Trinity of Magic Chapter 107: The Victor Emerges

Zeke did not intend to dodge Leos blade. If his friend wanted to trade injuries, then he was more than willing to abide. The iron head of his staff was whistling towards Leos chest. The blunt weapon would easily crush bone if he managed to land a direct hit.

Leo had decided to go for a piercing strike aid at Zekes heart. In the remaining second, Zeke shifted slightly so he would be hit on his shoulder instead. His [Perfect Spatial Awareness] was unmoored from his body. It always made him feel like a spectator watching sobody else fight. Still, he had gotten sowhat used to the feeling and was able to control his body even from this third-person perspective.

Zeke was astonished that Leo didnt change his course of action. Could he really intend to exchange blows? This was very much unlike Leo. Just as Zeke was certain that Leo had missed the chance to dodge, sothing changed. Leo lowered his arm as he flicked the blade upward at the sa ti. Through his Spatial awareness, Zeke could see his own mouth drop open at the display in front of him. Leo had sohow contorted his upper body out of the path of his swing, without giving up on his own strike.

The blade was closing in on his face. Zeke yanked his head back and managed to escape with only a shallow cut to his face, as he stepped back. Leo followed closely behind. His friend would not let this chance slip away. Zeke was already on the back foot after only their first exchange!

Leo was right on his heels, his rapier poised to strike. Zeke had yet to regain his balance after retreating in such a hurry. His heavy staff only unbalanced him further. It was then that Leo struck. His blade found an opening and bit deep into Zekes thigh with the precision of a viper. Zeke gritted his teeth. He had to change the flow of combat. This could not go on. Before Leo could retract his weapon, Zekes gauntlet closed around the blade.

A rapier was usually used for stabbing and not cutting. Zeke was betting on the fact that the edges of the blade were not sharp enough to cut through the leather protection of his hand. He noticed almost imdiately that he had miscalculated as the blade bit deep into his hand. He was glad for his numbed nerves as the sting was still almost enough to make him let go reflexively.

Leos eyes widened a fraction as he noticed that he was unable to retract the blade. In the next mont, Zekes elbow connected with Leos face. Even though his head shot back, the blonde boy did not relinquish his hold on his weapon. Instead, he brought both of his legs up and kicked Zeke in the chest. He was clearly trying to force Zeke to let go.

Zeke was left with a choice between loosening his grip or risking his fingers. Reluctantly, he opened his hand and fird his stance. He was just in ti to avoid being unbalanced by the kick. Leo used his attack as a way to create room between the two. He launched himself back and landed a couple of steps away. With a graceful twirl, he dispensed all his montum. The two were face to face once again.

Zeke scanned both of their conditions after this first exchange. Leo had a busted lip but was otherwise in good shape. He, on the other hand, had a cut on his forehead, alongside an injured hand and leg. A trickle of blood was freely running down his leg from the stab of the rapier. He could not use his [Blood Manipulation] to stop the flow either, but his passive regeneration was already working on his injuries. It would only be a matter of minutes before the wounds would be closed. It was imdiately obvious who had co out on top in their first exchange.

Still, injuries like this would not decide the outco. Leo would have to land a critical blow in order to keep Zeke down. However, he was still worried about the flow of combat. He had recognized imdiately that the gap of skill between them was much wider than he had anticipated. Even though his [Perfect Spatial Awareness] gave him a clear view, it didnt allow him to predict Leos movents. All his strength amounted to nothing if he could not hit his opponent. It had been a while since he last fought without his magic, and Zeke realized how much he had co to rely on his spells.

The two started to circle, changing posture every now and then to probe for weaknesses. It was not long before Leo started his next offensive. He was also aware of the fact that Zeke would heal if given the ti. He lunged into an overhanded swing, only to break the feint off a mont later. He dodged out of the way of Zekes attack with casual ease as he leaned to the side. He aid a quick slash at Zekes ribs before retreating. Zeke was barely able to block the strike with his vambrace.

The sa scenario repeated over and over again. Leo would feint or simply dodge all of Zekes attacks while chipping away at his opponent before retreating. Zeke was getting more and more frustrated with the situation. He felt helpless. No matter how he sched and planned, he was unable to land a single hit. It was as if Leo could see the future. He would always predict the trajectory of Zekes strikes accurately. Not once did he fall for any of Zekes faints or tricks. Zeke also struggled with his lack of magic. Many of his spells such as his [Air Step] had long been integrated into his fighting style.

After taking another cut to his chest, Zeke swung his staff in a wide arc to create room for himself. Expectantly, Leo fell back. The blonde boy had not overextended or taken any risks in this fight. He did not underestimate Zeke one bit. He was also aware that Zeke only needed a single good hit to turn this fight around. His face was a mask of focus and confidence as he jumped slightly backward, just out of reach of the strike.

Zeke hefted his staff as he took stock of the situation. He was bleeding from nurous cuts all over his body. Most of them were shallow, but the sheer number ant that he was still losing a lot of blood. Leo was still uninjured. Zeke had not managed to land a strike again after their first exchange. His heart was hamring in his chest as Zeke considered his options. He had to bite back a snarl. Didnt he train every single day so that he would never be in this situation again? Had it all been for nothing?

Leo didnt press the attack for a change. He was also catching his breath. Despite not being injured, this level of high-speed movent and constant alertness couldnt be easy to maintain. Still, Leo didnt stop circling, searching for weaknesses in his defense. Zeke felt like he was stuck in quicksand. No matter what he tried, it had absolutely no effect. He could only flail helplessly as Leo played around with him.

FUUUUUUUCKKKKK! Zeke bellowed. He placed all his feelings of frustration and helplessness into the scream. His outburst was so unexpected and violent that Leo took a few steps back, eyeing him carefully.

Zeke took a deep breath, filling his lungs to the brim. After holding the air in for a second, Zeke let it all out. He felt a lot better after releasing the built-up tension. All the pressure he had put on himself was constricting him. Constricting his thinking, constricting his movent, and most of all, it was sucking all the enjoynt out of the fight. He had been so excited about this. But now, all he could think about was that he had to win. That he couldnt make any mistakes.

A wide smile spread across his face as Zeke threw away all those considerations. His overly worried, overly serious approach had failed. It was ti to try sothing new. He would fight to his hearts content. If he still lost after giving it his all then he could at least look back at the fight without having any regrets. Zeke looked down at the staff in his hand. He lifted the weapon up and brought it back down with speed. He ramd the staff into the ground where he stood. His trusty weapon would do him no good in this fight.

Zeke stepped around the staff and stood face-to-face with Leo once more. He could feel a cool breeze in his hair as he stretched out his arms. He and Leo had both decided to not wear their helts for this final round. He enjoyed the cooling wind for a second before focusing back on the fight. He cracked his knuckles and rolled his shoulder to get the last bit of stiffness out.

Playtis over, Zeke stated with a predatory grin, its ti to get serious!

Leo didnt respond, but his eyes turned even more solemn. It was Zeke that initiated the charge this ti. He shot forward like a coiled spring, closing in on Leo in a re instant. Zeke's final goal was not trying to land a punch but to grab Leo. If he were to manage to get a good hold on his opponent just once, he was confident that the fight would be over.

Leos footwork was impressive as always as he danced and weaved. He never gave up on a chance to use the rapier either during Zekes aggressive charge. Zeke deflected what strikes he could with his gauntlets during the wild chase. The others, he simply endured. Finally, Leos luck ran out as Zeke managed to land a lightning-fast kick to the boy's stomach.

He was catapulted backward and rolled across the floor before managing to right his position. He used the rest of the montum to get back on his feet. Before Leo could even begin to get his bearings, his opponent was already upon him. Zeke made for a terrifying sight. He was bleeding freely from countless cuts all across his body. Despite the nurous injuries, there was a wild, manic smile on his face. His body also moved as if uninjured as he jumped at Leo with his arms outstretched. He lept at his opponent in an open-ard tackle.

Leos eyes opened wide. He managed to throw himself on the ground and roll out of the way. Any semblance of grace was missing as he hurriedly got back on his feet. Zeke was already charging again. He seed to know no exhaustion as he charged again and again. On several occasions, Leo only managed to evade by a hairs breadth. He still managed to inflict wounds on his opponent every now and then. Still, Zekes ferocious charge had forced him on the defensive.

Zeke didnt slow down once. He knew that the mont he allowed his body to rest, he would not be getting up again. The fire in his eyes only grew brighter as he lept into another attack. He managed to land a solid punch on Leos shin. Leo had thrown the kick to create room, but he had severely underestimated how hard Zekes fist hit. Zeke could see Leo wince for a mont after putting weight back on the leg.

Zeke started to feel his body slowing down. His [Perfect body Control] told him that he had lost a dangerous amount of blood as well. If he couldnt close out the fight in the next minute or so, he would simply collapse. However, this didnt cause Zeke to panic. He had given the fight his all, and if it was not enough then that was that.

With a content smile, Zeke charged again. He carefully observed Leos movents. His friend looked a lot more bedraggled now. Leo was breathing heavily and Zeke could tell that he also had trouble swinging his weapon. His armor was dented in several spots where Zeke had managed to land a punch. His newly regrown arm was hanging limp at his side once again. He had sacrificed the limb to block one of Zekes kicks. Still, Leo had also not lost a single bit of his fighting spirit. His eyes were blazing with the sa determination that Zeke knew that he would find in his own gaze.

The two t for another clash. Leo managed another cut to Zekes face. A fresh stream of blood forced Zeke to close one of his eyes. In exchange, he had managed to ram his shoulder into Leos chest, sending him flying. Leo got back to his feet with trouble. He was having trouble breathing after taking this last hit.

It was at this mont that Zekes legs started shaking. He noticed that he could not muster any strength. After taking one last step, he fell to his knees. Zeke had to catch himself on his hands in order not to fall flat on his face. He was breathing heavily. He felt like the air he managed to inhale didnt do anything to counter the intense stinging in his sides and chest. Zeke could finally feel the pain all over his body. His heart was hamring. He felt so heavy and weak. All he wanted to do was to collapse forward and surrender to the sweet promise of unconsciousness.

It took a supre effort of will for Zeke to stay kneeling. No matter how much air passed through his lungs, he seed unable to catch his breath.

Do you surrender? Leo asked from several steps away. Zeke rely chuckled in response. The sound quickly turned into a raspy cough as he struggled to breathe.

Are you afraid? Zeke asked in a hoarse voice. It was Leos ti to chuckle.

Hardly, he responded, what are you going to do? Fall on ?

Zeke managed a weak smile. Leo was right, what could he even do? Despite his words, Leo approached warily. He might be in better condition than Zeke, but he was by no ans uninjured. After a while, he managed to lift the sword enough to attack.

Good fight, Leo said as he thrust his sword at Zekes throat. He had no intention of actually going through with the attack, but he didnt even get the chance as sothing intercepted the blade. Leo looked down in shock, only to find that he had pierced right through Zekes outstretched hand. He was too shocked to even react as Zekes fingers closed around the blade. With a strength much greater than Leo had experienced before, Zeke ripped the blade out of Leos hands. He had no chance to even fight back. The force was so imnse that Leo was dragged along and stumbled forward.

Panic set in as he felt a muscular arm loop around his neck. He couldnt move at all. Zekes grip felt like it was cast of iron. With all his remaining strength he punched at Zeke, trying to break his hold, without any success. It felt like Zeke had been replaced by a statue. Leo struggled for air. He wouldnt last for much longer. In his panic, he looked up and t Zekes eyes. His struggle seized imdiately.

Leos body went rigid as his gaze was t by burning eyes of gold and fire. A slitted pupil was looking at him as if he was nothing but a worthless bug to be trampled over. The feeling was so strong that Leo didnt even dare to resist. He felt like he would be squashed the mont he dared.

It was re seconds later that Leo finally lost consciousness. Zeke released his grip and lowered his friend to the ground. Mustering all the strength he could, he managed to raise a single arm above his head.

There was absolute silence in the arena. Then, like a dam that broke, an onslaught of cheers flooded the Colosseum. The entire crowd was on their feet.

BLOOD DRAGON! BLOOD DRAGON! BLOOD DRAGON!

Zeke could feel his own heart swelling at the applause. A bit of strength returned to his limbs, and he managed to slowly get back to his feet. Zeke couldnt hold back as he scread his elation at the heavens. The crowd went even wilder upon hearing him roar.

LADIES AND GENTLEN! WE HAVE A VICTOR! was the last thing Zeke heard before he also collapsed backward.