Chapter 483: Winner

The duel had reached its climax as the two fighters were already in their peak condition.

Julian had already used his [Immortal Gate: Stage 5] on him, coupled with [Stone Skin] and [Fire Aura]. Three buffs were being used at the same time.

Having three buffs activated at the same time was something not many acolytes were able to do. It required full control of different elements and concentration in order to ensure both elements would not escape the caster's control. In Julian's case, it was his earth and fire elements. 

Thanks to them, the duel slowly ground to a halt. Although Julian had less battle power, the [Stone Skin] defensive buff and its natural strength was more than enough to make up the difference.

They kept trading blow after blow, but neither side budged.

Clank! Clank!

To achieve a balance of offense and defense, Julian resorted to a combination of [Stone Wall] and hand-to-hand combat. The walls were aimed to narrow Thrax movements and stop several of his powerful strikes. 

Eachtime Thrax came to strike with his spear, Julian would block his attack, before countering by focusing his [Stone Skin] on his fist. Some other time he would even cover his whole self or his opponent in stones to create an opening for a punch.

BAMMM!!!

The punch was decently heavy, causing a massive bang to echo all over the arena. The force had made the sand fly up and all the audience looked in concern to the middle of the arena.

However, when the dust cleared up, the quiet exploded into a series of cheers.

The Thracian had taken the blow, but remained stalwart like a mountain, uncare to the obvious wound he received, Thrax quickly countered by swinging the end of his spear on Julian's head.

Crackkk!

Julian was quickly pushed back a few steps, the throbbing headache made his vision blur for a second."

"Savage! You fight like a madman!"

The two acolytes have wildly different battle styles. Julian, with his calculative nature, used a balance of dual element spells to compensate for his weak points, while waiting for the best time to strike with all his might. 

Meanwhile, Thrax preferred a more direct approach, using his fearlessness to create a decisive strike, a bold move that bordered recklessness. It could hardly be called a 'style', but it also made his movements more unpredictable, assuring his opponent would need to be extremely careful.

The spectacular fight made the crowd turn wild with excitement, to Klea's worries. Even though she had promised to help alter their memory, there was no way to completely erase it from their mind after such an exciting moment.

Clank! Clank!

Unfortunately Julian had no real training in hand to hand combat, hence he kept getting hit by the spear, hence he had to return using his spells as well to level with Thrax superb spear art.

[Stone Wall]

This time, knowing the tall stone walls were enough to stop the barbarian, Julian started making shallow one, surrounding Thrax's feet just enough to stop or stumble the man.

It was still not enough, as Thrax got out quickly with his sheer power alone, but the tiny walls were effective in reducing his mobility.

The tactic gave Julian some hits on the gladiator and Thrax knew he couldn't let this continue.

"Julian! Don't blame me for hurting you!"

[Fire Infusion]

With this spell, the custom made iron spear turn glowing red, covered with fire. This spell made his spear become way more dangerous.

Swiiisshhhh!!!

One swing managed to hit Julian chest and this time his [stone skin] only managed to block some of the strength, as blood could be seen coming out of his roman uniform.

Unfortunately these extra spells also affected Thrax, as from his suddenly pale face, it was clear the move took quite a toll on him. It appeared Thrax's limited spirit talent started to become his downfall. But, Thrax kept pushing himself. He came with the intention to win, especially with tens of thousands of lives at stake. 

Thrax made a huge ground sweep in an arc and Julian jumped to the air in response.

Seeing his chance, Thrax charged forward and used [Vicious barrage].

The battle art and fire infusion technique he used beforehand made his particular attack even more deadly than before.

Julian tried to block the continuous attack, but again the stone skin was not enough to protect him.  His body started to bleed all over which made it necessary for him to dodge. If he weren't careful, he could be killed in one wrong move.

Klea and Emery watched anxiously, the heat of the battle made them concerned for their friends.

"Give up now Julian!" Thrax shouted while his attack became even more fierce. 

"No! Never!" Julian gritted through his pain.

Thrax's skills in combat had been tempered countless times, be it in a true battle for his freedom or in the gladiator arena. The way his body moved and dodged in battle may have lacked grace, but it told the story of someone born for battle.

As a result, more and more blood started to spill from Julian's body.

"Yes! As I said before, the barbarian will win!" Klea shouted in excitement

Meanwhile, Emery stayed silent and watched the fight intently. Even though Julian looked wounded and cornered, Emery's improved spirit reading showed Julian had a very good control over his spirit and he appeared to circulate his spirit energy well. For an adept spirit reader, that was a clear indication of an upcoming attack.

Just as he predicted, the chance Julian had been waiting for presented itself. Right as Thrax's attacks started to relent, the stone skin covering his body quickly changed. Now, his skin looked like it was made of smooth rocks, but the density and weight of the rock layer has been increased.

"Arrrrrrggggghhhh!"

Julian let out a loud battle cry and showed off his newly mastered [Greater Stone Skin], a tier 4 earth element spell.

The spear attack which was supposed to pierce Julian's body was instantly broken apart into metal splinters.

Not wanting to waste this chance, Julian launched a heavy punch towards Thrax.

Bammmm! 

Followed with another one and another one!

Each punch sent massive shockwaves throughout the arena, alongside an ear piercing sound. But even with such punches, the barbarian still refused to fall, like a mountain that stayed upright even against relentless winds.

Another punch hit Thrax's face and a loud crack could be heard, before blood seeped out from his nose and mouth.

At this moment, Klea and Emery were ready to stop the fight, however…

Julian pulled his punch, preparing for the hardest one yet, in hopes the legendary gladiator would finally fall.

But no matter what, Thrax refused to give up, even as blood dripped on his face and the pain from his bruised face increased with every strike, he refused to let Julian trample all over him again. 

Today was an important day in his life, where the fate of tens of thousands depended on him.

No! Never! He will never yield!

Tharx gathered all of his strength and forced himself to do the one thing he has been pushing himself to do the last few months and at this desperate moment he could feel his efforts had started to bore fruit.

With his bleeding body, Thrax gathered all his strength and shouted, forcing his body to initiate a most likely too early breakthrough. But, regardless of Thrax's current state, it worked, causing Klea, Emery and even Julian himself to stare at him in disbelief.

[Immortal Gate: Stage 6]

[Battle power increased by 64 points]

[Battle power: 116 (99)]

Stage 6 was a stage Lord Izta had said to be all but impossible to achieve by anyone under rank 9. But the Barbarians tenacity had allowed him to unlock the power while he was still at rank 7.

Propelled with this explosion of strength, Thrax grabbed Julian's arm, shattered the stone layer. And with his newfound strength he broke one of Julain arms. 

Crackkk!! Aarrgggg!!

It was the sound of the broken stone skin and his bones together

Unable to accept defeat, Julian kept moving and attacking, only to find himself unable to touch the barbarians, while each of the Thracian counters smashed his body really hard. 

His tier 4 [Greater stone skin] couldn't help him. 

Thrax continued his punches until Julian's defensive spell broke. But even then Julian would not admit defeat. Thrax sent one of the strongest punches that made the roman finally drop to his knees.

"Surrender now!"

The Roman unable to answer anymore, it appeared Julian was already half unconscious, he tried to stand with his seer spirit only until finally Emery and Klea broke them apart.

Klea jumped to catch the defeated Roman, while Emery approached Thrax and announced Thracian as the winner of the duel.

The legendary gladiator scream out his victory, while the crowds cheered in ecstasy. 

"Spartacus! Spartacus! Spartacus!"