With the velocity I used, I expected Alisha to be shaken, but her calm demeanor didn't waver. It wasn't until I saw a glimmering pile of ice with sharp, jagged edges directly in front of me that I realized her plan. My instincts screamed at me to stop. If I dared to dissolve the ice—despite not being an ice manipulator—it would only make me seem suspicious. I gritted my teeth and came to an abrupt halt.
Before I could regain my footing, ice began to crawl over me, encasing my body in a cold, suffocating prison. "What the hell!" I hissed under my breath as the freezing grip forced me down. I could barely move, my limbs stiff and unyielding under the icy coat. "Can't she give me a moment to breathe? Must she always win?"
As I cursed, I saw her dash toward me, her speed unnerving. The sharpness in her eyes told me this wasn't just about victory anymore. No, her intent was darker—deadly.
She reached me swiftly, and with a precise movement, she launched a kick aimed straight at my head. Her foot cut through the air like a blade. Desperate, I muttered, "Dissolve," my voice trembling but firm. The ice around me melted instantly, and I twisted my body just in time to dodge her strike. Her foot sliced past, grazing the air where my head had been.
Her eyes widened in shock, but she didn't falter. Instead, she pivoted, aiming another vicious kick at me. My reflexes kicked in. With a surge of focus, I manipulated the earth beneath her, sending a jagged column of stone shooting upward. It struck her squarely, hurling her backward across the open arena. She landed with a hard thud, sliding to the far edge of the battleground.
The crowd around us erupted in murmurs, their astonishment palpable. I glanced at their stunned faces, the realization dawning: the tables had turned. Before I could savor the moment, a glint above caught my eye. My stomach dropped.
Spears—hundreds, no, thousands—made entirely of ice floated in the air, their lethal tips all pointed at me. Alisha stood slowly, her breath heavy but her determination unbroken.
"Edith, count those for me," I whispered, panic bubbling in my chest.
"There are 1,000 spears," Edith replied calmly. Her voice in my head only heightened the tension crawling through my veins.
"Do you surrender?" Alisha asked, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade. She must have seen the fear etched on my face.
I clenched my fists, my pride and desperation warring. I couldn't give up—not with so much at stake. Ten thousand MC and six kilograms of coins were on the line. More than that, losing now would shatter everything I'd fought for.
"No," I said firmly, my voice steady despite the chaos inside me.
Alisha's eyes narrowed as she raised her hands, launching the thousand ice spears in a single, deadly wave. My heart raced. "What the hell is wrong with her?" I thought bitterly. Couldn't she attack in smaller bursts? Did she truly want me dead?
"Dissolve!" I roared, channeling all my energy. The first spear grazed my hand, aimed directly at my face. I braced myself, my head ducked low, but the expected pain didn't come. Instead, I felt a searing heat and a crushing force land on the back of my head.
It wasn't Alisha's cold, delicate foot—it was something else. Something stronger. Masculine. Hot.
A notification popped into my vision, confirming my suspicion. The kick had come from Master Asriel himself. My body screamed in agony, my health bar plummeting.
Another notification flared up, its cold detachment mocking my pain.
I hesitated, the risk of exposing my abilities too great. Master Asriel wouldn't miss such a blatant move. Blood dripped down my face as I forced myself to stand. Every inch of me throbbed, but I refused to fall.
Fireballs erupted from Master Asriel's outstretched hands, hurling toward me in rapid succession.
"This isn't fair!" I thought angrily. It was two against one now. Alisha, weakened from overusing her abilities, lay panting on the ground, but her presence alone tipped the scales.
"Dissolve," I muttered through gritted teeth, dispelling the fireballs just before they reached me. Master Asriel wasn't done.
"General Kael, slayer of men!" he shouted, his voice thunderous. He leapt into the air, his foot blazing with flames, aiming to crush me.
I reacted instinctively, manipulating the earth to rise and shield me before darting away from the attack. But Asriel's relentless pursuit left me no room to breathe.
"I can't lose," I whispered, my voice barely audible over the sound of my ragged breaths. The stakes were too high.
Time slowed. Alisha, recovering from her strain, charged at me with renewed speed. Master Asriel's flaming kick tore through the air toward me. The world around me felt distorted, like I was caught in molasses.
"Edith, what's happening?" I demanded.
"A system wielder is nearby. He activated time manipulation," Edith explained. "But you remain unaffected because you are the Diviner."
Master Asriel's eyes narrowed. "He truly is General Kael," he muttered, launching another kick, flames roaring around his foot.
"Heal me," I instructed Edith.
"Confirm," I said hastily. Relief washed over me as the healing took effect, my body momentarily revitalized. But it didn't last long. Asriel's next kick sent me sprawling across the battlefield.
"Can I activate my own time manipulation?" I asked desperately.
"No," Edith replied. "It can't be activated until his is deactivated."
The notification popped up, and I didn't hesitate. "Confirm."
Time snapped back to normal, the oppressive weight lifting. Alisha's eyes widened as she stumbled, disoriented by the sudden change. I seized the opportunity.
"Activate time manipulation: Slow down," I commanded.
Everything around me slowed, giving me a brief reprieve. I exhaled deeply, wiping the blood from my eyes. Asriel loomed above me, a massive boulder raised over his head. His intent was clear he wanted to crush me.
I moved swiftly, closing the distance between myself and Alisha. Her eyes fluttered in confusion as I placed my hand firmly