Moulin was slightly exhausted. The Head Seer of his family, Colahn, explicitly warned him of overusing his mana. His body still wasn't very accustomed to his energy manipulation so his body would easily get weakened. This was something Moulin was very concerned about before entering the Trials. There was a chance he would fail and lose his life.
More than a couple of hours had passed, Moulin believed.
The high scathing wall of fire surrounding Moulin and his opponent was pinching the ends of Moulin's restraint. He was angry and annoyed. This competitor of his really opened his eyes to a new world of bitterness.
His pale hand gripped his longbow and his silver hair glistened under the faint red licks of light from the seething fire. It was extremely hot. If Moulin hadn't followed his endurance training, he was sure he would already be on his knees gasping.
"Do you yield?"
Jax spoke with a raised eyebrow. He knew his power could oppress his opponent's elemental ability. Certainly, this Aphrodite would choose to surrender. Aphrodites were the darlings of the country. Jax didn't want to hurt one but if an Aphrodite were to be his opponent for the trials, of course, he would show no mercy. However, if he should gain a good reputation, he must show even a little bit of kindness and pity to the feeble little Aphrodite.
This little pest was quite persistent and cowardly. Constantly avoiding his attacks. Indeed a long-ranged weapon was no match with his weapon. This Aphrodite was unfortunate to become his opponent.
He pointed his sword at Moulin as if telling him to surrender or face a humiliating defeat. It was such a simple choice.
Moulin was standing meters away from him, facing the pointed tip of the sword. To be looked down on and accept a humiliating defeat, Moulin wanted to laugh out loud. He was certain that the audience watching them was also expecting this outcome. He clenched his jaw, perhaps in their eyes, he looked pitiful. Indeed, the thought was irksome.
Moulin lifted his head and stepped forward. Jax looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
What's this? Was he still trying to be stubborn?
Jax snorted. Of course, he would be. But no matter, he will end this fight and he will be the 16th standing of the Trials.
Silver eyes gazed at Jax's figure. Moulin's pale slender hands released the longbow in his grasp and it immediately obeyed its master's willing, dissolving into a flurry of snow. It looked beautiful as it fluttered in the air in an alluring dance. But the beauty fell short as the snowflakes melted away, disappearing.
Moulin's eyes glowed as he approaches his opponent unhurriedly. His countenance carried no expression. Not a bit of fear or anger was present. Somehow Moulin's fearlessness made Jax feel a bit of danger. He was clueless about why but he didn't feel a bit of intimidation. What was a low-ranked Maeruthan going to do to him? He sneered in his mind.
If this pest wanted to be humiliated so bad then he will merrily grant his wish. Honestly, he deserved a more worthy opponent.
He spun the sword in his hand and smirked as he walked towards Moulin as well. His steps grew faster and faster until he was running as swift as the wind. He raised his sword, gleaming with a ferocious glare. After all this, he was certain a Guild Lord would definitely find him favorable.
As the blade descended, just inches away from Moulin's face, Jax could feel victory bubbling inside him.
If only the blade had hit...
Before the sharp blade of the sword touched Moulin's skin, A sudden burst of snow exploded before Jax's face. He shut his eyes out of instinct and he suddenly felt his sword cut down on nothing. He felt gravity pulling him downward. His red eyes widened in shock as he steadied his footing. A mass of fluttering snow danced around him as though he were a dumbfounded fool.
He blinked.
What?
Silence surrounded him. Even the previously loud audience gradually went silent. They were astonished.
Where was he? Jax swore Moulin was in front of him just a second ago! But what shocked him was a burst of snowflakes exploding on his face.
Out of the blue, he felt a chill down his spine as he felt the air around him turning cold. His grip on his sword tightened.
He heard a sweet chuckle behind him and almost immediately, Jax turned around.
The violent glow on those silver eyes planted fear intolerance the h Jax's soul. He subconsciously took a step backward.
Moulin only smiled sweetly, "I think you missed..."
Missed?
Jax's eyes turned unfocused. There was anger as well as a sense of danger. He felt threatened by the sudden showcase of ability this little coward had suddenly pulled out. There was anger in his red-eyes. He felt cheated for no reason which only made him more determined to defeat Moulin in every way possible. Death was also an option. Jax clenched his jaw as fury burned in his eyes. "I won't miss this time. Perhaps you wouldn't even be bothered to lose a limb."
Moulin narrowed his eyes.
The moment he blinked, Jax lunged at him with his flaming sword. The fire ability wielder swung his sword at the unmoving youth only to once again slice down nothing as snowflakes bursts in front of him. He grew anxious. The aphrodite's tricks were getting into his nerves, tossing coals into his fire of fury. He turned around and saw Moulin with a raised hand. Giant stakes of ice orbited around the silver-haired youth.
With a flick of his hand, the stakes of ice all cut through the air, hurtling towards Jax in unimaginable speed. Red-eyes gleamed mockingly.
How amateur!
Jax raised his sacred weapon to cut the ice in half before it reached him. Contrary to his thoughts, his blade could not cut down the ice!
It clashed with his weapon and was only repelled by the force of the slash. One by one, the large stakes of ice attacked him. Jax could hear the anxious beats of his heart as he was stricken back by each force of the ice colliding with his weapon.
Moulin only watches as his opponent's steps grew unsteady and the anxious expression forming on the maeruthan's face.
As the last stake was repelled by Jax, Moulin sneered. He opened his palm and a finger-sized ice crystal materialized, hovering smoothly above his hand. It was small, glowing a purple tinge.
Jax who was panting gripped the sword in his hand. "You little... "
Rage blazed in his eyes. He dares to play him! Jax raised the point of his blade, drawing a rune-like pattern in the air. Once the symbol was finished, A dozen flaming swords spun around his powerful form. He originally wanted to conserve this ability for last but he decided to end the little pest as soon as possible. Forget about a little kindness, he was going to make this fool bleed.
A hopeless sigh escaped lush lips. The hair of silver that was tied up fell loose. It gently fell in gorgeous waves down Moulin's back, slightly swaying with the chilly breeze surrounding him. Moulin was already irritated. He already felt tired from the two previous trials and now all he wanted was to finish everything. When he became too annoyed and tired, it was never a good thing. Perhaps if he wasn't minding his image as a noble son of the grand house, he will probably forget to leave his opponent an intact corpse.
"Come at me, you little coward." Jax's snarl was provoking the ends of Moulin's patient.
Of course, Moulin wouldn't like to reject his open invitation.
The moment he closed his eyes, the air instantly became as cold as the wintery winds. The people in their seats shuddered, mostly hugging their bodies for warmth. W-what kind of power is this?! It was as if they were stranded in a land of ice with nothing to warm them.
The eyes of the elder Lord went wide. How extraordinary! He glanced at Emlen's astounded look as if he had never once witnessed his little brother's true ability. The old man rubbed his chin in admiration. Surely, this third young master of the Fraunces family was going to be fought over by the guild Lords.
The wall of fire that had once blazed with scorching heat gradually lost its spirit and vigor by the biting cold. The circle of fire was no more and what replaced it was the gentle fall of snow around the arena. As numerous gazes looked above their heads they gaped at the sight of the dimming clouds raining down snowflakes. It looked harmless and beautiful but the cold stopped the string of praises itching to escape their mouths.
The only person who's face broke in fear and confusion was Moulin's opponent, Jax. Eyes frozen open, his face paling and the grip on his sword trembled.
Impossible...
He was clearly a low-ranked Maeruthan! The band! The band was the proof of it! How... How was an inferior Maeruthan more powerful than him?!
He could no longer fool himself. The Aphrodite before him was within a superior level. There was a chance of defeat...
Moulin took a step forward. The small ice crystal gleamed a bright light as it hovered above his palm. A purple glow was reflected in Moulin's captivating silver eyes. His face was calm and his aura was intimidating. Even the audience had ceased their breath as they watched.
With a soft voice, the youth spoke.
"Do you yield?"
The words entered Jax's ears. It was a simple question he had given to Moulin as well. However, the situation was different. The one being oppressed and threatened was him. One would laugh at his circumstances. Indeed, he was oblivious of his humiliation.
Nevertheless, no matter the consequences, he will fight for his victory. There was a high chance that he would be defeated which made him hesitate. He didn't want to lose. He despises the thought of it! However, seeing the calm young man before him awaiting his answer, he was afraid it would be true.
One thing was certain, he would rather die than accept defeat!
A moment had passed and the fire ability wielder doesn't seem to think of surrendering. His eyes turned of rage and humiliation. And his fear could not conceal itself from Moulin's eyes. The sight was a bit delightful.
"I will NOT!" His resentment for defeat overwhelmed Jax's voice. The swords spun wildly around him, influenced by their master's fury. "No low-ranked Maeruthan will surpass me! Especially not some filthy-bloodied breeding creature!"
His words resounded throughout the arena. It was fiendish and revolting as it entered Moulin's ears.
Moulin stared.
Silence descended around them. Not even the small mutterings of the audience were heard as Jax's words sank into their ears.
A mocking smile graced Moulin's lips.
The ice crystal on his hand surrendered to gravity as Moulin let it fall to the ground. At the same moment, Jax charged with the flying swords around him. His fury, unconcealed and aggressive.
The ice crystal shattered on the ground and a bright flash of light blinded every person's vision.
Moulin smiled victoriously.