Chapter 25 - The Finals

“Ladies and gentlemen! It is finally time for the match everybody has been waiting for! Over the past five weeks, these two freshmen have mesmerized and captivated us with their awe-inspiring talent and graceful skills. We at Sinara are truly blessed to have both of these fine young gentlemen leading our team and vying to bring back the title of ‘Strongest Academy in Xiosu’ by winning the Rising Star Tournament! Let’s move on to the introduction of the finalists!

From the Rhostaz Kingdom, hailed as a prodigious dual elementalist who, at the tender age of nine, has already reached King Rank in both Earth and Steel elements: Zer Aiur!

His opponent today is a fellow nine-year-old freshman who has caused an uproar throughout the academy with his mysterious status. Hailing from the Kingdom of Nifl, he is a legendary tri-elementalist rumored yet unverified: Azrael Celeste!”

As the two entered the stage, a massive outburst erupted from the stands. Chants for Azrael and Zer vied for supremacy, growing louder with each cheer as the crowd attempted to outdo one another. The two best friends, however, remained focused, exchanging grins from across the stage.

Words were unnecessary between them. All that mattered was this highly anticipated battle. Unlike their spars, they would hold nothing back and aim for one thing: victory. The referee stepped onto the stage, and once the crowd quieted, he went over the rules one final time.

“Alright, gentlemen. You know the rules. The match will be decided if one contestant loses consciousness, surrenders, or if the panel deems that the strength difference between the contestants is too great. Hits to vital areas, even accidental, will result in disqualification.

Contestant Azrael Celeste, are you ready?”

Azrael nodded without breaking his gaze from Zer.

“Contestant Zer Aiur, are you ready?” Zer also nodded, anticipation evident in his grin, never breaking eye contact with Azrael.

“Okay then. At the end of the countdown, the match will begin. Five… four… three… two… one… BEGIN!”

Contrary to what many anticipated, instead of charging at each other, both Azrael and Zer walked toward each other at a slow pace. Twenty feet, fifteen, ten. With each step, they closed the gap between them. Once the distance was only five feet, they began their assault.

As they approached, Zer started his incantation. A large earth pillar rose in front of Azrael, blocking his path. Zer took advantage of Azrael’s temporary loss of sight, moving to the left of the pillar and aiming an overhead slash toward Azrael’s right shoulder. However, when he rounded the pillar, he saw Azrael grinning.

‘Shit!’

When Azrael saw the earth pillar rise, he sent an image to Chunyong. A circular area around him, only two feet high, lost all its heat. The circle then expanded outward, removing all heat in its path. Seeing Zer emerge from the right side of the pillar, Azrael grinned. Without hesitation, he signaled Chunyong to release the magic.

A circle of ice appeared around Azrael’s midsection and rapidly expanded outward. Zer, having jumped backward immediately, managed to avoid the ice ring.

“Ho… that was quite an intuitive move, Zer, stepping back immediately. You wouldn’t have had time to dodge if you hadn’t.”

“Haa… I can’t believe you used my own strategy against me. Who would have thought you’d use Khione’s Ring there.”

Even though the moment was brief, the crowd held their breath, gazing at the contestants with admiration. Zer had predicted that both contestants would explode into action, timed his spell correctly, and used his intuition to evade Azrael’s magic. Azrael, in turn, had seen through Zer’s plan and almost instantaneously released a counter-spell. The exchange lasted only three seconds.

After a brief exchange of words, Azrael launched his offensive. As he covered the ten-yard gap between them, numerous fireballs appeared around him. He rushed toward Zer, who responded by casting “Physical Enhance.”

Although a King Rank steel element spell, “Physical Enhance” was a valuable skill that hardened the caster’s muscles for defense and improved strength, speed, and agility. With enhanced physical attributes, Zer rushed forward, dodging and slashing through the fireballs.

Though unable to avoid or destroy all the fireballs, Zer wasn’t worried as they did minimal damage due to his strengthened skin. As they came into striking distance, Zer, faster than Azrael, thrust his sword toward Azrael’s right shoulder.

Using his spear, Azrael deflected the sword and pushed it outwards. Seizing the opportunity, Azrael counterattacked, hitting Zer in the solar plexus with a thrust. As he pressed forward, Zer brought his knee up, connecting with Azrael’s chest. The unexpected strike caused Azrael to fall back, reopening the distance between them.

The crowd erupted into a frenzy over the action-packed bout. Despite the match being recent, the two had already exchanged numerous spells and physical attacks while strategizing to outwit each other.

“…. That was quite the start to the match, Rialesta.”

“I suppose you could say ‘as expected’ of the final match between these two, Kevin. Not only are they constantly attacking, but they’re also setting traps for their opponents. It feels almost like a chess match. Oh, and they’re back to trading blows!”

As Rialesta had predicted, the two charged at each other again. This time, neither used magic; they clashed solely with their weapons. A slash from right shoulder to left waist, a parry, and a counter with an upward arc. Their focus was on their weapon skills, attacking with a relentless rhythm.

To the spectators, the clashes resembled a choreographed dance. With sword and spear in constant motion, they clashed repeatedly but never reached their opponent’s body.

“Why do you think both contestants are focusing only on their weapons and not using magic, Rialesta?”

“In such close-range combat, there’s little time for magic. The slightest mistake in casting could be the deciding factor in the match. They’re limited to simple, quick spells that provide even the smallest advantage.”

Just as Rialesta noted, even amid the flurry of strikes, the two were devising strategies to turn the battle in their favor. Zer hesitated to use his trump card, “Steel Break,” since it had already been revealed and Azrael would likely have countermeasures. Although “Steel Break” significantly enhanced his physical attributes for a brief moment, it caused severe aftereffects. Using it carelessly could end the match.

Azrael, meanwhile, debated whether to use his darkness element spells. Although Zer knew of his darkness abilities, Azrael had never used them in front of him. Even if he couldn’t overpower Zer with darkness alone, a constant barrage of three elements might be effective.

The fight began to tilt in Zer’s favor. Azrael knew that in a weapon-only battle, he would likely lose. Despite having more experience, he had only resumed spear training two months prior. It would take years of practice to execute techniques with the finesse and muscle mass required.

Zer, trained with the sword for over three years, had his body conditioned for it. Although he lacked actual battle experience, he had trained against some of the top swordsmen in the Rhostaz Kingdom.

Recognizing the shift in the battle, Zer remained cautious. While superior in swordsmanship, he knew Azrael was a master of magic and would never admit defeat. He stayed vigilant, waiting for the perfect opportunity.

That opportunity arrived minutes later. As Zer’s overhead slash struck Azrael’s spear, he noticed Azrael had stepped on loose rock and momentarily lost balance. Zer seized his chance.

‘Now’s the time!’

Zer created space by kicking Azrael in the chest and jumping backward. As he landed, he completed the incantation for his spell.

“... come to my aid and give me the strength to defeat a thousand foes! Steel Break!”

The spell activated, granting Zer strength and speed rivaling Saint-level warriors. He reached Azrael in an instant and was about to deliver a decisive blow when he saw Azrael grinning. Despite the apparent victory, Zer sensed something was amiss and realized he’d been tricked.

At that moment, numerous chains of water wrapped around Zer’s body. While not strong enough to bind him completely, they slowed him down enough for the spell’s time limit to expire before he could strike.

As Azrael jumped backward to widen the gap, two javelins materialized above him—one of ice, the other of fire. Though they resembled javelins, their blades were rounded to avoid penetration.

With sufficient distance, the javelins shot forward, striking Zer in the chest and solar plexus. The impact sent him flying backward, rolling to a stop eight feet away. Azrael remained defensive, ready to strike if necessary.

As Azrael waited for Zer to rise, a sharp whistle echoed through the arena.

“The panel has decided that contestant Zer Aiur can no longer compete. The champion of the Sinara Academy Representative Tournament is Azrael Celeste!”

The announcement crowned Azrael as the winner, and the crowd erupted in cheers. Despite the earlier division in support, both sides cheered for Azrael and applauded Zer’s impressive performance.

Upon hearing the match was over, Azrael rushed to Zer’s side, worried he might have overdone it with the two javelins.

“That was a bit overkill at the end, Az.”

Hearing Zer’s unstrained voice, Azrael sighed in relief.

“Sorry about that, man. Are you

seriously injured anywhere?”

“Well, if my body didn’t ache so much, I’d be tempted to get up and punch you for that second javelin.”

Laughing to mask his embarrassment, Azrael carefully helped Zer to his feet. Supporting him, the two exited the stage as the crowd’s roar continued, the excitement of the battle resonating long after they had left.