Chapter 140: Awakening of Power
Scene: The tournament continues, its intensity building as the competition narrows. Only six recruits remain, each one more determined than ever to claim victory. The crowd, buzzing with excitement, cheers as the instructor steps forward to announce the next match.
Narrator: The tournament has progressed, and the battles have grown fiercer with each match. Among the remaining recruits are the standouts: Milton, Volkra, Kara, and Alexis. But one recruit stands apart—a powerful, quiet girl known for her unmatched focus and precision. Her name is Ayame. It is she who now steps forward, ready to face Alexis in the next round.
The instructor stands tall, his voice ringing out over the murmurs of the crowd.
Instructor: (announcing) The next match—Number 1, Alexis, versus Number 17, Ayame!
The crowd erupts into applause as Alexis steps into the ring, her expression calm yet focused. Opposite her stands Ayame, a tall, poised recruit with a fierce determination in her gaze. Ayame's reputation precedes her; she's known for her refined mana techniques and her deadly accuracy with the blade.
Volkra, watching from the sidelines, leans over to Milton, his face lit with a mix of excitement and concern.
Volkra: (whispering) This is gonna be good. Ayame's not one to mess around.
Milton: (grinning) Neither is Alexis. She's got more fight in her than anyone here.
Narrator: The crowd quiets as the two girls face each other, their eyes locked. The tension is palpable, each of them fully aware that this match will be no ordinary fight. They bow in respect, then take their stances.
Alexis: (smirking) I've heard a lot about you, Ayame. Let's see if you live up to the hype.
Ayame: (calmly) I intend to. But don't think I'll go easy on you, Alexis. I don't plan on losing.
The instructor raises his hand, and with a swift motion, the match begins. Ayame wastes no time, charging forward with her sword in hand, her mana flaring around her. Alexis meets her head-on, their swords clashing in a shower of sparks. The speed of their strikes leaves the crowd gasping.
Ayame: (taunting) You're quick, I'll give you that. But let's see how long you can keep up.
Ayame's movements are precise, her blade sweeping in controlled arcs. Alexis counters with skill, deflecting Ayame's attacks and answering with strikes of her own. They circle each other, exchanging powerful blows, each testing the other's limits.
Alexis: (smiling) You've got skill, but I'm just getting started.
Narrator: The fight intensifies as both recruits tap into their mana, their auras growing stronger with every strike. Ayame's movements become sharper, her blade almost a blur as she presses forward, pushing Alexis back.
Ayame raises her hand, summoning her mana as a shimmering light forms around her blade. She focuses, then unleashes a powerful wave of energy that races toward Alexis.
Ayame: (shouting) Celestial Slice!
The wave of energy rushes forward, threatening to engulf Alexis. She quickly raises her own mana, meeting the attack with a fierce counter as she swings her sword upward. The energy wave splits, dissipating around her, but the sheer force pushes her back, her boots scraping against the stone floor.
Alexis: (impressed) Not bad. But you'll have to try harder to knock me down.
Ayame's eyes narrow, her mana flaring as she raises her hand again. A shimmering sphere forms in her palm, growing brighter and brighter as she charges it.
Ayame: (coldly) Then I won't hold back. Astral Burst!
She throws the sphere, and it explodes in midair, raining down shards of mana energy that slice through the air. Alexis raises her sword, dodging and deflecting the shards with swift movements, but a few manage to graze her, leaving faint cuts along her arms.
Alexis: (through gritted teeth) Alright, Ayame. If that's how you want to play it…
Her own mana flares, her aura shifting as her eyes begin to glow with an intense, pure white light. The crowd gasps as Alexis taps into her Divine Mana, the energy radiating from her so bright that it illuminates the arena.
Narrator: As Alexis's Divine Mana awakens, her presence becomes almost overwhelming. Ayame, though taken aback, stands her ground, her own aura growing stronger in response.
Alexis charges forward, her sword glowing with divine energy. Her speed has doubled, and she closes the gap between herself and Ayame in an instant. She swings her sword, sending a powerful slash of mana toward Ayame, who barely manages to block it, her feet sliding back from the force.
Ayame: (breathing heavily) Impressive. But don't think I'm done yet!
Ayame taps into her own mana reserves, her aura now blazing with intensity. She focuses, her expression calm but deadly serious.
Ayame: (calling out) Lunar Storm!
A whirlwind of silver energy surrounds her as she raises her hands, summoning a powerful surge of mana that spirals around her, creating a vortex of light. The storm rushes forward, threatening to overwhelm Alexis with its sheer force.
Alexis braces herself, the storm crashing into her and knocking her to the ground. The crowd watches in tense silence as she lies there, unmoving for a moment.
Narrator: For a brief, tense moment, it seems as though Alexis might be defeated. But as the dust settles, she slowly rises, her eyes still glowing with that intense white light. She stands tall, her expression fierce, refusing to back down.
Alexis tightens her grip on her sword, her aura intensifying as she taps deeper into her Divine Mana. Her friends, watching from the sidelines, hold their breaths as they see the determination in her eyes.
Alexis: (softly) I'm not finished yet, Ayame. Not even close.
Ayame's expression shifts to one of surprise and respect as Alexis raises her hand, summoning her mana in a display of power she's never shown before. Her aura flares brighter, her voice ringing out over the crowd.
Alexis: (shouting) Celestial Radiance!
A surge of pure white energy erupts from her, forming a massive beam of light that shoots toward Ayame. The sheer force of the attack is overwhelming, and Ayame braces herself, raising her arms in a desperate attempt to shield herself.
The beam crashes into Ayame, engulfing her in radiant energy. The light blinds the crowd for a moment before fading, leaving a stunned silence in its wake. When the light dissipates, Ayame is lying just outside the ring, breathing heavily but conscious, a faint smile on her face.
Narrator: The stadium falls silent as the audience processes what they've just seen. Alexis stands victorious in the center of the ring, her breathing heavy, her eyes still glowing with the intensity of her Divine Mana. Slowly, the crowd begins to cheer, the applause growing louder and louder.
Alexis lowers her sword, her aura fading as she takes a deep breath. She walks to the edge of the ring and offers Ayame a hand, helping her to her feet. Ayame smiles faintly, bowing her head in acknowledgment.
Ayame: (softly) You really are something, Alexis. I didn't think anyone could push me that far.
Alexis: (smiling) You gave me one heck of a fight, Ayame. I've never had to go all out like that before.
The two share a look of mutual respect, bowing to each other as the crowd continues to cheer. In the VIP section, King Thalanor nods in approval, his eyes reflecting admiration.
King Thalanor: (to himself) The future of our knights looks brighter than ever.
Volkra, Milton, and Kara cheer from the sidelines, their voices echoing over the noise of the crowd.
Volkra: (shouting) That's our Alexis! She just took down Ayame like it was nothing!
Milton: (laughing) She's unstoppable! Looks like we've got a real contender here.
Kara: (smiling proudly) And here I thought we'd have an easy win.
Alexis joins her friends, giving them a tired but proud grin.
Alexis: (playfully) Don't think I'm going easy on any of you in the next round.
They laugh, the camaraderie between them strong as they celebrate her victory. Meanwhile, the crowd's applause continues, their cheers a testament to the skill and strength of the recruits.
Narrator: The match has shown the crowd just how powerful the next generation of knights can be. With Alexis's victory secured, the tournament moves forward, but the memory of her Celestial Radiance lingers in the minds of everyone present.
As the crowd settles down, the instructor steps forward, his voice carrying over the noise.
Instructor: (announcing) Victory goes to Number 1, Alexis! Let this be a reminder of the strength that lies within each of you.
The recruits, inspired by Alexis's display of power, look at each other with renewed determination, each one ready to give their all in the upcoming matches.
The chapter ends with Alexis standing among her friends, the pride of her victory shining in her eyes as she prepares for the next round.