Chapter 263: Golden Champion

Upon seeing Armand's transformation, the audience became rowdy with thunderous cheers. Some even hit their thighs and stood in admiration. It was clear everyone was cheering for him and Armand's expression of pride was clear as day to Emery.

A golden haired youth, floating in mid-air supported by a single golden glowing wing on his back. Emery could not deny it was indeed a wondrous sight, the golden light bathing Armand and following his every movement was reminiscent of a divine being and something about the sight made people want to kneel before him.

"Witness the divine power of the saint and kneel!" Armand shouted. Cheers of adoration resounded throughout the arena. That transformation had earned him the eyes of all the audience 

All around the floating acolyte were 8 Soaring Shuttles, all glowing in the same golden light as his body. The shuttles spun around him once before rushing towards Emery.

Emery realized this fight would possibly be the hardest fight he had ever faced. But he held on with only his belief keeping himself standing. He was ready to cast his spells and he gripped both his sword and dagger until his fingertips hurt.

"AARRRGHHH!"

With a battle cry, he charged forward, meeting the eight pieces of Soaring Shuttle rushing towards him head-on. While running, Emery kept on casting [Dark Root] and [Shadow Mist], creating traps to slow the advance of the shuttles, using the figures made of dark mist as decoys. 

Every time Armand's attacks destroyed them all, Emery kept on recasting them. Meanwhile he used the speed from his partial transformation to both dodge and parry the rest.

Clank! Clankk!

All 8 Soaring Shuttles curved in the air before returning to Emery with even greater speed and strength. 

Faced with the attack from every direction, he dashed around and dodged some of them and parried the rest, using his dual wielding technique and the [Blink] spell to complement his speed.

His footwork and technique attracted the attention of the crowd and the audience all cheered in response. Judging from their reaction, this fight was the most spectacular one yet.

One could consider the fight as a clash between a young boy raised in a lower world against an acolyte from the privileged class who was expected to come out on top in the Magus Games. Both stood steadfast, strong and unyielding, both fueled by their opposing beliefs.

Clank! Clank!

The more seconds ticked by, the more annoyed Armand felt. At first, he thought the battle would be over the moment he casted his family special divine skill. However, reality said otherwise. The lower world acolyte he saw as no more than dirt beneath his feet still persisted.

With an annoyed expression, Armand rubbed his ring, took out a shiny yellow vial and drank its contents in one gulp. The potion was something that would help enhance his spirit force ability, increasing the speed and strength of the Soaring Shuttles and boosting all his parameters to the maximum amount. 

On one hand, Armand realized using such a potion for an opponent like Emery was such a disgraceful act, but his pride would not let Emery stand on this arena for a second longer.

BAAAMM!! BAAAMM!!

The flying objects started to attack with increasing speed and strength, causing Emery to lose in the struggle. He started to take hits from the shuttles and each hit would crack his powerful tier 4 [Jade Skin] spell, sending pieces of green crystal to the ground.

BAAAMMM!!

Another strike landed and Emery was able to feel the tremendous force behind it. With his protective energy depleted, he started to spew blood from his mouth.

BAAAMMM!!

Another strike connected yet again, a full-impact hit absorbed by the layer of glowing green jade on his skin. Though most of the force was absorbed by the spell, Emery could still feel a part of his bone breaking from the impact. 

Emery pushed through the pain and gritted his teeth before continuing his performance. The only thing keeping him on the ground was his desire to not let his belief be crushed by Armand.

BAAAMMM!! BAAAMMM!!

Two more strikes. Emery felt a painful stab on his lung, his broken rib stabbing the delicate organ. Even breathing felt like such a labor, let alone fighting.

"ARRRRGGGGHHHH!!!!"

Emery let out a battle cry and continued resisting.

"Hah! Don't you dare give up now!" Armand shouted and laughed, mirth dancing in his eyes as he witnessed what he saw as a futile struggle.

Armand waved his hand, causing each Soaring Shuttle to attack in pairs. The gesture increased the strength of the attack.

Clank! Clank!

Emery's hands felt numb thanks to the attacks. The force behind both of the items was incredibly strong and Emery was forced to use [Heroic Slash] with both of his weapons in order to stop the attacks.

Clank! Clank!

CRACK!

Emery stared at his hands in disbelief as he saw his sword break apart. The special sword given by his master... Before he could recover, more Soaring Shuttle hit his chest and back, while another one hit him on the hips. In an instant, his leg was broken, forcing him to drop on one knee, hurting and bleeding all over.

"Hahaha! That's more like it! Bow to me and accept your inevitable defeat!"

The eight Soaring Shuttle all returned to Armand, hovered and spun in the air, like a pack of birds ready to finish its prey.

Emery did not respond, not even a trace of fear was visible on his expression. Instead, his gaze was one of despair, staring at the broken pieces of the sword given by his master. Just like the sword, his spirit was broken apart as well and Magus Xion's words about losing the fight echoed in his heart.

Will this be the end of the fight?

"It's about time you give up!" Armand taunted.

Emery looked up, seeing the condescending glare from his opponent up above. Anger bubbled in his heart, but it was not directed at his opponent. It was directed at himself, as he was not strong enough to defend his beliefs. His opponent outmatched him in every aspect and he was running out of energy. There was no way to win.

The cheers of the audience started to fill his ears and make his head numb. Time seemed to pass at a snail's pace, his own feelings seemingly slowing down his perception of time.

With his surroundings slowed down, Emery was able to pick out voices he recognized from the crowd.

He stared at one particular box among the hundreds, the place where his friends were waiting and cheering for him. Julian, Chumo and Thrax, and even Klea… Every single one of them placed their hopes on him.

It was a reminder this fight was not about him anymore. This fight was dedicated to his friends, the friends that failed to make it.

Though they were far, Emery could see them cheering for him clear as day. Their voices were like a small spark of flame igniting what remained of his spirit, letting it burn, letting Emery once again stand and give his all.

"AAAAAARGGGH!"

Emery shouted and stood up, even though one of his feet was no more than a stump.

"Fool! You should have stayed down!" Armand boasted. 

Emery shouted with all his strength and he felt something unlock in his body as he struggled to walk forward.  A part of his meridians was unlocked and energy started to course through his whole body.

[Immortal Gate – Stage 4 Unlocked!]

[Battle Power increased by 16!]

[Current Battle Power: 70]

Emery no longer bothered with the partial transformation and called upon the full power of his bloodline. His ears sharpened, turning into canine ears resting atop his head, while his teeth sharpened and both his arms transformed into wicked claws. All his legs and arms turn into grey fur.

[Current Battle Power: 75]

This was the maximum percentage of physical transformation he could achieve without losing his mind and fully succumbing into the instincts of the bloodthirsty beast. Seeing his advance, Armand directed the eight Soaring Shuttle to once again charge forward, but Emery did not bother dodging. He deflected a few of them with his arm and just rammed the rest with his body. He ran on all fours and roared like a wild animal. 

The Soaring Shuttles returned back towards Emery hard from all directions, causing his limbs, his face and his body to bleed and stain the arena floor with red. The gaze of madness and bloodthirst Armand saw in Emery's eyes made him unconsciously step back.

"You… You are Madd…!"

Emery stopped running and leaped forward and the panicked Armand was unable to dodge, he didn't even get a chance to cast another spell. Caught off-guard, Armand was easily pinned down to the ground.

Although his arm still bled, Emery did not seem bothered. He raised his bleeding furry arm and slammed his fist down on Armand's face!

BAAAMMM!!

Armand was hit square on his face, causing an audible crack to echo throughout the arena. The once cheering audience had gone quiet with bewilderment. The fight did not go as they expected.

BAAAMMM!!

Once more, Emery slammed down a punch on Armand's face, and the audience started to murmur amongst each other.

BAAAMMM!!

The third punch made Armand spit something out to the side. Few of his teeth were broken from the hit and his pretty face was ruined.

BAAAMMM!! BAAAMMM!!

There were no sounds of cheering and the murmurs quieted down. All that could be heard was the golden champion's painful scream echoing throughout the arena.

Finally, a notification appeared in Emery's mind.

[You have won the fifth match]