'What... What... What's going on?'
'Did he actually do this?'
'Is such a thing possible?'
A multitude of thoughts raced through the students' heads as they stared at Ethan with a baffled look.
"The rules aren't equal for everyone." Ethan muttered in a cold voice, "However, we all obey the rules, and even you are no exception, are you?"
Then, a black thread emerged from Ethan's glove, slowly traveling upward. A light, dark aura emanated from the thread as if it was like death itself.
"You..." Angel uttered in a low tone, "'PATHETIC INSECT! YOU THINK YOU'RE THE SMARTEST? FINE, I'LL SHOW YOU HOW INFERIOR YOU ARE!!!"
Whooooooooooosh.
The angel opened his wide wings, emitting a bright light like from the sun. However, it failed to scare Ethan or the black thread that wrapped itself around Angel.
[The last pair has been created!]
[Triumph of Pain begins!]
[Time remaining is 10:00!]
Each pair had their own small arena, so Ethan and Angel shouldn't be exceptions, but... This occasion was special.
Golden sparks appeared all over the main area as everyone suddenly felt a strange pressure.
"Ah...? What's going on?" Someone muttered while looking at the white columns rising from the ground.
The columns pushed back the barriers of the other participants, making room for only one pair to fight, Angel and Human.
Ethan turned around, then he glanced at Alisa, "You better get out of here. I doubt you'll be able to when the barrier comes up."
"Y-Yes!" Alisa replied worriedly and ran away, "Be careful."
"There's no point in listening to her." Angel growled, "Nothing will help you."
Ethan didn't answer anything, he just watched the bright flashes appear on the pillars, then a snow-white barrier descended over them.
[Warning!]
[Unique Conditions Created!]
[Mass Announcement!]
It was heard by every person, not only within the Azure Academy but also throughout Light City and even outside the walls.
[In Area A-07, during the Fourth Trial, an Angel has been summoned to fight!]
"Damn... Looks like he's started something really massive." Magnus frowned, his gaze directed at Ethan, 'I've already seen you dead once today. Have you decided to return to the lower world once more? Your arrogance will ruin you.'
At that moment, everyone was preparing to start their battle, but no one could remain indifferent to such news.
Some were frightened, some were anxious because of the consequences of this event, but... most were in true elation.
"Hehehe, it looks like someone has decided to conquer my achievement." The man in the black military outfit smirked, took out a lighter, and lit a cigarette, exhaling a cloud of smoke, "Agh... This is so close, but I still won't be able to see it... What a pity."
The man turned around, looking at the white pillar of light coming from the huge academy that was across the street from his area, the bank area.
"Pfffft! What a farce! There's no need for all this. This fight will be over in no time!" Angel waved his hand irritably.
[Fighters, since this is now a Historical Battle, you must introduce yourself to your opponent. Given the circumstances, the other areas won't be able to see your fight].
"Tsk. What a shame." Angel snorted, descending to the ground, "My name is Zariel, and I promise that I will destroy this worm in the blink of an eye!"
"Ethan Mercer, that will be all." Ethan said calmly, placing his axe on his shoulder.
[All participants are determined.]
[Time is up!]
At the same moment, the timer moved and people began to fight. The fight between Ethan and Zariel was interesting for everyone, but they had their own tasks. The participants had to fight and get as many points as possible.
"Well, well, you turned out to be the best in the two Trials and decided that you were now capable of anything. You were supposed to pick some weakling and move on, but instead you chose death!" Zariel exclaimed furiously, flapping his wings and sending torrents of violent wind at Ethan.
Ethan's gray hair fluttered as his gaze fell on Zariel.
"You know, at first I thought this was the end for humanity. However, when the centipede died, I realized that fighting was possible." Ethan pointed his axe at Zariel, "Sure your skin is the same as mine, it's not made of steel which means I'll slaughter you like cattle!"
"How dare you!"
Before Zariel could continue, Ethan, pulled a golden apple out of his pocket and quickly ate it, in just a few bites.
Then, Ethan's green eyes turned amber, and all his senses reached their limit. He hadn't felt so confident even when fighting Mimic, as a flood of adrenaline rushed through his body.
'He's probably considerably stronger than me, but given the strange effects of the veins and Paradise Apple, I should be able to hold out for a while.' Ethan pondered with a sharp look in his eyes.
Step. Step. Step.
Zariel slowly approached Ethan, unhurriedly, but, once he tilted his body as his wings came into motion, and he was right in front of Ethan.
'Now!' Ethan clutched the axe tightly with all speed, bringing it down on Zariel.
If it was an ordinary human fighting against Ethan, the fight would have been over by now, but, Zariel was a supreme being.
"Useless!" Zariel exclaimed, swinging his axe aside with a sweep of his hand, followed by his fist plunging into Ethan's stomach with all his might.
"Argh!!!" Ethan cried out in pain, slamming his back against the column. A torrent of blood gushed from his mouth as the crimson drops reflected his glowing eyes just as the numbers hovered over their arena.
[90 - 0]
'He got that many points in one hit? Whatever, maybe for others, it's a battle for points, but he's definitely not going to let me live.' Ethan spat out a clot of blood, rising from the ground, 'It's either him or me leaving here, there's no other option.'
Whoooooooosh.
Zariel flapped his wings, accelerating and quickly finding himself in front of Ethan with his fist already raised to strike.
Ethan dodged, bringing his fist down into Zariel's stomach.
"What...?" Ethan muttered in disbelief, glaring at the fact that his punch had no effect.
"Hahaha, you pathetic human! Your punches are no more dangerous to me than a mosquito bite!" Zariel chuckled evilly, grabbing Ethan by the neck.
"I don't need glasses, but I assure you, I'll do anything to make you suffer as much as possible!" Zariel exclaimed, tossing Ethan to the side.
For the next few minutes, Ethan tried to defend and counterattack, but Zariel simply outclassed him in every way. He was faster and stronger, and his skin was tough enough that Ethan's fists were useless.
"No... This can't be... Ethan must have some kind of plan, right?" Alisa whispered with teary eyes while Zariel's fists came down on Ethan's face.
Zariel smirked, "Is that really it? In that case, what are your last words?!"
Ethan wheezed, getting Zariel's attention, he was having trouble even speaking.
"Fuck... you... You're already doomed... Stupid bastard..."
Zariel smirked, but, once a simple wooden cross appeared in Ethan's hand the smile disappeared from his face, quickly becoming paler.
Then, all of Ethan's blood instantly flowed toward the cross, filling it with power. The cross flashed brightly with scarlet flames.
Ethan looked coldly at Zariel as his right eye exploded with a bloody burst as the price for this weapon.
An X-shape flaming blade flew out of the cross, raining down on Zariel with immense power, engulfing him in a fiery inferno of pain and suffering.