Chapter 100 - Finale 3

Lucius Ebonhart once again graced the stage, eliciting a wave of applause from the excited audience. The head teacher's voice resonated through the arena as he addressed the victorious Ethlind.

"Congratulations, Ethlind, on a splendid victory as the strongest in the Explorer department. Your skill and determination have truly shone today," Lucius commended, a hint of pride in his tone. Ethlind, wearing her black armour with regal grace, waved in acknowledgement to the cheers of the crowd as she made her way down from the stage.

As Ethlind descended, Lucius shifted his attention to the next contestants, Serena and Aiden. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation as the head teacher extended a welcoming gesture.

"Now, for the next bout, we have two formidable contenders from the Striker department. Please welcome Serena and Aiden to the stage," Lucius announced, prompting a fresh round of applause. The spotlight shifted to the new competitors as they stepped forward, ready to engage in a battle that would determine the second finalist for the Striker department.

Lucius raised his hand, signalling the initiation of the countdown. "Let the battle between Serena and Aiden commence!" he declared, his voice echoing through the stadium. The audience hushed in anticipation as the countdown began.

Aiden, with his characteristic nonchalant demeanour, extended his hand in a gesture of sportsmanship. "Let's have a fair match," he proposed, but Serena, instead of reciprocating the handshake, assumed her battle stance, ready for the impending clash.

The stage was set for a duel between two skilled sword practitioners. Serena, with her radiant blue blade, faced Aiden, who confidently wielded his katana. As the countdown concluded, the atmosphere crackled with anticipation.

Serena wasted no time unleashing her formidable ability. With a burst of energy, she transformed her blade into a large, blue-glowing sword. The immense weapon arced through the air as Serena swung it down with precision, aiming directly at Aiden. It was a move that had proven decisive against John, but Aiden, displaying a level of agility and finesse, managed to evade the colossal strike unscathed.

A murmur of surprise rippled through the audience witnessing Aiden's deft manoeuvre. The blue sword, intended to be a finishing blow, met only empty air as Aiden gracefully sidestepped the attack. Aiden, with his katana poised for defence, maintained a calm and composed demeanour as he waited for Serena's next move.

Serena, undeterred by the initial miss, swiftly adjusted her stance immediately launching a barrage of crescent blades of energy from her sword. The glowing arcs cut through the air, aiming for Aiden. However, Aiden, displaying an impressive level of agility, gracefully dodged each of the energy strikes. The audience marvelled at his swift movements, which seemed almost choreographed.

Serena taking advantage closed the distance between them with remarkable speed, her sword glowing with the ability of her <>. She struck at Aiden with a series of rapid slashes, each one aimed to overwhelm her opponent. To the amazement of the onlookers, Aiden expertly parried each strike with his katana, displaying a mastery of swordsmanship that defied conventional understanding.

The audience was left in shock. According to their collective understanding, awakened abilities were considered superior to conventional cold weapons. Serena's <> was known to cleanly cut through even the toughest materials. The fact that Aiden's ordinary katana remained unbroken hinted at a mysterious ability related to blade reinforcement. On this day, a new name was quietly added to the list of Aiden's purported powers.

Despite the surprising turn of events, Serena maintained her composure and pressed on, determined to unravel the mystery behind Aiden's resilience. She continued her relentless assault, launching a fresh wave of energy blades toward Aiden, who skillfully parried and dodged each strike with his katana. 

As the battle intensified, Aiden, who had initially been on the defensive, began to shift the momentum. Serena, continued her relentless assault however, Aiden, with a sudden burst of speed and precision, executed a series of quick maneuvers that caught Serena off guard.

Aiden's katana danced through the air as he expertly parried Serena's strikes, creating an opening for a counterattack. Seizing the opportunity, Aiden swiftly closed the distance between them, his movements calculated and deliberate. With a precise swing of his katana, he redirected Serena's energy blade, sending it off course. The audience gasped as they witnessed Aiden's unexpected offensive surge.

In a stunning display of skill, Aiden unleashed a rapid combination of slashes, each one aimed with precision. Serena momentarily caught off balance, struggled to keep up with Aiden's newfound aggression. The tide of the battle had shifted, and Aiden's calculated strikes began to take a toll on Serena's defences.

The audience, initially perplexed by Aiden's ability to withstand <>, now found themselves cheering as he turned the tables. Aiden's strategic and offensive moves showcased a level of swordsmanship that surpassed expectations. Serena, although a formidable opponent, was forced to be on defence.

The clash of blades continued, each strike resonating with a distinct rhythm. Aiden, fueled by determination, pressed his advantage, while Serena, equally determined, sought to regain control. The battle between the two sword practitioners reached a new level of intensity, captivating the audience with the unpredictable ebb and flow of their confrontation.

Serena, determined to take control of battle again, intensified her ability, causing the very arena to shudder. The air crackled with energy as the colossal blade of pure energy took shape again.

Undeterred by the impending destruction, Aiden focused his energy, anticipating Serena's next move. As Serena unleashed a devastating strike, Aiden skillfully parried the attack with his katana, creating a clash of immense forces. The collision resonated through the arena, and spectators could feel the impact even from a distance.

Amid the chaos, Aiden seized the moment. With a sudden and unexpected manoeuvre, he redirected Serena's amplified blade, sending it veering away from him. The audience gasped as they witnessed Aiden's incredible skill in not only defending against the overwhelming power but also turning it to his advantage.

Aiden, now in a position of advantage, closed the distance between them with lightning speed. His katana was now aimed directly at Serena's neck. The arena fell silent as the blade hovered millimetres away from Serena's skin.

The head teacher, witnessing the decisive move, raised his hand, signalling the end of the match. Aiden, maintaining his composure, withdrew his blade, stepping back with a respectful nod. The audience erupted into cheers, astonished by Aiden's ability to not only withstand Serena's amplified attacks but also to turn the tables and emerge victorious.

Serena, acknowledging Aiden's prowess, smiled gracefully as she lowered her weapon. The two competitors shared a moment of mutual respect amidst the remnants of the arena's destruction. The referee officially declared Aiden as the winner, and the audience continued to cheer for the remarkable display of skill and strategy as the final match of Striker department ended with Aiden still Un-beatable.