Ahiro stood in the arena, his heart pounding with a mix of excitement and determination. The day had been filled with victories for his friends, and now, it was his turn to step into the arena and prove himself. The cheers and applause from the spectators resonated through the air, creating an electric atmosphere.
As the crowd roared, Ahiro's gaze focused on Mike, the person he had encountered in numerous unnecessary conflicts. Today's battle was not just about showcasing his abilities; it was a chance to overcome the shadows of doubt that others had cast upon him.
Mike, standing confidently on the opposite side, wore a smirk that hinted at his eagerness for the battle. Ahiro knew his opponent's ability well – the formidable <
With a determined expression, Ahiro took his stance, ready to utilize his newfound techniques. He had decided to open the match with a full-powered Snake Dance strike, aiming to catch Mike off guard. As the referee signalled the beginning of the battle, Ahiro moved with a swift and graceful motion, his spear cutting through the air in a series of rapid stabs.
Mike, however, showcased agility and quick reflexes, dodging Ahiro's initial onslaught with a combination of swift movements and well-timed evasions. The arena buzzed with anticipation as the two opponents engaged in a dance of skill and strategy.
Despite the intensity of the clash, Ahiro could sense that Mike was holding back, since he still hadn't used his <
But none of his strikes were working against his opponent Mike and he knew needed to reassess his strategy, took a few steps back, creating some distance between himself and Mike.
Mike seized the opportunity, smirking confidently. "What's the matter, Ahiro? Running away already? Your feeble attempts won't get you anywhere in this duel, and you certainly don't deserve that bronze rank you've been flaunting."
Mike circled Ahiro, taunting him further. "I've always wondered how you managed to get that ranking. Maybe they were handing them out as consolation prizes. You're nothing more than a weak link, and I'm going to expose you for what you truly are."
Ahiro tightened his grip on his spear, the harsh words stinging like a slap to the face. The spectators watched, holding their breath, as the tension between the two opponents reached its peak. Ahiro's eyes remained focused, determination replacing any doubt that Mike's words might have planted.
Mike continued his verbal onslaught, "You're a disgrace to even be a bronze rank, Ahiro. Maybe if you're lucky, they'll have a rank for participation, and you can aim for that instead."
Ahiro remained silent, absorbing the words, but his mind worked quickly to formulate a strategy to overcome his higher stats.
Mike continued to taunt Ahiro, his arrogance escalating with every word.
Mike with a smirk on his face said to Ahiro "Oh how I prayed for this exact movement, I didn't know It would come so soon, you have no one to hide behind."
With a mocking laugh, Mike revelled in his perceived superiority. His laughter subsided as he locked eyes with Ahiro. "Enough games. Let's get to the real match," Mike declared a sinister gleam in his eyes.
He swiftly unsheathed the sword hanging from his waist, the metallic sound echoing in the arena. As the sword emerged, Mike's ability, <
The manifestation of Mike's power was intricate. The lightning danced around the sword, coiling like serpents, creating an ethereal glow that illuminated the arena. The high-pitched hum of electricity added an unsettling ambience.
Mike without wasting a single movement unleashed his electrified assault, Ahiro also didn't back out and began to take quick strides forward attacking with his spear. He tried to take advantage of the long reach of his spear for a quick attack. But Ahiro quickly realized something, that he wasn't just behind stats from Mike but also his weapon handling skills were great. He was easily able to dodge his stabs and even parry his attack easily with his sword. And he had even reached close to attack him breaching the gap between his shield.
He understood that the small and light shield, initially suitable for the Snake Dance technique, proved ineffective against the powerful electrical currents surging from Mike's sword.
Reacting swiftly to the perilous situation, Ahiro made a split-second decision to switch to a larger one-handed shield. The shield manifested before him, its surface broader and more substantial, intended to withstand the formidable strikes of Mike's electrified sword.
Behind a much larger shield, Ahiro felt much more safe and he thought he could withstand some of Mike's attacks and create a strategy to overcome his ability. However, what Ahiro didn't anticipate was that his shield was, in fact, conductive.
He learned the hard way as the electrified sword clashed against the shield, surges of high currents jolted through the one-handed shield. The shock ran through Ahiro's body, catching him off guard. A sharp gasp escaped his lips as the unexpected electrical discharge coursed through his system.
Ahiro's body tensed involuntarily, muscles contracting in response to the unexpected surge of electricity. The excruciating shock momentarily overwhelmed his senses, and for a fleeting moment, it felt like his very nerves were ablaze.
Struggling to maintain his composure, Ahiro gritted his teeth against the pain. The realization of his shield's conductivity added an unforeseen layer of complexity to the battle, and Ahiro needed to adapt swiftly if he hoped to withstand Mike's relentless assault. He had no choice but to undo his shield. He was left with his spear only which he titly griped in his both hands. Mike on the other hand was laughing seeing such a vulnerable opponent. The atmosphere of the arena was too stressful and Ahiro was still coming up with a way to avoid this perilous situation.