Ratimir and Randolf eyed each other from across the platform.
Neither one had to say a single word to each other.
Both of them wanted to claim first place, and in order to so do, they had to make sure that the other person couldn't leave the platform willingly.
Randolf had already given Zoya severe burns, while Arthur had already pierced straight through Borik's abdomen. Ratimir had yet to inflict that level of injury on one of his opponents yet, but had now such qualms against such things.
He wanted the chance to bathe in the Origin Essence Liquid. With such a thing, he would undoubtably become a Rank 2 Fae Master.
Niklos saw how both Randolf and Ratimir were acting and nodding slightly before raising his hand.
His voice was even louder, so as to be heard even over the shouts and screams of the audience.
"Let the first match of the semi-finals.... begin!".
Ratimir didn't even hesitate as he retreated several paces backwards, avoiding a searing, hot gown of flames swept past him, closing his eyes as a burning gust of air brushed over him.
Randolf turned around and faced Ratimir, narrowing his eyes before taking a step forward, slowly closing the gap between them.
Ratimir used close-quarters combat fae, and weapon type fae, and augmented them just like Arthur did with mid-ranged fae like waterslice fae and flameslice fae.
The Blaze Gown Fae could reach anywhere up to twenty metres. That meant that within twenty metres of Randolf, he could spin around and flick his flame gown towards anyone who dared to get too close.
Ratimir gritted his teeth before summoning his watersword fae, stream fae and aqua shield fae.
Unlike the water shield fae that Borik used, the aqua shield fae didn't need to continuously use origin essence. It resembled a traditional diamond shaped shield, which also created a strap that wrapped itself around Ratimir's arm.
'Shit! I know that I've already planned for fights against Randolf, but his Fae is just way to powerful!'.
It was the perfect counter for someone like Ratimir, who fought in close range against others.
The Blaze Gown Fae was also a relatively rare fae within Azure Envy Continent, and in retrospect, the fact that a small region like the Winter Rain Mountain had one did somewhat surprise Arthur.
At an rate-.
Ratimir clenched the two water swords in his hand before shooting forward, a strong burst of speed coming out from both of his legs.
He had used a Fiend Fae to increase his physical strength, while simultaneously using a new Blood Attributed Fae, Blood Rush Fae to increase the flow of blood within his legs.
Ratimir's speed had reached the pinnacle of Rank 1, and someone with such a speed could theoretically close a distance like twenty metres within a matter of seconds.
The only problem was, Randolf had exceeded the limits of Rank 1.
Turning his back towards Ratimir, Randolf flicked his flaming gown towards his opponent, causing Ratimir to grit his teeth before leaping up into the air.
He narrowly avoided the huge flame from hitting his body, and used his momentum to fall towards Randolf, causing the Rank 2 Fae Master to smirk slightly.
Ratimir's eyes widened, as he moved his aqua shield fae to protect his face and chest, as a massive ball of flames was sent towards him.
The moment the ball of flames came into contact with the aqua shield fae, it exploded, causing Ratimir to go flying back across the platform.
Arthur didn't even so much as blink, as several loud gasps came from the audience.
Once more, a slightly more knowledgeable old man, whose son was a Fae Master pointed out.
"That's a Rank 2 Crimson Fae! Red Crimson Fae!".
'Not only that', Arthur thought.
Randolf's Origin Fae was the Crimson Fae, and this Red Crimson Fae was the natural evolution of his Origin Fae!
Which meant, that Randolf's Origin Fae, had now become a Rank 2 Fae!
Others might not be able to realize this but, Origin Fae were.... unique.
The Myriad Races didn't possess Origin Fae, but Humanity did. They were Fae that could be born in an environment, through the intersection of heavenly laws, but could also be born from within a Human's origin essence sea.
The reason why only Humans could possess Origin Fae was still unknown, but research into such a topic was always going on in the Thirty Three Heavens.
Origin Fae.... unlike other Fae, could not be destroyed so long as the Fae Master was still alive. Which, theoretically meant, that they were invincible Fae.
At least, from a "being-killed" perspective". Old age was something different.
Not just that, but Origin Fae were more prone to variation evolution, in comparison to normal contracted Fae.
There was a proper answer to this as well.
The Origin Fae was born from Human Fae Masters, so, it would develop closer and closer to something that the Human Fae Master needed.
Arthur's Origin Fae, was originally the Winter Fae.
Over a thousand years worth of time and effort, he had Ranked it up all the way towards the Winter Solstice Salamander, allowing it to become an Immortal Fae, and awaken a random secondary ability.
Such a feat was extremely uncommon, even by Fae Immortal standards as the cost and required knowledge for such a thing was even higher than trying to form a single Immortal Fae.
The Winter Solstice Salamander hadn't become a variation Fae due to Arthur's wishes, and had lived with him for over a thousand years.
Arthur had sacrificed it numerous times in order to escape, letting it regenerate slowly within his origin essence sea.
It was undoubtably his most trustworthy Fae, and the only thing that would never betray him.
Origin Fae.... were just built differently.
Ratimir flipped mid-air, landing on all fours as he narrowed his eyes at Randolf.
"You have two Rank 2 Fae!?".
Randolf showed a slightly mysterious smile.
"Maybe. Maybe I have three? Or four? Or even five Rank 2 Fae? Whose to say exactly?".
The close-combat fighter gritted his teeth before glancing at his aqua shield fae on his arm.
The Fae itself wasn't destroyed, but the amount of origin essence that single attack took away from Ratimir was much more than he originally anticipated.
In fact.... it was much more than what should've been taken....
His eyes widened as he gazed towards Randolf's smiling face.
On the side lines, Arthur narrowed his eyes, not remembering this interaction.
Even some of the Elders narrowed their eyes towards Randolf, sensing that something wasn't right.
Ratimir's expression turned sour, as his tone become venomous.
"You're Rank 2 Crimson Fae.... it isn't actually a Red Crimson Fae is it!?".
Randolf merely smiled before shrugging his shoulders.
"I don't know. Can you claim to know every single type and variation fae in existence? I never said that it was a Red Crimson Fae either".
Arthur's eyes widened, as a look of realization washed over him.
'Not a Red Crimson Fae?.... Then even Randolf was effected by the exemption of heavenly laws?!'.