In the stadium where the trimester exam unfolded, a profound silence hung heavy. Merely five minutes had elapsed, and already, the clash between Group D and Group E had concluded.
Within Group D, it was solely Alvara who had engaged in combat from start to finish. Seated calmly, she remained unperturbed, poised upon a meticulously crafted chair fashioned from intertwining vines, its design and hues a testament to its beauty.
Behind her, her companions could do naught but anxiously observe Alvara's mastery, mirroring the tension felt by the surrounding spectators. Only Allen seemed smiling proudly.
"Only a fleeting five minutes..." Alvara's voice, like a melody, resonated as she twirled her umbrella. "Yet squandered on such a lackluster display," she remarked, punctuated by a cute chuckle.
In truth, for the initial four minutes, she had permitted her adversaries to attack her as they pleased, yet none succeeded in landing a blow. In the end, she dispatched them all in less than a heartbeat.
Before her lay not a scene of dread, but rather a stunning masterpiece. Towering carnivorous plants stood proudly, their thorny tendrils intertwined in a breathtaking display. At their apex, her four opponents hung unconscious, a captivating tableau for all who bore witness.
Before her lay not a scene of dread, but rather a stunning masterpiece. Towering carnivorous plants stood proudly, their thorny tendrils intertwined in a breathtaking display. At their apex, her four opponents hung unconscious, a captivating tableau for all who bore witness.
"The victory belongs to Group D!" The referee's declaration echoed swiftly through the stadium.
"Undoubtedly," Alvara's lips curled into a knowing smile once more. "I always emerge victorious."
With a gesture, she dispelled her botanical allies, causing the four unconscious figures to tumble to the ground. Though met with a disapproving glance from Professor James Raven, Alvara remained unfazed. Her allegiance lay solely with herself in this arena. Even her brother, I, doubted she held any genuine concern for these individuals. Her displays of care toward him stemmed not from familial affection, but from the necessity of upholding the image of benevolence expected of a ruler within her kingdom.
When I dragged Allen, her battered brother, before her, Alvara exhibited a striking lack of concern, a stark contrast to the readiness with which her mother appeared prepared to exact vengeance upon me.
"Return," she commanded, and the four towering carnivorous plants that had ensnared Group E descended, moving toward Alvara with an almost serpentine grace. Their sheer size cast a daunting shadow over the four captives, unsettling not only her fellow group members but also Sephira.
"You performed admirably," Alvara said, her smile chilling in its detachment as she tenderly patted her plants with gloved hands.
Though devoid of faces, the carnivorous plants seemed to respond with a subtle satisfaction, their thorny maws obediently opening to reveal not only the blood within but also the four bracelets.
"Hurry, take them to the healers," James urged upon witnessing the bloodied arms of Group E's members. It was evident that Alvara's terrifying plants had left a lasting impression, probably even traumatizing her opponents.
"It's... it's scary," Leire confessed, her expression reflecting her fear.
"Y-Yeah... we can never beat them," Martin added, his voice wavering as he gulped nervously.
'Cleenah, those plants…'
'The heck? I knew she could manipulate Ruah, but Prana too?' I said in disbelief.
'Is that even possible?' I asked skeptically.
Controlling the Prana of living beings created by herself? What the heck was that?
I had never heard of anything like that.
'Right, I encountered her in that game or whatever it was. She was just one of those impossible antagonists. I struggled for days on end until the cheat, Victor, and his harem intervened.'
'Oh? That's a rare compliment, Cleenah. Does that mean I stand a chance against her?'
'That's because I haven't awakened,' I protested.
I wasn't acting arrogant but I was pretty sure that after the awakening of the Olphean Blood, everything will becoming smooth for me.
'What about if I use Nevia's–'
Cleenah cut me off harshly.
Immediately after utilizing it against Manuel, I managed to defeat him, albeit at the cost of losing the use of my arm. Despite this, it remained my most potent weapon.
"Ms. Teraquin, I'm quite certain that you didn't need to incapacitate them or resort to such measures," James Raven remarked, directing his attention towards Alvara, who sat regally upon her makeshift vines chair.
"Indeed, Professor Raven," Alvara replied, her tone devoid of warmth as she lifted her gaze. In her gleaming yellow-green eyes, there was only coldness. "But as their opponent, I reserve the right to make such decisions."
With that, she rose gracefully and ascended the stairs followed closely by Allen who wore a proud smirk as if he was the one who beat all of them.
"Sorry, Professor," one of her group mates, a girl, apologized with a bitter smile before trailing after her companions.
From where I stood, I could sense James Raven's exasperated sigh.
Having princesses in his academy posed a challenge, particularly when the princess in question was Alvara. She was as difficult to manage as her elder brother.
The laughter that echoed throughout the crowd, predominantly from Elves but also from others, spoke volumes. They exuded an air of self-assuredness, yet there was an underlying relief in knowing they wouldn't have to face Alvara, who had effortlessly advanced past the first round.
Undoubtedly, this examination seemed too facile for individuals like her. However, with two more rounds remaining, there was the looming possibility that she would encounter equally strong opponents.
Amidst the intensity of the arena, one competitor stood out for his amusement, contrasting starkly with Alvara's demeanor.
"Ha! Bring it on! Attack me together!" Rodolf bellowed, a feral grin adorning his features.
Positioning his comrades a safe distance away, he eagerly faced his four opponents alone, relishing the fight.
Two opponents, their brows glistening with sweat, unleashed what appeared to be powerful attacks. Yet, with a mere flick of his hand, Rodolf effortlessly shattered the earth lances.
As the fiery orb hurtled towards him, his wolfish grin widened. "Allow me to show you a true fireball."
Summoning a yellowish energy from within, infused with both Mana and Prana, Rodolf exuded an aura of formidable power. Even from my point, I could sense the overwhelming pressure of his Prana, surpassing even the guy I faced in the dungeon.
"Uncle!" A voice suddenly rang out from the spectators' ranks, belonging none other than Roda. She referred to Rodolf as uncle, given his relation as the younger brother of her father. Her expression betrayed her disapproval as she watched Rodolf prepare to unleash his dangerous technique upon his quaking opponents.
"Huh? What's up?" Rodolf shifted his attention towards his niece.
"You can't use that... not against them," Roda admonished, her tone firm as she wagged a finger in reprimand.
"Aw, come on! This is a fight, isn't it?!" Rodolf retorted, his frustration evident.
"You can't, and you know why!" Roda persisted, her arms crossed defiantly.
With a frustrated groan, Rodolf cast his gaze elsewhere, specifically towards Cylien. "Tch. Just when I wanted to impress her, damn it."
As the pressure dissipated with Rodolf closing his mouth, his four opponents breathed a small sigh of relief. Yet, before they could fully relax, Rodolf vanished.
In an instant, he reappeared beside two of them, delivering a swift and powerful kick.
The sound of bones breaking reverberated through the arena as the two opponents collided with force, their eyes rolling back in agony.
"Oh?" Rodolf turned to face the remaining two opponents who refused to yield. With a smirk, he raised his fist before casually extending his thumb and index finger. "Jet Back."
A seemingly innocuous flick unleashed a torrent of mana, obliterating the jet of water before engulfing both opponents, slamming them against the stadium wall with tremendous force.
"Boring and lackluster, just as you said, Alvara!" Rodolf lamented as he sauntered away.
He actually heard her from all the way over there? I am quite astonished by his perception.
They're not in the field stadium yet, but they're not far either after all.
"You're mistaken, uncle. Senior said 'lackluster'," Roda corrected with a weary sigh.
"Whatever, I'm hungry," Rodolf shrugged nonchalantly, effortlessly leaping onto his seat.