thunderous boom as the scythe struck the ground, cracking it almost to the point of collapse. In the aftermath, Chris leaped out of harm's way, swiftly assuming a defensive stance with his sword laid across his shoulder. The arena, marked by the flash of lightning and the destructive impact, became a testament to the intensity and unpredictability of their ongoing battle.

"Chris, you used your element! This fight is over, Scarlett wins!" Samantha shouted.

Chris frowned and walked away; his sword disappeared and turned into particles as they vanished into the air. Scarlett also frowned since she thought the fight might have been getting a bit interesting with Chris using his Element.

'So the fear of losing is his fuel huh. I'll use that to our advantage,' Samantha thought.

Travis, who was sitting on the stands, couldn't help but smirk. If there's anything Chris hated in his whole life, it would be losing.

"Alright, I'm pretty impressed with everyone's performance so far. Let's go to the next fight, which is Azusa and Grace."

Azusa gracefully leaped over the balcony, landing in the arena, while Grace mirrored her actions on the opposite side. Grace, having awakened the staff of healing, summoned it above her head, its radiant glow slightly blinding Azusa.

With a decisive move, Grace plunged the staff into the ground, causing grass to sprout beneath their feet and rapidly cover the entire arena. The staff of healing, also known as the Staff of Life, demonstrated its dual nature, fostering growth and transformation. The battleground transformed into a lush, verdant field, a stark contrast to its previous state.

Azusa, unfazed, smirked as a storm cloud materialized above her head, thundering loudly. The clash of elements and abilities promised an intriguing and dynamic confrontation between the forces of life and death.

*Bang*

Two daggers, imbued with the crackling energy of lightning bolts, were forcefully plunged into the ground. Azusa swiftly retrieved them, holding one in each hand. The sparking daggers added a dynamic and electrifying element to the already charged atmosphere of the arena, signaling Azusa's readiness to bring her formidable skills into the unfolding battle.

"Remember, don't use the powers from the weapons and your attributes. Begin!"

*Boom*

The clash began with explosive energy as Azusa sprinted towards Grace, her movements almost a blur. Grace swiftly pulled her staff from the ground just in time for Azusa's left-hand dagger to slash down. A collision of metal ensued, sparks dancing in the air as the dagger met the sturdy staff.

Azusa, undeterred, swiftly stabbed from below with her right hand, but Grace adeptly deflected it using the shaft of her staff. Grace, seizing the momentum, spun the staff around, preparing to strike. However, Azusa's quick reflexes allowed her to dodge to the side, causing the staff to hit the ground with a resounding boom.

*Boom*

Seeing an opening, Azusa capitalized and slashed the daggers towards Grace's face. Grace, with nimble agility, evaded both strikes and, retrieving her staff from the ground, swung it horizontally, attempting to strike Azusa's feet. Azusa, displaying acrobatic finesse, leaped, skillfully avoiding the sweeping attack.

In the airborne moment, Grace took the opportunity to create distance, leaping back and preparing for the next move. Azusa, landing, blitzed towards Grace, appearing behind her in a swift motion. Grace sensed the impending danger, turned towards Azusa, and skillfully blocked the daggers with her staff.

Breathing heavily, Azusa stared at Grace with fierce eyes. Despite expending a considerable amount of energy in her rapid advance, Grace's sharp instincts and reflexes proved to be formidable counters, leaving the arena marked by the dynamic dance of their clash.

In a mental and physical display of exhaustion, Grace, taxed by the mental strain of deducing attacks, felt the weight of the ongoing battle. Azusa, too, showcased signs of weariness, yet both fighters got back into their fighting stances, determination etched on their faces.

As they ran towards each other with blistering speed, Azusa slashing downward and Grace thrusting inwardly, their weapons collided with a force that generated a strong gust of wind. The arena bore witness to the clash of elements and strategies, the collision echoing the culmination of their intense confrontation.

Azusa and Grace, in a synchronized moment of understanding, smirked at each other as they both fell to their knees. The fatigue and resilience etched in their expressions signaled the end of a battle that showcased not only physical prowess but also the mental fortitude required in a duel of such magnitude.

"It's a tie. I enjoyed this fight very much. Because I could see how both of you used your strengths and weaknesses to get the advantage. Am I wrong to say both of you don't know much about close combat?"

Helping each other up, they nodded in response. Grace was never the fighter type but she was good at using her head, while Azusa was adept at using her speed to fight her opponents.

"We gotta fix that from now on. Alright, the last fight is here, so opponents come down to the arena so we can finish this."

TO BE CONTINUED