Ambers were scattering in all direction as a large amount of heat was radiating and spreading across the entire room. The intensity of the heat gave the image as though the sun was falling from the sky. However, contrary to the state of the room the spectators were all stunned with their eyes wide open from the scene before them.
There was a large, majestic bird measuring 10 meters in Hight it was completely covered with flames all around its entire body, its wings were both spread across scattering feathers of flames on the ground.
It truly was a beautiful sight I was captivated seeing the bird one could only hear of in legend. That was the immortal bird phoenix. Surely if there was anyone from my previous world, they would widen their eyes from such a mythical sight while questioning their own sanity from the spectacle that goes beyond common sense.
"Gryaaaa."
A loud sinister cry resounded the entire room, the Phoenix glared down at me with eyes of a beast waiting to devour its prey. Flying at an altitude of 20-meter there was a dangerous atmosphere coming from the Phoenix, surely even the fiercest beast would cower before such monster.
"So this must be the foundation for his confidence."
I muttered in a mix of both awe and exasperation. If I had an ace like this surely even, I would have a huge degree of confidence in my victory. I sighed internally.
-I'm almost ready so there is no need to worry.
Alya said with a voice filled with confidence.
"You must be quite honored to be able to witness the greatest spell known to my noble family, even a peasant such as yourself should know it's useless to struggle. Just give up and accept your defeat."
He said while still raising his right hand, the Phoenix followed the movement of his hand and waited for the moment the order was given when it was allowed to scorched its prey.
I made a face filled with anxiety. Perhaps it would be best to use a spell of the water element surely that would be the better option than to keep depending on the wind element. Considering my partnership with Alya I honestly thought my wind element was enough to end this duel quickly however it seems fate was on the side of the other foot this time.
But even so I made a stance to ready myself for his attack. Seeing that Hindu squinted his eyes dangerously. The phoenix flap it's wings sharply while taking a diving position. Like a bird preparing to dive down and devour a small helpless fish that was about to jump from the sea. Everyone watching in the audience held their breath, the incarnation of death itself was preparing its first attack.
"So even after seeing this with your own eyes, you're still not giving up?"
Hindu said with a bitter face, that spell was obviously too powerful to be used against a single person in an official duel well I'm sure I'll be fine however it was a spell I really didn't want to have to deal with.
"Well, I'm sure you'll be treated by the best healer in this castle anyway."
He muttered quietly. With that his hand which was still raised high into the air was slowly brought down. Monster of calamity that was the Phoenix obediently followed his movements and came straight at me with a speed incomprehensible for the human eye to follow.
*BOOM*
A loud crash resounded the arena the place which I was standing on moments ago was dyed black and was completely covered with flames and smoke, it perfectly resembles a sea of flames. Like a house that was just blown up by hundreds of missiles creating a small size nuclear explosion. Anyone who witnessed such sight would naturally think 'Ah, a young soul has now gone to heaven' due to the force of the explosion.
The Phoenix body was naturally destroyed by the impact of its crash and was instead covering the surrounding with flames. Ayumu who was standing a long distance away had a look of surprise not expecting Hindu to use a spell of that level, he then made a look of contemplation as though he was deciding whether or not to end the match however- the smoke dies down and my figure became clear to the spectators they all widen their eyes from what they saw. My body was now wrap in a torrent of wind creating a protective wall around me.
(It's been a while since this happened.)
I thought smiling lightly inside. I couldn't help but feel truly grateful towards the wind if it hadn't protected me when it did that would have been game over.
-Phew. it seems I made it in time, that was a close call.
Alya said with a voice filled with relief. Wait could it be no It couldn't, right? I never thought of it until now but the wind kept protecting me after my first encounter with Alya could she be the one? I thought.
-Fufu... of course did you really think the wind shield you on its own. I've been the one protecting you from the very beginning.
She said even though her body wasn't present I could tell she was making a smug face. I always wondered why the wind would shield me whenever I was in danger, I guess this answered my question.
-Don't let it get to your head though, while my wind barrier is strong it's not impenetrable. Some attacks strong enough can still pass through.
She said strongly emphasizing that her barrier isn't invincible I felt a bit disappointed hearing that however now wasn't the time. During the time it took me to get up off the ground the phoenix was able to reformed itself into its original majestic look. Truly living up to its name of the immortal bird.
-You'll have to keep our bird friend over there busy while I concentrate on gathering the mana needed for our most powerful wind spell.
Alya said in her carefree tone. "You're only saying that because you're not the one fighting it." I wanted to yell but decided to hold my tongue naturally Alya as a spirit gave off a powerful presence, even this giant bird would be nothing more than a small fly before the great spirit of wind. I honestly don't think I could win against her even if I used all element at my disposal.
"Still holding out huh... well then how about this!"
Hindu said swiping his hand with that movement the giant Phoenix opened up its jaws and scorching hot flames was fired out instantly sensing the danger coming I promptly dash away avoiding the flames, however the phoenix continued firing flames in my direction I then sprinted in a zig zag pattern easily avoiding the flames but at that moment.
The flames which were fired out from the jaws of the phoenix all change their trajectory at the same time, I kept running at a high speed with magic sense I was able to sense the flow of mana coming towards me from behind. The flames which were fired from its jaws were easily dodged however I was concern about the projectile spells which were changing their direction as though they had eyes.
(This is bad, I won't be able to run forever in that case.)
"Mother of water devour my target, sea serpent!"
A huge 2-layer magic circle was formed followed by a large amount of water taking the form of a giant snake. Its movement were slow compared with the phoenix and the difference in power between the two spells were obvious there was also a huge difference in sized between them, the phoenix measured roughly 10 meters in Hight while the snake measured 7 centimeters it was clear to everyone present who had the upper hand however what I wanted isn't to stop the Phoenix using the water serpent but something else entirely.
Phoenix and water serpent both spells opposite in nature made contact resulting in the creation of a huge thick cloud of mist which covered the entire arena. Using the mist as a smokescreen I easily disappeared from the view of everyone. Once the vicinity was cleared Hindu looked around with cautiousness.
"Mother of wind slice my target air cutter!"
I appeared behind him and cast air cutter a second level spell. Everyone looked confused by the air cutters I fired surely it was a high level spell but it was obvious it didn't have nearly enough power to stop the calamity of fire that was the giant Phoenix which was giving off intense heat, as though to burn everything in its path. Hearing my voice, he immediately sent the phoenix in my direction.
"Grayaaaa."
Another loud cry resounded followed by a breath attack pack with a huge amount of heat. The air cutter was easily nullified by the hot flames. "Oooo!" once again loud cheers resounded the arena from the spectators who were watching a distance away.
Scarlett who was watching had a paled face while Hinata's eyes were unusually sparkling it seems seeing a battle of this degree was rather entertaining for her. This entire duel Hindu had the upper hand but I'm about ready to end this already to be honest.
-Okay I'm done we can start whenever you like.
Alya's voice resounded inside my head filled with confidence of our victory. Okay now I can finally end this. However, before that there is something I want to know.
"Hey how are you able to change the trajectory of your spells so easily?"
I ask curiously no matter how much I put my brain on overdrive I couldn't find out the concept behind it. So, the only way to know is to ask the caster.
"Fu... even if I tell you, it's not like you'll be able to do it after all it's my gift."
He said showing a mocking smile. It's his gift does this mean it's one of those blessing bestowed to you by the world? I wondered.
"I see so that's it. It's the gift you were born with am I right?"
I ask tilting my head to the side.
"Hmph... so you figured it out, yes, it's my gift perfect accuracy. No matter how bad my aim or if my target gets away my attacks will always find its targets."
He said in a haughty tone. His confidence keeps rising the entire duel, I'm sure his overbearing attitude got even more unbearable.
(Perfect accuracy huh... what a terrifying gift. If he has perfect accuracy, then surely even at a distance where he couldn't be seen with the naked eyes, he could still easily hit his target.)
I thought as cold sweat went down my back. The ability to never miss your target it honestly reminds me of missiles which are able to change their trajectory anyone would naturally feel despair from such a dangerous attack coming at them at high speed.
"Gryaaaaa!"
The Phoenix opened up its jaws once again as fire gathered at its mouth corner.
"Well it's about time to end this."
I muttered quietly.
-I couldn't agree more.
Such carefree voice could be heard.
"Mother of wind blast my target, show all mortals your destructive might... Gale force!"
A large magic circle was formed. However, the torrent of wind quickly compressed and took the form of a giant spear measuring over 7-centimeter. The spear was made completely out of wind however its hardness was formed using spirit arts gathered by Alya. It gave off a divine glow while contrast there was an intimidating pressure coming from the spear.
"Tch... so you still had that much mana left huh in that case it ends here!"
He shouted while holding out his palm, naturally the phoenix followed his lead and went straight in my direction at high speed. At that I fired the spear made of wind and spirit arts.
*Boom*
A loud sound echoed through the arena fierce wind and fire was sent in all direction as two high level spells clash and competed for supremacy. The spear mix with spirit arts blow away the jaws of the phoenix and upper parts of its body were all blown away unable to keep its form due to the amount of damage it has accumulated the rest of its body fell apart. It truly resembles the scene of a candle being blown by a strong wind.
The spear then went into the direction of Hindu who was powerless on his own. seeing the spear coming at him with the speed of a hyper powered rocket he immediately tried creating a wall of flames however, that was impossible before he could even chant his spell the spear was already at a close distance where the wind pressure could easily be felt.
It took about five seconds for someone to chant a spell and even that depends on the type of spell the caster was going to cast. This was one of the disadvantages the mages are burdened with, that was why mages always fight at a distance where their opponent won't be able to reach them or take advantage of their distance and slow attack time.
"Gah!"
His body was sent flying by the wind pressure created by the spear of wind and crash into the wall behind him completely robbing him of his consciousness. "Ooooo!!!" once again loud cheerers resounded the arena.
"The winner is... Haruto Sato!"
Ayumu declared signaling the end of the duel once he had confirmed that Hindu was out.