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"The first challenge will be a test of brute strength!" announced Surtr.
With a wave of his hand, Surtr summoned a huge magic circle in the center of the arena. The ground began to shake slightly, and an intense red glow began to emanate from the point where Surtr had gestured. Liquid flames began to trace ancient runes in the air, drawing patterns too complex even for Alina to understand.
This was more than the arcane magic Alina knew, this was demonic arcane magic.
The magic circle was colossal, taking up almost half of the vast arena. The distorted runes glowed in shades of red, orange and deep black, pulsing with an almost palpable energy. Around the circle, demonic symbols flickered, as if they were alive, and in the center, a larger mark stood out, pulsing rhythmically like a flaming heart, radiating heat and power.
The atmosphere itself seemed charged with energy, with the air rippling from the heat and power emanating from the circle.
Surtr stepped forward, his imposing figure casting a long, menacing shadow.
"This magic circle," he said, gesturing to the glowing circle, "is a power meter. It will count the power of our blows in numbers. Whoever manages to overcome my strength, if the sum of all of you together passes or at least equals my score, you will move on to the next challenge."
He positioned himself in the center of the circle, his legs firmly planted on the ground. With a defiant look, Surtr raised his right arm, muscles rippling under the flaming armor, and closed his fist. Black flames began to envelop his arm, rising in spirals that grew in intensity and brightness. It was as if he were concentrating the fury of a thousand volcanoes in a single blow.
Og'tharoz, still boiling with rage, clenched his fists and took a step forward, but Alina held him back. "Wait," she whispered, "watch first."
Surtr punched the circle with monumental force. The impact was so violent that for a second it seemed as if the very space around his fist distorted. A rumbling sound, similar to thunder, echoed to all the students. The magic circle glowed brightly, each rune and symbol blazing with a blinding light. The ground shook violently, as if an earthquake had been triggered by Surtr's force.
At the point of impact, an explosion of flames rose upwards, like a column of fire that seemed to want to touch the sky. The heat was unbearable, forcing everyone present to take a few steps back.
The column of fire that rose up seemed to want to tear the sky apart, a manifestation of the hatred and pain accumulated in the demon's heart.
Alina covered her eyes, trying to protect herself from the blinding light. When she finally managed to peek through her fingers, she saw the numbers begin to form in the air, glowing a deep red. Each digit seemed to take forever to materialize, and the tension in the air was almost unbearable.
"How much is it?" asked Andrew, excited to see that force.
Og'tharoz fell to his knees, exhausted, his breathing heavy and irregular. He looked at the numbers with a mixture of frustration and realization.
The numbers were finally complete: 70,000,000!
Although he hadn't beaten Surtr, his blow had been tremendous.
Surtr, with a satisfied smile, stepped forward. "Impressive, Og'tharoz. Your strength is admirable, but you still have a long way to go to beat me." He turned to the others, his eyes blazing with challenge. "Who will be next?"
Alina stepped forward, her eyes determined. She knew she couldn't rely on brute strength alone.
"I'll try," she said, wanting to support Og'tharoz.
"Wait, Alina. This is a contest of brute strength, there's no point in you showing off your skills yet. We don't know what the next tests will be." Kaizen said.
Surtr arched an eyebrow, puzzled. "So, Psyker, it's you who will be the second?"
"No, he doesn't have to bother." Bloody Lily replied. "We only need 30 million to match your punch? I can do it myself."