Aidan quickly regained his calm and ran back to escape the flying balls of mana that would most certainly end him if he got hit. He could feel his hairs stand on end as he ran for his life. He could hear a familiar giggle from behind him as he cursed inwardly.
The spectators couldn't believe the sight that played out in front of their eyes.
"…That was a magic missile?"
"Since when did magic missile become that?"
"How in the world... I bet even the ultimate spell Summon Meteor would be less terrifying than this."
"And that was just her first attack too. What the hell are we watching."
"Is this what it means to be number 1 on not just the Zone but the global rankings?"
"It seems mockingbird's days are something of the past. He can no longer overwhelm opponents with his ridiculous strength and win any more."
"How can he even fight if he can't even find the chance to get close to his opponent."
Seeing the sight of Aidan run away Ethel couldn't help but laugh
"Where did your confidence go now Aidan?"
"What the hell have you learned in the last 3 months??" Aidan cursed. He gasped trying to catch his breath. A hint of panic was visible on his face, and his previously confident eyes seem to have become slightly more dull. 'That was definitely not a magic missile. She's definitely playing with me.'
"Well, I've been practicing too you know. I practiced sooo hard that one day, Magic Missile magically transformed into that barrage of missiles. " She struck her tongue out. "Maybe it felt the power of my love and evolved. Do you want me to go easy on you?"
Aidan ignored her nonsense and dashed towards her to close the distance. He ran towards her as fast as he could.
"Oh no, how could this be fun if I let you get so close so easily." Ethel acted like she was in trouble as Aidan got closer, however, her eyes betrayed her acting as it was clear she was enjoying this far too much.
"Flaming Lotus!"
The flames around her rose higher and higher until it formed an ethereal lotus of flaming petals that was about to bloom. Each petal stood tall as they burned bright lightning up the entire arena. All the grass around her vaporized into thin air leaving a radius of clear earth. Her figure could be seen through the translucent petals of flames as she raised her staff up and slammed down.
"Now, burst!"
As soon as she commanded the lotus seemed to bloom outwards sending waves, creating what seemed to be a flaming tsunami that destroyed everything it touched as it rushed out all around her.
"…"
Aidan stopped in his tracks. Part of him felt like just calling it quits seeing the ridiculous sight in front of him that just made no sense.
'It doesn't make sense for skills to be so strong. If it's a game shouldn't this be balanced? How is her magic so strong.. Other people's Fire spells felt like Ice compared to hers.'
He had fought magicians and even seen videos of top-ranked magician battles, however, what was in front of him couldn't even be explained in the same logic as the magicians.
'This monster has become invincible in just the span of a few months.'
However.
'I can still do it. If I can just catch her off guard it will work..'
Aidan hardened his resolve and prepared for that incoming attack. He knew he couldn't run away from it this time. 'To hell with running away, the damn tsunami would wipe the entire arena in flames. There's nowhere to even run.'
He unsheathed his sword and held it in front of him to block the attack. Actions that lead to everyone being confused as it was just unheard of blocking magic with just a sword, especially the ridiculous sight that lay before them.
The spectators couldn't help but be puzzled by his actions.
"Maybe he did learn some magic in the last few months?"
"Magic and swords? A magic swordsman?"
"That would make perfect sense. It might just create a bigger monster than Nightingale."
"I highly doubt there could be a bigger monster than this... Are you seeing the same match I'm seeing?"
"This is exciting! I'm dying to see what he does next"
As the waves of flame approached Aidan stood in place unmoving with his sword drawn to block. The grass on the Arena was cleared clean as everything that could burn, burned to a crisp.
The flames came crashing down on Aidan as if he was hit by a large tidal wave.
Pssshh
However, contrary to what everyone expected to see when the flames came crashing down, what happened, in reality, left them all bamboozled.
"Nothing happened?"
"Did he use any magic?"
"It was as if the flames just flowed past, ignoring his existence."
"Maybe the magic was just an illusion?"
"You idiot! What kind of illusion causes that kind of damage to the Arena floor?"
"But that doesn't make any sense."
Ethel was even more confused than the audience. She knew that would've ended everything. She was well aware of her strength and it was impossible for him to have survived. It could have been possible if he knew a magic to counter it but that's exactly what made her all the more confused. Because she was at least certain he didn't cast any skills.
Aidan made use of the opportunity he got and closed off the distance between them.
Cling!
His sword was blocked by her staff.
"Oops, you almost got me hehe." She laughed as she shook herself from distraction. 'It doesn't matter, he can only keep up for so long, and I haven't even come close to my limits.' She kept her thoughts to herself as she wondered. 'Do I even have limits?'
Aidan knew he had to act quickly as all hell would break loose if he let her cast any magic again.
Aidan swung his sword again after sidestepping.
Cling.
He knew it'd be blocked when he attacked. Even if Ethel wasn't a swordsman, her awareness and combat sense was nothing to scoff at.
'And this physical strength of hers, what is she, a gorilla? She's so much stronger than even the melee fighters of the past
He shook his head.
"Hey I can feel that you're thinking some bad thoughts about me" Ethel snapped as she gave him a fierce look.
Aidan ignored her. It didn't matter. His target wasn't Ethel from the start.
Ting.
The staff that was in Ethel's hands fell onto the cold arena floor. It was at this moment people finally had a clear understanding of what Aidan was trying to achieve.
"I must say, I really didn't see that coming. Was that your plan from the start?"
Ethel seemed surprised and intrigued.
"Aren't you worried now?"
Aidan grinned and focused his eyes on his target. He didn't waste any time and he wasn't someone that was fond of taking unnecessary risks. He raised his blade with clear intent to end this match.
However.
His mind screamed 'Oh no' when he saw her smile grinning ear to ear and then he saw her stick her tongue out again. The next word he heard turned his understanding upside down.
"Blink!"
"The f*ck? Can someone just explain to me what just happened?"
"Did she just… use magic without a staff?"
"It wasn't just any magic either, it's Blink, one of the hardest magic skills out there!"
"This doesn't make any sense"
Aidan noticed the figure in front of him disappear into thin air.
Ethel appeared nearly a hundred meters away at the edge of the huge arena. "Hehe"
"How did you do that?" Aidan screamed. "That's not possible!"
"Hmmm. Maybe I'll tell you if you agree to tell me what I wanna hear~"
He knew she was up to her mischief again and he wouldn't get anything out of this. The only possibility was if he won.
He quickly ran towards her to catch up. He noticed her chanting and preparing for a spell with the flames dancing around her again.
"Oops, it's too late now Aidan, you're out of time."
"Meteor Strike!"
Aidan's gaze froze as he looked up to what would inevitably flatten the arena in mere seconds.
What one could've easily mistaken for a miniature Sun, quickly descended from the sky.