Ashley tried to utilize this mechanic before, imbuing all types of weapons with her {F-Rank Skill: Steam Conjuring} but due to the low rank and poor control that she has, it had little to no effect. To Ashley, these weapons are just much sturdier sticks or swords.
The matches started. Cheers erupt from the crowd as the first set of students walk up to the stage. Ashley notices the nervous tension lingering in the two students that are preparing to fight. Even though this is only practice, using violence is still a little nerve-wracking for students who have not done any sort of martial arts or fighting before.
In the red corner was a tall man, wielding a short sword and a buckler. He tries to imbue the weapons with his {Skill}, giving the sword a red glow. The glow slowly moves throughout his body, starting from his hands all the way to his shoulders.
It looks like a
In the blue corner, a slightly shorter man picked up a cylindrical object, similar to a stick. It's only as long as a ruler so it's not like a Quarter Staff. The short man spins wand around before standing still and closing his eyes.
Ah, so it's a wand. Ashley smiles to herself. I don't know the specifics but I've read that weapons or devices that people are familiar with or have seen in media gives them a better sense of how to apply their {Skills} into it.
The wand soon starts to glow, heat emanating from the tip. His face scrunches up, trying to focus to the best of his capabilities and he finally succeeds. A ball of fire the size of a baseball emerges at the wand's tip.
Looks powerful. But unless he can shorten the charge time, it won't have much use, Ashley thought.
The two students try to warm up. But the match will soon start, signalling the first fight of the day.
Nikita stands in the middle of the stage. She looks at both students before walking back to the edge of the stage, clearing her throat.
"We shall start the first mock battle. Let's welcome in our contestants." Nikita waves her hand towards the red corner. "In the red corner, is Grant Halloway. Wielding a short sword and a buckler, he possesses the {D-Rank Skill: Physical Enhancement}, allowing him to amplify certain parts of his body." Pointing to the blue corner, Nikita continued. "In the blue corner is Felix Vance. His weapon of choice is a wand, matching perfectly with his Skill, {D-Rank Skill: Spark Creation}. It allows him to amplify the small sparks he creates into a fireball."
Ashley had tried using a wand before. Her experiences with it weren't all that great considering that the most she could do is make a small cloud of steam. She still remembered the embarrassment she felt as someone next to her was able to create a plant grow from the ground. The world truly does choose favorites.
Grant walks towards Felix, offering his hand. "No hard feelings, okay?"
With a smile, Felix shook Grant's hand. "You too. Let's both do our best." The crowd cheered for the soft bromance unfolding on the stage. The two of them went back to their respective spots as Nikita continued.
"Just as a reminder, I want the both of you to have respect for your opponent. This is not a real fight. This is just a demonstration of what you are able to do with your skills. Ingenuity and tenacity are key. Without further ado, begin." As soon as he was given the okay, Grant lunges forward, keeping his guard up while closing the distance against him and his opponent.
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The sword swung down towards Felix as he was charging up a fireball. The sword's edge covers Felix's gaze. He just needed a little bit more time. Even a second more would be enough. But as Grant's boot stomped heavily on the ground, Felix lost focus. He instinctively fired the half-charged fireball at Grant, fizzling out before it even hit him. But this was enough for Felix to dodge Grant's sword by hair's breadth. With a chance encounter, Felix immediately increased the distance between the two of them, firing weaker shots that would be more accurate to call "sparks" rather than fireballs.
In the corner of Grant's eye, he sees the sparks flying towards him. With swift movements, he raises his buckler up, blocking the fire. Remaining quick on his steps, Grant chased after Felix around the stage, trying to corner or make him run out of steam. Sooner or later, one of them has to go down.
Wait a minute, Felix thought. Why is Grant's aura only on his arms? Felix fired several more shots at Grant while deftly dodging Grant's swings. And as predicted, Grant raises his arms to block the shots.
With a hearty laugh and a taunt, Grant shouted. "Come on, Felix! Is that all you got?" A giant smile resting on Grant's face.
Felix is losing stamina fast. He needs to find a way to get past Grant's defenses. But with Felix's sharp perception, he noticed something. What if I tried this? Felix fires several more shots directed at Grant's chest which he blocks.
"Are you just gonna continue shooting your fire pellets forever? Well, I won't let you!" Grant charges in once more. Stomping his boot onto the ground, lunging forward with speed. And that's when Felix had his chance. He points his wand slightly lower, aiming for Grant's legs. As the wand glowed, several shots of fire emerged, reaching Grant's legs.
"Ugh…!" Grant grunted in pain as he stumbled down.
"Yes! It worked." Felix smiles as he tries to regain his breath while Grant is still reeling in pain. He needs all the advantages he can get.
A chuckle leaves Grant's lips. "Not bad, Felix. But you have to do something more than that to defeat me!"
Grant stands back up, raising his sword and buckler, covering it with his {Skill} once more as he tries to give chase. Felix continues to condition Grant to block his body by firing at his chest. I just need a little bit more time, Felix thought. Both of them are getting tired. Grant stood still as he watched Felix's every move. Felix does the same with his wand raised. It was a showdown. Whoever moves first, will decide who wins or loses.
"I got you!" Felix shouted. With pinpoint accuracy, Felix fires shots at Grant's body and legs at the same time. But Grant isn't going down without a fight.
"Think again!" Grant shouted in return. The aura in his arms suddenly moves to his legs. As Grant planted his foot on the ground, the floor gained a small crack as Grant lunged himself forward with intense velocity. Felix's shots hit Grant but despite the pain, he powered through them as he screamed.
"Wha—?!" Felix's eyes couldn't catch up. He tried to retaliate by firing more shots but he was too late. Grant's sword struck down Felix, knocking him to the ground.
On the ground, Felix tries to push himself up, determined to not give up. But Grant points his sword at Felix's neck.
"It's my win." Grant declared with a confident smile.
"Yeah, I accept my loss." A chuckle leaves Felix's mouth as Grant helps him up.
Cheers roared inside the room as everyone watched the intense battle that happened just in front of them.
"The winner is…" Nikita declared, holding her breath as the room went silent. "The red corner, Grant Halloway!"
Another uproar of cheers echoed as they chanted Grant's name.
Felix and Grant stand by side as Nikita assesses their performance.
"Grant." Nikita directs at the winner.
"Yes, prof?" A casual reply as he scratched his head.
"You showed an amazing performance. It would seem that you have been practicing with a sword and shield for quite some time now." Nikita smiles. {Skills} are important but also having practical skills will help you elevate yourself.
"It's nothing. I was in a Fencing Club back in high school and just kinda continued with it in my free time." A shy smile emerges from Grant's lips as he was not used to praise, especially coming from a beautiful lady. This sparked the crowd to holler once more as they cheered him on.
"That's great. You have an amazing affinity towards it. You should consider training in it more diligently. Maybe even try other forms of weaponry. After all, having a vast arsenal of knowledge will lead one to have a sharper edge." Nikita states with confidence. "Your control of your {Skill} is impressive as well. Swiftly changing where you use your {Skill} is something others have a somewhat troublesome time to do and yet you managed to do it flawlessly. I think that deserves a passing grade."
Everyone cheered for Grant once more as he pumped his arms.
"Thank you very much for the advice, prof. I'll keep it in mind." Grant said as thanks to Nikita.
"Now, Felix Vance." Nikita's eyes now move towards the person beside Grant.
"Yes, ma'am?" Felix nervously stood, stiff as a tree.
"Although you lost, you were still able to showcase your quick thinking and perception to slip through your opponent's defenses. And that is a commendable thing. You passed as well." Nikita said with a smile.
Felix's face beams as he thanks Nikita. "Thank you so much, ma'am."
Nikita gave a slight nod before turning her attention to the other students.
"And that ends the first match. Win or lose, you must showcase your capabilities and stand on your own two feet. That is the purpose of these mock battles. Now, bring in the next set of students!" Nikita declared.
Ashley was surprised at how well that match was. Despite their nervousness at the start, they somehow were able to calm themselves and give their all. It makes her even more nervous now with her upcoming match. Wondering whether or not her efforts will pay off or not.
Those two will go far, Ashley thought.
Grant hangs his arm around Felix's neck as they walk off stage, unknowingly feeding into the crowd's delusions of their relationship.