244 Another round.
'System notification on,' I commanded in my mind.
And sat down on the ground - It was annoying, the continuous "ting ting" sound at the back of my head that just kept ringing like an annoying alarm.
It's better to keep it shut but I check it whenever I am in need of quiet.
'Status panel,' A blue slate appeared before me.
--------------------------------------------------------------------
[STATUS WINDOW]
[Ren Chris Hilton]
Age: 16
Race: Purebred Phoenix
[Level 3: Scorchmaster]
[6 Star Mage In Human Terms.]
Current Progress:
Intelligence: 9/10
Strength: 39/100
Mana: 78/100
[Next Level: Pyroclasm Elder ]
[500/25000 Exp]
(Level up unavailable!)
Elemental Attributes: Fire
Advancements of Elements: Lightning
Unlock New Advancement: (Open)
Contracted Beast: One
Spirits: None
Skills: [40 skills.]
Learn New Skills: (Open)
Store: [Open]
-------------------------------------------------------------------
'Buy me... five... no, seven healing potions,' I said as the potions formed in my hands.
'This many won't be needed,' Blaze said.
"So what?" I opened the cork and poured it down my throat, and the remaining ones were sprayed on Blaze's leg.
I didn't want him to suffer or have any after effects of the injury - There's no point in being frugal with these things.
His flesh knitted back together.
'Well, good as new then,' he said as he turned into his cat form.
And now, I am just sitting.
Absorbing whatever just happened. The skill, as Blaze called it, is a partial self-destruction.
Which... well, doesn't sound that great, but yeah, it works just fine. Currently, my body has somehow healed itself without the system, like the time when the system healed me in Nightshade Sanctum.
It was as if the spell messed up with mana and elements, delivering more impact than I could imagine - but at the cost of a lot of mana. It's like I have no mana left in my core. I feel drained.
'Well... maybe we should leave because the explosion was quite loud,' Blaze suggested.
"Yeah, I'll get up—"
Thud*
I fell flat on my face.
"...Just give me five minutes," my legs feel numb. I won't... use this constantly.
***
[After two hours.]
Well, it took a lot more time than expected to return back to the academy.
Currently sitting on the ground while waiting for my turn on the stage, I glanced at the platform where the second-year duels were taking place. The stage was occupied by only two students.
Unlike the first round, where the focus was on eliminating the less skilled candidates, this second round was more crucial. When two students climbed onto that grand stage, there weren't many interruptions.
The male contestant displayed adept swordsmanship, wielding his blade with practiced finesse while deftly manipulating earthen projectiles in his other hand. His movements were precise, his footwork calculated, and his posture unwavering. His determination to claim victory was evident in his every maneuver.
However, his focus momentarily wavered when the female opponent swiftly hurled her spear toward his rib cage. With a quick reaction, he dodged, but the distraction led him directly into the path of a Wind Sphere, a relentless force that sent him hurtling off the stage. In that split second, the tide of the battle turned, favoring the cunning strategy of the female contender.
"That was smart, right?" I asked Erik, who sat beside me, sweating profusely.
"Y-yeah... all of the second-years are quite proficient in combat," he replied.
The scene continued in silence as another duel from the third year commenced.
Blaze had opted to return to the dorms, claiming fatigue as the reason to skip the battle. I sat a little removed from the group, enjoying the vantage point from my spot. Some of the first years glanced my way, their curiosity evident, but I paid no mind. They were likely intrigued by my previous match, but I didn't dwell on it.
Surprisingly, Mia was present, the same girl who engaged me a few days after my demotion. Her friends were absent, indicating they likely didn't make the cut.
If memory serves me right, winning this round would mean I'd only have two more before potential selection.
My attention shifted back to the ongoing matches. It was a mixed bag - some impressive performances, while others were quite goofy.
"Hey... thank you for the last time," Erik broke the silence.
I had my reasons for sitting apart from the class, but Erik seemed to have none, yet he chose to sit beside me.
"Hmm, it's fine," I casually shrugged.
"Do you even know why I'm thanking you?" Erik paused before asking.
"No," I replied, diverting my gaze back to the stage.
His eyes widened momentarily before he sighed, "When you distracted everyone, I was able to defeat my opponent because of it... so I was able to win because of you."
"Okay, you're welcome," I responded, more focused on the ongoing matches.
It might mean something to him, a chance for some attention, maybe some admiration from girls, or a topic to boast about among friends. But I knew he was aware that he probably wouldn't make it to the final round.
"I know I won't win, but even getting this far is one of my biggest achievements in life," Erik said, addressing me.
"Oh, nice," I replied shortly, another silence following.
"Do you think you'll make it?" I asked suddenly, more out of curiosity than anything else.
"Nope, I won't. I know I'm weak... a lot weaker than anyone. If not for my academic scholarship, I wouldn't be at the academy," Erik admitted, flashing a faint smile.
Pathetic.
"Don't be a loser. Who knows, you might get lucky," I offered a brief encouragement, patting his shoulder before standing up.
"Ren Hilton! Gelgar Clunte!" The names were announced, signaling the beginning of another duel.
"Looks like it's time," I yawned a bit. I drank a few mana potions... maybe a dozen of them, to recover my full mana pool, which cost me a lot of blood points.
But I'm not sure how to say this, but yeah, it's thanks to Smokeball that I don't have to worry about the blood points. He hunts whenever he has time in the outer parts or outside the city, and whatever he kills gives me the blood points.
Gelgar Clunte was already striding confidently toward the stage, exuding all the characteristics of a beastman. He was quite a sight, towering over everyone else with his solid build radiating confidence. At just 16, he carried an air as if he owned the place. His chestnut brown fur was adorned with streaks of silver, and his eyes possessed an intensity that seemed capable of piercing through steel.
His arms were adorned with ink, each tattoo seemingly telling tales of unknown adventures. Below, his attire consisted of strikingly patterned pants, a nod to his cultural roots. Around his neck hung a pendant, displaying an emblem that remained unclear to me from a distance. Ah, it clicked; he was from the Tormel Tribe. His event was already over, so there was nothing particularly notable about him.
He picked up a sword but then glanced at me and returned it to the inventory, opting instead for a greatsword that stood about seven feet in height.
Making my way toward the stage, the tension in the air was palpable. It wasn't just about Gelgar or me; the match held significance for everyone present. The professor stood poised, ready to officiate.
"Ren Hilton versus Gelgar Clunte," the professor's voice resounded loudly, echoing across the Arena. "Prepare yourselves for a fair fight. The duel will commence on my mark. Ready... Set..."
[Few minutes later.]
...haaa, It was just a single hit.....why they gotta be so dramatic.
