Chapter 7: (2/9)

"Magical Creatures can train themselves to be stronger, just like us. Thunder Eagles that are strong enough can evolve into humanoid configuration and speak human language but only if they come in contact with the Magical Evolving Stone."

"Magical Evolving Stone? I have never heard of this before."

"Toria Continents doesn't have any Magical Evolving Stone. No wonder you didn't know about it. The reason I know about this is because my Soul-Bound creature told me."

"Speaking of Soul-Bound creatures, I have never seen you activate your [Soul Bridge] technique."

"Be glad then. For the past eight hundred thousand (800,000) years, no one was strong enough for me to call her out. The day I have to use my [Soul Bridge] technique is the day I meet someone that I can not win against. Let's hope this day will never come. Well, at least not until I become a God and finally move on from this realm."

"You are right, Lord Clerico."

"David, I'm not happy with Kain's performance today. He used [Soul Bridge] too early. There are still two more opponents and this is just a semi-final. He should keep it confidential until the very end of the final battle. His opponents will now formulate strategies to defeat him. Do you agree?"

"I agreed. From what I have discovered, Kain loves to go all out regardless of how weak his opponent is. Arthur is the same way."

"Damn youngsters. We needed to train them to learn how to keep their trump card hidden."

"For the next match, we have Aber Hardy of Mages' Academy of Flumen! The match will start in thirty seconds." The announcer announced in a happy tone.

Standing only thirty feet away from Kain and Finwe, Aber said, "Kain Almos, good to see you."

"Shit head, likewise."

"I have to admit, you are strong and very lucky. I see that you have bound a unique creature to your Conjurer Soul. Congratulations."

"Okay… I hate making small talk before the battle. You should keep your mouth shut."

"You know that I will defeat you, don't you?"

"Gosh darn it, just shut up."

"The battle is about to start, both contenders please go back to your post." The announcer notified.

Aber laughed as he walked back to the position mark on his side which is three hundred feet away.

The signal for battle to start was fired.

Aber casted [Summon Ice Guardian] and the Ice Guardian immediately casted [Ice Barrier] on Aber and itself. Aber casted [Ice Spear] four times and commanded it to fly toward Kain.

Finwe turned to look at Kain, but Kain shook his head while he was casting [Conjure Skeleton Warriors] four times and commanded them to block the Ice Spears. Finwe flew upward to observe the battle between Aber and Kain from above. After the Ice Spears was blocked five times by the Skeletons, it faded away.

Kain casted [Conjure Fire Demon] two times and commanded them to attack Aber. The Demons casted [Fireball] spells then sprinted toward Aber and attacked him using the Fire Punches technique. All were blocked by the [Ice Barrier] spells casted by Aber's Ice Guardian.

Aber kept looking up at Finwe then turned toward Kain and yelled to ask, "Isn't your Soul-Bound creature going to attack?"

Kain shouted back to reply, "Nah, I don't want you to cry like a little bitch later saying I won because of my overpower Soul-Bound creature. This will be a battle between you and me."

"Do you honestly believe that I will fall for such a scheme? That Eagle Man is going to impale me in the back the moment I lost sight of him."

"Believe whatever you want. I don't care."

"How can I believe that you are willing to give up on the prize of winning this tournament?"

"Wait, what prize?"

"For Student Master Mages, each team member of the winning team will receive one thousand gold coins and a platinum staff embedded with six Magical Elemental Stones for each team member based on their Elemental Souls."

"Hmm… Professor Biersack didn't mention anything about the winning prize. Perhaps he thought I could never win." Kain thought to himself.

"Thank you for explaining. Finwe will not interfere in our battle, you have my word."

Aber shook his head because he wouldn't believe that. Aber casted [Death Frost] two times. Two blue circles were forming under the Fire Demons' location. Two seconds later, it finished forming the circle. Two Fire Demons were frozen and then exploded into tiny pieces. Aber then commanded his Ice Guardian to spam [Ice Spear] spells toward Kain to keep him busy while he chanted for [Ice Nova].

Kain casted [Conjure Ice Gargoyle] and commanded it to cast [Ice Barrier] spell on himself to protect Kain from the Ice Spears created by the Ice Guardian. After that, Kain casted [Conjure Skeleton Warrior] thirty-six times and commanded them to create a shield wall together with the other four Skeletons. Those forty Skeletons were assigned to defend Kain while the Ice Gargoyle flew toward Aber to attack him.

Aber casted [Blizzard] toward Kain's location while continued chanting for [Ice Nova]. The Gargoyle casted [Ice Barrier] on itself to guard against the powerful Blizzard. Aber smirked because he knew Ice Gargoyle is not immune to Ice magic spells. Therefore, it had to go into defensive mode when facing his powerful [Blizzard].

Kain casted [Conjure Fire Demon] and commanded it to cast [Flame Wall] spell two times to create two layers of Flame Wall that can temporarily halt the advancement of Aber's Blizzard. Aber knew his Blizzard wouldn't be enough to defeat Kain, but it would keep him busy long enough. Aber casted [Ice Nova] and a very bright white aura appear from Aber. Three seconds after that, a loud explosion was heard and frozen everything inside the entire arena. The audience was protected by powerful magical barriers but they could feel the chilling effect coming from inside the arena.

"Game over, Kain Almos." Aber softly whispered as he saw all of Kain's conjured creatures were frozen to death. Aber's Ice Guardian faded away one second before he casted his [Ice Nova] spell due to mana depletion after it casted four [Ice Barrier] spells and thirty-two [Ice Spear] spells. The only creature was not affected by Aber's [Ice Nova] was Finwe because he flew too high above the arena outside the reach of [Ice Nova] earlier to observe the battle between Kain and Aber.

"It doesn't matter. That Eagle Man will soon be banished back to his realm since his Conjurer-" Aber stopped thinking as he saw the Eagle Man fly down carrying Kain with him.