Chapter 116 Air Bike Race [3]

"JAYDENNNN!!!" Thomas' loud yell nearly destroyed our eardrums.

"I think he hates you, Jayden. Good luck," I wished my friend to have a nice second semester.

"W-What? I have done nothing though?!" Jayden was utterly confused.

"You have done everything…Jayden…" I said as I glanced at Carla who was unusually quiet.

"What are you staring at, Edward?" She asked, noticing my gaze.

"Nothing. Your ears are red, Carla," I pointed out.

"W-What?!"

Too easy.

I smirked when Carla touched her ears.

"It's not over, Edward!" Ronald's voice prompted me to face him again. He was again throwing me boulders of several sizes.

"Anathemas Fire," four dark purple rings appeared around my right arm. The last few months, I was obviously not twiddling my thumbs. I reached the 4th Ascension a month ago, unlocked the 4th Wing of the Falkrona Bloodline, gained another ring of Vysindra, and obtained another Anima's core.

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[Edward Amael Falkrona] [16]

[4th Ascension]

[Charm: 30]

[Affection Points: 3765]

[Falkrona Bloodline~4th Wing~]

[Vysindra's Oath~4th Ring~]

[Spirit Lord~3rd Anima's Core~]

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"Fireball," I called out and a huge ball of purple fire appeared overhead. Jayden let out an astonished gasp behind me. I snapped my fingers and the ball of fire split into dozens of smaller fireballs, aimed straight at the boulders blocking our path. My control over the Anathemas was yet to be perfect, but it was significantly better than before.

The fireballs shot out and burned down the boulders to ashes in seconds. As we crossed the finish line, the announcer shouted the end of the first lap, with only one more lap remaining.

I grinned at the thought of spoiling Ronald's day, and pedaled harder while channeling more of my mana.

"Edward..?" Milleia's voice sounded surprised.

"Don't worry, just keep your pace," I replied. Carla and Jayden had different reactions.

"If we lose, it's because of you!" Carla exclaimed.

"Alright, Edward!" Jayden shouted, excited.

"Edward?! That bastard is coming! What do we do, John?!" Ronald shouted, shocked by my sudden rush.

John stared at me before reaching out his hand, and a dark red fire swirled in front of his palm at a tremendous speed, heating up the atmosphere. John and Layla were both using that dark red fire, which was their bloodline ability, making it extremely powerful like the Sunfire of Pyres or mine, though my fire was different, belonging to the Renegade Dragon.

"Flame Wave," John muttered, and a wave of burning red flame shot towards us.

Fast!

Shit!

I twisted the throttles and ducked my head, barely avoiding the flames that singed a few strands of my hair.

"Milleia!" I shouted, warning her of the incoming wave of fire. But before I could do anything, the wave headed towards her.

Thankfully, Milleia was quick to react. "Yes! Hexagonal Barrier!" A blue barrier appeared in front of her, repelling John's attack.

Carla was amazed by Milleia's ability. "A-Amazing, you are really strong, aren't you? Can't believe you stopped John's attack... She really has Raphie--"

I cut Carla off before she could reveal Milleia's bloodline. "Carla! What the heck? It's not the right moment!"

Carla quickly caught on and replied, "A-Ah, yes, I know!"

Jayden, who had been listening in, was curious. "Know what?"

"Nothing! Go away!" Carla snapped, trying to divert the conversation.

Ignoring the bickering duo, I turned my attention back to John. He wasn't finished yet. "Double Flame Wave," he announced and unleashed two streams of fire in my direction.

I swerved again, barely dodging the flames. My heart was pounding in my chest and my palms were slick with sweat. I knew I couldn't keep this up for long.

Thinking quickly, I turned my bike around and headed straight for John. He looked surprised for a moment before he raised his hand to defend himself.

But it was a feint. At the last moment, I swerved to the side and avoided his attack

I was up for the challenge. "You want to play that game? Alright!" I muttered to myself as I squeezed my right hand. "Sword." I pictured the same sword of Pyres in my mind and created a purple burning sword in my hand. With a quick movement, I swung the sword and it split the waves in two, devouring John's fire.

John narrowed his red eyes and suddenly slid the bike on the void to face me. "Protect Layla," he muttered to Ronald.

She ain't going to die! It's just an exam John!

"Edward!" Milleia, Carla and Jayden drove past me and looked confused behind them, at me.

I concentrated on John. The latter didn't try to hinder Milleia but he did glance at them. Twisting the throttles, he headed straight at me.

I also pedaled and headed toward him.

John raised his hand and a dark red sword formed in his hand.

Really a freak.

In a second, we reached each other and swung our swords.

"Ughh!" I and John were thrown off our bikes and we jumped away.

"Flames!" I shouted and purple flames sputtered out around my leg, keeping me floating. It was awkward and I had to have a great control on it but I had no choices. By the way, John was also floating thanks to that.

"What are you doing here?" Alfred couldn't hide his surprise when he saw me and Jayden. He was going to go past us but…

As if I would let him!

"Join us, Alfred!" I smirked and punched out my hand. "Fire Burning Cannon!"

"W-What?!" Thomas let out as he saw a cannon of purple fire dangerously approaching them.

"Michael! Lend me your strength!" Alfred, feeling the danger, summoned a shining golden barrier which held back my fire cannon. Both attacks seemed even as they tried to take the lead. "Thomas! Go!" Alfred shielded his companions.

"Yes! Your Highness!" Thomas left with the other two.

"E-Edward! You! You also reached the 4th Ascension?!" Alfred was shocked seeing my strength.

Only John wasn't reacting, no rather he was preparing something…

"What?!" Alfred was sure having a hard time as a dark red fire ball collided with his barrier as well and as expected, with my attack and John's attack, the barrier broke into pieces.

"John!" Alfred angrily shouted when he started to fall in the void. "Light Wings!" I don't need to describe what appeared on his back.

Anyway, neither I nor John could leave Alfred to continue, that's why we attacked him.

"You will regret that," Alfred glared at us and a sword of light appeared on his hand.

"A shame Alfred. But fear not. Milleia doesn't care whether you are first or last since she doesn't care about you." I cackled at Alfred.

"You are irritating, Edward!" With a flash of light, Alfred appeared in front of me.

"First Wing and Second Wing!" My thoughts and my speed rose a few levels higher and I avoided Alfred's swing.

"Fireball."

""Huh?!"" I and Alfred jumped away when we saw the burning fireball on our left.

That guy! He was trying to take us down together and cowardly on top of that!

"Kyaaa!"

"BRUGHHH!"

"ARGHHH!"

All the other groups who were behind us took the attack and were all thrown off of their bikes.

"Are you stupid?!" Alfred glared at John.

John walked toward us with a red flaming sword. He took a step and appeared into a trail of flame in front of Alfred.

Wow!

"!"

Alfred instinctively raised his sword and parried.

-BOOOM!

A powerful shockwave rippled in the surroundings after the impact.

Still with his impassive face, John raised again his sword and-

-BOOOM!

He continued to swing his sword at a frightening pace pushing back further and further Alfred.

Man…

He really hates Alfred…

"Enough!" Alfred raised his leg and kicked John, sending him a few meters back.

"..." John raised his gaze and charged towards Alfred again…

His sword blazing with flames. Alfred parried his attack with ease, the sword of light emitting a blinding flash of light. The clash of their swords echoed through the battlefield as they exchanged blows.

It wasn't a fight between first years…

The pressure and strength behind each attack were clearly in the 4th Ascension.

Alfred swung his sword of light towards John, who blocked it with his own sword. Alfred's sapphire eyes clashed with John's red eyes. I knew that Alfred was considering John as his rival so he might feel even more determined but…I don't think the latter thought of the same thing. The only thing John wanted was the safety of his sister.

"Burn brighter." The flames on John's sword grew stronger, causing Alfred to step back. John seized the opportunity and lunged towards Alfred, aiming for his heart.

What the hell?!

Directly to his heart?!

Fortunately, Alfred quickly regained his composure, dodging John's attack and delivering a swift strike to his side. John grunted in pain, but didn't give up. He swung his sword once again, flames spreading in all directions.

Alfred's sword of light glowed brighter, illuminating the battlefield. He countered John's attack with a powerful strike, causing the flames on his sword to diminish. John stumbled back, but regained his footing quickly.

"You became stronger, Alfred." A small rictus appeared on John's face and honestly it was creepy from the usual impassive John.

"Oh~Your Highness!" Layla's voice boomed. She already completed the lap and was reaching the finishing line with Ronald and Elona. But then her eyes fell on her dear brother clearly wanting to squeeze out blood from her beloved Highness.

"Brother! I will never forgive you if you hurt His Highness!"

Layla, we are currently in competition.

Even now she was distracted because of Alfred's pathetic state.

Behind her I could see my sister seriously driving and Ronald…

That bastard was grinning ear to ear seeing Alfred floating on the air helplessly without his bike.

A smirk appeared on my face.

Let's ruin his smile and his day while I am at it.

"Second Wing!" I yelled out my special ability and leaped into action, activating the "Falkrona Bloodline Second Wing" to gain speed and agility.

Ronald was caught off guard as I delivered a swift blow to his face, knocking him off his bike and sending him flying. With a quick maneuver, I grabbed hold of his bike mid-air and continued my chase.

"R-Ronald!" Elona called out Ronald's name, but he was too busy recovering from my attack to hear her. Milleia soon joined me on her bike, her dress fluttering in the wind.

"Where are Carla and Jayden?" I asked Milleia, realizing they were nowhere to be seen.

"They're fighting Lord Thomas, Tituan, and Nisha back there," Milleia replied, glancing worriedly over her shoulder.

Ahead of us, Alfred and John were locked in a heated battle while Layla and Elona raced past them towards the finish line five kilometers away.

"We're on our own for now," I said, focusing on the road ahead.