"Demonic relationship? Well that would be problematic however I'm sure that you or the professors would have picked it up by now." Orissa had once speculated that however with a bit of research and confirmation with Harven, they realized that his glyphs were way too strange for it to be demonic.
But their curiousity for it never once died out. 'If it's not demonic or human then could it be elven? Maybe some secret art of the Velros.' Upon further contemplation, she brushed the thought of it being a within the Velros Family. If it was then the family wouldn't be so mundane.
"How about a match? I want you see just how much incompetent you've grown. Too absorbed with investigations to focus on your own growth." Walking to another sector of the hall far from Callista, his hands folded behind his back with his eyes eyeing her figure.
Callista too was curious as to how a trash spoilt noble like Jarren came to learn of such a technique. "...Sure. But don't underestimate me too much." Rising to her feet, she stood a few feet opposite to him, her breathes already shallow as she readied herself for the fight. It acted as a gauge as to see how far he had grown given that she couldn't perceive his rank.
With a quick snap, a chalk circle formed around the two ample in space. "Just don't lose to fast is all." His tone a prick underneath her skin as she balled her fists. In a quick dash, she instantly closed the distance and as expected he dodged with minimal ease.
Unlike before this time all of her skills that she had honed for years seemed lacking. Be it in landing a blow, her stamina already draining in a few minutes or her demeanor that wore off with ease. Unlike before he didn't avoid her attack by seconds but my minutes that made a fourth year student like her seem like an amateur.
Callista who gave a light side glance couldn't help but speculate with how refined and precise his motions were. He had barely moved from his earlier position while Orissa was all over the place. "It's embarrassing to see you fall so low." His taunt made her stop as she realized that he loved messing with her.
"What do you mean embarrassing? How am I suppose to compete with you?" Between her gasps, her mind couldn't comprehend that she could use to her advantage. 'Even Eldroin wouldn't be so fluid or am I seeing things?' She was sure that his speed and technique was way above her level.
"I guess you managed to make a breakthrough into Crimson Sigil rank." She sarcastically commented. "I guess however about your speed, I never said that you couldn't use your elemental. Use both if you'd like." It felt like an insult however already aware that facing him in her current manner was pointless.
'You're going to regret that.' With a playful smile flashing, her body was coated with a light breezy armor of wind, her legs bolstered with short bursts of air and a blade of water formed in her hand. His hands shifted from his back to his pockets and once more it would seem that nothing was changing.
A jab, he was out of reach. Sneak attacks were long predicted and countered and stylish attacks were equally cancelled. Be it with her element or her bare hands, the result was the same regardless. He was simply out of her reach. "How am I supposed to land a hit let alone beat you if I can't land a hit."
Amused, she was met with a smile she was long familiar with. "Okay then, hit me." With his hands opened, he dared her to land a punch. Seeing her opportunity, her figure flashed and her fist connected squarely with his jaw however he barely moved. 'What?!' She glanced at her hand, bewildered with what had transpired.
As for Jarren, he merely persisted with his mocking smile. "Well it wouldn't be fair if I gave you a free attack without defending myself." Glancing at his feet, he noted his mind numbing glyph ticking like clockwork.
*BAM-BAM-BAM*
Be it darts of water daggers, wind gales or hardcore punches, his figure never once flinched or winced in pain. "Urgh! Just get rid that annoying barrier shadow glyph!" With every impact that landed on his body, she noted a faint hazy shadow barrier that coated his body. The more it dragged on, the more exhausted she grew.
"Do you think that your opponents will just let you kill them. Demons stay docile and stick out their necks for you to cut. You have to do better than that if you want to fend for yourself." Orissa felt that it was unfair and it was. Facing a monster above logic like Solon only ended with his victory regardless of the method.
However deep down she knew that there was some truth to his words. "Truly inspiring words Jarren." With her body worn out, she made her way back to he sides. As for Jarren, rather than sticking around and watch Callista's progress, he made his way towards the exit.
"Just cover the basics then we'll talk." His figure dissappeared right after leaving the two ladies alone in the hall. Callista who was now nearly drained of her malcore decided to call it a day. Without a word she took her leave without sparking a conversation with Orissa who was deep in thought.
'Crimson Sigil? But how?' She had yet to fully comprehend what he had stated. At the time of the fight, she thought that it was one of his games given his agitating smile however his speed and reaction seemed to speak of Crimson Sigil, a rank that few fourth year students had along with some few fifth year students.
Darting out of the hall, she made her way to Haven however her body stopped. 'Absorbed with investigations...' Recalling his words, even she had to admit that she had spent an unhealthy amount of time on Jarren rather than focusing on her growth.
Harven would urge her to not get too caught up with the investigations and focus on her growth. 'Damn you Jarren!'
***
The air was rowdy, eager cheers filling the air as figures clashed with each other. It was a third year student was facing a fourth year student however the real reason of the massive crowd of people was the fight that would occur after that.
"And with that we have out victor." A student with heavy breathes and ragged gear rose his hand in an act of revelling in his victory before stepping off. This was the first match that would have two professors monitoring it as well as a select few fifth year students.
"Never thought that I would see you here." A joke from Eldrion directed at Lirale felt playful with a hint of sarcasm. "I was merely about this fraud of a noble." Her tone cold as her fiery red eyes landed on Jarren who made his way to the stage.
The once cheerful air fell silent with his presence as he stood opposite to this opponent. Lance Cerlin, a fellow fourth year student who specialized in Auxiliaries , specifically Augmentation and Buffs on one self. A familiar and popular face from the Gravemire Fold and in the academy.
He was considered an ideal idol, great attributes and character while his opponent gutter that used and abused his position to get what he wanted. It was also the first fight involving two fourth year students.
"So you're Jarren Velros. The entire school seems to want and see what you got." Lance mused, his smile growing wider however Jarren merely gave a cold look, his sigh exuding boredom as he stretched out his hand like a puppeteer ready to put on a show on the arena like a stage.
Lance stood guard, flashes of glyphs that spoke of buffs all over. Be it agility, defence or mental clarity bathed his body unlike Jarren who stood bored as his shadow sprung to life. His glyph sending murmurs all over however this time, something was different. It wasn't the shadowy figure they had all heard and anticipated but fire.
It wasn't the glyph that was rumored to speak of logic far above their understanding but the top like professors understood. It was clear that he planned on taking the fight in the means that they were familiar with. Underwhelming to all however the massive malcore that lurked beneath such a glyph quickly brought back their attention.
"Oh, and here I thought that you would use you shadow puppets but this will do." Jarren's figure was bathed in fire like a phoenix, the Velros Family sigil forming at his feet and in a blink closed the distance between the two.
The sword that Lance had instantly melted within his presence, the air that was calm and welcoming grew hot, his throat parched in an instant as his eyes dried. As expected he tried to back away, he was met with a blow towards his back. An explosion that propelled him forward scorching his back and scarring his clothes.
Thanks to his quick thinking managed to avoid the punch directed towards his head to his side only to be met with another spark of explosion that spun his body in the air like a rag doll crashing hard onto the barrier. His eyes hazy and drying from the heat caught a glance at Jarren who was already charging towards him.
"He's so aggressive. Clearly ready to end the fight as fast a possible." Lirale mused with a sigh of disappointment. "Yes but it's amazing his proficiency in Pyro. It's a shame that he abandoned it for Darkness." Eldrion couldn't help but comment as he could feel the heat from where he was.
It wasn't just him but the students and professors at the scene felt it. It was equivalent to have a miniature sun presented to them, their eyes flickering away from Jarren's figure. "Saevin won't like this." Eldrion mused with a chuckle as a punch landed on Lance's face.
His cheek flesh sizzled, his breathe now a whisper as his body was coated with barrages of heat flares, punches and kicks that heavily disoriented his head.
"We should end the match. There's no need to continue." A professor mused as they watched Lance's figure flail all over the arena that barely caught a break. A punch sent him flying across the arena, a small spark similar to mines laced the place bouncing his figure all over.
The malcore completely spent in the buffs that he had spent on his buffs and augments. His sword that was hailed to be near invulnerable melted with his mere presence that not only shocked but greatly demoralized him. The pain seared through his body with each blow, now no longer bothering to stop it.
Jarren had long taken off his phoenix like body and watched from the side similar to the students that once eager merely watched with remorse and pity for Lance. It wasn't a fight but an abuse of his skills. They waited for him to expend himself however no end seem to be on the horizon.
"Jarren Velros is declared the winner!" The announcement rang however there was no cheer to congratulate him. His glyph that covered the entire arena melted back into his hand and with an aloof look, made his way off the stage.