The Battle Arena crackled with anticipation, the eyes of cadets and instructors alike fixed upon the battle podium where Azrael stood.
Azrael was dressed in brown light armor layered atop his black academy battle suit. In his grip was a steel staff, a sleek and menacing weapon. He held the staff by his side with a sense of confidence.
On the opposite side of the arena, the cadet named Jaya Kusuma, clad in his green leaf armor with metallic bronze accents he exuded an air of determination.
On his right hand was adorned with a gauntlet, featuring a striking green gem at its center. A leather pocket clung to his right thigh, containing a mysterious vial of green liquid.
The eye of the audience briefly glanced at his gear.
Azrael utilizes his skill to probe the details of his opponent.
— Eye of The World
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Jaya Kusuma
Race: Human – Class: Mechanized Druid
Title: None
Potentials: Druid Classes
Health Point (HP): 500/500 (+200)
Mana Point (MP): 450/450 (+150)
Stats:
Strength: 2 | Agility: 3 | Vitality: 3 | Intelligence: 3
Skill: (5)
- Elemental Gauntlet Strike
- Eco-Shield Barrier
- Flora-Infused Ammunition
- Summon Mechanical Guardian
- Symbiotic Fusion (5%)
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"His gauntlet has an interesting mechanism." A familiar voice resonated in Azrael's head.
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Name: Earthshaker Gauntlet
Rarity: Rare
Type: Mechanical Gauntlet
Stats:
- Damage: 45-55
- Attack Speed: 1.2 attacks per second
- Durability: 150/150
- Elemental Affinity: Earth
Description:
The Earthshaker Gauntlet is a rare masterpiece of craftsmanship and elemental mastery. Designed for Mechanized Druids and earth-centric adventurers, this mechanical gauntlet is a testament to the harmony of technology and nature.
At its core, the Earthshaker Gauntlet features a magnificent green elemental gem, pulsating with the boundless energy of the earth. The gem is expertly integrated into the gauntlet's design, allowing wielders to tap into the very essence of the earth.
Special Effects:
1. Elemental Gauntlet Strike: The Mechanized Druid channels elemental energy through their mechanical gauntlets, delivering a powerful strike that releases a burst of elemental damage (e.g., fire, ice, earth, or electricity) to a target.
This skill can be used to deal damage and apply elemental effects, such as burning, freezing, or stunning opponents, based on its elemental gem (Earth elemental).
2. Locked
3. Locked
4. Locked
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'You wake up, old man?' Azrael asked the man.
"I've completed my energy replenishment," Jing Qiáng answered.
Jing Qiáng had been recharging his energy for a week, as his consciousness required energy to remain active and could indeed grow fatigued if engaged continuously.
Thus, he needed these recharging periods to ensure he didn't fade away and die.
The judge, standing at the center of the battle podium, provided a brief reminder of the rules. "The battle ends when only one remains standing on the podium. Falling or stepping out of the podium is considered defeat. If you can no longer continue, you may surrender. You two understand?"
Jaya responded affirmatively, "Understood," while Azrael simply nodded in acknowledgment.
The judge sought confirmation one last time. "Are both of you ready?" Both competitors nodded.
With the formalities complete, the judge raised his hand, signaling the commencement of the battle. He declared, "The battle begins."
The atmosphere in the arena surged with electrifying anticipation.
Azrael decided to begin by testing Jaya's abilities. In a blur, he dashed toward his opponent.
But just as Azrael neared the striking range, Jaya executed a rapid sequence of actions.
He throws a small, diamond-shaped metallic bronze object into the air while simultaneously shouting, "Come out, Mechanical Guardian!"
A massive shadow formed above Azrael, casting its looming presence over him.
Azrael instinctively looked up to witness a colossal guardian golem descending from the sky, aiming to stomp him onto the arena floor.
In a lightning-fast maneuver, Azrael nimbly stepped back, narrowly evading the descending guardian's stomp.
The mechanical behemoth struck the battleground with a thunderous impact, creating cracks and scattered debris on the battle podium.
A shroud of dust enshrouded Jaya and his mechanical guardian, concealing them from view for a fleeting moment.
Yet, as the haze dispersed, a mesmerizing spectacle unveiled itself before the captivated audience.
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Skill Name: Summon Mechanical Guardian
Skill Type: Active
Damage Type: Variable (Dependent on Elemental Affinity)
Damage: Varies based on Elemental Affinity
Skill Description:
The Mechanized Druid calls upon a large, nature-inspired mechanical guardian to fight alongside them in battle. This guardian can be customized with different elemental affinities, offering various combat abilities.
The guardian not only deals damage but also provides a protective presence on the battlefield.
- Earth Affinity: The mechanical guardian becomes an immovable force, drawing enemy attention and protecting allies with increased durability.
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Emerging from the dissipating mist, the guardian stood tall and imposing.
Its metallic bronze skin was adorned with leaves that gracefully sprouted between its joints. The surface of its body was etched with intricate ancient green runes and symbols, further enhancing its mystical aura.
Nestled within its chest, glimpsed through the interlocking bronze bones, pulsed a radiant green orb, casting an eerie glow
The spectators focused their attention on the captivating battle.
Many of them had watched Azrael's remarkable performance during the admission test, and their curiosity about how he would handle against a cadet with a Mechanized Druid class like Jaya was undeniable.
Conversations buzzed through the audience as people exchanged thoughts and speculations.
"Is that the cadet who challenged Thant Zin?"
"I heard he's got some unconventional techniques."
"Can he outmaneuver that guardian?"
The spectators' attention was riveted on Azrael's battle.
Jaya seized the initiative, commanding the guardian to attack Azrael.
The mechanical guardian obeyed without hesitation, launching into a series of attacks with calculated precision.
Each movement carried a weighty force, and the very arena quaked with the intensity of its blows.
Yet, for all its power, the guardian's movements were deliberate, almost slow. Azrael, in stark contrast, moved with an agility that seemed almost otherworldly, deftly sidestepping many of the guardian's relentless and bone-shaking attacks.
Meanwhile, Jaya, from his position, pointed the gauntlet on his right hand at Azrael, channeling his elemental energy.
He unleashed an elemental strike, "Earth Elemental Strike!" he shouted, launching torrents of green energy projectiles toward Azrael, aimed with precision.
Azrael responded effortlessly, deflecting the barrage of energy projectiles with his steel staff.
His staff was enveloped in a blue and faintly purple mana aura. Even as he evaded the guardian and repelled the elemental strikes, Azrael maintained an air of composed mastery.
Among the spectators, Thant Zin watched the spectacle unfold with an eager grin. He was looking forward to his own battle with Azrael, excitement and anticipation burning in his eyes. His excitement bubbled over as he watched Azrael's performance.
The battle raged on, the guardian and Jaya relentlessly assaulting Azrael, leaving him no room to shorten their distance.
Yet Azrael's evasive grace and masterful defense, leave the audience in awe of his extraordinary abilities.
In the instructor's viewing area, Hendra, one of the male instructors, asked Sable, "Is that the kid you told me about?"
Sable responded with a nod, "Yeah."
"Not bad," Hendra commented, while his eyes were still fixed on the battle podium.
As Azrael gradually familiarized himself with the rhythm of Jaya's attacks, he began toying with his opponent more and more, evading the mechanical guardian's strikes and deflecting Jaya's elemental onslaught at the same time.
With each evasion, the audience's astonishment grew.
Then, with an air of calculated precision, Azrael decided it was time to initiate a subtle counterattack, his steel staff striking the battle podium's ground with calculated precision.
As the staff made contact, a small mound of earth bulged and surged forward, traveling with unwavering determination toward Jaya's position.
From the ground, numerous earthen spikes emerged with a graceful yet commanding presence. They entwined and locked around Jaya's hand, which had been menacingly aimed at Azrael.
Panic washed over Jaya, his futile struggles mirroring a trapped animal's desperate attempts at escape.
He tugged and pulled with all his might, but the unyielding grip of the earthen prison held firm.
The audience watched in awe as Azrael's tactics evolved, displaying not only his prowess in evasion but also his ability to seize control of the battlefield with calculated finesse.
"I've finished analyzing the gauntlet; you can end the fight," Jing Qiáng's calm and instructive voice resonated within Azrael's mind.
'Sure.' Azrael answered shortly.
With his opponent thoroughly tested and toyed with, Azrael decided it was time to bring the battle to its conclusion.
He cast a brief glance at Jaya, who was preparing to defend himself with a skill.
"Eco-Shield Barrie—" Jaya began to chant, but before he could complete the incantation, Azrael vanished from the guardian's position and disappeared from Jaya's line of sight.
In an instant, he reappeared in front of Jaya, his hand swiftly muffling Jaya's mouth.
"Shut your mouth," Azrael whispered next to Jaya's ear, his voice laced with authority. "You are not the main character."
For a fleeting moment, surprise flickered in Jaya's eyes, but before he could react, Azrael forcefully slammed his opponent's head into the battleground.
Jaya's head was partially buried among the debris that littered the arena floor, rendering him unconscious and sealing the outcome of the battle.
The audience reacted to Azrael's actions with a mixture of astonishment, surprise, and despise.
"I can't believe he's toying with his opponent like that," remarked one of the cadets, awe in his voice. "Such precision!"
"Seriously, he had the upper hand from the start. But why toy with the guy for so long? Hmmph, is he trying to show off?" said another one.
In the instructor's viewing area, among the instructors, a man with dark ginger hair, clad in a long white coat and donning glasses, wore a thoughtful expression as he observed Azrael's performance. "He's undeniably talented, but unfortunately, he possesses common talents. Eventually, his progress will be hindered."
Hendra, standing nearby, chimed in with his perspective. "But it's still a good performance, nonetheless." Shifting his gaze to another ongoing battle, he turned his attention to a different cadet. "That girl, on the other hand, seems to be a late bloomer."
Back on the battle podium, the judge declared Azrael as the victor, signaling his advancement to the next round.
Azrael descended from the elevated platform, triumphant.
As he reached the area beneath the platform and moved to the hall, he came across Luna, her gaze directed downward. Nearby, the judge's voice echoed the announcement of Luna's loss in her own battle and declared her opponent as the victor.
"Are you okay?" Azrael asked, genuine concern coloring his voice.
Luna offered a nod in response, but her eyes told a different story. She bit her lip in an effort to restrain the emotions that threatened to overflow.