"W-What did we just witness ?" Exclaimed someone a few seconds after Alex landed on the ground.
However, there was anyone to answer him, as everyone of the people here were asking themselves the same question.
"Didn't you say that his ability is smoke manipulation?" Asked Victoria after a long moment.
"Yeah"
"Well, it doesn't look like a smoke manipulation ability to me"
"I don't think so, since that haze around him came out of his smoking pipe then it should be smoke" replied Candace.
"Have you ever seen a smoke ability user use it like it's an elastic?" Asked Victoria
"Well, no, but who knows, perhaps his ability made it capable to do this, don't forget that there are many types of abilities with weird application"
"Mm" acknowledged Victoria.
The spectators and other participants might have felt shocked and agitated witnessing Alex's performance, but their agitation was not nearly as pronounced as Talia's.
"W-What was that?" Asked Talia to Alex.
"Hm? What are you talking about?"
"Don't play dumb, how is it possible that you can hold onto the smoke like it is a rope?"
"Ah, that? It's not a big deal" casually said Alex.
"Not a big deal? Are you f*cking with me ?"
"No" replied Alex, then licked his lips as he stared at Talia's body, 'but I wouldn't mind fucking you.'
Indeed, Alex didn't perceive his actions as particularly extraordinary. This was partly due to his limited knowledge of what other smoke ability users could achieve, and partly because of the effortless manner in which he learned this technique.
The moment he became a smoke sovereign, it was like the smoke element in itself was whispering to him, delivering all its secrets to Alex.
From then on, Alex figured out what he could actually do with his smoke power. He learned he could change the smoke's features, like making it stretchy or other cool stuff.
Of course, he didn't know everything that the smoke ability, or rather the smoke sovereign ability, could do, but with each passing moment he learned a new thing.
Needless to say, just because Alex knew he could achieve something didn't mean it was a guarantee. He had to put in the work and train. In fact, it was during his training to solidify the characteristics of smoke that he ended up arriving late for the competition.
All in all, the moment he became a sovereign, his potential skyrocketed. In the years, if not months, to come, his mastery of smoke manipulation might become truly formidable.
'well, it's a matter for the future, as for now...' Alex's eyes became sharp, and he suddenly charged at Talia who was pondering on his abilities.
"Sh*t!" Exclaimed Talia as Alex just appeared before her in a split second.
Alex threw a punch towards her face, but his attack faltered as Talia swiftly dodged his fist.
'Surprising' thought Alex, seeing that his attack had failed.
He was fairly certain he was faster and stronger than Talia, and he had attacked her when she wasn't fully focused. Yet, she still managed to evade his fist.
'I guess that's what experience is,' thought Alex as he effortlessly dodged Talia's high kick.
The next moment, he attempted to land a quick jab, but instead, he abruptly took two steps back.
"It's been a while since I've seen you like this," said Alex as he observed Talia's new form. Well, calling it a new form might be a stretch as the only change was in Talia's hair.
Talia second ability allowed her to turn things she touched into water; this ability obviously didn't work on everything, but it worked on many things.
One of those things is her hair; when she touches it, she can transform them into water tentacles. However, she typically avoids doing so because the mana consumption is significant.
"I guess if you are using this, then it means you are taking things seriously" said Alex as he observed carefully Talia tentacles of water.
She didn't answer him in words but in actions.
The water tentacles on Talia's head shot towards Alex with deadly speed, their sharp ends attempting to impale him, but Alex masterfully evaded them.
However, it wasn't the end, before he had time to close the gap between him and Talia, they came back again, this time from his back!
Fortunately, Alex had predicted that something like that might happen, so he quickly crouched down so he could avoid the tentacles of water.
He managed to do so; however, one tentacle grazed his leg.
'Damn that hurts!'
The water tentacle didn't draw blood, but its sharp end stung.
'I need to seriously avoid being touched by them' thought Alex as he observed the water tentacles that were coming at him again.
This time, none of the water tentacles managed to touch him; he agilely avoided them all. However, he still couldn't close the gap between himself and Talia due to the water tentacles blocking his path.
'I need to find-' as he was thinking this, Alex made a mistake.
He tried to deflect one of the tentacles, forgetting that it was made off water, the moment his hand made contact with the tentacles, it engulfed his whole arm!
The tentacle yanked him toward the others tentacles that were coming in the opposite direction off him, intending to impale him!
'Bad - no, it's a good thing'
Since the moment these water tentacles emerged, he couldn't find a gap to close in on Talia. However, right now, the tentacle holding his arm was pulling him toward her, so why wouldn't he take advantage of it?
Still, there was the threat of the tentacles impaling him, but Alex wasn't too concerned; his defense stat was high enough to assure him that those water tentacles couldn't pierce him. At most, they would graze him. He was willing to endure a bit of pain if it meant getting closer to Talia.
As he anticipated, the water tentacles couldn't pierce him, but they still drew blood, causing intense pain. However, Alex didn't show much expression; Lilia's training had been ten times more painful.
Yanking his arm free from the water tentacle that was holding him, Alex swiftly approached Talia before the other water tentacles could return.
The moment he came face to face with Talia, Alex swiftly delivered a precise jab, targeting her stomach.
She blocked with her arms, using the momentum of his jab to widen the gap between them. However, Alex didn't allow her to do that; instead, he pressed on and delivered a much more powerful blow than the last.
Alex didn't hold back his strength, so, his blow sent Talia flying in the air before finally crashing against the wall of the arena.
BOOM
The impact of her crash with the wall caused a cloud of dust to rise, and when it settled, everyone noticed Talia's body slowly slumping on the ground, unconscious.
At that moment, Adrian appeared and exclaimed:
"The battle ends, Alex wins!"