Before either I or my opponent, Raon, even made a move; the teachers began to commentate.
"This is a surprise isn't it? I didn't think Alt would do so well." [Grotto]
"It is a matchup that is to be expected." [Vincent]
"I think this may be his last stop. Raon is a formidable opponent. He comes from the house of Parthenos, so many can say that Alt doesn't have a chance." [Urth]
They really didn't have much faith in me.
"I beg to differ. The Parthenos household may have unique abilities, but I'm certain that my disciple will overcome them." [Vincent]
"...It's hard to believe that considering Raon defeated all his opponents in mere seconds." [Ross]
"We will see." [Vincent]
I feel like I missed something there.
("Hold on. MERE SECONDS?!") [Solace]
It took me a few minutes to win my fights at least. I was beginning to dread my opponent.
("I should be careful.") [Solace]
I readied myself in anticipation for Raon's next move.
("...What is he doing?") [Solace]
Instead of taking a step forward or taking a fighting stance, Raon took a deep breath.
"Warning: The skill |Lion's Roar| is being invoked nearby." [Spirit Guide]
Raon let out a shout loud enough for me to see shockwaves. Well, not as much as the contest between Nakros and Jukhan. I wouldn't be surprised if that incident blew my eardrums.
"Alert: The skill |Mental Fortitude| has been activated." [Spirit Guide]
I didn't feel anything from Raon's |Lion's Roar|. Maybe just a tingle.
"Uh… What was that?" [Solace]
Raon looked at me with eyes wide with surprise. Looks like I was the only one who had withstood it.
"Incredible! Alt withstood it?!" [Urth]
"Of course. Something like this won't make him scared." [Vincent]
Master wasn't lying. My fear resistance went up pretty high against the Sword King.
"That must have shaken him at the very least. I wouldn't be surprised if he's struggling to stand at the moment." [Grotto]
("...A lot of assumptions going around here.") [Solace]
Never would she have imagined that the |Lion's Roar| only amounted to a slight chill.
"I don't think you should use that again, Raon. It didn't have much effect." [Solace]
"That's… certainly vexing." [Raon]
Raon reached behind him and pulled out two white gauntlets. Its design was very rounded, as if it was made to let things slide off it.
"Oh, you have some too?" [Solace]
I also whipped out my Vermillion Eclipse in turn.
("I'm looking forward to this. It's not everyday I get to fight another martial artist.") [Solace]
That's if I don't include Master or Leyhna.
"|Obsidian Arms|." [Raon]
As he said that, a bright liquid coated his arms. I could feel heat emitting from it, but it vanished quickly as it cooled down and solidified into a black rocky texture.
"Wow. That's cool." [Solace]
Unlike the white roundness of his normal gauntlets, the rocky coating had sharp edges all over.
"|Physical Boost|." [Raon]
The moment he buffed himself, Raon launched himself at me.
"|Shattering Blow|!" [Raon]
"|Revolving Shell Arts|!" [Solace]
As I reached out to deflect his attack, the rocky coating burst.
"What the-?!" [Solace]
I closed my eyes as the shard flew at me, which was a foolish thing to do since I took a heavy punch to the gut.
"Oof!" [Solace]
He certainly hit harder than expected.
"|Reinforce|!" [Solace]
I wanted to make sure I could tank the hits. In which, I carefully brushed off the shards from my face as I became a punching bag.
"|Paralyze|." [Solace]
I think this was the first time I tried this move. All I did was touch Raon and he staggered backwards.
"What is this? …Paralysis?" [Raon]
He seemed to struggle to move, but it wasn't by much.
"|Piercing Blow|." [Solace]
I always have to open with that move. As expected, Raon raised his arms and got struck by an invisible force.
"Urgh!" [Raon]
He stumbled backwards as pain surfaced on his face.
"...Are you not going to summon your spirit?" [Solace]
It was weird that he hadn't done so already.
"Solidify, Tenesaxum." [Raon]
A small, half-orange, half-black, humanoid spirit appeared by his side.
("So his hair isn't the only thing with mixed colors.") [Solace]
A strange energy left his spirit and accumulated under Raon's foot as he lifted it.
"|Volcanic Arena|." [Raon]
He slammed his foot against the ground, causing the floor tiles to tremble.
"Oh?" [Solace]
The stone tiles started to melt and the temperature rose.
"Yep, that's bad news." [Solace]
I jumped up before my surroundings fully transformed into a lava pit.
"|Liquid Barrage|!" [Solace]
I didn't really aim for Raon. In fact, I fired away below me until it made a small platform of cooled lava.
("That was close.") [Solace]
I would say I landed safely, but the platform almost flipped over when I landed.
("Yeah, this isn't going to work. I need more water.") [Solace]
I then tried to do what I did to create |Liquid Barrage|. First, I cast the skill |Liquid Barrage| multiple times without firing, then tried using |Convergence| on it.
"Alert: The use of |Convergence| is successful. |Liquid Cannon| has been created." [Spirit Guide]
("Very nice.") [Solace]
Just as a quick test, I aimed a hand at the lava next to me.
"|Liquid Cannon|." [Solace]
A large body of water around the size of a watermelon formed. I was pretty satisfied with the result as it immediately created a larger platform than the one I had made previously.
"I can't have you doing that." [Raon]
Raon jumped out of the lava and grabbed my leg.
"Holy crap! You scared the hell out of me!" [Solace]
It felt like one of those jump scares from zombie films.
"Get off of me!" [Solace]
I tried kicking him off, but he already slipped away into the lava pool. I was pretty shocked to see him act like this.
("...Wasn't he a martial artist?") [Solace]