"This is bad .… How did Julian become so strong?" Ozi asked nervously.
"That's Berserker mode," Tucker said with wide eyes. "Using mana to significantly increase your physical prowess at the cost of large mana consumption and intellect," Berserker mode was infamous for its uncontrollable power. It would make the user go mad until their entire mana was emptied. After the Berserker mode ended, the user also suffered from over-exhaustion and became incapacitated.
"However… since Julian is walking instead of rushing, it means he has reached his limit," Tucker added.
"But why did he use it? Isn't it dangerous if something bad happens?" Ozi asked.
"He probably trusted the teachers to stop him if he went too far."
"Still …. Does that mean that guy, Joshua, is going to lose?" If Joshua lost, then Class Two would have a hard time recovering and Class Three would have to adjust their plan again. Also, it means Kyle had/has failed in his mission.
"No," Kyle stated, shocking everyone. His face was calm.
"Joshua Fray…. Won't lose," he added.
"But …."
"He can still move his body. As long as he breathes and is able to move his body, there is a chance of winning."
{'You can't lose, Joshua,'} Kyle thought. {'You have to show everyone. Show them just how strong you are. After all…. You are the underdog.'}
.
.....
.
{'No!'} Joshua gritted his teeth. "I won't lose," he slowly stood up after defying his tired and wounded body. He raised his sword up, tilted the tip slightly toward Julian.
{'As long as this body is able to move! As long as I am still breathing! Able to take a step forward! I believe I'm able to win! And my body will bring it to me!'} he remembered what Kyle said to him. He couldn't give up like this. He had not yet given his best, and he didn't want to disappoint the people who had helped him and placed their hopes on him.
"Magic overcast!" Joshua shouted. "Light Feet, Air Burst, Wind Dash! Blitz Dash!" Joshua moved fast, but even at this speed, it was still not enough.
Julian rushed at him and readied his sword. However, he was far slower than before.
"Magic Delay! With the power of lightning, I shall fly through the darkness to reach the light! Lightning Tunnel!"
"Wind that roams free! Gather around me and lend me your strength. Give me the power to surpass everyone and cut through every obstacle in front of me! First chant, Air Strike!"
The Lightning Tunnel, which was being cast in delay, was activated. With his body covered by electricity, Joshua vanished in the blink of an eye. He passed through Julian's sword and reappeared behind him.
Blood sprouted out from Julian's body. It was a simple thrust wound caused by Joshua's sword, which was shrouded by his new spell. An offensive spell that was capable of piercing through. However, this wasn't enough, Julian turned around while ignoring his new wound.
"Kuh!" Joshua coughed up blood. Using multiple magics within a close time gap had caused his body to become overstressed. On top of that, his mana was almost depleted completely.
{'Not yet! Air Burst!'} Joshua was propelled to the air above. Looking at Julian from above, Joshua cast his spells again.
{'This is it,'} Joshua felt powerful when he was in midair. But such a feeling was only an illusion if he couldn't realize it.
"Air Burst! Lightning Tunnel!" Joshua descended like a judgment that came from the sky. He pulled his sword and then thrust it forward.
"Air Strike!" Like its name, it was truly a strike that came from the air above. The wind around Joshua's sword resonated with electricity around his body and created a new form.
As for Julian, he looked up and swung his sword toward Joshua. His sword brightened up in red light and let out the same color slash at Joshua.
The clash between the two attacks felt like heaven and earth were fighting. It wasn't the perfect description, but it did catch the meaning of what had happened.
Joshua descended like lightning that struck the ground. He sliced through Julian's attack and ….
An explosion happened upon contact between the two. Dust covered the arena, everyone's eyes were focused on it, they were anxious about the result.
This third round was hugely different from the first round and the second round. The first two rounds had shown them quick fights without thrills. There was a thrill, but it was a one-sided fight. Like a tiger against a rat. But the third round was nothing like that. Both parties were injured, both parties struggled, and both parties did their best.
When the dust cleared, everyone saw that Julian was standing still. He held his sword down with one hand. Then they saw Joshua kneeling down while his left hand held his sword, which pierced the ground. They could see half of the sword was stuck in the ground.
Both didn't make a move, and each moment that passed was tense. After five seconds had passed, Julian moved. Everyone thought it was Julian's victory, and again, it was Class Seven who had won.
But that didn't happen, Julian fell to his knees. His grip on his sword loosened. He, along with his sword, fell to the ground completely.
Meanwhile, Joshua slowly stood up. When he tried to pull his sword, it shattered. Leaving him only holding the handle.
.
.
.
"Victory belongs toooooo ...! Joshua Fray!!!" the MC announced amidst the silence. After that, the audience became chaotic.
"This is the first! Class Two managed to get their first victory at the end! It wasn't a domineering win for Class Seven!" The audience cheered even more.
"Such an exciting battle! A struggle against the berserker, Joshua Fray has finally conquered the arena!" While everyone was cheering, the medics came and brought the two fighters out of the arena.
Joshua laid on the stretcher and smiled happily. His consciousness was slowly fading, but he managed to give out his last word before passing out.
"I won," he whispered.
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Author: Aida Hanabi
Proofreader: Lola
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