Royan was the number tenth candidate on the previous ranking list but right now he was number seventh, there were many other candidates ahead of him yet he challenged illusionist who was second on the list.
Although Royan was strong and had improved by leaps and bounds, yet no one had elevated him that he could fight illusionist. But one thing that everyone knew was that Royan still had not shown all his trump cards, his katanas that were always on his waist were yet to be used hence that was the reason when he issued the challenge many gazes shone with excitement and expectations.
On the left side stood a lanky figure, how was wearing a hood that hid his appearance, and gave off a mysterious aura that brought fear to those who confronted him. And on the other side stood a young charming boy who gave a very friendly feeling to all those who were looking at him.
They were facing each other, both waited for the bell to ring. Illusionist extended his left hand towards Royan and made a claw and brought his other hand to his abdomen and as for his feet, they were bent a bit which showed that he was ready to launch an explosive attack from the get-go. And as for Royan, he stood there in a very leisure manner except that at this moment both his hands were holding the katanas that he never touched before.
with a TING! the systems gave an indication for the fight to begin, with Royan's super-speed he arrived before Illusionist and slashed his katana on his chest that was covered by a clock. The katana was on its way when Illusionist sprang two steps back and slashed back with his right claw that was aimed at Royan's neck but before his claw could reach the neck Royan's katana intercepted the attack in mid-air and changed the trajectory of the claw, meanwhile his other katana came slashing on Illusionist's head but then something strange happened, the katana that was an inch away from Illusionist's head stopped in mid-air not moving an inch like it was blocked by an invisible force.
When Royan's attack got blocked he was further forced back a few steps, at this moment some blood also trickled from his ankles and the fingers that were holding the handle of the sword, nobody saw when exactly did Illusionist slash Royan there, and how. The marks that were left on Royan were definitely of a claw but the cuts were so deep and sharp that that could only be made through blades of extreme sharpness.
Royan rose his eyebrows in surprise, he was shocked to find that not only his attack failed but he was instead harmed, but his surprise purely came from the Illusionist, his move, and his strange style and the art that was unperceivable.
Just like him who had never shown his katanas fighting art before, Illusionist too never revealed his true strength and arts before. He would always play with the opponent's perceptions and would always knock them out of the stage via very simple moves.
The showdown continued, Royan now used his ultimate move, he moved around Illusionist to create a tornado that would entrap Illusionist but to his surprise not only was he stopped while in his mid-run but he was also fully covered in wounds, blood was all over his body and from some very fine cuts blood would gush out with every heartbeat.
The massive blood loss had now effected his overall reaction time and has weakened his perceptions. Royan was in a state of dizziness his hands barely holding to his katanas, he was tilted forward, the charm that he exuded before vanished completely and now a trace of ruthlessness appeared on his face that only few could see.
This time it was Illusionist who attacked, he made a run and on his way vanished all of a sudden, the crowd was astonished to see him disappear just like that, the arena fell silent to the point where one would even hear their own heartbeats. Suddenly Royan moved his katana and slashed at an empty space behind him. To the crowd surprise blood splattered from that very same location and a loud shriek resounded the very same moment.
"I never expected you to use such a simple method to locate me, great indeed but that won't be enough," Illusionist appeared before the crowd and took out many small devices the size of a thumbnail and scattered them all around the stage.
Like before, he once again shot toward Royan and vanished once again. SLAASHH! Royan once again cut an empty air with his katana, like the last time blood once more splattered on the stage but this time blood did not come from that empty space but instead, it gushed from the new cuts that appeared on Royan's neck and back, he grimaced from the excruciating pain. Finally, he was on his knees, he had lost a massive amount of blood that caused dizziness and malfunctioning in his organs, especially the brain and eyes.
"So the devices are actually distracting Royan's perception and now he is unable to tell where Illusionist is," Crowd was discussing the devices and their fighting style very enthusiastically, "I guess it is the end of the fight." many thought that the battle was going to end at this point. When Illusionist once again vanished.
When he reappeared blood-splattered from Royan's chest area, there were newly deep cuts now on his chest. With a sinister smile on his face, he whispered into Royan's ear, "You damn brothers, I have always waited for this moment to make you feel powerless, and your elder brother I will cripple him so that he can never rise again before me and as for you do not worry the poison will forever put you into a permanent sleep," he then lashed at Royan with very fierce kicks.
"Stop it, that is enough." The Voice-hall voice for the first time came to stop someone to continue. Everyone was awestruck from Illusionist ruthlessness. A wide smile appeared on the already hidden face that was now looking at Chiyoko.
The exact same moment a small grin appeared on Zuko's lips too, he was thinking right now, his eyes showed the hidden shenanigans behind the grin.
The screen lit and Illusionist appeared as the winner, he was still number two, he proved himself how powerful he was by ruthlessly defeating Royan in this challenging fight.
At this stage of the game, Chiyoko was on top of the ranking followed by Illusionist and Zuko was third. As per the game's rule, only the lower ranks could challenge the higher rankings, Chiyoko who was itching to teach Illusionist a lesson send his words to Zuko to challenge him, he promised Zuko that he will concede without any fight.
Zuko knew that Chiyoko wanted to avenge his brother that was the reason he was willing to concede. While everyone waited to see what will happen next, Zuko stood and issued Chiyoko a challenge. Clamor! The arena broke into an uproar and everyone was discussing the upcoming show between Zuko and Chiyoko. "I guess another surprising battle is awaiting," The crowd showed great interest in the upcoming battle as everyone believed that Zuko was the black horse in this run.
Another clamor occurred when suddenly Chiyoko announced that he concedes. The screen showed Zuko as the winner and now he was on top of the list. Everyone was amazed to see the results but soon many bystanders found out that that it must be because Chiyoko was going after Illusionist to avenge his lackey 'Royan'.
Just has some had perceived, Chiyoko issued a challenge to the Illusionist and as per the rules, the challenge was approved and soon two names appeared on the screen 'Chiyoko vs Illusionist'.
Until now, Chiyoko had not revealed any of his moves in fact every single opponent conceded before the fight even began, but this time, it seemed Illusionist was not backing away, he going to battle Chiyoko. This brought stars in the eyes of all the viewers, even the grand existences were watching them with great attention.
The winner of the competition will then represent the town in the capital for the young generation battle competition. Also, he would be given many resources from the academy and most important of all was that the winner could even continue his practice in the capital and that was the main reason why everyone was dying to win the competition.
But at this point in the game, Chiyoko who was the winner gave away this opportunity to someone that he could easily defeat, yet he gave it up. This is why everyone was shocked.
According to the rules if once defeated by one in the challenge round that person can not be re-challenged at all cost. The same was here since Chiyoko had conceded the fight, after winning the battle against Illusionist he will not be able to issue a challenge once again.
On the stage, Illusionist was standing in a very carefree method, even when he was against Royan he had stood on guard but now he was standing in one corner in a very leisure manner. And as for Chiyoko, his hands were clenched into fists, his knuckles turned red from the force. he was staring Illusionist right in the eyes, there was a trace of killing intent in his eyes.
Chiyoko battle was pure strength-based and as for Illusionist he was a strategist, the showdown, if fought with equal prowess, would be incredible and very thrilling but in this case, Chiyoko was much more powerful than Illusionist.
The bell toll and the battle began, with explosive power Chiyoko came striking at Illusionist...