Chapter 276 - Zelsh Goes Against the Grain

'Shut up and watch. Or I'll make you shut up…'

Without warning, Oli felt a hand softly land on his shoulder. The weight of a human arm rested nicely behind Oli's neck. He also felt another hand grab his jaw, slowly turning his face back to the fight.

Oli silently nodded and accepted the advice, whether he wanted to or not. 

The next clash changed everything all at once. Oli was surprised to see the ice around Korvik's shortsword change shape. It speedily became a hook sword, gripping around Drogat's leading wing and swinging Korvik directly toward the dragon's back. 

But Drogat wasn't concerned. The moment Korvik tried to gain a footing on Drogat's back was the same moment the dragon drew in his wings and initiated a death roll. He let Korvik's blades crash against his body. He didn't care. Drogat was too excited to see the human bounce between semi-closed wings.

It lasted for but a moment, yet the first blood was drawn. It was only a few small cuts that had broken through Korvik's icy essence, but it was the first blood all the same.

"That was pretty good!" Drogat laughed heartily as he dove back at the swordsman. A few fireballs were spat and Drogat sped into the ground like a kamikaze pilot. In the end he missed the evading Korvik, but Drogat was back up in a flash without showing any signs of damage. 

Drogat then flew over the ground with a crazed gleam in his eyes. The tips of his wings flapped into the ground without consequence as his sharp essence and scales tilled the dirt effortlessly. 

Korvik readied for the charge and covered himself in hardened ice, also intensifying the flames around both of his blades.

Both combatants collided yet again, spraying essence in every which way. They specialized in close combat and they weren't afraid to stick to their strategies. Ice fragments and tidbits of earth essence were strewn about. One person was pushed back and one person held firm. One person's defenses were broken and one person's defenses had barely been scratched. 

"This match is--" 

Before Lady Inka ended the fight, Korvik dashed back at Drogat with fury. He didn't care about the fireball about to leave the dragon's toothy maw. Korvik covered himself in flames and charged straight through it without hesitation.

Coming out the other side, Korvik's swords were closer than ever to the dragon's face. But there was one thing that Korvik had yet to clash with till that point. 

An abrupt swing of Drogat's tail forced the swordsman to immediately go on the defensive, mid-swing of his swords. The spike-covered, club-like tail pounded against the swords without mercy. Cracks appeared on one of the blades as Korvik was hurled aside from the impact. But Drogat chuckled all the more and gave chase, already preparing a follow-up fireball.

"The match is over. Brak is the victor." 

Snuffing out his flames, Drogat sighed and halted his charge. The dragon then bowed to Lady Inka with an amused grin. "You're good. I'll give you that. Better than most…" 

"Thank you…" Korvik grunted as he used his good sword to get back up. Leaning on the unbroken sword, Korvik shook his head at the sight of his blade on the brink of shattering. "Your species deserves its praise…"

"I'm glad you noticed." Chuckling, Drogat flapped his wings and went back to his seat. 

The swordsman then bowed to Lady Inka and left for the stands as well, head hung low. Both swords were stored in his void ring and the light in Korvik's eyes flickered with doubt.

'I hope you paid attention…'

Oli felt some relief as that hand and arm no longer weighed him down. The fading laughter wasn't helpful but Oli was glad to have witnessed such a battle. 

"Numbers 3 and 4, please." 

And the next match was already being prepared as two more contestants followed orders. The small yet fierce rabbit scurried down the stairs while Vant finally opened his eyes. For a moment, Vant glanced back at Zelsh but it passed quickly as Vant nodded, stepping to the rabbit. He chuckled and shook his head, realizing that the match was the same as his last, only the roles were now reversed.

The rabbit smiled and nodded to Vant, acknowledging him without question.

"Are you two ready?"

"Ready."

Vant agreed, "I'm ready."

"Then begin."

Yet nothing happened.

Confusion was written all over the rabbit's face. "Aren't you going to say something?"

"Right…" Vant took in a long, drawn-out breath. He redid his stance and readied his hands. "Good luck. I look forward to the challenge you'll offer."

"Zelsh, you--"

"What? Why not let them fight?" Zelsh argued with a shrug. 

Furious, Fotain shouted, "That's not the plan!"

"So?"

From the other side, laughter broke out among the rival kings. Brak was particularly vocal. "That's the Zelsh we know and love! Our true MVP!" 

"Just let them fight and test each other out."

"Zelsh--"

"Why do you assume your candidate is better than mine? I think you're mistaken, so let's let them clarify the matter," reasoned Zelsh. "Fight, Vant. Don't worry about it."

"Thank you, Master Zelsh!" Vant's confident shout rang out. It was clear to everyone that being one realm lower didn't matter to Vant, or Zelsh for that matter.

Wind gathered around Vant's hands and feet, helping him lunge forward with terrific speed. His hand sliced through the air but the rabbit was more than fast enough to evade. However, Vant's follow-up attack was slightly faster, as was his next one.

"If we're fighting, then don't blame me!" 

The rabbit stopped running and attacked instead. It was Vant's turn to nimbly ride the wind and let the rabbit's fangs get ever so close yet too far to grab flesh. 

Very quickly, the match became a race. Whoever landed the first strike would likely be the winner. Such was the case for speedy, elusive experts that didn't focus on things like physical defenses.