Merin watched in interest, "Although I know only a mediocre amount of runes, by the sounds of things I might have just witnessed something amazing?"
Humive laughed, "Of course you did! This is a whole new language of magic! If we could study such a thing our understanding of mana will take a whole new turn! The power of Mages themselves will skyrocket due to this single person's efforts!"
"That's if they're willing to share."
"While that could speed up the process I'm sure many Mages are already experimenting themselves. There might just be a whole new era of magic study."
"Huh, how interesting. I almost feel saddened."
"Saddened?", the smile on Humive's face slowly faded.
"It's something they created, something through their hard effort. Yet it will be studied by others without permission? Their efforts to be used so selfishly?"
"You have a fair point, but is that not the nature of things? Can you honestly say that those who fancy the sword don't study your moves? That your own efforts are being used by others?"
"I feel the two are different."
"Maybe, but perhaps they're all the same as well."
Merin shook her head and returned her attention to the Arena, "If there is one thing I must admit, it would be that you were right about the South. Perhaps I underestimated them."
Humive's smile returned, "Guess you'll have to see."
~ ~ ~
Kan'na inhaled slowly, her MP was halved from the previous battle. The massive brute force of spells drained her pool far too quickly. However this outcome wasn't unexpected. She still had a few cards she could use. Although she was concerned about the fight with Heave.
Nine was an exception, as someone who rarely fought it was no surprise he would give up quickly. However from the small amount of data Kan'na got on Heave, the opposite was more than true. She would need to beat him to a point where he couldn't stand anymore. With the supposed defenses he would have, that wouldn't be easy.
She had a few minutes left on the break before the next match started. Although she was regaining her MP it wouldn't be enough just yet. So she quickly went over a few strategies.
First: she could go full power, see just how strong his defenses were almost immediately. However this came with an immediate flaw of being completely reckless. If it wasn't enough then her efforts would be wasted.
Second, utilize the difference in Classes. Maintain a steady distance while slowly wearing Heave down. Although this method would be long, and any mistake could swiftly lead to her downfall, it would be one of the more safer options.
Third, she could let Heave take control of the battle. Play along and get a clue in on his abilities. She could focus on maintaining her safety while studying her opponent. Then when the time was right a powerful strike should turn the tables.
Kan'na closed her eyes, "Akiol really put quite the bet on me. Guess I shouldn't go and let him down."
She stood and mentally prepared herself. Her cloak rippling with various magic circles. Moving her eyes towards a newly appeared figure she greeted, "I figured they would save the Sword Saint for last."
Heave lifted his massive maul and slammed the ground with it. The ground vibrated, but no damage was done. Heave was covered in heavy plated armor, not a single inch of his skin was revealed. A large helmet placed upon his head, a dark shadow preventing Kan'na from seeing what was within the gaps.
A heavy yet deep exhale flowed through the gaps of Heave's helmet. It almost looked like an exhaust to a vehicle. Heave spoke in a deep voice, one that almost made it difficult to understand. His voice rumbled and gave off faint vibrations, "You will not reach the Sword Saint."
"We have no choice if we wish to win."
"Those who wish toss a coin into a well. Those who wish place their hopes on fantasies and dreams. You will need more than a fantasy to get past me."
Kan'na nodded but partially ignored the comment, "I'm sure. Just prepare yourself okay?"
Humive spoke through the broadcast, "With both fighters ready, the second match shall begin!"
Kan'na raised her hands and a glow formed as she created several magic circles. Just as they finished in their creation, she noticed the maul coming directly towards her!
'It seems the information held some truth to it. This speed isn't completely unavoidable.'
Brii~
The magic circle made a high pitched whine and a powerful blast of magic shot forth. It spread out in a semi-sphere shape and slammed into the maul. The two forces struggled for a second before the maul broke through and continued its path. Yet it still gave Kan'na more than enough time to dodge the strike.
Heave stomped the ground and launched himself into the air. His maul turned into small square-like pieces and returned to his palm. Spinning it once he swung downwards, a trail of black triangles following its path. Kan'na lifted a palm and a magic circle formed rapidly. As the two made contact an explosion of dark energy spread across the Arena.
"This energy is really familiar. . ."
Heave's heavy breath could be heard at this distance, "Blocking with just magic? Foolish."
The magic circle began to fall apart rapidly, its edges being eaten by the dark energy. Kan'na snapped with her other hand an a magic circle fired off its spell. A basic bolt of mana shot towards Heave and smacked into his armor. The damage was minimal, maybe it scratched Heave's armor at best.
Kan'na canceled the spell blocking the maul and leaned to the side. A magic circle rapidly formed at her palm and she placed it against Heave's chest. It began to glow brightly and suddenly a set of lines pierced through Heave. These didn't actually do any damage, instead it could be compared to an illusion. As it appeared through Heave's back they bent and formed the shape of a basic pointing arrow.
Heave was suddenly yanked backwards, the distance between he and Kan'na widening. Dark energy leaked from the gaps in his armor and ate away at the spell. Once the spell was corroded he dropped like a rock, no signs of momentum being present.
Heave placed the maul onto the ground, "I had forgotten how pathetic I was at Second Stage."
"Didn't get many challenges by your Juniors?"
"They were afraid."
Dragging his maul beside him Heave slowly closed the distance. He did not bother to sprint, rather he took his time. One step after the other. Every time his foot lifted and touched the ground a small burst of dark energy spread across the ground. The maul made a screeching sound as it formed small sparks against the Arena floor.
'Ah, he spread that energy across the floor of the Arena. That removes my chances of using Formations.'
This was the last downside to a Formation. Due to how it was formed it needed to be against a solid surface. The floor directly underneath proved to be the most efficient surface, due to how mana moved. Since the strange energy leaked by Heave corroded her magic, it made the floor a deadzone for spells and Formations.
She soon noticed the energy gathering at her feet. Her instincts were warning her so she rapidly created a few magic circles and ascended upwards. Raising her arms a massive magic circle formed above her, rows upon rows of runes spun in a circular motion.
Pillars of mana formed and aimed towards Heave. Kan'na moved her hands in a downwards motion and the pillars shot forward. Heave lifted his maul and swung, clashing with the pillars he shattered them. Each taking only a single blow.
'Seems like this does more than limit my moves.'
Twisting her hand the magic circle sudden snapped into a different rotation, like a gear violently switching directions. Suddenly hundreds of thin needles shot out towards Heave. In response Heave merely stomped the ground and a wave of the dark energy rose, as the needles approached they were rapidly corroded. They quickly lost their luster and shattered into harmless mana.
Kan'na made a face, it seemed like she was being paired up against those who were a direct counter to her abilities. First someone who could disable her spells, now someone who simply corroded them?
"Making me work extra hard!", she complained.
Closing a hand to form a fist she closed her eyes, this should buy a bit of time. As she opened her palm a condensed magic circle lay within it. Tossing it into the air it rapidly expanded into a Magic Concatenation. As Heave looked towards it he immediately raised a hand and shot the dark energy towards it.
[Quick Spell], a feature on her cloak that she rarely used. While it stated that it could hold two magic circles, she wondered what the limit could possibly be. As far as she could tell, there was no limit as long as it remained as a single circle. Meaning Concatenations also worked, since they were of a single entity.
This magic spell she used. . . it was quite powerful.
Crrk-Bzzzzzt-!
A diamond shaped "portal" formed in the center of the Arena. As it widened it revealed nothing but a red violet color. Crackles of energy grew in size and number around it, the color just a shade darker than the portal itself. Yet as it remained its entire being seemed. . . to shake?
"The rules of the world, naturally as a mage I must follow them. But I find the consequences of messing with them to have their advantages."
This spell did something many mages wouldn't dare to do without extreme preparation. The "portal" was anything from it, rather it could be described as a fracture. An intentional piece of damage to the dimension. Since the laws of the world aim to correct this, naturally they would try to close this fracture. The process on doing so was a bit violent. No, it was extremely so.
Heave found his entire body trembling, the armor on his body grew heavier. His knees trembled as they struggled to keep him standing. Everything shifted, like it was supposed to be an inch to the side. It felt off. Like a piece of furniture that wouldn't sit in the center, except it wouldn't be correct no matter what little adjustments you made.
The fracture quivered violently, turning into a blur. It's outline becoming harder and harder to focus upon. Heave suddenly slammed the ground with his maul, a cyclone of dark energy surrounding him.
Crrr-wheee~
A high pitched sound filled the air, even those of a higher Stage found it extremely unpleasant to hear. It made most extremely uncomfortable. Then everything paused for a second. . .
BOOOOOM-!!!