[Arc 1]Chapter 8

Finn Deimne's POV

Astonishing. That's the only word I could possibly muster in such a situation.

BAAAANG THRWAAAASH

The blue light solidified into the shape of a long sword. It was absolutely amazing. I took a peak at Riviera's face and her expression says it all, even she did not think it was possible to form and solidify mana in the shape of a sword while keeping it constantly active.

I could feel my face changing. I reached up to touch my face, and I realised something. I'm smiling. It wasn't one of those 'business' smiles, 'beacon of light' smiles or even the fake smiles.

It was a genuine smile from the bottom of my heart, filled with only one emotion. That emotion was something that I haven't felt in a long while. It was excitement. I've finally found him, my rival.

To think in the beginning I was getting a little blood thirsty when I noticed my name had begun to fade in such a short amount of time, but it's no wonder. If someone like this is around, then of course it'll be easier to forget me.

Afterall, how can I be a beacon of hope for all pallum if I can't even bring a simple genuine smile on my face.

I looked around the other familias and I saw many others who had the same thought as me, Ottar being an example.

"[Lightning Clad]!"

I refocused back onto the match and I saw the boy, no, Phaes was it? Instant chant a spell. So it's of the lightning element then? However, I feel no elemental affinity attached.

Phaes lunged towards the elf named 'Ryu' and swung his sword. Ryu - in retaliation - had no other choice but to respond in kind by also swinging her sword towards the solidified mana.

PANG PANG PANG PANG

They kept this exchange of blows for tens of minutes, neither side willing to present any weakness in the slightest. They kicked at the same time and neutralized the other's kick, they headbutted each other only for the other to respond in the same way.

I can't tell who, however one of then is predicting the other's actions. Or they are predicting the other's prediction.

PANG PANG PANG PANG

Phaes deciding to get a little impatient decided to throw the dirt that was in his hand - that he got from who knows where - towards Ryu. Ryu, not expecting this decided to slash the dirt ball however to this Phaes didn't close in. No, he jumped away by gathering some of that [Lightning Clad] beneath his feet again.

BAAAAANG

It seems like some of the force that gathered under his feet was different this time. It created a smoke screen. The general populace couldn't see, however those who were experienced [Level 4]s and above could clearly see what was happening.

Phaes kicked the ground and gathered rocks and threw them across the smoke screen. It looks like he's aware that elves have long ears for a reason, he also managed to make the rocks generate the same amount of force as his normal footsteps which amazed me.

Not only was he making sure to fight with a certain amount of weight, he also made it so that the opponent was forced to abandon some of the trust built in her senses. It's a foolish tactic, however if used correctly then it could be amazingly powerful.

Ryu though wasn't just going to simply sit back and suffer anymore possible casualties. Ryu's called 'The Gale' for a reason. Ryu gathered her power into her arms and she swung it hard enough to cut the smoke screen.

"I'm sure I taught you better than that.", she lunged toward the boy and started her fervent assault on Phaes, however surprisingly she missed all of them.

Ryu herself widened her eyes when she noticed that she couldn't land even a single hit on him.

"W-whats going on?", Ryu questioned in confusion.

"Teacher.", the boy spoke.

"What now?", she said while struggling to keep her sword up straight.

"Bang.", he called out which confused everyone present.

BAAAAAAAAAAAAAANG

An enormous amount of magic circles appeared and they all realised the same spell. It was the [Lightning Clad] spell. I felt a sweat trickle down my nose, even I wouldn't have realised that. I have a good intuition but intuition doesn't help me mere moments before the actual event.

"AAAAARRRRRGGHHHH~!", I heard the elf cry out in pain.

I saw that even after a few minutes if suffering she was still standing. This time I could see that both participants were clearly exhausted. Phaes should be doubly exhausted considering he's like a magic swordsman.

"So we're both outta tricks.", the blue eyed boy said towards the elf.

"It's time to see if you've truly learned how to fight through your fists.", Ryu grinned while lunging towards the boy.

"Hehe. I guess so!", I noticed something on the boy's face. It was a smile. Throughout the whole match the boy had an impeccable poker face, however currently his poker face is no where to be seen.

Phaes landed the first hit towards Ryu. Ryu dodged it and gripped his arm and threw him in the air, she's definitely at least [Level 4].

Phaes had no other option but to...

SPRANG SPRANG SPRANG

Punch air itself? Hold on, I'm confused. Did he just smash his hand in the air to gain control over his position? Truly intriguing.

"Just because people said I can't punch air, doesn't mean I cannot.", the boy said while landing on his two feet.

He dashed towards Ryu and punched her multiple times, he also did some feints to manipulate and trick Ryu. Ryu responded in the same manner until they both hit each other.

PANG PANG PANG

They both started countering each other, and eventually they were at a stale mate with repeated action.

Ryu hit Phaes and he hit back harder. None was eager to accept defeat. Phaes swirled around Ryu to hold her down, he immobilized her arms by putting them in the lower half of her body and he entrapped her legs with his own.

Silence. It had finally ended.

"Tch. I admit defeat.", the elf said.

Silence, and even more silence.

"WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO~!", once the crowd realised that the blue eyed boy had succeeded we all cheered. Even Bete cheered, and he's shy around these types of things. I was most definitely smiling, afterall I had found it.

I had found my first rival.