Without even missing a beat, both sides activated their fae, the moment that the Clan Leader announced the start of the battle.
Randolf became cloaked in a spikey armour of flame, protecting his back and the underside of his arms. While the ability of the crimson fae hadn't been activated yet, Arthur was sure that he had it ready and primed to go.
Arthur on the other hand activated his moonsword fae and flourished it, instantly shooting forward.
Some of the crowd gasped, seeing the speed and intensity at which Arthur moved forward. Of course it didn't match the burst speed of Borik and his fiend worm fae, or Zoya and his wind stalker fae, it still far exceed the vast majority of other competitors.
It didn't zig-zag like Alina's either. Arthur was fully intent on heading straight forward towards Randolf, sword in hand and origin essence at the ready!
Randolf narrowed his eyes and gathered a fireball in the palms of his hand. The flame gathered a few inches above his hand floating silently, yet released an intense heat all across the main stage.
Because it was only a Rank 1 crimson fae, Randolf had to actually throw the fireball in order to launch it to his opponent. Higher ranked crimson fae could launch their own fireballs without giving away the direction or speed, in addition to forming more fireballs at the same time.
Yet, with Randolf's limitations, he had made the most of what he had currently.
The large, watermelon sized fireball flew straight towards Arthur, who just narrowed his eyes as he could feel the intense heat get closer and closer towards him.
Arthur pushed more origin essence into the moonsword fae and lifted the sword high above his head, bringing in down in a single slash as a moonlight coloured slash cut through the fireball that Randolf created!
Randolf's eyes widened and his mouth dropped slightly but regained his composure, gathering another fireball in the palms of his hand.
The expenditure of such fireballs were relatively small with Randolf's 281% origin essence sea, and his passive origin essence regeneration far exceeded that of Arthur's. Even though he had to keep the flamespike fae active at all times, so as to avoid getting hit with Arthur's Winter Fae, Randolf didn't know that Arthur didn't plan to use his Winter Solstice Salamander.
Or rather, he didn't know that Arthur couldn't use his Winter Solstice Salamander.
Arthur slashed through another batch of fireballs, his eyes narrowing as he felt his origin essence grow smaller and smaller.
He had to make this fight look believable, and knew that the easiest way to do this, was to completely diminish his origin essence in order to make it look as though he couldn't fight anymore.
Beating up Randolf was just the icing on top.
Arthur's smile widened as he kicked off with his back foot, shooting towards Randolf with an increased speed!
Randolf took several steps back, trying to make more room between him and Arthur, but frowned, instead opting to charge towards his opponent!
Arthur's eyes widened for a second, before he dodged to the side, feeling an intense heat pass him by!
The thousand year old reincarnate raised an eyebrow at Randolf's new tactic.
"Did you see that!? That was crazy!".
"Hmm? Randolf used the flamespike fae offensively?".
"Nice. That's one way to do it I suppose".
Randolf could only use the flamespike fae on his back and his underarms. By running straight at Arthur, and then using his shoulder to ram him, Arthur would either have to risk getting injured in order to deal damage back to Randolf, or, to dodge and evade the attack completely.
Randolf didn't have to worry about Arthur taking advantage of the situation and attacking him from behind either!
Why?
Because of the flamespike fae of course!?
Since it covered his back, even if Randolf needed a second to gather himself before the next charge, he could do it clearly, without needing to be worried about getting attacked from the rear!
The only problem was-.
"Ah! What the hell-?".
Randolf winced for a second, glancing down at the bleeding wound he had on his upper thigh.
It was just below the point where the effects of where the flamespike fae ended, so it was unprotected by the flames!
Randolf turned to look at Arthur, who merely raised an eyebrow before shrugging his shoulders.
"I never said I would make it easy for you".
The first-tier talent froze for a moment before smiling, laughing as he stood his ground.
"I never asked for you to make it easy, Arthur".
Both sides stood tall for a moment, before another wave of fireballs came flying past, immediately sliced in half the moment they came within Arthur's range.
Both sides expended more and more origin essence. Every time Arthur needed to cut through one of the fireballs sent by Randolf, he needed to expend just a little bit more origin essence to make sure that the moonsword fae wouldn't be destroyed by the fireball.
On the other hand, Randolf constantly needed to throw fireballs in order to keep the distance between him and Arthur. If the latter got too close, then he might end up with another injury! This next one, much deeper and much more serious!
Randolf smiled at the situation.
'The current battle is a war of attrition! Arthur can't get too close without getting hit by the fireballs, and needs to cut through them in order to pass, while I only need to keep this up, and eventually tire out Arthur, winning the match'.
Randolf's smile unconscious turned into a grin.
'This is the power of a first-tier talent Arthur!'.
The reincarnated Arthur smiled for a moment before taking a few steps back, outside of Randolf's fireball range.
The crowds didn't say anything about this tactic, but guessed that Arthur wanted to use some time to regenerate origin essence outside of Randolf's attack range.
However-.
In a battle of origin essence regeneration, who would win?
The first-tier talent? Or the second-tier talent?
.... Obviously the first-tier talent!
Randolf smiled, meeting Arthur's stare with his own. He opened his mouth the speak, a slightly disappointed expression could be seen on his face.
"I'm surprised Arthur. I would've thought you had a better battle sense than this. In an open stage with nothing to hide with, there is no way you can match my own origin essence regeneration. Honestly, I'm a little disappointed in you Arthur".
Randolf shook his head from side to side. Lifting his head for a second, he moved his focus back towards Arthur's figure, only to be greeted with absolutely nothing within his field of vision.
Randolf's eyes widened, and he turned from left to right, his eyes darting all over the main stage, looking for Arthur's body.
Even the audience was suddenly shocked!
"Where did he go?", they all thought.
Some of the referees, as well as some of the Elders smiled slightly, nodding their heads.
"It seems that Arthur has quite a few tricks up his sleeve....".
Randolf's expression turned ashen as he thought of the words he had just said.
It was obvious that Arthur hadn't given his words any thought, and used them to distract him away from activating his new fae!
'Fuck! I guess I really shouldn't act so arrogant without winning first. This Arthur fellow is really slippery, and hides his secrets much better than the people around him!'.
Randolf bit his bottom lip, having his back close to one of the edges as he looked around for any sign of Arthur.
"You looking for me?".
Randolf gathered a fireball using his crimson fae and slashed out behind him!
If such a thing were to hit Arthur in the chest, it would undoubtably result in serious injuries!
But alas, Randolf's swipe hit nothing but air.
Arthur's figure appeared on the other side of the stage.
His smile never faltering, not once during the entire competition.
"C'mon Randolf. I'm not done with you just yet".