"Takamura Kazuki as holding the 1st position is moved to the next round.
The First Match is between Kagayaki Aiko and Yamikage Shin
Contenders please come on stage!"
The moment the host announced 2 figures appeared on the stage.
a young women with golden eyes and silver hair, she had arrived without anyone being able to see her move, the wind was calm and mana still, she had used a movement technique honed and perfected over the years.
Standing opposite her was a young mage with black eyes and dark hair, he had used a high level movement spell without leaving any trace of magical residue, she wasn't the only one skilled here.
The same instructor who oversaw the physical evaluation appeared with 2 mana crystals and extended them towards the contestants, without saying anything they both drained their mana into those crystals.
"Will you be using any weapons or artifacts?" She questioned.
"A sword" Aiko replied.
"Enhancement Artifacts" Shin smirked.
"Take them out." She ordered before inspecting them, after a few seconds, she stepped back.
"3...2...1....Start!" She commanded, and the battle started.
The instant the match started, Aiko sprinted towards Shin, her sword ready.
Shin didn't move from his place, instead he stared at Aiko as he calmly activated the Aegis Pendant, a high rank magic artifact around his neck, and a mana shield of 5 meter radius manifested around him. He didn't stop there as he quickly took out a High-Grade mana potion and downed it.
{The mana potion are made from Manglee Berries and depending on how old the tree is, the density of mana can be lower or higher, higher the mana they hold, stronger and more potent their essence will be.}
Aiko was unfazed as she saw Shin drinking the potion and slashed at the mana shield when she reached there, if it was a normal strike, she would have been pushed back but she had covered her sword with a thin layer of mana.
It didn't seem enough to be able to damage the shield but the moment her sword touched the shield, it cleanly sliced through the shield as she arrived directly in front of Shin.
[Eclipse Fall]
(Eclipse Fall is a Darkness Affinity spell that concentrates a massive amount of darkness mana from the surroundings at a single point and implodes, incapacitating everyone nearby. Even if blocked, the spell's aftermath hampers recovery or healing spells, weakening those affected.)
Shin had casted a dark affinity spell before using flash step to escape. Aiko had immediately strengthened the mana around her sword and took the attack head on.
*Boooooom*
A large explosion occurred as dust and debris flew everywhere and hindered the view, it looked as if the match was over but before the instructor intervened, he glanced at Hikari, the latter shook his head and the instructor backed down.
When the dust and smoke settled down, the stage was revealed with cracks spreading from where the attack had landed, but no one gave it much attention as they intensely stared at Aiko who was standing in the middle of it without any injuries.
A thin layer of mana was covering her body but her breathing was stable, even after all this. Shin also noticed this and had a wary look on his face, he knew Aiko was stronger than him. She wasn't called the Young Saint for nothing. But he didn't expect the difference to be this huge.
Gritting his teeth, Shin forced his remaining mana to cast another high level spell.
[Nightingale]
(Nightingale is a Darkness Affinity spell that unleashes several wide slashes of darkness mana at enemies. The broad attack range makes it difficult to evade, and each slash can penetrate enemy mana shields.)
Aiko blocked and parried all the dark projectiles and without wasting any more time sprinted towards shin and used all her mana for her next spell.
[Lightweave]
(Lightweave is a Light Affinity spell that sends a dense wave of light mana toward enemies, preventing them from casting spells and disrupting any ongoing ones. It also clears all natural negative effects or those caused by other affinity spells in the area.)
She let out a powerful strike using her sword as a catalyst as a wave of sharp light affinity mana shot towards him. Shin seeing the attack quickly used all his mana to cast a mana shield since he couldn't get away.
*Booom*
Another explosion happened but unlike before, the attack wasn't redirected to the ground and only targeted the mana shield which was ripped through by the attack and hit him on chest.
Since he was wearing a High Level Armor, he wasn't hurt but was still pushed back and could feel the pressure on his chest. Before he could gather his thoughts and prepare his next course of action Aiko pressed her sword against the back of his neck. She was standing directly behind him and still looked ready to continue.
Shin cursed her inwardly before "I Forfeit.", he announced and left the stage. Aiko also disappeared after he accepted his defeat.
The host was a little lost as the battle had ended far too soon but quickly came out of his reverie and announced,
"The spar is over,
Winner Kagayaki Aiko."
The crowd erupted into cheers as they couldn't help but look forward to the next matches.