The arena stilled as Katherine's body began to emit an otherworldly glow of white and blue. The light intensified, creating a vortex of wind that radiated from her form. The crowd shielded their eyes from the brilliance until the gale subsided, revealing Katherine in her majestic Spirit Assimilation form.
A crown of swirling gray and blue floated above her head, with a flickering flame at its center. Her form was adorned with wind-forged armor that shimmered with ethereal energy. Blue flames danced along her arms and legs, exuding both beauty and menace. In her hand, a spear formed entirely of wind materialized, pulsating with power. She was no longer just Katherine; she was the embodiment of her spirit, Mimi.
Spirit Assimilation, a technique, allows a contracted spirit and its wielder to unite completely, unlocking the spirit's full potential. It required an unparalleled bond between the two and granted dominion over the element governed by the spirit. No mage, regardless of skill, could interfere unless there is another Spirit wielder using spirit magic of a higher grade.
Katherine dashed forward, her spear cutting through the air with precision. Each thrust was followed by a gust of wind so fierce that even Clea, quick as she was, struggled to maintain her footing. Yet Clea was no ordinary opponent. The Flower Garden Trait gave her an unparalleled advantage within her shadow-infused domain, allowing her to vanish and reappear with startling unpredictability.
Whenever Katherine closed the distance, Clea retreated into the shadows, emerging moments later to strike from unexpected angles. Katherine, learning quickly, enveloped herself in her blazing blue flames to ward off Clea's sneak attacks.
As Clea lunged for a decisive blow from behind, Katherine swung her spear backward with precision, striking Clea square in the torso and sending her skidding across the battlefield.
The crowd roared as the battle escalated into a whirlwind of clashes. Katherine's spear danced like an extension of herself, each strike creating waves of wind that forced Clea to retreat. In turn, Clea's daggers glowed with shadow energy, parrying Katherine's relentless assault. The arena was a symphony of elemental fury: blazing flames, roaring winds, and encroaching darkness.
Finally, both combatants reached their limits. Clea's breathing was labored as she channeled the last reserves of her energy into her blade. Holding it to her forehead, she whispered.
"Yin Style: Ninth Form – Armory."
The shadows of the Flower Garden began to converge, forming a dome around the two combatants. It rose high into the air, its edges shimmering with dark energy. From within the dome, Clea's voice echoed once more.
"Yin Style: Zeroth Form – Black Flash."
Weapons forged from shadow materialized within the dome, floating ominously before rushing toward Katherine, from the tip of Clea's sword, a beam of light burst forth, its speed rivaling that of true light, its the zeroth form, Within the dome's darkness, the attack was almost impossible to see, let alone evade.
Katherine closed her eyes, relying on her Spirit Eyes to sense the attack. She heard the hum of the beam's approach and reacted instantly.
"Phoenix Flames: Purgatory!"
From her hands erupted a tidal wave of blue flames, scorching and devouring the shadows of the Flower Garden. The dome trembled before shattering entirely, the oppressive darkness replaced by the fiery flames.
But Clea's Black Flash was not so easily nullified. A single streak of shadow pierced through the wave of fire, grazing Katherine's shoulder. Blood seeped from the wound, but Katherine stood tall,
"Spirit Arts: Spirit Form – Sylph's Grace!"
With a mighty throw, Katherine hurled her spear, now engulfed in blue flames. The weapon split the air like a raging tempest, merging the destructive power of Purgatory with Mimi's wind. The resulting attack resembled a tsunami of fire and wind, bearing down on Clea with unstoppable force.
Clea, exhausted and unable to counter, was engulfed by the attack. When the flames subsided, she lay on the ground, her arms and legs slightly burned but her spirit unbroken as she struggled in vain. The arena fell silent as the referee declared the winner.
"Katherine Livia is victorious!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, their admiration shared equally between Katherine's unparalleled mastery and Clea's unyielding tenacity.
Katherine, releasing her Spirit Assimilation form, rushed to Clea's side. Her hands glowed with green energy as she cast Vitality, a Nature magic healing spell. The burns on Clea's body faded, and her breathing steadied.
-----
In the VIP stands, Millie Phoenix watched with a soft smile. Even Mikkel Borris, Clea's uncle, applauded Katherine's skill and control.
She was proud of her disciple. Then...,
Millie's form shimmered, vanishing from her seat and reappearing beside Ray, who had anticipated the situation but remained unfazed.
"You smell like those lizards," Millie said, her tone playful yet curious.
"But you're not a dragon. I'd feel it."
Ray turned to her, unperturbed.
"Do I really need to tell you anything?"
Millie's eyes narrowed slightly, prompting Ray to sigh.
"Alright. But isn't it basic manners to introduce yourself first?"
Her smile widened.
"You're quite fearless for someone so young. My name is Millie Phoenix. I'm a Royal Phoenix. Satisfied?"
Ray smirked.
"I'm Ray, an orphan. As you guessed, I'm part high elf, part human, and… I seem to have dragon blood."
Millie's gaze lingered on him, her expression unreadable.
"Interesting, we'll meet soon again.." she murmured before vanishing once more, leaving Ray to wonder just how much she truly knew.