Chapter 100 The Tournament (16)

Euan knew who Erik was, and since few people were still joining the tournament, it didn't take a lot of time for the two contestants two find each other.

Though he didn't say anything particular to Erik, but a short "Let's go…" contrary to most of the people he fought against.

The two fighters and all the people attending the event went toward the arena at the back of the school. The crowd chatted enthusiastically, spreading a noisy murmur throughout the school; they were anticipating the fight. Though most of the people were unsure about the fight's outcome.

The problem stemmed from the fact that both Erik and Euan won with overwhelming superiority against their opponents, and most people couldn't discern who was the best of the two.

However, some saw Erik ruthlessly beat his opponents and believed he would win. In contrast, others saw how skilled Euan was in using his bladed tail and how unpredictable his fighting style was, thinking it was him who was going to win in the end.

However, what was really surprising was that despite not being very liked by the students. Erik had made a good impression during his fight with Zakir and Priya, and some people started rooting for him.

As soon as both combatants entered the ring, the referee called out the rules for the bout, then told them to get ready, so the match could begin.

Thereafter, the two fighters squared off against each other until they reached opposite corners, after which the referee went to the center of the ring. The man raised his arm high over his head, paused briefly, and shouted: "Fight!"

<Analysis> Erik thought, and a window appeared in his vision.

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- Name: Euan Odonnell.

- Brain crystal power: Bladed tail (Common)

-Race: Human.

-Physical characteristics: Approximately 1.77 centimeters tall. Estimated weight 78 kilograms.

-Personality and traits: Not much is known about this individual, but he seems a calm person. According to Amber Joyce, he is a good fighter who takes advantage of his bladed tail during fights, and that created a fighting style around it.

-Approximate level: 13

-Approximate Strength: 14

-Approximate Intelligence: 9

-Approximate Dexterity: 12

-Approximate Energy: 60

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Erik kept his distance from Euan since the young man had already conjured his bladed tail. Clearly, he knew about Erik's prowess and superior strength, so he wanted to keep his distance from him. Euan, in fact, did extensive research on the remaining tournament contestants and knew Erik was a tricky opponent.

The move he used against Jacqueline was a well thought one. Still, unfortunately for Erik, he was inside a ring now, so he couldn't grow the vegetation around him and surprise his opponent. Confident that Erik couldn't pull the same move against him, he was slightly less worried.

Euan was sure enough to win the fight if he managed to keep Erik at a distance. Though, if his opponent managed to get close to him, Euan was going to be in a lot of trouble since it was common knowledge among the tournament participants that Erik's physical prowess was off the charts compared to the other fifteen years old.

Euan had two advantages: the first was that his opponent wasn't that skilled in martial arts since he started training not long ago. The second one was the distance advantage since his bladed tail could cover a good distance.

On the opposite side, Erik knew that Euan's power was well ingrained in his fighting style and that he had much more experience than him fighting.

Besides, he was aware that Euan would keep the fight mid-range, so he had to find a way to approach him. The problem was that he had no idea how strong his opponent's power was.

Though, the young man was confident in winning as Euan was not as strong as Zakir, had less battle experience, and didn't have the same power. If he won against that beast, he could win this fight too.

As the fight started, the two contestants played their games. Erik rushed in Euan's direction while the latter kept his distance. As soon as Erik got close, his opponent tried to slash at him with his bladed tail. However, Erik dodged the move by jumping away quickly.

Euan's attacks didn't end there, he knew he had to finish this fight quickly, or he was going to end up in a disadvantageous situation.

For this reason, the young man chased Erik and, while keeping his distance, started attacking him with his bladed tail. Horizontal, vertical, and even diagonal slashes were made against his opponent, though Erik effortlessly dodged the attacks. It was like he could see them in slow motion, and avoiding them was like breathing.

Euan kept trying, but Erik kept himself out of his attack range. However, quickly, the available space was reduced until he was with his back to the wall.

<It looks like I can't gain any more distance...> Erik thought. He didn't find any way to breach Euan's defenses and was having trouble getting closer to him.

As Euan noticed his opponent's issue, he took his chance by charging a heavy attack and aiming at his opponent's torso.

Erik didn't have particular problems evading Euan's attack, despite the lack of moving space. The reason was that Euan's bladed tail was not as fast as Jacqueline's punches or Zakir's tendrils. But as the attack passed him, Erik noticed that his opponent started moving weirdly.

It was probably his martial art, which revolved around Euan's bladed tail. The young man started jumping and spinning, using his bladed tail as a flail and making a sort of tornado-like attack.

The speed of the attack was much more significant than all the previous ones, and Erik found himself unable to avoid it.

However, Erik's quick thinking allowed him to swiftly channel mana throughout his body, aiming to create a thin coat of razor-sharp mana to at least deflect Euan's attack.

Sparks flared in the air when the bladed tail touched Erik's mana-sharpened skin. It was like two swords just clashed. Yet, Erik was sent back by the force Euan unleashed upon him, but he quickly recovered by rolling backward and standing on his feet in a matter of seconds.

"Damn it..." Erik cursed. He got up and put himself in a fighting position, watching out for his opponent's moves. However, as he looked up, he saw Euan jump and spin violently in the air, viciously using his bladed tail as a flail.

Erik remained focused and tilted to his right side, dodging Euan's savage attack. It was all thanks to his dexterity and strength; he was perfectly aware of that. If it wasn't for the system, he would have never been able to do all that.

When Euan landed on the ground, Erik immediately rushed at him, who was still in the process of regaining his balance and slashed hard at his opponent's right shoulder.

Erik wickedly smirked when he injured Euan. He started feeling the thrill of the fight, the excitement, the adrenaline rush. "I got you!" Erik exclaimed after having injured his opponent.

However, Euan wasn't a pushover; his tail moved with lightning speed toward Erik and left a wound on his chest.

"Are you sure it is not the other way around?" he said to Erik with a grin.

After dodging another swipe, Erik focused on defending against Euan's tail for several minutes. His attacks were fast and deadly, but Erik managed to defend against them.

However, whenever a hit landed on his sharpened arms, he could feel the weight behind it. That was nothing to scoff at.

After several minutes of Euan attacking and Erik defending, the first started growing frustrated. He was giving his all against his opponent. Still, no matter how fast, strong, or deceitful he attacked, the young man could parry, deflect, or avoid his attacks.

This didn't go unnoticed by Erik, who also started to see that Euan's attacks became more inaccurate. After ten more minutes like this, the awakener saw that Euan was starting to tire out.

Despite being better trained, the difference in stats meant a lot. Euan's movements became inexorably slower, and his lack of composure exposed him to many openings.

Erik observed his opponent like a stalking tiger until he saw an opportunity to attack when Euan used another one of his fancy moves to hit him.

So, Erik ran past his opponent's bladed tail, and once he was close enough, he grabbed hold of Euan's right arm. It was already too late when Euan noticed what Erik was trying to attempt. He was now trapped in Erik's grip.

Euan futilely tried to get rid of Erik by redirecting his tail at his opponent's back, only to be slammed down on the ground by him and kicked in the stomach.

This was the first time Erik could land an attack on his opponent, but judging by the sheer speed at which it all happened, it must have been a devastating move.

This surprised the spectators watching the fight since it did look like Euan was leading the fight. Though the man's tail was very mobile, he swung it again from the ground. Erik barely avoided it by gaining some distance from the other contestant, who jumped on his feet and stepped back from his opponent. The fight was more complicated than he had imagined.

The bout between Erik and his opponent then resumed, but since Euan had already spent a lot of energy trying to wound Erik, the fight was much more balanced this time, especially considering that now Erik was in close quarters.

A series of blows were exchanged between the two, with Erik punching and Euan using his blade to attack the young man. Euan had to shrink down his bladed tail dimension, so he didn't have particular problems, though now, he also had to avoid Erik's attacks.

The series of blows between the pair caused many gasps from those watching, some because of how viciously the two fought, others due to the speed with which their attacks were unleashed. Several spectators even sat on their friends' shoulders to see better.

Slowly, Erik started pushing forward, trying to land a successful hit on the now tired Euan. However, the ring wasn't that big, so he quickly found himself with his back against the wall.

Erik had gained the advantage. With his strength and speed, there was no way Euan could escape his grasp, and since the young man was much fresher compared to his opponent, the fight slowly turned in his favor.