"Well i think it's unfair after all, I had to go in completely alone for this exam. I think a shadow should be considered as external help."
....damn.
Yes it is unfair so let's all team up together.
That basically sealed the deal already.
With Thomas on their left, Audrina to the right and Noelle right in front of them. Me and Ellen would have to fight on three different fronts.
If it was me alone, I might be able to pull through but trying to protect Ellen who was an Archer made it a lot more difficult.
"So we're all in agreement then? Having a shadow is unfair. "
"Yes I do think so. "
"Of course its unfair. "
A swordsman, spear wielder and an assassin.
Going up against a mage and a archer.
Lifting up the metal spear, Noelle slammed the butt of it into the ground.
With a bright flash of light, a suit of metal armour materialized itself on her.
The silver and black outlines highlighted the sharp contours of the armour.
Paired with a royal blue cape and a winged helmet covering her face. She looked like a God of war descended.
Still far off from what she looked like at her peak, though.
Getting into a stance, her cape fluttered behind her as she pointed the tip of the staff at us.
Thomas as well, his new longsword shined with a holy looking light. A pair of wings, seemingly made of a gold light appeared on his back.
Locking eyes with me, he smiled as he brandished his sword.
Finally Audrina, seeing the two get ready. She raised her hand, palm facing the ground and exhaled.
Wisps of black smoke poured itself out of her hand, condensing into a thick fog that wrapped itself around her.
With the thick fog nearly completely covering her body, leaving only a faint outline and her red eyes. She looked more like a demon then actual demons.
... Not fair, my own power up ability was sealed by the system!
Maybe I should make my own?
Several ideas for cool looking power up abilities rushed through my brain, but that would have to wait.
'Freeze Ray!'
Instantly I pointed my wand at Thomas and fired off a ray.
In a clash of magic against metal. Sparks flew from his sword as he struggled to block it.
Seeing remnants of ice on his sword and arms was enough for me.
Noelle and Audrina quickly rushed at me, it was dark now. But the light still gleamed of their weapons.
Seeing several daggers being thrown at me, I cast a quick barrier spell on me and Ellen.
Trusting Ellen to hold my back for a bit. I turned my attention back to Thomas.
Always target the weakest one first!
His wings nearly blinded me as he rushed at me, zig zagging left and right.
Not that it did much.
I still had a lot time before he reached me!
Freezing the ground in front of me, I planted several mines on the ground.
My casting was soon interrupted while trying to cast a glacier spell at him however.
"Raymond!"
Wheeling around, I re targeted my glacier spell.
Seeing both Noelle and Audrina trying to corner Ellen, I made the choice to attack Audrina first.
The ground crackled as a wave of ice poured itself out of the ground, slamming into the black smoke.
For a moment, the black smoke temporarily disbanded as my glacier struck Audrina dead on.
Kuugh!
Hearing her groan, I cast an ice volley at her while she was still dazed.
Only for Noelle to block it with a single sweep of her spear.
But that was okay, seizing the opportunity while her back was turned. Ellen aimed right at her exposed back.
Ellen fired off two arrows back to back at Noelle and Audrina before dashing away.
It was like the most intense game of tag ever. All three of them needed to close the distance as much as possible.
Whereas me and Ellen needed to increase the distance as much as possible.
I quickly felt a presence on my back however, turning around. I was nearly face to face with Thomas.
Instantly he swung his glowing longsword downwards , his sword glowing with a holy light.
As his aura and my mana shield collided, the ground under us caving in slightly. While still trying to break through my shield, raising my arm. I pointed the wand right at him.
Waves of force erupted from the tip of my wand as I cast. The ground shook and caved in—dust flying up in the air as the cone shaped attack hit him.
He groaned, taking the full blast of the spell as he was launched backwards.
Stopping himself by plunging his sword in the ground, he carved a massive groove into the floor.
"Raymond behind you!" Ellen warned as I pointed my wand at Thomas again.
Audrina, having recovered from my attack sent a flurry of slashes and stabs at my shield—each time, my own mana drained away slightly in order to maintain the shield.
I could feel my mana shield nearly collapse even with all the mana i poured into it. It was hastily made anyways, the fact it lasted so long was a miracle.
Seeing me aim my wand at her, Audrina shifted and quickly dashed away before slowly melting into the shadows of the rubble caused from his magic.
What a damn waste!
Pivoting back to Thomas, I could see him lunge at me again trying to break my rhythm. Too bad for him, I could see his foot land on one of my earlier mines.
With a roar, a massive pillar of ice erupted from the ground. Crashing into Thomas and sending him straight up.
With the little bit of time i had, I focused back to Ellen and her duel with Noelle.
She was struggling, dashing and running away. Occasionally loosing an arrow which Noelle simply blocked or dodged.
Noelle's spear whirled and flashed—ruthlessly stabbing at any weaknesses Ellen exposed.
Seeing her struggling I raised my wand and prepared to help her, I could already sense Audrina's presence behind me—ready to interrupt my casting.
It didn't matter. My shield could handle a few more blows.
Sending a frost blast at Noelle's direction, I quickly spun around to find Audrina with her daggers raised.
Seizing the chance while she was in the air, I aimed my wand at her and fired off a freeze ray point blank.
Miss!
I should have went for something larger. Her smoke had obscured too much of her body for me to accurately hit her.
A golden arrow soon whizzed past my head however, flying into the smoke and evidently hitting something from the sounds of it.
Bless her heart, Ellen still took the risk to help him even when she was in danger right now.
Right now, they were essentially in a stalemate. Something needed to change.
And change it did, Thomas who had been launched into the air from my mines had returned.
His wings shining along with his sword which was raised high—fell onto my shield. With a resounding crack, my shield immediately shattered at the attack.
With his momentum however, his sword kept going. Even after breaking past my shield and approaching my neck.
Stepping backwards, I could feel the sword lightly graze my chest. Ripping part of my robes and drawing a thin line of blood.
Like a bird of prey, Audrina. Quickly joined in, sending several daggers right at me.
Walls of ice erupted around me, catching each of them mid attack—leaving Audrina's daggers sunken deep into the ice while Thomas had his arms frozen in.
While Thomas was still stuck in the ice, I aimed my wand at Audrina and fired off a frost blast. As the blast hit her, I racked my brain—thinking, visualizing anything that could get me to win.
My mana reserves steadily shrunk as the fight progressed.
I needed to win fast. Before my mana ran out. I needed a force equalizer, something that could buy me some time to cast bigger spells.
I needed Ellen.
...
"Aren't we all supposed to be around the same? How come those five fight like they're in different ranks?"
"You're telling me. I didn't even know magic like this was possible at G+ rank."
Nearly every single candidate who had been eliminated from the battle royale was inside this room now, with refreshments and several snacks. It was supposed to be a break room while they waited for the exam to conclude.
So how had it managed to become a sports betting room?
"THOMAS! BEAT UP THAT MAGE!"
"What the hell is Noelle doing?! She's been going one on one against an archer for so long and she still can't win?!"
"i don't even care man, I think I'm in love dude. Do you see that cold expression on Audrina's face? She could call me trash and i would still love her."
Cheers rang out each time someone got a good hit in, with the constant waving of arms and yelling. It looked more like a stadium as hundreds of candidates all rooted for their personal favorites.
Standing quietly all by himself however, as Zachary watched the projection of the five fighting. His gaze was filled with awe.
'One day...one day I'm going to be on that level!'
Seeing the flash of magic, the clang of metal against metal. The absolute cinema of their fight made him long. It made him yearn.
He longed for that type of strength! He longed for that kind of talent!
As the ground shook and continuously caved in from their fighting, Zachary had never felt more excited in his life then right now.
He already was on the path to get to their level. But seeing them in action, his desire to fight was blazing hot.
"PLACE YOUR BETS PLACE YOUR BETS EVERYBODY!"
A boy with short messy blonde hair called out loud, holding several notebooks. The man responsible for instigating the betting, already fostering a gambling habit in these 15 year olds.
As more and more people came up to him, he would list down their bets and names on a notebook before putting it away.
Seeing Zachary all by himself, he quickly excused himself and approached him.
Slinging an arm around his shoulder, he asked "Zach my guy! You down to place any bets? Me personally I'm betting on Noelle to win it all."
He shook his head, "I don't have any money to bet on it right now."
"That's fine! None of them have any money! Just tell me who and how much you're betting and I'll write it down and give you the winnings later!"
He cocked his head slightly, staring at the several notebooks in his arms.
"...one thousand dollars on Raymond winning."