Meanwhile, Era remained levitating on his whirlwind in a cross-legged position as if he was bored from the fish kills.
The waters instantly became still the moment he stopped killing fishes and slicing sharks that lust after bloodshed.
Although he used the decaying odor of the slaughtered marine animals to mark the whereabouts of his opponent, he couldn't tolerate the stench a bit longer that he counteracted the horrible smell with his protective winds.
The two fighters happen to be located at the waters near the most remote area of the Daryan Coastal Town.
The area where the said monstrous gnarled Crimson Widow lived.
Silence permeated the water region's atmosphere except for a few almost-inaudible gasps of the fishes breathing their last.
The forceful gales quieted their voices but remained watchful over suspicious impending movement.
As sound is a sub-Specialism under the wind magic, Era is able to cancel noise by his own will.
Apparent creases formed on Era's brow in frustration of the tight situation he got into.
His gut was telling him to activate his whirlwind at full power but at the risk of losing great amounts of mana.
Contrary to the worries of the underprivileged, Era Duress happens to be the Sovereign Duke's son which includes his privileges of being enriched with many mana augmenters.
Underneath the dark hood hides glinting silver accessories attached to his ears and a link-chained necklace slung around his noble neck.
Not all mana items are valued as crystals as they can also be valued based on metal categories.
Land is the largest mana vessel ever created so its minerals obviously contain varying magical capacities.
This includes silver which is the ninth most targeted mana-augmenting accessories and highly demanded amongst the greediest of Covetors.
Aside from hiding his royal blondish hairstreaks, Era not only conceals his mana augmenters but is not heavily reliant on them.
Leeching out Hanks the arbiter's magical energy was one helpful way of maintaining his mysterious beggarly facade which he kept doing so even while playing the Uptaking duel with Alist.
It was not until she forced him to go all-out with his destructive Wind Specialism upon hearing his actual name.
'Victory, isn't it?' Era took in his thoughts mentally. 'To think that she immediately blurted out my real name calmly and indifferently…she must have known this all along. Let's not forget the fact that she may be Keegan's spy. Let's stop drilling the water and end this quickly!'
It wasn't easy battling in an area where both duelers hold equal advantages which is why they have to exert great mental fortitude in the Uptaking.
Drafts coming from the Auster's Whirl Dozer increasingly spread from all directions of his wind zone to cut down anyone that comes out of the water.
In one brief moment, Era's ears twitched when he heard bubbling noises from one nautical mile away from his location.
As if on cue, rapid swirls of wind began forming around him.
Summoning more energy from his mana plate, he unleashed a massive blow that is capable of slicing down a mountain in two.
The impact splashed violently like a tsunami's stormy blow.
Manipulating such move even caused a light cut on Era's cheek.
Just as he was about to investigate the targeted area, he was caught by a helix of waters forming inside his own whirlpool.
It was a double helix of the white winds and the red waters.
The spiraling water filled the wind funnel gradually until the traces of air was replaced by a hydrokinetic maelstrom which ironically should have formed in the seas.
As the sea regions were stained with blood and gore, this become crimson vortex twirling on the water surface.
Inside it drowned Era and his great whirlwind along with several attempts to counter the sneaky manipulation which proved futile.
His body twisted and turned within the raging currents of the funnel that he could not escape.
His wind zone was even blocked by the forces of water so it was impossible for his Specialism to gain an opening.
Drained from his large projectile maneuver, his mana content was quickly decreasing.
But Era noticed something absurd. 'What's this? I'm losing too much mana. I even have my silvers on me- WAIT! Where are my silvers?!'
His hands scrubbed his nape and ears only to feel the nonexistence of the metallic valuables.
Era was also having a hard time breathing due to the funneling movement of his entrapment.
He couldn't even open his eyes as the toxic red blood tainted the vortex.
'How ironic.' He sighed. 'I wanted the whole fighter world to tremble when they hear of my Air Ripper alias but now I am the one whose losing oxygen. It will take some time to get out of here.'
Gathering all his remaining mana, he inhaled deeply from his diaphragm and exhaled large blows of wind which thrusted him out of the vortex.
The bloody vortex died down and its helical formation became one with the sea.
Era crashed into the waters next to an exposed patch reef.
His complexion was purple from asphyxiation and his lose coat unhooded the blonde streaks he was hiding.
Silence once again circulated throughout the area but the atmosphere was even more eerie than before that it was unknown whether the waters will suddenly strike him back.
With heavy gasps of breath reverberating with the silence, Era remained in a floating position due to his exhaustion.
He felt the waves gently sweeping him towards nearby reef and surrendered to that motion.
His back landed on the exposed coral reef and the blood-stained waters became still for a moment.
No aquatic predators were sighted in the waters so Era was able to let his guard down.
His last moved deprived him of air and energy so he no longer had the strength or the will to continue with the duel.
The heat of the battle was replaced by the coolness of defeat.
It did not matter whether Era lost both the duel and the deal.
He only wanted to know if his opponent is a friend or foe.