Chapter 175 - 173: The Three Way Battle.

(Third person POV)

The main academy arena was packed with people. People from all around the nation and also from other nations were gathered at one place to witness this year's inter-house competition. 

The attendance of this year was jam-packed. The event in itself was in high demand, so much so that even the rise in the price of the ticket didn't affect the sale. Huge names such as Eira Hoffmann, Dean Meier, Killian Dirksen, Flock Dirksen, Otto Ormr, and Win Lange were on the list of the competitors that were taking part from the first and second year. 

Along with the above-mentioned list of names, people also had an eye on one particular individual. There were various stories of him that circulated around, some stories that mentioned him winning the moon glitter festival. 

The story goes as follows "Grey Hoffmann took part in the moon glitter festival of Goldberg city, there he defeated Killian Dirksen and Otto Ormr to win the competition." 

There are many different versions of the stories,

"Grey and Killian had a legendary battle in which Grey barely won. In end, both shared each other's respect."

While another version of the story is "This rumor of Grey Hoffmann is false since there is no he beat Killian Dirksen and Otto Ormr, over that the rumor says that he nearly killed Killian, that's a lie. I have seen Killian fight. He is one of the strongest people in the first and second year, his strength is on part with Otto and Eira."

There were also various stories such as "He took on all the disciple of seven virtues alone." 

Most of the stories that were flying around were assumed to be false. People who hated him and people who loved his stories all eyes were set on the arena.

People who hated him wanted to see him getting beaten at the hand of Kylie Idun and Dusk Karkoj. People who were curious about him were rooting for him.

"Ding!! ding!!"

the sound of the bell caught everyone's attention. The sound of the bell usually means that announces will start speaking. The crowd went pin-drop silent as they waited for the announcer to speak. 

"Thank you, everyone, for your patience, now without further ado, we will start with today's matches!!!"

It was a feminine voice. The announcer was transmitting mana through her throat to make her voice heard throughout the huge arena. It was a thing that only Air mages could do. 

This announcement was enough to bring excitement to the crowd. 

"Now, it would be unfair if we do not start this match with a grand match. The following match will be the first match of a three-way battle between each competitor of all three houses." 

She paused before speaking again, "Everyone has their eyes set on the contenders that will be fighting in this match. Let's start the match!!!"

Pointing towards the right entrance of the arena she spoke " Introducing first, the pride of the Artemis Kingdom. He is a second-year student who will be representing the mage-warrior class, Dusk Karkoj!!!"

As his name was called, he walked inside the ring. With white-colored fur, he had long white ears. He was of hops race, they closely resembled rabbits and shared characteristics such as long ears and round rail.

"Introducing second, she has solidified her name in everyone's memory during last year's competition. Her ruthless way of fighting caught everyone's attention. The finalist that stood against Eira Hoffmann, will she beat everyone to again face Eira in the finals? She is from the second year and will be representing the pure mage house, Kylie Idun!!!"

As her name was called, she walked into the arena. Even after being a mage, she wore shiny white armor that was in contrast to her hair. But this contrast went well together.

Along with her, she carried a small staff since this competition allowed staff for mages.

The crowd cheered for her since she was popular for her ruthlessness in the arena. But the cheer soon died down as they saw another guy walking out of the entrance towards the ring. 

"Introducing the third competitor, he is the guy who is talking of everyone's conversation. He was not known to the world unless recently, but the stories of his hidden life are everywhere. He is the villain of some stories, while he is the hero of others' stories. Who exactly is this prince? He is from the first year, he is representing the warrior class. The Bleeding ashen of the Goldberg city!! he is also known as ghost prince!!! Grey Hoffmann!!!"

He walked towards the center of the arena as his name was called. He was wearing a white t-shirt over which he wore black armor. There was no particular weapon that he was carrying, he walked empty-handed in the arena.

Turning his head he turned to look at his dad, Emilia, Illya, and Annie. There was also Grandma Lozen who was seated with other professors since she was the wise principal of the academy. 

There were more people in the crowd that knew Grey than Grey himself had realized. 

"The rules of the match will be as followed. It's a simple rule, the person who stands last will be the one that will enter the final round. The match will begin when the bell is sounded. Good luck to everyone!!! and I will leave this arena since I will only get in your guy's way!! Again, Good luck!!"

The announcer left the arena and the person who was left in the arena was the three competitors.

Dusk took out his daggers as he stood in a ready position. The daggers he held were small, with pointy but blunt edges. 

Kylie ran mana through her body to better process the spell. Whereas Grey got in a ready position as he summoned his icicle sword. It was a slender sword that was suitable for quick close-combat fights.

"Ding!"

"Mystic Rain!!!"

The sound of the bell was followed by the Razor rain spell. Kylie shot a ball of water in the sky which exploded in mid-air, raining back to the ground. 

{Author: Mystic Rain is a spell that rains water droplet which is as heavy as a rock. The impact that is caused by each drop varies from user to user.}

Condensing an icicle shield, Grey shielded himself from the rain. Whereas Dusk ran through the rain dodging each and every drop with his incredible reflex. Unlike normal rain, the drops of this water were scarce which made it easier to dodge. 

Dusk was able to close the distance between him and Kylie. Using light steps, a wind-type spell, he got close enough to launch an attack. 

"You really are quick on your feet ------" 

Dusk swung his small dagger through Kylie. As he sliced through her, her severed head fell to the ground. 

Landing on his feet, Dusk was stunned "Huh? my dagger is blunt!!! I didn't mean to kill her!!!!"

Letting out a chuckle she spoke, "haha, don't worry you didn't kill me." it was Kylie herself with her head still attached. 

Dusk quickly looked back at the severed head to find a small pool of water in its place.

"How?"

"What do you mean by how ----" Before Kylie could finish her sentence, her instinct kicked in as she looked back.

"Don't forget about me," said Grey as he kicked through only to find out that it was just a body made out of water.

"A cheap shot? it's cheating! but well you were still not able to catch me. But you can-----" 

again interrupted she saw Grey dashing towards her as he punched his fist through her body. Just to get water splashed in his clothes, it was another body made out of water.

"Seriously? did you interrupt me again? and another cheap shot? that's so -----"

Grey ran his hand through his wet hair as he spoke "You are able to quickly step back as you switch your place with a clone. Looks like something that only a seal marking can do." 

Dusk looked towards Grey as he said "Seal marking? that's why I couldn't understand what she was doing." 

Grey chuckled as he said "Yeah, but aren't you using seal marking like too soon? do you want to show off your power that bad? or are you trying to get back at me for what I did to you yesterday? well, I already told you sorry."

She raised her hand as she said "Shut up! I only want to win---"

She was again interrupted as Dusk dashed through her only to hit another clone of hers. The wind that was surrounded Dusk as he used light steps resulted in the water of clones splashing everywhere.

"Another clone!!!!" shouted dusk, irritated. 

There was one thing going through Grey's mind, 'Her reflex is monstrous gotta give her that.. Or else it is not that easy to dash back while creating a clone, well she is using seal marking but that is still an incredible feat nonetheless.'