Chapter 143: Power Unleashed
Scene: The stadium buzzes with excitement as the next match of the quarterfinals is about to begin. Kara and Milton stand at opposite ends of the ring, both wearing determined expressions. The crowd watches eagerly, their cheers turning to an expectant hush as the instructor calls them forward.
Narrator: With Volkra's victory against Alexis still fresh in their minds, the crowd settles in for the next quarterfinal match: Kara versus Milton. Both are fierce warriors with their own strengths and styles, and everyone senses this fight will be intense.
The instructor raises his voice, calling the competitors forward.
Instructor: (announcing) Next match—Number 10, Kara, versus Number 9, Milton! Step into the ring!
Kara and Milton exchange a brief, tense stare, each sizing up the other. There's a quiet animosity between them, each one determined not to give an inch.
Milton: (smirking) You sure you're ready for this, Kara? Wouldn't want you crying when I knock you out.
Kara: (coldly) Please. I plan to make this quick. Don't embarrass yourself too much.
They bow, though the respect is tainted with tension, and take their stances. The instructor signals the start of the match, and they waste no time in clashing, each trying to outmaneuver the other.
Narrator: The fight begins with a burst of movement. Kara and Milton rush at each other, their swords meeting in a loud clash. Sparks fly as their blades collide, and the two fighters exchange rapid strikes, each refusing to back down.
Milton swings his sword in a sweeping arc, but Kara sidesteps, bringing her blade down in a quick counter. He blocks just in time, their faces mere inches apart as they glare at each other.
Milton: (gritting his teeth) You're not half bad. But you're still not good enough.
Kara: (smirking) You're the one on the defensive, Milton. Maybe you should focus less on talking and more on fighting.
They separate, each catching their breath before charging at each other again. Their strikes are powerful, evenly matched, and the crowd watches in tense silence as the fight rages on.
As they continue trading blows, Kara manages to slip past Milton's guard, landing a strike on his shoulder. He winces, stumbling back, but quickly recovers, his eyes narrowing.
Milton: (scowling) Lucky hit. Don't expect me to fall for that again.
He rushes forward, swinging his sword with renewed aggression. Kara blocks, but the force of his strike pushes her back. She stumbles, her foot catching on a loose stone, and Milton takes the opportunity to drive his shoulder into her, knocking her to the ground.
She hits the ground hard, pain flaring in her side, but she grits her teeth and pushes herself back up, refusing to give in.
Narrator: Kara stands, breathing heavily but undeterred. The pain radiating through her side only fuels her determination, and she readies herself for another round.
Milton: (mockingly) Why don't you just give up, Kara? You're only embarrassing yourself.
Kara: (coldly) You wish. I'm not going anywhere.
With a fierce determination, Kara charges at Milton, her mana flaring around her as she delivers a flurry of powerful strikes. Milton struggles to keep up, each hit pushing him closer to the edge of the ring. The crowd watches in awe as Kara presses him back, her strength and speed seemingly boundless.
Milton: (struggling) Fine, you want me to get serious? You asked for it.
He steps back, raising his hand as his aura intensifies, his mana expanding in a powerful wave around him. Kara narrows her eyes, sensing the shift in his energy.
Milton: (smirking) You're about to see what real power looks like. Mana Expansion!
Milton's mana surges, the air around him crackling with energy as his aura expands outward, forming a large sphere that pulses with raw power. Kara braces herself, but the force of the expansion is overwhelming.
With a shout, Milton releases the energy in a massive explosion, the shockwave hitting Kara with full force. She's thrown back, crashing against the ground as the crowd gasps, the impact echoing through the stadium.
Narrator: The explosion knocks Kara out of the ring, leaving her lying motionless on the ground. The instructor steps forward, checking on her before raising his hand to signal the end of the match.
Instructor: (announcing) Victory goes to Number 9, Milton!
The crowd erupts in applause, some murmuring in shock at the intensity of the match. Milton stands in the ring, breathing heavily, a triumphant smirk on his face as he watches Kara being helped up by medics.
Milton: (quietly, to himself) Told you I'd win.
As he leaves the ring, his friends greet him with congratulatory nods, though some of them seem slightly wary of the power he unleashed.
Narrator: Milton's victory leaves a lasting impression on the audience and his fellow recruits. Though his strength is undeniable, the ruthless display of power hints at a darker side. But as the tournament progresses, each fighter knows that they will need to give everything they have to claim victory.
The chapter ends with Milton standing victorious, the crowd's cheers echoing through the stadium as the quarterfinals come to an end.