Tanya was the first to make a move. She used her [Wind Dash] spell once more to close the gap. However, Edmund was prepared this ti. A dust cloud traveled outward in a semi-circle from his position. Wherever the wave passed, the ground rose up into sharp stakes. Tanya almost impaled herself. In a last-ditch effort to avoid the spears, she jumped upward. The Wind Mage managed to successfully transform her montum into a graceful glide. She passed over Edmunds head.
Zeke recognized that the girl was in a terrible situation. The only Wind Spell in her arsenal that had the chance to even harm Edmund was [Pressure Lance]. For the spell to be effective she would have to get close to her opponent. Close combat was not an area that Wind Mages were usually very comfortable in. Still, she had no choice if she wanted to have any chance at victory.
After circling the arena, Tanya passed over Edmund a final ti. She imdiately tilted her head back and started to loop back around to dive straight downward. She had decided to try for a surprise attack it seed.
However, she had to stop her maneuver shortly after as she noticed that two pillars had ford a kind of roof over the Earth Mage. Edmund must have predicted her next move and blocked her approach. The girl continued to circle, waiting for another chance.
Zeke looked over at Viola. Her fist was still clenched and she appeared nervous. It seed that Viola was a lot closer to Tanya than he had previously believed. Zeke walked over and wrapped one of his hands around her fist.
Viola was surprised by the sudden contact. She quickly looked to the side to find out who it was. She had been so focused on the fight that she hadnt even noticed his approach. Zeke smiled as their eyes t. The girl managed to return his expression with a half-hearted smile of her own.
Whats got you so worried? Zeke asked.
I dont think Tanya is gonna win, Viola stated with a sad expression.
Zeke rely nodded. He was of the sa opinion.
I cant tell you everything, Viola began, but there is a lot riding on this tournant for her. I had hoped
She already did quite well for herself, Zeke praised.
I dont think it will be enough. She would probably have to take one of the top 3 spots, Viola explained.
That is very unlikely, even if she were to win this fight, Zeke said in a quiet tone. It was Violas turn to nod. The girl had also recognized that this was most likely the end of the line for her friend.
It only took a couple of minutes for the first mistake to occur. Tanya had managed to land another two [Pressure Lances] on her opponent. Edmunds [Stone Form] actually sported a small crack upon being hit for the second ti. Now, however, he had managed to impale her right leg with a well-tid counter.
Tanya managed to free herself in ti before getting buried, but the wound bled profusely. Zeke would have been able to stop the flow using Blood Magic; Tanya had no such capabilities, however. She already looked a little pale from the blood loss by the ti she managed to bandage the wound with a piece of fabric from her robe.
Its ti to give up, Tanya, Edmund called. Youve put on a valiant performance, but this is as far as youll go.
His analysis was made without malice. He was simply stating facts. The words still managed to enrage the Wind Mage.
I decide when Im done, not you! she hissed.
Have it your way, Edmund said in a dispassionate voice.
Zeke knew what was about to happen. If Tanya still wanted to win, she would have to risk it all in her next attack. He rated her chances of victory in the single digits. Edmund knew that she would co at him with all she had, reducing her chances even further. Even if she managed to execute her plan perfectly, anything less than a headshot from point-blank range would hardly phase Edmund.
Viola had tightened her grip on his hand. Her grip strength was probably enough to break an average mans hand. For Zeke, it was rely a bit painful.
At least nobody can say that she didnt try, Zeke whispered.
Viola nodded. Her eyes remained glued to the arena. Tanya had just started her final attack. She zigzagged around Edmund's position, using one [Wind Dash] after the other. Clearly, she was holding nothing back. The Earth Mage had turned his surroundings into a fortress by now. Earth spikes littered the ground all around his position and he had limited the angle of approach to a single direction.
Tanja gritted her teeth and took the only remaining path toward her opponent. She dodged another giant pillar that ca crashing down on her position. Soon, she was only one last dash away from her target. Suddenly, the ground opened up beneath her feet.
Tanya managed to catch herself before falling too far into the crevice. She was just about to take to the air when the mouth of the hole extended upward. Without being on solid ground, she could not use her [Wind Dash] instantly.
The do closed around her before she could escape. Edmund continued to pile layers of dirt on top of her. Zeke knew that the fight was over. There was no way a Wind mage could manage to escape after being trapped underground. After the first [Pressure Lance] that almost managed to pierce a hole to freedom, her struggles grew less and less pronounced.
After a couple of seconds, there was no visible movent anymore. The place where Tanya had been trapped was now a small hill made of dirt and stone. Viola let out a sigh. She still had held out hope for a miracle despite everything. It took a couple more minutes for Jorgel to call the fight.
It seed that Tanya had not given up despite her impossible situation until the very end. After the announcent, Edmund freed the girl from her earthen prison. A limp body erged from the ground. She seed to have passed out from a lack of oxygen.
Congratulations to our last contestant for the semi-final. The next round will begin in an hours ti. In the first fight, we will see Leo battle Felix Feuerkranz. In the second fight, Ezekiel von Hohenheim is going to stand against Edmund Steiner. Ladies and gentlen, you are in for a treat. We have an extraordinary lineup this year. For the first ti in forever, I can honestly say that I have no idea who will co out on top!
After the announcent was over, the four of them returned to the comfort of the lounge. When they were all seated, Zeke shot Leo a worried glance.
Are you gonna be alright against Felix? Zeke asked.
Why wouldnt I be? Leo asked, confused.
Dont act like you dont know, Zeke said with an annoyed expression. You are not going to be able to use any Fire Magic against him.
So? Leo remarked.
What do you an, So? Zeke exclaid. This will be a severe handicap in an already difficult fight.
Instead of a worried expression, Leo seed to only get more excited. The blonde boy licked his lips as if preparing for a delicious al.
Youre absolutely right, Leo said. I cant wait!
Zeke sighed. What was he doing worrying about Leo? His friend would challenge the emperor himself to a fistfight if given the chance. Zekes ti would be better spent thinking about his own battle. Before he could contemplate his strategy, however, there was a voice calling out from outside the area.
Are you in there, Zeke? a deep voice asked.
Edmund? Zeke called back.
Yes, the voice replied. Can I co in?
Zeke looked over at Sophia. It was her lounge after all. She made sure Viola didnt have a problem with it before nodding at Zeke.
Sure, co in, Zeke called out.
Felix is with , can he also co? Edmund asked instead of entering.
Just co in, Sophia called out instead of wasting any more ti.
Two figures erged from the curtains that shielded the private area from the outside. Edmund and Felix soon stood before the group.
Lady Sophia, Viola, Edmund greeted each with a nod.
What brings you two here? Sophia asked. She had adopted the formal tone she usually took with people she didnt know well.
Nothing special, Edmund said. I t Felix by accident on my way over. I just wanted to talk a bit before our fight in the arena.
And you? Sophia asked Felix with a raised brow.
Well, I wanted to speak with Ezekiel, if Im being honest, Felix confessed. Zeke was intrigued. He didnt have a close relationship with Felix, much less any of the other Feuerkranz mbers.
Ohh? What did you want to talk about? Zeke asked.
I know that you are not on the best of terms with my family at the mont, Felix began, causing Zeke to let out a snort of amusent. This had to be the understatent of the century. Alexander had tried to have him kidnapped and executed not too long ago.
but I wanted to assure you that not all Feuerkranzes are your enemy, Felix continued. I wanted to let you know that there is a significant amount of family mbers that are disgusted with Alexanders behavior. My branch of the family, for example, has been very vocal in their criticism.
Before Zeke could even think about a response, Sophia replied in his stead.
And Im sure this has nothing to do with the fact that your branch wants you to take the position of the heir from Alexander, does it? Sophia asked with a teasing smile.
Felixs face turned red at being exposed. Still, he recovered after only a mont. I am sure politics was a part of this decision as well. But it doesnt change the fact that I also strongly disagree with Alexanders actions on a personal level, Felix exclaid righteously.
He wants to form a connection with you in case you manage to defeat Alexander, Sophia sent telepathically. It might be a good idea to be on friendly terms with so of the Feuerkranzes. He might be able to warn you if there is another attempt on you.
Zeke nodded imperceptibly at Sophia before extending his hand toward Felix.
Good to know that reason still has a place in the Feuerkranz family, Zeke said while shaking hands with the Fire Mage. Felix seed delighted by the success of his mission.
Yes, you can count on us to keep Alexander and his father in check, Felix promised. We will not tolerate any more hostile actions until the duel.
Zeke nodded. He didnt know how much stock he could put in that promise. Still, it was better than nothing, he supposed.
Soooo, ready to get your ass kicked? Zeke asked Edmund with a smirk.
I am prepared for our fight, yes, Edmund responded without missing a beat. Im curious to see if you still have sothing hidden up your sleeves.
Sa, Zeke responded. I didnt expect you to be able to use [Stone Form]. I can hardly believe you managed to learn the spell in a re month.
Ive been working on it for longer than that, Edmund admitted while shaking his head. But its not a difficult spell. The challenging part is eting the requirents in core purity.
Hmm, is there an equivalent spell for the other elents? Zeke asked. A [Fire Form], [Water Form], and [Wind Form]?
I have never heard of sothing like that, Sophia admitted.
I cant speak to the rest, but my family doesnt have a [Wind Form], Viola said. Felix also shook his head.
Curious, Zeke stated. Was there a reason the spell only worked with Earth Magic? Out of all the four elents, Earth was the only one with a stable shape. Was the reason linked to this property?
I cant say much, Edmund began, gathering the attention of everyone, but the way the spell works might be possible with other kinds of Magic.
Zeke was intrigued. Did this an he could eventually create his own [Blood Form]? The idea of turning to liquid greatly appealed to him. He could let attacks pass right through him.
Can you show ? Zeke asked innocently.
No way, Edmund replied right away. Do you think I will let you analyze my trump card right before our fight? If you want to see the spell up close, you will have to earn that right in combat.
Ill take my ti studying the spell as I take you apart layer by layer, Zeke taunted.
Good luck with that, Edmund responded without a flicker of emotion. I guess we will find out how much your [Blood Whip] can do against my [Stone Form].
I would bet my last shirt that Zeke will cut through you like a hot knife through butter, dirt-boy, Viola comnted from the side. Zeke could tell that she was still a bit miffed about Tanyas loss. She was not the type to pick a fight like this normally.
Maybe, the boy responded with a nod, but he will have to get to first. Tanya might have made it look easy, but that was only because of her speed and skill. Approaching an Earth Mage on foot is not a course of action that should be undertaken lightly.
Viola nodded. She seed to have ward up to Edmund sowhat after his praise of Tanyas prowess. I would still put my money on Zeke, she proclaid. His high damage potential makes him an ideal counter to the defensive but slow style of Earth Mages.
We will see, Edmund said with a slight smile. But first, we will get to see how Leo fares against Felix. I would not want to be in his shoes. The idea of another mage simply taking away my magic is terrifying. I am glad I wasnt born a Fire Mage.
Is that so? Felix asked. Im quite happy with my elent. Have you thought of a way to counter , Leo?
Nope, Leo responded with a shake of his head. I only know basic Fire Magic. There is no way I could have a counter. Still, even if I had to fight with my bare hands alone, I would still be confident in my chances.
This claim would have been ridiculous coming from anyone else. But Leo had long since proven that he actually managed to keep up with the best of them while fighting with a self-imposed handicap. There was no telling if he would actually be able to manage such a feat.
Felix returned Leos smirk with a challenging grin of his own. The Fire Mage seed no less confident. Zeke hoped that his friend would pull through, despite the disadvantaged situation. He wished for nothing more than for them to et in the final round.
Before they could engage in any more banter, they were interrupted by the first chi of the bell. This was the signal that the fighters should get ready for their fight. It was ti for the first round of the Semi-Final.
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