Chapter 360: The end of the first Semi-final match

Lara and Valdel's battle grew even more intense. Even with Valdel using a wooden sword and Lara using her bare fists, their bodies were full of scratches and bruises. If both of them had their real equipment they would've been severely injured.

"Isn't it about time we end this?" Valdel asked as he lowered his sword hand.

"Hmph, how funny for you to say that... Do you think I'm a fool? Even though we have fought numerous times and it would seem that you did go all out in every fight, but I know the truth. Ren has told me a lot about your special physique. If you truly wanted to win fate would never allow for you to be defeated. The only ones who could best you if you truly tried are those that can defy fate itself."

When Lara said those words the two of them could clearly picture Ren's face in their minds. The only person they knew of who could laugh at fate and crush it under his hand was that person who smiled ever viciously as he laughed against the odds.

"I hate to admit it but I'm not at the stage were I can defy fate. So I knew that every time I won before and even now is because you've been going easy on me."

Valdel was about to respond but Lara raised her hand to stop him.

"I know what you're going to say, but don't say it. The abilities you have as a chosen hero is part of you, it's not an unfair advantage. You have been learning from Ren for all these years, you have learned many things but at the same time, you have learned nothing. I have never bothered correcting you since you are you and Ren is Ren, but... Nevermind that's not something I should deal with."

Lara shook her head as she expressed her opinion. Valdel still couldn't help but be shocked by the sudden change in Lara. So many words and emotions had come out of her. Still, what she said made Valdel realize a bit of what Lara was truly feeling.

"I'm sorry... Alright then, this time I'm truly going to go all out." Valdel breathed in as his body started to shine a white glow. The mana in the surrounding area started to gather around Valdel's wooden sword. Seeing this scene Lara's lips curved upward as she placed her right fist by her waist and started to gather all her mana into the fist. This was the ultimate fist technique Ren had taught her. She didn't like using it since she could only fire one shot and then will lose all her mana and stamina. Still, in this kind of showdown, she wanted to go all out for once.

"Let's see who is the best student that Ren has ever taught!" The noisy audience all went quiet as the atmosphere grew tenser between Valdel and Lara.

Some of the people in the audience to shake uncontrollably because of how tense it was. Every person present held their breath as they waited for the end of this eye-opening match.

Henrietta knew what that white light that enveloped Valdel was, that was the hero's light. When she saw the hero's light as well as Lara's gathering of mana into her fist, Henrietta had a bad premonition.

Henrietta reacted quickly and asked all of the supervisors of the tournament to gather. She told them that they need to strengthen the barrier of the arena. The supervisors didn't question what Henrietta said as they could feel the next attack was going to be unbelievable. All of the supervisors as well as the powerful guests helped in strengthening the barrier.

...

The Golden Haired Maiden that was watching at a distance stood up from her seat. She looked at Lara with widened eyes.

'I could already guess that it was you that trained them, but I didn't expect that you would teach her that technique. Now if there was any doubt before there is none now... Still, this little girl is much more talented than I thought.'

The Golden Haired Maiden looked at Lara's fist that was gathering and concentrating mana into one spot. There was a reason that only Kir and Kretos used that fist technique, it's not because Kir kept it a secret but because it was too hard to train.

Kir actually tried teaching his kin his fist technique but no one could use it. The technique was simple by itself, but the execution was very hard. If you mess up while gathering mana into the fist then you would faint before even being able to use the technique.

Seeing the human girl use the technique that hundreds of the Lycan race couldn't achieve was a marvel to behold.

'It really is the era of humans now.' The Golden Haired Maiden smiled wryly.

...

Valdel could feel that he gathered everything he could, and he looked at Lara who seems to be finished with her preparations as well. The two knew that this one attack of theirs might kill the other but for some reason that didn't matter to them, all they wanted to see was who could win against the other.

"Here I come, LARA!" Valdel swung his wooden sword downward, a white beam of mana and sword energy burst out of the wooden sword disintegrating it and everything in its path. Seeing the incoming wave, Lara punched forward unleashing her ultimate move. Her mana was dark blue as it burst forward clashing with Valdel's sword energy.

The clash between the two opposing energies was so powerful that the barrier surrounding the audience area was cracking from the pressure. The supervisors used everything they had to maintain the barrier.

The two opposing energies grew larger as some of their excesses scattered hitting the ground and creating deep pits. The energy fluctuation was so immense that the weaker audience members had fainted while the others fled in fear.

After a long clash between the two energies, the other started growing weaker and was now being overpowered. The winner of the two beams of energies destroyed the opposing energy and flew forward.

The winner of the match between the two childhood friends has been decided.