Chapter 114 - Kasma

At the time of registration, Ishit had received a token with his name and number etched on it. As soon as he walked over to the ground floor, where all the other participants were waiting for the gate to open, a new name appe

ared on the copper coin-- Tahir from  Tripoli.  Ishit had heard of this city. Tripoli was in Matsya. He searched for his opponents in the crowds, and it wasn't too difficult as like all Matsyans had dark black hair with a blue hue. Sure enough behind a dark-haired Sursenian boy, standing a young man. His olive skin tone and dark eyes were giving away his Matsayan ethnicity. As if sensing

his gaze, Tahir glanced at him. He noticed the darkness churning in his opponent eyes. Ishit couldn't help but recall the ancient lore about Matsayans. Suta had told him that Matsyan worriers had fae blood running in their veins. That allowed them to borrow nature's power apart from\\\\spirit.

Ishit couldn't but curse his luck for having such a great opponent in his first match. Tahir's Astra was a javelin with the shaf

t of adamantine and a sharp-pointed head. 

Ishit couldn't help but praise the fineness of the weapon. 

Ishit walked over to an empty spot beside an Okalian girl and stood with his newly forged long sword called Kalnemi. This weapon was forged using Glassian smithy and could merge with his thoughts. 

"You're Ishit, the crippled young master of Minaak," said the Okalian girl, giving Ishit an appraising look. Every eye turned to Ishit. 

"Yes!" Ishit didn't ignore the jibe. Within these two days, he had met too many arrogant to care about them anymore. They all wanted good trouncings and he didn't have that much time.  He glanced at the Sumerian young man. The boy averted his eyes. The glowing spotless face, arched nose, big almond eyes. Ishit couldn't help but be amazed at the beauty of the young man.

Were all the Sursenians this handsome? He wondered thinking of the beautiful Idol of his late aunt. 

"They said you were taught by the dream queen. Is it true?" asked another boy.

" He is fibbing." before Ishit replied, the Okalian girl chimed in.  "Only a fool would buy this nonsense. " 

Ishit looked at the girl, and smiled but said nothing. He couldn't make out why she was so interested in his matters. Of course, he was aware of his family's conflict with the Okalian lord. 

"Then how does he know all the spirit paths without even attending the school?" asked another boy. He was from Garuna. 

"Someone must have instructed him at home. "

"But he couldn't sense the spirit. "

"Who said? He could always sense spirit, and that was how he had messed up with his spirit paths." The girl said, sneering. "I think he must have mixed up spirit diagrams or forgotten them altogether. You southerners are famous for your dull heads "

"You!" said the boy, his grip tightened around his Astra. 

"What? I'm telling the truth.  Just ask anyone, they will tell you what the world thinks about your folks."  The girl said, raising his arched brow while stealing a glance at Ishit. 

" Brother, do you really care about the opinions of people who have abandoned thier ancestors and now calling someone else's grandpa thier grandpa. We, descendants of Ankha, don't need others' opinions." Ishit decided to intervene. He could see the boy's respect for him, to speak precisely, for his status as a young lord of Garuna. 

"What do you mean by that?"  The Okalian girl snapped at him. Apparently, she didn't get his jibe. Others also gave him puzzled looks. 

"Look! Who is dim wit now?" said Ishit with a smile, "I'm not your instructor. "

"Haha, Just ask your grandpa. He will tell you, who is his real granddaughter?" the boy chuckled. 

"What's your name? " The Okalian girl glared at him. 

"Ajaya from Ambra. " The boy replied smile.

The Okalian girl looked at her token. But her face told that Ajaya hadn't been paired with her. 

"Who is his opponent? " She asked the others, "If you break his legs, I will give you this." She took out a sparkling white pearl. 

The contenders couldn't help but gasp. It was the fabled spirit-water pearl. Legends said that pearls were created when a rainbow met the earth after a storm. Imperfections in a pearl's appearance were the result of thunder and lightning. 

The spirit water pearl could detoxify even a seventh-grade snake's poison. They were rare commodities even to royals. 

"Ok, I will. But you'll have to give your payment first." the Sursenian young man said. 

"No problem! you can keep it." said the Okalian girl as he handed over the pearl to the handsome boy. 

Ishit was amazed that the girl's wealth. 

It was then the giant barred gate clanked open, and the participants rushed in. 

"Be careful, " Ishit warned Ajaya as they stepped into the stadium. He could see his parents watching him.  Guha and Nandani were cheering for him. 

The announcer announced the warnings and all. 

The Okalian girl's name was Layla. She was from Oakland, the capital of Okala.  The girl had been paired with a grim-looking boy, from Shermer. Ishit had no idea where it was. 

Ursha was the young man from Sursena, who was Ajaya's opponent.   

Ishit's arena number was fifth. Before stepping into the ring, Ishit bowed to Inna, who was now above them and then to his parents, who nodded at him with a bright smile. Esha shouted from her seat; she was accompanying Karuvaki, who was looking at Ishit with a complicated look. Since the day he had saved the maid, and then showed the girl the city. She had been acting weirdly. 

Tahir bowed to him. 

"It is my fortune to meet the young lord of Garuna. Since the day I have stepped into Minaak. I have been hearing about your miraculous deeds. But I think magsmen missed some vital information. They didn't tell me, you are a yoddha too. "

"It's not their fault. I haven't fought anyone so far," replied Ishit with a smile. 

"Then it is unfair. " He said, "After all, I have been to a real battle against sea monsters."

"Don't worry. I have been training hard these days. Let's have a good fight. "

"Then, I won't disappoint you," Tahir chuckled.

Ishit tightened his grip on Kalnemi as he took a battle stance.  Tahir's Trident glowed up with blue light.  He flew up in the air rotating his mighty Astra. Ishit also commanded the spirit and flew up. 

Tahir twisted his body with lightning speed as his trident came for Ishit's eyes. Though the Astra was two feet away Ishit felt violent battle energy stabbing his eyes. Kalnemi let out its aura as Ishit swung it to face the trident. Both Astra clashed creating a powerful shock wave. Ishit stepped back as he lengthened his sword. He activated his shield as he flew towards Tahir, whose trident was blazing with flames. Kalnemi let out a dragon cry as he met the trident. Ishit suddenly let go of his sword. The sudden development caught  Tahir off guard. Iishit used the deva hands spirit art. His hands glowed up with red light. He swiftly gripped the shaft and kicked Tahir. It was not an ordinary kick. Bhadra had taught him this battle art, Its name was ashva attack. The kick landed on Tahir shield sending him flying into the air.  Ishit summoned his sword and flew towards Tahir who had stabilized himself into the air. Tahir's lips moved, changing some spell and his body glowed up, like his trident.  He roared and came for Ishit.

Ishit swung his sword to take the trident. The air split apart as the two powers clashed. Tahir pressed his astra hard. Ishit increased the power of his sword. Tahir took this sudden distraction to attack.  He somersaulted into the air and kicked at Ishit's chest. Ishit tried to dodge, but he was too late. They send him flying as his shield flickered as cracks appeared all over it. 

Ishit stabilized himself but he didn't have time to attack as the trident came for him, frightening lightning crackling in its wake. 

Padma gripped Oman's arm as her pretty face turned grim. 

Ishit knew he couldn't hide his powers anymore. Tahir was really a veteran. Kalinemi let out a cry as blue flames and lightning erupted from it. Ishit gripped the hilt with both hands and decided to show the power of Glassian Astra. 

Both Astra tangled with a dazzling flash and earsplitting sound. 

Tahir's eyes glowing golden blue met him. 

"Sorry!" Ishit said as he commanded Kalnemi. Though the sword had a beast-level conscious, it was enough to tame the trident. 

Tahir's facial colour drained as he sense his astra's energy going down. He hurriedly detangled the trident. 

"How did you do that?" asked he. 

"What?" Ishit asked feigning ignorance. There was no way he was going to disclose his secret. Tahir must have sensed his control weakening over his Astra. 

Tahir gave him a deep look and put away his trident. 

"Okey, let's continue," he said. 

As per an ancient code, One couldn't use astra against a weaponless opponent.. So Ishit also put away his sword.