18) The letter D

That was it.

The match ended right there, all while Dio was consumed by his thoughts. Alex's final strike was strong enough to knock Hina out. It was a comparatively long fight, they were both more or less at the same level, but obviously, for their to be a winner meant that one of them had an edge over the other.

"That was something….." one of the judges had uttered, his mouth was slightly open as he tapped his lip with a pen. 'Alex Glendale…..'

Alex had won four of her matches in a row, bringing her closer to a clean sheet, something that most of the applicants there aspired and strived for. Hexora's selection process was clearly hectic and drawn out.

However, this was only from an outside point of view. The individuals actually involved were fully immersed in what they were a part of. The matches, the food, the music, the view, everything about the event made it worth the wait.

Hina wiped the blood from her mouth as she struggled to get up. After trying for a few more seconds, she gave up and fell to the ground. "I tried…." She looked up and whispered, very clearly exhausted from everything.

"You really did," Alex offered her hand to her with a smile, "nearly got me as well. You were amazing Hina Jaeger…..truly.."

Hina looked at the hand for a bit before letting out a heavy sigh and smiling, the sun reflected off the sweat on her face as she accepted the gesture and stood up, "It's not going to be the same next time,"

"I certainly hope not," Alex nodded before turning around. The crowd enjoyed the pure sportsmanship that these two displayed, there was something raw and beautiful about it. It didn't seem forced, nor did it seem fake.

"That was exhaustive," Dio commented as she took a seat down next to him.

"For someone like you, wouldn't even walking seem as such?" she replied casually with a scoff. "You're up next, try not to lose again maybe?"

"...." Dio didn't respond yet, which was unusual, and that change was enough to catch Alex's eye. She didn't say anything but just observed quietly as he battled with his intrusive thoughts. "Is that even a question? For someone like me it is going to be a breeze,"

"Ah yes..of course," she pretended like she hadn't noticed anything and simply played along.

"Dio Aethereus Vs Judas Barker,"

"Fuck me, I got paired with the runway emo?" Dio cursed out loud without caring about who was around him. He walked up to the stage with the same confidence he always displayed. It was as if he never lost to Hina.

"You. Why are you named after the lord?" Judas asked as soon as Dio stepped foot onto the stage. "You are nowhere near as powerful as his little finger and yet…. Ignorant fools such as you must be punished. Punishment is good. It will save you, save all of us. It is necessary."

"Silence knave! Do not preach your nonsense to me. I am neither interested nor do I care for your passive-aggressive masochism," Dio made sure he pronounced each and every word clearly, "perhaps standing out near the fountain and spewing your nonsense would bring you more attention,"

"Wha-"

"But of course, I understand." Dio nodded without letting Judas respond to his previous statement. "You seek approval from a Divine creation such as myself, so what good will standing out there do. Perhaps you do have some hope,"

"...…..My wrists did not bleed for imbeciles such as yourself to talk as they see fit," Judas gripped his fists as the atmosphere around him grew more intense.

"Once again. I do not know what you are on about…" Dio cocked his head, at the same time the announcer grew tired of the unnecessary chatter and signalled for the match to start.

"Rock and roll," Judas immediately dished out the spell he previously showcased. He wasn't taking any chances, not with Dio. For some reason, he felt conflicted as he faced Dio.

'This…feels…like betrayal?..' a thought that he pushed deep into him resurfaced. Their conversation before the match was short, but it was enough to mess with Judas, so much so he instantly repressed his thoughts.

"Geomancy," Dio muttered and flicked his hand as if he didn't even care for the result. The rocks that flew towards him halted in their place and began to tremble.

"They fused???"

"Isn't that…illegal?"

Geomancy was a tier two non-combative spell. In simple words, it was used for assistance and not usually combat. It was something masons or labourers frequently used, it helped assemble the rocks into the required shape. Of course, it wasn't wrong or taboo for someone to learn it.

The spell wasn't used in combat simply because of it's potential. It could only be used against the weaker spells, in particular, against spells that didn't contain too much mana behind them.

"The letter D???"

"Is that supposed to stand for Dio??"

"Do me a favour and pass this onto your mother," Dio pushed his hand forward sending the giant pile of rocks that now looked like the letter 'D' crashing into Judas.

'Damn he really did get the D later huh?' A thought that didn't last for too long popped up into his head. Once the dust particles from his counter attack settled, he could finally see Judas covered in bruises and on his knees.

'I have found my God…' that was his last thought before his eyelids failed him and proceeded to get heavier by the second.

"Winner Dio Aethereus!!"

Somewhere in the faculty seating was a professor who was thoroughly impressed by his actions. 'To think there would be someone who would use such a common spell in such a unique fashion…'

'What exactly are you thinking Dio Aethereus? Why would someone waste so many days just to learn and practice such a spell?'

'It is a shame you lost to Young Miss Jaeger. Nevertheless, I look forward to seeing how you perform in your next duel,'