**A couple of weeks later**
[Alchemy skill leveled up!]
[Alchemy lvl 3]
[Foraging skill leveled up!]
[Foraging lvl 3!]
'I have managed to earn around 43 silver… Sadly I have collected many herbs that were local, so there aren't many left.. Modri and Seirai earned 55 silver.
Meaning we have about 113 silver including the amount from before. Keeping 70% set off for the future guild, we have 34 silver to spend..' Ray sighs.
'This is going to take a long while.. Shit, I also have my first match today. Well then, I best get ready' Ray gets up and dresses in the uniform provided for the Arena.
It is similar to the school uniform in color and design. But the material and enchantments make it more flexible.
The enchantments also have a rapid healing effect in case a person is close to death.
But in that event, the fight ends and the person who was healed loses.
[Time Skip!]
Ray teleports out, and walks towards Leon, as both Modri and Seirai are on a quest.
During the two weeks, Leon has managed to construct a couple more buildings out of the earth, as well as an actual building for a guild hall.
"Hello Lord Kaine." Leon says as he sets down his plate.
"Hello, I will be heading out soon, you have been doing extremely well lately so you can have the day off if you wish." Ray says.
"I thank you, but I would prefer not to, my family continues to work, so I will as well." Leon replies.
"Very well." Ray smiles as he leaves to head to the city.
*****
Ray walks into Alfuris College, finding Victoria who appears to have been waiting for him.
"Hey Ray! Are you ready for your match?" Victoria asks.
"Yeah, it should be fun, How about you?" Ray responds
"Of course, there's no way I am losing, so it should be a good warm up!" Victoria says with confidence.
"Well anyway, I guess we should wait in the stands until our rounds are closer, what match number are you?" Ray asks.
"12, you?" Victoria asks
"20," Ray responds as both of them head into the stands, after the first couple of fights they hear a familiar name get called.
"Sponsored by Alinz Terrafang. The esteemed teacher of the last 3 floors of the second tower. And his student, the one fighting is, Raigal Shadowdance!" The announcer shouts.
'Raigal? Isn't he the guy from the practical exams..?' Ray thinks, as he sees Raigal walk out while wearing the noble uniform.
"And his opponent, a rising star in the Arena, Erax Prideflare!"
"Prideflare? Aren't they your family's servants?" Ray asks Victoria.
"Yes. He is quite skilled and was a friend of mine growing up. But to be honest… I doubt he can beat a shadowdance." Victoria says solemnly.
"I know Raigal is strong, but is his entire family the same?" Ray asks.
"You could say that… As you know there are several noble families, and for the most part they tend to become nobles due to a rare affinity, or overall power. Judging by how little you know of our city, I guess you wouldn't be aware of the trifecta." Victoria responds.
"The trifecta?" Ray asks.
"Yes, they are the strongest noble families in the city. The first and obvious one is the Alfuris family, the namesake of both the city and the college, with their powerful space affinity. After them is the Shadowdance family with their shadow and void affinities, finally you have the fireleaf family. But to be honest we don't even come close to the others.." Victoria replies as the match begins.
"I dedicate my victory to the great Victoria Fireleaf!!" Erax pride flare shouts.
"Lion's Roar!!!"
A large gout of fire surges towards Raigal, who similar to the practical, is still unfazed.
"Shadow absorption…"
A shadow leaps off of Raigal and consumes the flames.
"Black flame spear.."
The shadows begin to twist and form a spear sent flying at Erax, casting a vast shadow around the ring, Erax attempts to dodge out of the way.
But the flames chase him relentlessly,
"Grr! Arrow of Apollo!!!"
'Wait… Apollo?!' Ray is completely stunned.
The arrow fires off matching the black flames, but while he is distracted he begins to sink into the shadows.
"Shadow feast."
As Erax sinks he feels small cuts spread across his body, slashing him endlessly.
"ARGHH!!!!"
"FLARE BURST"
A large explosion of flames bursts out, pushing the shadows away, but before he can even catch his breath, the shadows return.
While Erax continued to struggle, it was all in vain as his clothing triggers to rapidly heal him, forcing his immediate surrender.
"The win goes to Raigal Shadowdance!" The announcer shouts.
"Well… That was quick." Ray says.
"Yeah…. Either way I should go and prepare for my match soon." Victoria says as she gets up and leaves.
A couple more rounds are completed, after that the announcer shouts.
"Another amazing match for today, a member of the trifecta of noble families, and a long time fan of the sport. Victoria Fireleaf!"
"Their opponent for tonight is Michael Inolt!"
Victoria enters the Arena with a massive smile on her face, as her opponent enters, looking quite nervous.
He is around average in height with dark gray hair, and orange eyes.
"May the match begin!"
Victoria quickly lifts her staff and says,
"Evergrowth!"
Several trees begin to grow within the first section, obscuring the sight of her opponent.
"Hmph! Water droplet!"
Michael creates a large droplet of silver colored water above the small forest.
"Lightning refraction!"
Michael throws a bolt of lightning into the water droplet causing it to burst with every droplet having a massive electrical charge as it scatters about.
"Bush Cover!"
Victoria creates a small dome to protect herself, and while she is in it, she smiles and shouts
"Wildfire!"
As all of the trees begin to ignite and combust into a massive fire, as michael attempts to move about, but they can't see through the thick smoke.
"Shit! Water stream!"
Michael envelops himself in water and forces himself out of the forest, into the second section.
The moment he enters the second section, he slams into the ground, not expecting the difference in gravity.
As Michael begins to struggle against the gravity, the flames immediately snuff out as Victoria holds her hands out.
The flames swirl in front of her forming an extremely dense ball of fire, about as big as a basketball.
"Look! One of the prized Affinities of the Fireleaf family! The great Inferno affinity! Allowing for absolute control of flames!" The announcer shouts
With a hint of struggle in Victoria's eyes as she contains the flame.
"Prepare yourself. Rapid Blaze!"
The ball fires out and when it slams near Michael, and when it does it expands a hundredfold as all of the fire that was contained in the wildfire expands out with double the force.
With a massive explosion, Michael is sent two more sections out, and slams into the ground, completely knocked out.
'Damn! I never knew Victoria was that strong.. So that is the power of the Third Circle' Ray thinks in absolute shock.