Chapter 338: The Champion of Spell & Steel

Chapter 338: The Champion of Spell & Steel

The cold drizzling rain had turned into a full downpour. And yet the crowds did not complain. They cheered at the sight of the arena that unfolded in front of them.

Ophelia stared in disbelief from her high seat. The two young mages had dropped unceremoniously the moment she had activated the Nether Flask just as their flame spells had exploded against one another. It had worked, her plan had worked. The Ebon Aspirant and the anomaly hybrid had both mysteriously fallen, their souls trapped in the Soul Chasm forever.

So why

Why are they standing!?

The crowds cheered as both the Aspirant Stryg and the hybrid called Sylvie stood to their feet, ready to keep on fighting.

Panic rose in the pit of Ophelias stomach. For the first time in many years, she had no idea what to do.

~~~

Belle glanced at the aurum aegis in the palm of her hand. Not a single iota of her divine power was left in the amulet. She wouldnt be able to count on the aegis protection, not until she refilled the aegis with her power.

But as Belle breathed in and out, she could feel the divine energy in her heart dwindling, the dream portal had spent most of her power. Even worse, the Soul Chasm had drained her large reserves of chromatic mana entirely.

Still she thought grimly. Itll have to be enough

Her opponent wasnt Calex Thorn, but he was still a mage with a large arsenal of spells at his disposal and spell-casting skills that Belle was uncertain she could match, not in her current exhausted state.

As if thatd make me give up, she chuckled to herself.

Adversity was the mark of any war and the blood of war thrived through her veins.

Belle grinned viciously, Lets see how far we can go!

Her last remaining divine power ignited within her body and golden flames burned over her skin. Her nails formed into claws and her lower canines grew to match her sharp fangs. She crouched low and growled.

~~~

Stryg stared at the golden flames numbly. Whatever courage he had felt moments ago quickly evaporated like the rain around Belle. He knew what her fire was capable of. He had tried to stop them with his own greatest flame spell and he had failed.

He thought he had enough orange mana left for another powerful flame spell, but surprisingly, he didnt. He knew flame magic drained a casters orange mana quickly, but this wasnt usual for him. Even more strangely, his other colors were barely at half their usual reserves.

Flame spells were out of the question. Maybe a torrent spell then? Or another stone spell? No, they had all proven ineffective.

Perhaps something new then? Something he had yet to dare to try outside of the confines of his training grounds. Cornelius had warned him about it. The dwarf had called him reckless and stubborn.

Stryg smiled half-heartedly, Maybe he was right

What are you waiting for!? I thought you wanted to fight me! Belle called out from a distance.

Stryg turned to her and took a deep quiet breath. Orange, brown, and yellow mana flowed out from his heart and filled his bones and flesh. He suddenly grimaced and bent forward, holding his sides. It felt as if his chest was being crushed by a boulder. His muscles burned as if they were being dipped in acid, his bones creaked, and his skin felt as if it was being pulled apart.

What now? Is this some kind of trick? Belle raised an eyebrow suspiciously.

Stryg looked up at her, pain in his eyes, and hissed, Are you afraid?

Belle slowly smiled, Here I come.

Her golden flames flared brightly and she charged at him.

Stryg forced himself to stand up straight through the pain.

He had only ever been able to keep the three spells stable for a few seconds. It would have to be enough

His veins darkened to a grey, scales of yellow light wrapped around his skin, and a sheen like polished steel undulated over his skin.

Belles fiery fist came down on him. With unexpected speed, he reached out and caught her wrist. His fingers stung from the heat as if he was touching a steaming pot, but his skin did not burn.

She stopped her oncoming assault and stared in shock at the offending hand. The blue fingers werent even long enough to completely wrap around her wrist and yet there they were, trembling yet still somehow holding her back.

I think its the perfect size.

Strygs foot brushed Nameless hilt and he picked up the blade from the ground.

Belle shook her head and drew her own sword, This again? I already told you, Ive studied the Gale Style and your broken blade is ill-suited for it.

Well see. He flipped the long dagger into a reverse grip and held his broken blade in the other hand.

Belle narrowed her eyes. She didnt know this stance, but it seemed reminiscent of the style the vampire wisp had used in the Soul Chasm. She glanced at her own sword and noticed her grip was shaking. She was losing too much blood.

A voice in her head whispered for her to be careful. Her mana reserves were already completely drained. And now most of her lifeforce energy had been drained. Now was the time to be cautious. But as she looked at the goblins unwavering eyes, she felt as if none of that mattered. All she wanted to do all that mattered right now was the thrill of the fight.

Belle and Stryg dashed at each other, blades clashing against one another. Steel blurred in a storm of sparks as their bodies moved around their opponents swords. Belles movements were sluggish, but her superior skill was evident in her every parry and strike.

Stryg was faster, yet he couldn't find an opening in her defenses. Belle tried to end his assault with one heavy strike, but he moved in a strange pattern she hadnt seen before, unable to give her a moment to lash back. Strygs attacks held traces of the Gale Style, but it was different, like a silent shift in the air.

As the fight continued, Belle grew more accustomed to his attacks and began to adapt, slowly but surely gaining the upper hand as Strygs body began to slow down.

The crowds watched from the edge of their seats with tense silence.

Belles blade slashed across Strygs skin for the fifth time, leaving another shallow but bleeding gash. He roared in frustration and renewed his attacks. Belle danced away, parrying each blow. But Stryg did not back down, he continued to attack, foregoing his defenses.

Belle shifted to the offense, finally seeing an opening for a final strike.

The raindrops around them began to vibrate and slow in their descent until they were floating aimlessly around them in a swirling pattern. A faint inner light leaked out from Strygs lilac eyes. A cold sensation filled his burning muscles with relief.

Belle lashed her blade out in a wide arc. He dashed underneath her longsword with newfound strength and sliced across her thighs and shoulders with two quick strokes of his blades. Belles eyes widened in stunned surprise.

H-how? she mumbled and collapsed on the ground.

The swirling rain froze for a moment, then suddenly continued to fall as usual.

Stryg took deep exhausted breaths and pointed Nameless at Belle, Yield.

She chuckled weakly, ...You were holding out on me

The blades slipped out of his tired hands and his knees buckled underneath him. Yield, he whispered wearily.

Belle closed her eyes and felt the rain fall across her skin as the water mixed with her blood, You cant even stand or hold a blade

...Neither can you.

...So why should I be the one to yield?

Because I dont want you to die

Belle opened her eyes and looked at him in surprise. His eyes were filled with empathy.

You're bleeding too much you need a healer Stryg mumbled with the last of his strength.

Why do you care? Belle sighed.

I dont want to lose another friend

Dammit, she cursed under her breath. She took a deep breath and yelled as loud as she could muster, I yield!

The crowds silence broke and they began to mutter to one another.

...SYLVIE OF HOLLOW SHADE IS UNABLE TO CONTINUE! Mark announced.

Jane jumped to her feet in the Heralds Tower and yelled excitedly into the enchanted horn, STRYG OF HOLLOW SHADE IS THE VICTOR! CONGRATULATIONS TO UNDERGROWTHS CHAMPION OF SPELL & STEEL!

The crowd broke into cheers.The source of this content nov(el)bi((n))