Chapter 325: An Abrupt Situation [1]

Chapter 325: An Abrupt Situation [1]



Six orbs appeared in my mind.

They were all within arm's length.

So long as I reached my hand, I'd be able to touch them.

Standing before them, I felt the urge to touch them. I knew that something would happen were I to touch them, but I stopped myself.

I knew that it wasn't time just yet.

Looking around me, and seeing the darkness that enveloped the six orbs, I found myself shaking my head.

"....There's so much missing."

This was vastly different than what I understood about domains. What stood before me was merely the framework of what would later become my domain. I needed to expand the concept that stood before me before even remotely thinking about the last step- Materialization.

But that step seemed a distant one.

For now, I could only focus on expanding the concept that was in front of me.

"Joy, Rage, Sorrow, Affection, Fear, Shock."

Six words appeared beneath each orb.

They each represented an emotion, but at the same time, three carried different meanings as opposed to the six main emotions.

Why...?

Why was it like this?

I stood in silence, pondering over what felt like forever. I could feel that the answer was at the tip of my tongue, and yet, each time I felt that I was close to the answer, my mind would blank.

It was a frustrating process that repeated repeatedly until I was finally pulled away from my mind.

'...I was close.'

Seeing Leon's face, I knew that I could only try next time.

There was still another round of battles, and I couldn't carelessly handicap myself before the match.

Taking a deep breath, I glanced his way,

".... With the way that you're looking at me, I'd be more worried about you than Caius."

All I felt were goosebumps with the way he was looking at me.

11

Leon didn't say anything and just squinted his eyes.

Eventually, he asked,

"Were you practicing your domain?"

"Hm?"

How did he know?

As if he could read my thoughts, Leon answered.

"...It's your eyes."

"My eyes?"

I took out a small reflective surface and looked at my reflection. Staring into those deep hazel eyes of mine, I turned back to look at Leon.

"What's wrong with my eyes?"

"....They're normal now."

"Then?"

"They were changing color just a few moments ago when you were in a trance."

"Uh?"

I blinked my eyes, staring at my reflection once more. Changing color? In what way...? No, I think I knew in what way.

There were six different colors in the orbs.

Perhaps the color change stemmed from each orb that resided within my consciousness.

If that was the case, then it'd make sense.

But outside of all of that, I suddenly grew curious about something as I turned to look at Leon who was staring back at me with an impassive expression.

Recalling how he had mentioned all of this, I suddenly realized something.

"You, you've developed a concept as well?"

"....That's a secret."

Leon replied with a thin smile.

A secret?

the top.

It was one of the taller platforms, and from where I was, I could see the other platforms

beneath.

None of the platforms were on the same level, with some more elevated than the others. 'Looks like Leon got an easier opponent.'

He was standing opposite a face that I could recognize from the videos. He was a decent contender, but nowhere near Leon's level.

Looking down, I could see more familiar faces appear.

Kaelion, Caius, Aoife, Amell... Gradually, all the top contenders appeared one by one. Seeing

this, I sighed in relief, thinking that I'd have an easier draw, but the next moment, my heart

sank.

Kiera stood at the opposite end, her long platinum hair cascading down her back, and her deep crimson eyes locked in a stoic gaze. She wore the familiar black uniform, her usual demeanor

replaced by an unsettling calm.

Following her appearance, the referee appeared as well.

He stood in between us and glanced in our direction before raising his hand.

"Kiera Mylne from the Nurs Ancifa Empire versus Julien Evenus from the Nurs Ancifa

Empire."

My muscles tensed, popping silently as I got into position and stared in Kiera's direction. This

fight... It was going to be extremely difficult.

"Hoo."

I needed to be ready.

Glancing our way one more time, he threw his hand down.

"Begin!"

***

Moments prior.

The studio picked up on the match between Julien and Kiera immediately. The moment the

two appeared, the broadcast started as Johanna and Karl started to introduce the two

contestants.

<It looks like the two dark horses of the tournament will now be fighting against each other!>

There was obvious excitement in this match.

Who wouldn't be excited with the prospect of seeing two underdogs fight against each other? Noticing the boost in viewership, Karl's speaking became faster.

<On one side we have Kiera who is the favoured one in the match. Despite Julien's amazing performances as of late, he is the underdog in this match. It's funny...>

Karl laughed.

<The two of them both come from the same institute and once, Julien was hailed as the

number one prospect. However, now things have changed. From the looks of things, he has fallen to fourth place in regard to the general rank between those of the same institute.

Perhaps it was because of his injury, or perhaps other reasons, the others have caught up with

him>

Alternating his gaze between the two contestants, Karl sighed.

<This match will be a heavy one for Julien. It'll determine if he'll ever get a chance to get his

position back, or...>

Karl's words stopped halfway through.

Just as he was speaking the referee announced the start of the match.

He, alongside Johanna and everyone that was watching, was expecting either Julien or Kiera

to start with an explosive move, but the scene shook everyone to the core.

Looking in Julien's direction, Kiera lowered her body.

She then began to mumble something.

Then, without hesitation, she turned back and jumped off the platform, flames appearing

beneath her feet, decreasing the speed of her fall before she safely landed on the ground beneath as if it were nothing.

In the silence that took over the studio and those watching the match, the referee's voice

echoed.

<...The winner is Julien Evenus of the Nurs Ancifa Empire>

All hell broke loose shortly after that.