"So, let’s keep going. Hey, everyone... oh, I, yeah. Get back to your seats. The barrier has been prepared. I repeat, get back to your seats. The match will soon start," a man using the wind compressor announced.
Someone inside the arena and another person outside for those still buying stuff repeated the announcement. Slowly, everyone returned to their seats to watch the fight.
"Looks like the match is about to begin. Who do you think is going to win?" someone asked.
No one answered immediately.
"But to me, I don’t know. All I can tell is, the two opponents are already weak. There’s going to be one person who comes out outstanding. And I’m sure this match won’t be as long as the last one," Lyra said.
Now all the contestants and everyone who was going to participate later went to their seats. They were going to stay in the crowd, just as Nolan did. The audience also returned to their seats.
"Now I am back again, you all. So, the fight is on again," the emissary announced.
"Wow, didn’t I tell you? I told you I can tell. Zevric is going to behave in a way we are not going to expect him to. He is going to react in a way we are not going to expect," Alaric said.
"Yes, you did. And no one could expect him to overcome that predicament that way. It’s actually really outstanding that he did that," Alvoryn added.
"Yes, same here. I thought Asta was going to win. But it looks like Alaric was right," Dalvin said.
"But let’s just keep watching. Who is truly going to win? That’s not something I am sure about. I am not really sure who is going to win this match. I just knew Zevric was going to be able to overcome that predicament," Alaric said.
Then the emissary returned.
"Now I am back again. Asta, Zevric, get on your feet."
Both of them stood up.
For the moment you have all been waiting for, let us see who is going to win. Both opponents are undefeated, and they have already taken their stances.
"So now, let the match begin!" the emissary announced.
The crowd shouted and cheered.
Zevric brought out his sword, holding it firmly. "I’m ready. I’m going to put all my remaining energy into this, into my final strike. But first, let me see his attack before I do mine," Zevric said.
Asta stepped forward, holding an ice sword in each hand, with about 300 ice spears floating in the air behind him, suspended mid-air. As he ran forward, the spears moved with him.
When Zevric and Asta’s swords clashed, the battle began in full force. Their swords met repeatedly, while the ice spears spun and struck toward Zevric.
"This spear is actually spinning in the air. It’s annoying. I have to fight him and also watch the spears. I don’t skill. We’re evenly matched in a way, but when it comes to mana possession, he has more than me. I can’t sustain my power for long," Zevric thought.
Then Zevric kicked Asta in the stomach. Asta moved back. Seeing this, Zevric tried to seize the opportunity to strike him down. But then, all the ice spears came at him at once. Zevric slashed at each one with his sword.
"What will he be able to do now? I can’t create another hundred ice spears; that consumes too much mana. Most of my mana is already gone. Let me try this—my last attack," Asta thought as he focused his remaining energy.
Zevric successfully scattered the remaining ice spears that came at him and charged toward Asta.
Asta created a large ice spear as Zevric approached. Zevric stopped momentarily, then continued running, trying to see if he could strike Asta down before it was unleashed.
But Asta moved his hand, and the ice spear shot forward at incredible speed, chasing Zevric. No matter which direction Zevric ran, the spear followed him. This content belongs to NoveIＦire.net
"What’s going on? It looks like Asta is already weak, a bit out of mana since last time he created a hundred spears. But this is annoying. I can’t strike it with my sword or it will shatter, and I’ll turn to ice. No matter which direction I go, it keeps following me," Zevric thought.
Zevric kept running in every direction, but the ice spear kept up with his speed. He increased his pace as fast as he could. Their movements were blindingly fast—like rockets launching into the sky. No matter how he moved, it followed him relentlessly.
"What should I do? I can’t use Strike Slasher. If I do, I might not wake up for three days. My energy is already drained, and using that technique would take everything from my body. It’s not an option," Zevric thought, his heart racing.
"What if I use it? If I do, they’ll see... and I’ll collapse. This is really bad," he added, running desperately.
Still, a part of him considered it. "I could use it, because there’s no other way to save myself. I might die—but it doesn’t matter. All I care about is winning. If I die for being weak, that’s his luck or his fault. This is my last energy. I’m going to fall unconscious the moment I do this," Zevric thought, pushing himself beyond his limits.
He surged forward, moving faster than ever, managing to create a slight distance between himself and the relentless ice spear that was chasing him.
As Asta increased the speed of the giant, massive ice spear, Zevric was preparing to use his Slasher technique. The spear moved quickly toward him, propelled by Asta’s control. Zevric turned around repeatedly, dodging left and right, but no matter where he went, the spear followed—responding to every direction Asta wanted it to.
"I just need one strike... one strike. And if I give it, will he be able to protect himself? Maybe not. But I have to do this. This is a must," Zevric thought, focusing all his energy.