Far calmer than the Agrerian guild leader, Silver Cloud voiced his agreement. His discontent clear in his voice. "She's right. We can't sit back and have you cause trouble."
"Yes! You're going to ruin everything!" Green Ivy added.
"Calm down. I just need to make an announcement." Eldrian tried to diffuse the situation, however, the two groups seemed to worry about the same thing. Afraid that once Eldrian said what he wanted, that Miracle might cancel the finals.
"We can't have you disrupt the match!" They shouted, both groups fanning out to surround Eldrian. Having come to a tacit agreement.
[What? Are they going to fight?]
[Why the heck did Eldrian appear here? Now?]
[...]
Sighing, Eldrian realized what they were unhappy about. Sadly, his plan didn't really give room for the players and the tournament. "Look, I get you might be mad and disappointed if my meddling causes problems with the rewards. But this is important."
"If you are aware of that, then you should remove yourself!" Green Ivy shouted. Naturally, with a million dollars on the line for each, not one of them wanted to risk letting Eldrian ruin things
"That...sadly isn't an option." Eldrian sighed. He understood how tempting the rewards were. Letting him ruin it was certainly not something the guilds could accept.
"Then we will have to remove you from here!" Green Ivy shouted.
'Seems there's no helping it. Right, they won't lose levels due to this. I guess that is a small blessing.' Eldrian sighed, putting up a simple ice barrier to block the arrows which arrived moments after Green Ivy's shout. Spells following behind not much later.
'Then again, this will be for the best. I do need to showcase that I have the ability to back my words. My announcement is going to be difficult to believe.' With that, Eldrian determined that it was for the best.
Staying still, not moving an inch from where he arrived. He waved his hand and formed a dozen spears of ice. Canceling the barrier, he sent them at the two groups. The spears moving faster than arrows, half of them landing right on target. Ripping through the rough formation of the two groups.
Screams of pain filled the air as six players found themselves impaled to the ground. Their HP dropping massively, some even dying on the spot.
"Look, you won't be able to reach me." Eldrian said, his words only fanning the flames. Both these guilds had proven themselves to be the best of the best. Sure, there were speculations that Phoenix might measure up to them...
But to lose to a single player. Neither guild could accept this.
"Don't get cocky!" Green Ivy shouted, dashing in from Eldrian's blindside.
Her daggers flashed as she aimed for his neck, only for her to be sent flying back. The next wave of arrows resulted in similar shock waves, devastating the surroundings. The poor guild leader found herself near death when the waves ended.
"I apologize." Eldrian mumbled, another wave of his hands summoning a mass of wind blades. Devastating the Agrerian guild. Their defenses were helpless against the constant onslaught.
Seeing this, Zinopia halted. Staring at Eldrian warily. When Eldrian moved his attention to them, Oasis rushed to the front and erected a barrier around her friends and placing her shield to the front.
"Impressive." Eldrian noted. "Then I assume you might understand what I am going to say."
Silence settled into the chat as the players watched Eldrian dominate over the strongest guilds. The sight before them made no sense.
[I-Is this real?] Someone finally dared ask.
There were plenty of rumors surrounding Eldrian, but what they were seeing made those rumors seem far too lacking.
[It can't be... Right?] They clearly remember Eldrian's ability to cast spells wordlessly and seemingly without pause. But what they were seeing now was miles, light years even, ahead of last year.
In the VIP cabin, the gathered group stared at the stage with rapt attention. Half of them grinning, the other half frowning. Qiren had already ordered the mobilization of Axel and his squad.
"You've noticed it, right?" Eldrian asked, his question aimed towards Oasis, who dared not lower her guard. "There's more to magic than what it first appears."
Oasis frowned. However, she was glad that Eldrian did not attack right away. "I have no idea what you're talking about!"
"Really? I guess you've only reached the Tier recently. You haven't had much experience in guiding your mana." Eldrian mumbled as several other figures suddenly appeared around him.
"Oh, General Axel. Seems we meet again." Eldrian turned to the new arrivals, smiling at the man whose left side was burnt and lacking an ear.
"You sure are acting cocky. Think we didn't come prepared?" The general replied, staring at Eldrian with a certain amount of hatred.
"I do hope you did. I need to properly showcase my abilities. Please, do make it a good show." Eldrian replied with a smile. Turning to Zinopia with an apology. "It seems that the true show is about to start. Apologies, but I will have you all stay where you are."
Extending his hand towards Oasis, Eldrian called upon the feeling he had experienced during his duel with Levana. He cleared his mind and called upon the power of ice. Icy mist extended from his hands and covering the ground. Freezing the grass solid and even liquefying the air coming into contact with it.
[What's going on?] A question on everyone's mind as they watched the icy mist spread from Eldrian towards everyone.
Sensing the danger, Oasis roared for everyone to fall back. Turning tail and running. The new arrivals were a bit more cocky, and those who were too slow to act soon found themselves frozen, just like the blades of grass.
In the end, only three people were frozen. But the sight still sent chills through everyone's backs. They had not even been able to mutter a sound before being frozen solid.
"Then, let me start with my first announcement... Magic is real!" Eldrian shouted, his voice echoing powerfully through the stage and across the stadium. His announcement causing murmurs across the various viewers. However, many did not believe him.
In the VIP cabins, a few smiles turned to frowns. However, there were still a good number of smiling members. Watching Eldrian's actions with great interest. Among them were Jade, Zaphreal, and Julius. The three smiled as they pondered what Eldrian's plans were.
"I know it sounds insane, but—" Eldrian jumped to the side. A javelin tore through the air where he used to be, accompanied by the thundering roar of the sound barrier being broken.
"What nonsense are you spouting!?" Axel shouted, the other soldiers readying their own javelins.
"It sounds insane! I know! But once you reach Tier 5, I am sure you will feel it too!" Eldrian continued, remembering that he needed to leave room for interpretation. "The feeling you get—"
He summoned Crystoi and diverted the next javelin's direction. A crater forming where it pierced the earth. Accompanied by a sonic boom.
"The feeling of mana flowing through you. It isn't limited to just inside ANW! I ask everyone who is close to reaching Tier 5 to search yourself. Meditate and focus on the feeling of mana flowing through you! I am sure—"
"Enough!" Dancing to avoid the continued barrage of javelins, Eldrian snapped. "I am trying to explain something important here!" Dashing forward, Eldrian summoned his anger. Keeping his mind clear so he would not lose sight of his goal, but wishing to properly display his power.
"You will be able to feel it too!" He said, wreathed in flames as he slammed his spear into one of the soldier's avatar.
Their bodies were the embodiment of OP, but they lacked control. And while the hardiness of their skin stopped the spear from piercing them through, Crystoi still broke the skin. And through the crack, the flames of wrath soared.
AN: Remember to vote and comment if you are enjoying the story.