Shocks and cries erupted from the stands as the serpentine pillar slammed into Hex.
Very few people saw Edward's sword shoot out. The Squire's figure was too small compared to the ice serpent coiling into the air.
The ice shattered on impact, creating a haze around the platform. People watched with their hearts in their mouths, waiting for the fog to clear.
When the visibility returned, the whole crowd craned to watch the result.
A figure cloaked in a faint red misty layer appeared. Blood trickled down the corners of his mouth but Hex grinned at Edward, whose sword was stuck in the flickering layer.
Edward let go of his sword but he was a fraction too late. Hex leaped toward him, kneeing him. Edward keeled over. Hex followed his knee with a punch, sending the Squire flying.
Such was the fate of the average-looking Squire. His moment of glory became an embarrassment. The spectators didn't react to their confrontation. They were rather interested in the clash between Hex and the three prodigies.
With a glance, Hex surveyed the platform. Clannad was sitting behind the twins. Erick stood with his sword drawn. Ericka stood between Erick and Clannad, with a crystal in one palm. She used her other hand to make strange movements.
'They are giving Clannad time to recuperate while taking the stage. As I suspected, the girl is troublesome.'
Seeing their positions, Hex understood quickly what they were planning. He knew he couldn't allow Clannad to catch his breath.
He ignored Edward, who was lying behind. With a push against the ground, he flew straight toward the twins.
Erick readied his sword. Using his movement technique, he suddenly got close to Hex. He was fast. His sword slashed out.
Hex saw the attack but ignored it. He didn't waste time with Erick.
Flex Step - Second Step!
He slipped beneath Erick's incoming attack. The sword grated against his flickering cloak, creating sparks. When his body passed halfway through, he activated the third step.
Flex Step - Third Step!
He shot out, reaching Ericka within a blink. She was his true target.
'She will be a nuisance if she remains in the battle.'
Hex was decisive. Without holding back, he punched.
Ericka's eyes stood wide but she was quick to regain her bearing. The remaining ice on the floor gathered quickly and hardened into a shield. It was a sturdy defense, capable of bearing an attack from most Squires.
Hex, however, wasn't most Squires. His punch shattered the shield with ease. But before he could hit Ericka, Clannad jumped in.
Their fists met and then Clannad was thrown back. None of the Squires had the strength to match Hex's power. Clannad did succeed in stopping Hex in his tracks.
Hex didn't let it faze him. He sensed an attack coming from behind him. Erick turned and slashed out.
Hex ignored the attack and kicked the girl before him.
Ericka vomited blood and saliva. Her brother's attack bounced off against Hex's cloak. Seeing his sister get hurt, he started to attack like a madman.
Hex intercepted his attacks and launched a barrage of attacks on Erick. The blue-colored armor blocked the punches for a while but not for long. After a few full-powered attacks of Hex, it formed a few cracks that increased in size… until it finally shattered.
'The effect of the bearhanded sword continues to surprise me,' Hex marveled at the benefits he reaped from his first technique. Erick's armor was one of the best a Squire could have. Yet it broke. It was only possible thanks to his ability to have consistent full-powered attacks.
At the same time the armor shattered, Hex saw from the corners of his eyes Clannad barreling toward him. On the other side, Edward had finally recovered and launched his attack.
Edward smiled viciously. He believed he would finally be able to land a blow on Hex. 'Even if I don't win this, I will be remembered as the wild card.'
Hex acted in the split of a second. He grabbed Erick and threw him at the incoming Edward. It was sudden. It was fast. One moment Edward was smiling and imagining his name being shouted. The next moment something slammed into him, causing him to nearly faint.
After throwing Erick, Hex turned and met Clannad midway. He noticed immediately that Clannad was again on the brink of losing control.
His fists were covered in scales. The scales were spreading towards his arms. When their fists met, Hrx felt the cold permeate through his skin.
'His body is transforming. Soon, he will be turned into a Kobold.'
Hex realized the chance when he noticed his full-powered punches weren't enough to push Clannad back. But Hex was still able to hold on
Roar!
Clannad roared, outraged by his inability to overpower Hex.
His roar caused a blizzard to blow over the stage. It didn't discriminate between friend and foe. Crystallized ice shot all over the place.
The visibility decreased again. Erick had stumbled back to his sister. Seeing Hex remain in his spot, he saw his chance.
With a sprint, he got near Hex. He drew his sword and aimed at his neck. He put his entire strength into the sword.
Crack!
The sword hit the flickering cloak, causing a crack into it. It didn't break it though.
Just before the sword hit him, Hex turned his head and gave Erick a look.
"Gotcha."
While Erick's sword landed on his neck, Hex grabbed him and planted his knee between his chest and stomach.
Erick coughed up blood. Behind him, Hex heard Ericka cry out but he didn't hold back. It took one punch to the temple to knock Erick out cold.
Ericka scrambled over the frozen floor, trying to reach her brother. Clannad growled and ran toward Hex.
Flex Step - Consecutive steps!
Hex jumped, taking three steps back to back. Within a blink, he reached the crying girl. Clannad was closer, so he too reached her.
He grabbed Ericka, trying to save her from Hex. But before he could do that, Hex had drawn his sword and slashed out.
"Aahhh!"
Clannad's scream echoed through the arena. Ericka froze as blood sprayed over her beautiful face. An arm was dangling on hers.
"Finally," said Hex as he pulled her towards him. Again, it took one knock on her temple and she too fell limb on the floor.
Conrad gnashed his teeth. He wanted to rush over and kill the brat who hurt his grandson. Yet he couldn't move. The baron's power held them in their seats.
Clannad roared in pain. Humiliation, anger, and pain are all fused into one. His last bit of rationality disappeared. There was only desire. Desire to tear Hex apart.