Amphere Harrison
This is the thrilling third round of the Dragon Knights Tournament, where fierce competition has whittled down the initial sixty-four contenders to a mere thirty-two for the second round. And now, as the excitement builds, only sixteen participants remain, ready to clash in the majestic coliseum for round three.
In the center of the arena, Rudolf and his beloved Kyrie stood with an air of modesty, their gazes fixed on their formidable adversaries. Adrian Kruszewski, a towering figure, possessed an impressive physique with bulging biceps that stretched the fabric of his white tuxedo, emphasizing his muscular frame. Intricate tattoos adorned his arms, predominantly featuring Japanese characters, seemingly embodying concepts such as "Unleash," "Prison," and "Discipline," among others.
Beside Adrian stood his dragonoid companion, Rachel, a petite lady whose stature even surpassed that of Duchess Corasell. Despite her diminutive size, she exuded an aura of opulence and refinement. Adorned in frills, her dark complexion radiated a sense of regal beauty, accentuated by a resplendent diamond tiara adorning her lustrous blonde locks.
As the tension mounted, the Emcee's voice boomed across the arena, announcing the commencement of the long-awaited battle. "Ladies and gentlemen, prepare yourselves for a spectacle! Today's match features the clash between Rudolf Azregon and Adrian Kruszewski!" With those words, the stage was set for an electrifying showdown.
With a resounding roar from the crowd, the battle was unleashed, igniting the air with anticipation and excitement.
The two valiant knights unsheathed their swords, their determination shining through as they lunged towards each other with unwavering resolve. The formidable Adrian, exuding raw masculinity, brandished his colossal buster sword—a weapon as imposing as his entire body. Buster swords, renowned for their sheer weight, often exceeded fifty kilograms, sacrificing swiftness for devastating attack power.
However, Adrian defied expectations by maintaining an impressive agility, matching Rudolf blow for blow. With each slashing attack Rudolf executed, Adrian skillfully parried, allowing only a fraction of a second to separate their movements. Though slightly slower than Rudolf, Adrian's impeccable timing proved formidable. Yet, despite his defensive prowess, Rudolf managed to gradually chip away at Adrian's shield, whittling it down by three percent with every expertly executed combination of side thrusts and swift hacks.
"Activating Vesryn Pulse!" Adrian's resounding shout reverberated through the arena. The timing couldn't have been more opportune, as his Shield Plate teetered around a mere 40% capacity. Currently, Rudolf maintained the upper hand, boasting an impressive 87% shield strength.
In a breathtaking display, Rachel, Adrian's loyal dragonoid partner, underwent a stunning transformation, evolving into an imposing eight-meter creature. This awe-inspiring dragon possessed neither legs nor arms, but its colossal frame was adorned with three pairs of tattered reddish wings. Its skull, reminiscent of a tyrannosaurus, sat atop its neck, while its entire body seemed to consist of an intricate network of gigantic chains, extending even to the very tip of its tail. It was undoubtedly a Chain Dragon, a name befitting its captivating form and intimidating presence.
Despite his arrogance, Rudolf opted not to utilize Vesryn Pulse, instead commanding Kyrie to remain at a safe distance, providing support through her magical abilities. His self-assured demeanor was not without merit, as his own power proved more than sufficient to overcome the opposition, especially when combined with his formidable Voice of the Emperor—an undeniable display of unbalanced might.
As the Chain Dragon unleashed its onslaught, its maw agape, a torrent of nine chains surged forward, relentlessly pursuing Kyrie. With lightning-fast reflexes, Rudolf intercepted and severed the initial onslaught of chains, utilizing his swordsmanship to defend against the metallic ropes. However, to his dismay, the Chain Dragon seemed to possess an infinite supply of these deadly bindings, as additional chains continued to spew forth from its menacing jaws. Inevitably, both of Kyrie's arms became ensnared, the constricting grip of the chains rendering her helpless.
Rudolf's frustration was palpable, his mistake in underestimating his opponent becoming glaringly apparent. He acknowledged that Adrian, too, was a force to be reckoned with, a formidable contender who had undoubtedly earned his place in the tournament. It became evident that Rudolf's previous confidence may have been misplaced, and he now found himself compelled to resort to Vesryn Pulse—a testament to the gravity of the situation at hand.
"Activating Vesryn Pulse!" Rudolf's resounding voice echoed through the arena. In a stunning turn of events, Kyrie, his loyal partner, underwent a breathtaking evolution, transforming into the mighty Chaos Dragon. The chains that had ensnared her dissipated instantly as a dark aura enveloped her form, emanating a palpable power. This Chaos Aura possessed an intensity akin to a scorching flame, capable of melting even the sturdiest steel beams.
His formidable adversary, though impressed, maintained a confident smile. "Just as I expected, a Chevalier Knight proves to be a formidable opponent," he remarked with admiration.
Returning the smile, Rudolf acknowledged his opponent's own strength. "You're no slouch either," he responded warmly. "There have only been two opponents thus far who have pushed me to unleash my Vesryn Pulse."
Suddenly, Rudolf's gaze shifted towards the bench, where I happened to be observing the intense battle. His smile remained, and he made it clear that he was addressing me. Confusion washed over me—why was he singling me out? Then it dawned on me—I had faced Rudolf and his fearsome Chaos Dragon as the enigmatic Black Phantom. The memory of our encounter was hazy, and I couldn't recall a specific instance of him employing Vesryn Pulse. It seemed he had already outmaneuvered me. Curse my forgetfulness.
"DRACARYX!" Adrian's voice thundered through the arena. In a swift motion, the Chain Dragon's maw began to absorb particles of luminous light, an ominous sight indeed. "Activating Iron Maiden Imprisonment!"
An abrupt tremor coursed through the arena, shattering the composure of the spectators and engulfing them in terror. Duchess Corasell, who watched the unfolding spectacle alongside us, instinctively clung to my arm, her fear palpable. On the other side, Airi, driven by jealousy, sought solace by hugging my other arm, creating an awkward situation where I appeared to be a womanizer—a circumstance that left me uncertain of how to respond.
The once stable arena ground ruptured under the strain, giving way to a deluge of colossal chains that swiftly ensnared both Rudolf and the Chaos Dragon, rendering them completely immobile. Astonishingly, the formidable chaos aura emitted by the dragon seemed to have no effect on the chains. Neither magic nor brute force could dissolve or sever them. These were chains forged with unrivaled resilience—impenetrable and resistant to destruction. In fact, the more force exerted to break them, the more they solidified, becoming even harder to overcome.
I stood there, utterly astounded by the sheer power of the Dracaryx. It was a truly awe-inspiring display. Glancing at Airi, I noticed her eyes sparkling with a mixture of fascination and longing, mirroring my own sentiments. We yearned to possess such extraordinary power ourselves. If only we knew how to unlock it, we would have faced the Chevalier Unit without a hint of trepidation. Perhaps, with that kind of power, victory would have been within our grasp.
Meanwhile, the Chain Dragon gracefully returned to her humanoid form, yet immediately lapsed into unconsciousness. It appeared that the immense strain of utilizing the Dracaryx exacted a heavy toll on the dragonoid's body. During this time, her heart ceased beating for a full minute, effectively nullifying the Vesryn Pulse.
Adrian approached Rudolf at a deliberate pace, the constricted knight visibly struggling to maintain consciousness amidst the suffocating grip of the chains. Surprisingly, the Shield Plates adorning Rudolf's body remained impervious to the chains' constriction. Although his shield strength stood at approximately 80%, his immobilized state prevented him from mounting any meaningful defense. Adrian now had the advantage, free to land blows upon Rudolf with impunity, gradually depleting his shield until it crumbled away entirely.
"DRACARYX!!!" Rudolf's mighty voice thundered through the arena, echoing with indomitable determination. "Activating Swords of Eternal Light!"
In a breathtaking spectacle, the Chaos Dragon transformed into a radiant orb of resplendent golden light, ascending towards the heavens with an ethereal glow. Suddenly, the sky opened, and a cascade of fifteen majestic golden swords, each measuring three meters in length and half a meter in thickness, rained down upon the triumphant opponent.
A cacophony of crashing sounds and billowing smoke engulfed the arena, transforming it into a scene reminiscent of a war-torn battleground. Moments later, amidst the clearing dust, the truth became evident—the macho dragon knight lay sprawled unconscious upon the dusty ground, his once invincible shield plate now reduced to a feeble 0%. All remnants of the chains that had ensnared him were now gone, vanquished once and for all.
Rudolf stood alone, the sole survivor amid the chaos, cradling the humanoid form of his beloved Kyrie. In his eyes, I glimpsed a mix of anguish and determination. He yearned to protect Kyrie, to emerge victorious without causing her harm. Yet, in the face of dire circumstances, he had no choice but to fight with unwavering resolve, driven by the need to secure victory at any cost.
As I pondered the purpose behind Rudolf's victory in this tournament, I couldn't help but question our initial motivations for joining. While both of us sought stronger opponents and the exhilaration of battle, I couldn't shake off the feeling that there might be more to Rudolf's triumph than met the eye. Why had he refrained from utilizing the power of Dracaryx, opting instead for a different approach? Shouldn't he have relied on his formidable Voice of the Emperor?
A hunch began to take shape within me—that Rudolf had deliberately showcased the might of Dracaryx for my benefit. He wanted to reveal the true extent of his power, to leave an indelible impression upon me.
"The winner of this awe-inspiring clash is Rudolf Azregon!" The emcee's voice boomed with enthusiasm, immediately inciting a frenzied uproar from the crowd. The spectators erupted in jubilant cheers, reveling in the thrilling spectacle that had unfolded before them.
Amidst the chaos, I noticed General Kyle, wearing an unnerving smile, thoroughly pleased with the accomplishments of his subordinate. It was evident that the general took immense pride in Rudolf's ability to vanquish nearly any opponent within the tournament.
As the time for Reina's battle arrived, we eagerly awaited her entrance onto the stage. However, what awaited us was an unexpected twist that left us dumbfounded.
Reina made her usual grand entrance, but to our astonishment, her partner was no longer Eva. Instead, standing beside her was a tall man with striking black spiky hair, bearing an omega symbol tattooed on his forehead. At the sight of this enigmatic figure, Airi and I exchanged bewildered glances, our confusion mounting with each passing second.
It was Richard! The very same Richard who had played a significant role in our lives. The implications of his presence in this tournament were unclear, leaving us with more questions than answers. What was his purpose in partnering with Reina? What did this unexpected alliance signify for the battles that lay ahead? We could only wait in anticipation, eager to witness the unfolding events that were bound to reshape the course of the tournament.