Chapter 7: (1/9)

Merlara had no problem allowing Kain to fight first. To be fair, Kain did not have a chance to show off in the last battle when she single hand eliminated the last two members of the opponent team and secured their places in the semi-final.

As the team leader, Merlara turned in the roster while Aber turned in the roster for his team. Aber thought Merlara would go first. But when he heard the announcer notify that it was Kain who would be the first to fight, he regretted his decision of letting Kris Embers be the first to fight for his team. Not because Aber thought Kris will lose to Kain, it was because Aber wanted to be the one who defeated Kain to avenge for exposing his arranged marriage in front of Jaane when he was giving her a tour. Furthermore, the audience has been talking about Kain too much. Aber wanted the audience to know that he is much more powerful compared to Kain Almos.

Kain and Kris walked into the arena then patiently waited for the battle signal to fire while the audience was cheering out loud. In the audience, all Student Mages of Nosh, Professor Biersack, Executioner Bodwyn, and Lord Clerico were also present.

“This tournament bullshit has been dragging on for too long. I was recruited by the Mages Council and became a member of the Gray as planned. There is no reason to play with any of those weaklings anymore.” Kain thought to himself while chanting for [Conjure Skeleton Warrior].

The signal for battle to start was fired and Kain immediately casted [Conjure Skeleton Warrior] three times and commanded them to attack Kris. Kris activated [Thunder Step] and sprinted behind Kain then he casted [Shocking Grasp] but Kain faded away because it was his [Shadow Clone]. Kris grinned as he doesn't need to know where the real Kain is. Kris casted [Thunder Storm] and the entire arena repeatedly filled with numerous Thunder Strikes for twenty seconds. The three Skeletons were killed before the duration of [Thunder Storm] was over. Kain remained unaffected because all of the Thunder Strikes created by [Thunder Storm] spell did not hit him but hit his Thunder Eagle instead. The Eagle was flying above Kain and absorbed all damages from the [Thunder Storm] that aimed to hit him.

“When did he cast [Conjure Thunder Eagle]?” Kris silently asked himself. The Thunder Eagle was immune to all Novice Thunder spells. But because Kain is a Master Conjurer Mage, his Thunder Eagle was immune to all Novice and Intermediate Thunder spells.

[Shocking Grasp], level 11 Thunder spell. This spell will stun a targeted subject within a hundred feet away and then grasp the target toward the caster in an instant.

[Thunder Storm], level 20 Thunder spell. This spell will fill the targeted area with numerous Thunder Strikes for twenty-second. The targeted area can be increased to be bigger but it will cost the caster more mana to cast.

“Do you think that you are safe just because your Thunder Eagle is immune to all Novice and Intermediate Thunder spells? Don’t forget that I’m a Master Thunder Mage!” Kris shouted as he activated [Supercharge], casted [Storm Bringer], and then sprinted toward Kain. Because Kris's [Thunder Step] spell was still activated, his incredible speed helped him appear behind Kain in three seconds.

[Supercharge], level 25 Thunder spell. This activation spell will double the duration for the [Thunder Storm] spell or [Storm Bringer] spell.

[Storm Bringer], level 30 Thunder spell. This spell will automatically cast [Thunder Strike] spell on all living subjects within fifty feet radius of the caster for four minutes. Thunder Strikes created by [Storm Bringer] are ten times stronger compared to the Thunder Strikes created by [Thunder Storm].

Because [Supercharge] was activated, the duration for Kris's [Storm Bringer] was increased to eight minutes.

“Uh… This fool shouted for no reason. I didn’t even say anything.” Kain privately thought to himself while he activated the [Soul Bridge] technique. A portal was opened and an Eagle flew through it. Unlike Thunder Eagle, this Eagle has hands and feet like a human being. Because its chest was flat, the audience can guess it is a he, not she. The Eagle Man is about six feet tall and weight maybe one ninety pounds if not including the pair of wings on his back. The Eagle Man wore a full metal plate armor including a helmet and when he spread his wings, a long thin sword approximately seven feet long and one foot wide can be seen on his back.

"A Demi-Human? Demi-Humans can't use magic. The best it can do is fight me using the sword on its back. My [Storm Bringer] will electrocute it to death. No melee attacker would be strong enough to successfully land a melee strike on me while I still have [Storm Bringer]. Not even a Saint-tier warrior can withstand it." Kris informed himself when he saw the Eagle Man flew from the portal opened by [Soul Bridge].

"Kain." The Eagle Man nodded his head as it acknowledged Kain.

"Finwe." Kain replied while nodding his head in respect.

"Him?"

"Yes."

Right after the portal closed. Finwe casted [Thunder Step] to boost his flying speed. After that, Finwe drew the long sword out using his right hand, flew toward Kris, and began attacking him using his sword.

The Lightning Strikes created by Kris's [Storm Bringer] repeatedly strikes Finwe but he was immune to it all. Kris decided to run away but his running [Thunder Step] was not fast enough compared to Finwe's flying [Thunder Step]. Finwe caught up to Kris and stabbed him from behind. Then Finwe flew in front of Kris and continually slashed him twenty times in five seconds.

"Thunder Mage, I will grant you a quick death. You're welcome." Finwe humbly said while he was stabbing his sword into Kris's throat to kill him.

The announcer announced in a sad expression, "This match is over. Kain Almos won."

Kris was revived and carried out of the arena. In the audience, Executioner Bodwyn asked, "Lord Clerico, I have never seen Demi-Human use magic before. Is this Eagle Man-"

"He is not a Demi-Human. That Eagle Man is an evolved Thunder Eagle."

"I didn't know Magical Creatures can evolve. I fought with a rogue Conjurer Mage before and have seen a Thunder Eagle Emperor conjured by him. It was three times larger compared to a regular Thunder Eagle and can use Master-tier Thunder spells. Nevertheless, it still looked like any other Thunder Eagles."