It was eventually decided Kain would be the one to partake in the 1-vs-1 match.
Firstly, because he’s already appeared and therefore they don’t have to reveal Serena’s abilities too soon.
Secondly, because Kain was really interested in the opponent whose contracts all had an extremely rare attribute and who was related to two of his seniors. Therefore, while Kain expressed a desire to compete against Nikolai…
“I don’t care.” Serena said with cold expression before turning away when asked.
Therefore, it was unanimously decided that Kain was their representative for the first match.
Walking towards the stage, while Kain wasn’t expecting a warm greeting from his opponent, he also wasn’t expecting his face to reveal open disdain.
“…”
‘What the heck is up with him?! Did I piss in your cereal bowl?’
However, based on the attitude of his opponent, Kain had an unsettling feeling that he’d probably have to protect his own safety even more than he’d expected.
Thankfully, the college also temporarily lent Kain some enchanted pieces of equipment targeted at defending against the blood-attribute.
Therefore, in addition to his normal set of light armor and spear (which he’d never had to use yet, but kept on hand in case of unexpected attacks). Kain had a single earring resembling a red crystal dangling from one of his ears. This earring has no other purpose but to resist the invasion of blood-attribute energy.
Unfortunately, it was the only piece of equipment prepared specifically targeted against the blood attribute, therefore Kain was also sporting a necklace which slightly increased defence against attacks from all attributes, although its effects against each single attribute was not outstanding.
Kain could also see several pieces of equipment on Nikolai that was not there previously and, sensing the energy coming off of them, they all seemed to possess the mental attribute—likely a defensive measure against Bea.
It seems that despite his attempts to not expose Bea’s presence as much as possible during the tournament, similar to how Dark Moon was still able to obtain information about Nikolai’s concealed third contract, Supernova still knew about Bea and, it appeared, found her to be the greatest threat.
Standing calmly across from his opponent who only smirked arrogantly at Kain after receiving a nod in greeting, he also resolved to no longer hold anything back.
If Nikolai actually decided to attack Kain directly…well, he’d already advised Bea to repay him in kind.
When the match started both of them summoned all 3 of their contracts for the first time in this tournament. Immediately cheers erupted in the crowd at the reveal of a new spiritual creature from Nikolai—although Kain’s also summoned all of his contracts, but unfortunately nobody paid any attention to the invisible Bea.
As expected, there was the Crimson Wraith, looming like a living shadow, its form shifting and undulating as if composed of pure darkness. Clad in tattered, billowing robes that seem to absorb light, it drifted silently. At its appearance crimson mist began to spiral into the air like wisps of smoke.
Its face is a haunting mask, devoid of features except for glowing blood red eyes that burn with an otherworldly fury, piercing through the mist. Sharp, jagged tendrils blood red tendrils extend from its body, reminiscent of clawed hands. And as the mist continued to spread, a thick iron-like smell of blood began to permeate the entire arena.
Even those in the rows far back and away from the stage had their faces shift slightly in discomfort at the smell.
Unfortunately, since the smell is not tied to any kind of attack or poison, the wards around the stage did not activate and did nothing to prevent the smell from spreading to the stands.
Next to the wraith was a striking and terrifying creature, its long, sinuous body coiled and ready to strike at a moments notice. Its scales shimmer with a deep, crimson hue, reminiscent of freshly spilled blood, creating a mesmerizing effect as they catch the light.
Each scale appeared to ripple and flow, giving the entire body of the snake a pulsing effect that more closely resembled vein or artery of blood, rather than a separate living creature, if one did not look at its head.
The snake’s eyes were a piercing shade of yellow, reflecting a predatory intelligence. A faint, eerie mist emanated from its mouth even without its conscious effort.
Different from the wraith’s mist that had more of a concealment effect, Kain knew from the intelligence provided by the school that this mist was toxic, thankfully, it was also not capable of spreading too far before sinking to the ground uselessly. It’d have to exert a great deal of effort and spiritual power to send the mist all the way from its current position to Kain.
However, since the purpose of the mist is to absorb energy and return it to the snake, and both parties must remain in the mist for the energy exchange to happen, Kain knew that it’s be useless for it to even attempt sending the mist over to him. It’s energy draining properties would be reduced, and unless the snake is also close by within it, then the energy would not go to it.
Finally, the cause for the cheers, was the massive wolf-like creature that reminded Kain of a hell hound, and was radiating primal ferocity.
Its deep red fur, reminiscent of freshly spilled blood, danced with flickering flames that peek through the coarse strands, giving it a hellish, living glow. The hound’s eyes burn like molten coals, glowing with a malevolent intensity that seems to bore into the souls of onlookers.
As it moves, an unsettling heat radiates from its body, warping the air around it and leaving a faint trail of ash where it stepped.
Kain was thankful for the mist emitted by the opponent, since it concealed the twisted expression of glee on his face as he looked at the terrifying, and not particularly aesthetically pleasing opponents.
He hadn’t realized that the mist emitted by the opponent was so widespread since in its single previous match it hadn’t bothered to increase the spread before the opponent was defeated within seconds. Now Kain was thinking about if he should try his old strategy…
As the match started, Kain could immediately sense, that as expected, they were targeting the Vespid guards. While normally, their numerical advantage is great, when faced against those of the blood attribute, it may result in their being mere blood packs.
However, Kain wasn’t planning to have them be primarily responsible for the victory and defeat of this battle, their primary role was to serve as a distraction.
The Vespids attacked from a distance and made sure to keep their distance from the enemy, particularly the snake.
At the same time Aegis continuously disrupted the landscape to ensure that none of them could get too close.
Suddenly, Kain received feedback that one of the guards felt an intense burst of energy trying to enter its body, thankfully, the enhancements provided to it from birth by Eve, seemed to make it resistant to such invasions.
Noticing this however, the wraith suddenly appeared next to one of the guards and swiped down to leave a massive wound, but left quickly before the over a dozen other guards could concentrate firepower on it.
‘Is the mist only for concealment? Or is it able to teleport within it?’ Kain suddenly raised his guard against an enemy that may appear next to him.
But suddenly his attention was drawn to an inhuman screech of pain that emitted from the guard that was just injured. Considering their typical fearless behaviour, he’d honestly never thought that they could feel pain. Or if they could, that it was greatly dulled.
Stay updated with
However, the pain was so great that it was even able to transmit through the tertiary contract to the now trembling Queen, to Eve, and then to Kain…