"You must be quite exceptional indeed." His voice was like a whisper in a tomb.
His voice echoed throughout the cavernous chamber, yet his presence felt so close.
He began speaking to me in a tone of surprise and awe, "Why are you able to break free from my spells?"
I found myself suspended in mid-air, floating effortlessly. As I descended and touched the ground, a profound transformation overtook me. It was as if my very core had been infused with newfound strength and vitality. The sensation of power coursed through my entire being, radiating from within. My body seemed to emit a gentle glow, and an aura enveloped me, pulsing with a growing intensity. I could feel the surge of strength within me, my magical powers expanding, and my mind sharpening to a crystal-clear clarity. The world around me appeared sharper and more vibrant, and then...
A wave of exhaustion washed over me, and I found myself falling to one knee, drained by the profound experience I had just undergone. I had unearthed new facets of my own magical abilities, and they were simultaneously exhilarating and daunting.
As I opened my eyes, I realized that my vision had been enhanced significantly. Everything appeared more vivid, and I could discern even distant details with remarkable clarity. I took a moment to glance at the headmaster of the Blackthorn family, and his expression betrayed his surprise and bewilderment. Clearly, he had no idea how I had accomplished this feat, and his gaze lingered on me as if I were some kind of enigma.
A mischievous smirk played on my lips as I rose to my feet. There was no sign of injury or damage to my body. In fact, I felt more invigorated than ever. My stamina had increased significantly, allowing me to run faster without succumbing to exhaustion. My muscles had grown stronger and denser, and my reflexes had sharpened to an astonishing degree.
As I contemplated the possibilities, I wondered if this newfound ability to vanish for a second had a time-limited effect or if it could potentially be maintained indefinitely. My mind raced with various ideas and speculations, opening up a world of intriguing possibilities. A voice, brimming with anger, grief, or perhaps even jealousy, suddenly erupted, breaking my focus. "Why do you pay me no attention? Have you forgotten that I am your opponent, or do I simply no longer interest you, as if I were some inconsequential weakling?"
The voice was undeniable, impossible to ignore. However, I found myself strangely detached from the impending battle in the grand arena. My priorities had shifted, and there was a singular objective that consumed my thoughts: defeating the headmaster, the father of Reina and Yuna. He posed a significant threat to my very existence, and that was a challenge I could not ignore.
I lifted my foot and stomped on the ground, reveling in the newfound power coursing through my body. It was liberating to finally be in control, to make my own choices, rather than having everything decided for me. Life had always thrown obstacles in my path, but I relished the challenge, knowing that I had to fight for every inch.
My father's words echoed in my mind, "Never let them take away your will." Those words had been my guiding principle, a reminder to always push forward and prove that I could achieve anything I set my mind to.
With unwavering determination, I channeled every ounce of energy within me, connecting to a different realm. Magic coursed through my veins as my heart pumped with newfound power. I was ready to defy expectations and take control of my destiny.
In an instant, I vanished into thin air, propelled by the surge of energy. I couldn't control my destination, but the feeling of purpose guided me. Had I truly disappeared? The uncertainty only added to the thrill.
When I reappeared, I found myself face-to-face with the headmaster of the Blackthorn Family, who had been observing the grand arena from his imposing seat high above.
The headmaster addressed me, "I had anticipated this day would come, where you would attempt to strike me. Very well, I shall introduce myself. I am the headmaster of the Blackthorn Family, a name known throughout the land of Taldran. You may address me as Master or Headmaster, and my name is Ralphee."
"Ralphee?" I muttered, before continuing, "It suits you well. If I'm to be your opponent, I'll make sure to remember that name."
Master Ralphee chuckled heartily, "Very well, I believe we should return to our business. I'd rather not waste any more time on idle talk before I decide to cut out your heart."
He rose from his imposing chair and advanced toward me with deliberate steps. In response, I drew my sword. But this was no ordinary blade; it was a weapon of my own making, a result of combining my mastery over lightning and the swirling winds. The sword crackled with energy and was honed to perfection, its design meticulously crafted for the purpose that lay ahead.
The sword I had crafted using the trick of the source was a culmination of months or even years of painstaking effort, a creation that came at the cost of my own life. It was the first time I had attempted such a feat, and the result was a sword that emitted a faint blue glow, with the tips of its three blades shimmering with golden fire. I was eager to wield this unique weapon, hoping it would provide me with even the slightest advantage against Master Ralphee.
As he approached me, Master Ralphee commented on my sword, acknowledging its craftsmanship. But before I could respond, he swiftly swung his arm in a sweeping motion, aiming an attack at me. I reacted with agility, dodging his strike with ease. His next swing followed, and once again, I evaded it. It became apparent that the master was faster than I had initially anticipated.
He chuckled in amusement, acknowledging my skill, "You are indeed quite skilled, young apprentice. Your survival thus far is a testament to your abilities. However, it's important to recognize that your skills are still far inferior to mine."
As I and Master Ralphee prepared for our battle, a tickling voice rang out, catching our attention. We turned to see the undefeated king, my opponent in this grand arena fight. He shouted out defiantly, demanding to join our battle.
The undefeated king was determined to prove his strength, mentioning that he would demonstrate the true power of illusion with his dagger. Ralphee, in response, warned him about the consequences and asked if he understood. The undefeated king affirmed his readiness, and Ralphee granted him permission.
I couldn't help but find this development intriguing. It was now a 1v2 battle, with me against both Ralphee and the undefeated king. I had faced opponents one-on-one before, but this was a new challenge, and it filled me with a mix of nervousness and excitement.
Without warning, Master Ralphee unleashed a lightning-fast attack. I was caught off guard and couldn't block or dodge it. The strike sent me soaring into the sky, and I felt another attack from the arena ground hit my body, causing me to fall. After a few moments, I saw myself plummeting toward the arena floor, with the dark shadow of the undefeated king awaiting me.
Though I couldn't move freely, I summoned a surge of strength to block his dagger as it aimed for my neck. The clash of forces sent us both flying backwards in mid-air, and I crashed into the wall ahead before plummeting to the arena floor.
As I wiped the blood from my face and rose to my feet, I charged my sword, readying myself for another attack. With a mighty swing, I unleashed a powerful slash that sent a gust of wind sweeping across the Grand Arena. Master Ralphee was caught off guard by the force of my blow and retreated behind his chair, watching as I advanced toward him.
With each step I took, my sword emitted a brilliant blue glow, and I could sense his fear. It was a rare sight to see the master afraid, and this curiosity drove me forward. Charging once more, I released another blast of air towards him.
However, the undefeated king, Ralphee's sidekick, charged at me like a raging bull. I deftly dodged his attack and parried his sword with my shield, counterattacking with my own blade. It didn't work as expected, so I threw him to the ground.
He quickly rose to his feet, his dagger glowing with an ominous power. I didn't see the attack coming until it was upon me – a massive Bash Slash that connected with me directly, slamming me into the ground and causing intense pain and blood to erupt from my body.
Despite the pain, I rose again, determined to keep fighting. However, I felt something was wrong. My strength was waning, and my wounds were healing far too slowly. This battle was taking a toll on me, and I began to wonder if I could endure much longer.
Yet, for the first time in this intense battle, I found a strange sense of enjoyment. If this was where I met my end, so be it. I resolved to use my last ounce of energy to defeat these two formidable opponents.
Raising my sword, I unleashed a powerful blast of wind, creating a Cyclone Shockwave that generated a massive shockwave by rapidly spinning in place, devastating everything nearby. Master Ralphee was sent flying and appeared to be on the brink of death. The undefeated king was flung across the arena, crashing into the wall.
However, as I finished my attack, I felt weakness creeping back into my body. This was a strange turn of events, and I couldn't quite comprehend it.
The dark shadow of the undefeated king emerged from the shadows, ready for another fight. He had lost his dagger, and he was now wielding his sword.
I quickly assessed the situation, knowing that I was in a weakened state.
How much mana did use up, anyway? I didn't have any mana crystals, but I had used a lot of my energy reserves. That was why my wounds were healing slowly. I had exhausted my energy and was now paying the price.
There shadowy figures that had appeared next to me revealed themselves to be none other than Yuna and Reina. They stood before me, clad in enchanted armour that radiated a formidable presence.
I couldn't help but express my disbelief, muttering, "I can't believe you two would do this..." It was clear they had prepared themselves for battle, and their armour looked both protective and intimidating. Reina wore golden chainmail with a silver helm, while Yuna sported black and red leather armour, complete with a golden crown. Their appearances were a stark contrast – Yuna appeared stern and ready for combat, while Reina, although smiling, had a focused look in her eyes.
Reina pointed towards Master Ralphee and explained, "We knew we couldn't let you go on like this. And besides, I'm just glad you're safe."
I expressed my gratitude, but curiosity lingered as I asked, "But... what are you doing here?"
Yuna responded firmly, "I'm here to ensure your safety."
I couldn't help but express my concern, "So you're going to help me face your father, even if he has an army waiting for us?"
Reina reassured me, "Don't worry. We've got your back."
I remained unsure, considering the formidable opponents I was currently facing. "Yeah, but what about you two? Facing opponents like these with your magic might be challenging, isn't it?"
Yuna nodded in agreement, acknowledging the difficulty. "That's true, but we've been training to fight in this kind of situation, so we should be fine."
Reluctantly, I accepted their determination. "If you say so..."
As Master Ralphee approached us, Reina and Yuna wasted no time in drawing their weapons, ready to defend against his advance.