CHAPTER 202: THE FINAL EXCHANGE

Seeing as this was going to be their final exchange, Lucen decided to put everything into a single shot, which was why he manifested the best weapon he could create for that purpose, the bolt-action rifle.

Currently, the element that could be considered the best for shooting bullets that provide speed and penetrating power is the lightning element. So that was what Lucen was going to use.

The power of the elemental bullet skill depends on the quality and quantity of mana Lucen pours into it.

So right now, seeing as this was the final exchange, he decided to pour a considerable amount of mana into the elemental bullet, but of course, he left enough just in case something happens.

He even used RELEASE for a burst of stronger mana and increased his other stats before firing the shot.

Lucen, who had finished making his preparations, pointed his rifle at Elyra. ’Come on then, show me if you’re worthy of being the final boss of the Royal Academy Tournament.’

***

Elyra could feel her blood rushing throughout her body like a flood. Her heartbeat was so loud that it sounded like a war drum.

Her breathing followed the same rhythm as her heart, but she then forcefully stabilized her breathing.

Seeing the new weapon in Lucen’s hands, she grew even more excited. That was the same weapon he used to penetrate through Eisen’s floating rock fortress. She also sensed his mana and aura spiking.

That means the next attack truly was going to be the final exchange between them. Even though she was a little disappointed that such a fun time was about to end, she was also thrilled to receive and surpass Lucen’s strongest attack.

Elyra planted her feet firmly on the ground. Her aura mantle flickered violently before stabilizing, burning hotter and brighter than at any point in the fight. Flames rippled off her shoulders, her back, her arms; each breath she exhaled came out as shimmering heat.

Her vision tunneled. Her entire world narrowed to a single point, to a single person, Lucen Thornehart.

She instinctively knew that none of the Runescar Forms she was capable of performing could reach Lucen. She needed something new, something only she could do, the best she could give at the moment.

In this match against Lucen, she understood that their basic physical abilities were vastly apart. Lucen was powerful and fast, even without using aura or any spells.

Because her aura mantle was above Lucen’s aura mantle, this was the reason she could match Lucen’s absurd physical prowess.

Even using surprise attacks from Lucen’s blind spots did not work. It was as if Lucen could sense her location and predict her every move before she even made them.

The only time she almost got him was when she was getting tired and her body was a little heavier; despite the increase she felt in other areas, her stamina was declining.

To continue the fun battle with Lucen, she needed to preserve her stamina. So she did her best by cutting down her movements, with her arms and legs, making the least amount of movement she could think of.

The second she came to that conclusion, Elyra realized what she needed to do for her sword to be able to reach Lucen.

The vicious-looking smile on Elyra’s face grew even wider, and her beautiful face distorted into something rather menacing.

Her aura surged, then it collapsed inward. Flames that had been roaring wildly around her were suddenly drawn tight around her body, compressing so violently that the temperature spiked.

The spectators closest to the barrier recoiled from the sudden wave of heat that washed over them.

This was different from the Crimson Veil technique, as she concentrated her fiery aura mantle into making it look like a single mantle aura.

It was a similar concept to the Runescar Swordsmanship First Form: Blazing Flame, but this time it was not just the blade but her entire body that was blazing. Her silhouette trembled, flickering like a mirage.

’I need to remove all excess. I just need to focus on myself, my sword, and the person I need to cut down.’

***

In the Judges’ seats, the second Kaelvar saw what his daughter was doing, had his eyes wide open in shock. That was a technique he hadn’t taught her yet; that was the Runescar Swordsmanship Fifth Form: Inner flame.

Kaelvar did not teach her that technique since she just recently reached the third mantle and did not have full control of her aura. To think she would be able to do the technique without being taught.

’Did she come to realize that technique using her own insights?’ The second Kaelvar, thought that he could not help but laugh heartily. "Hahahaha! As expected of my lovely daughter, show them the burning passion of a Runescar!"

***

Lucen, who was observing Elyra’s every movement, noticed the change. It was like watching the animation cutscene on his screen.

He understood that what was coming next was the Runescar Swordsmanship Fifth Form: Inner Flame.

In the game, that technique was just a buff-type skill that would decrease the needed AP or aura points to use her skills. It also enhances critical hits.

Now that she was doing it in reality, Lucen was a little unsure if it would be something different. After a second of thought, Lucen smiled, showing his teeth in a ferocious-looking grin.

’It doesn’t matter, it doesn’t change anything. I just need to overcome it and win.’

Lucen was now truly immersed in the battle before him.

He then heard the familiar ring of the system telling him he had gained a new trait, but he ignored it for now as he was entirely focused on Elyra.

Her aura, now compressed to the point of distortion, warped the very air around her. Heat shimmered in spiraling waves.

’Yeah, that’s totally different from the one in the game. Inner Flame was a simple buffing technique that didn’t have such an animation sequence. Well, I guess I can only use the information I have about the technique as a reference.’

Lucen and Elyra looked at each other like predators wanting to show their dominance over the other. The two had finished their preparations now they were only waiting for the right time.

"This has been quite the enjoyable battle, Elyra." Lucen suddenly spoke, the barrel of his rifle still aimed at Elyra.

"Enjoyable?" she echoed, her voice rough, almost breathless, yet fierce. "This was exhilarating! This was quite the dance we had. I’m glad you were my dance partner on this grand stage."

"Yeah, but now it’s time for the finale."

Elyra’s lips pulled back into a feral grin, her white-hot aura quivering like a barely contained explosion.

"Then come, Lucen," she whispered, her voice trembling with anticipation. "Let’s end it."

Elyra’s flaming aura enveloped her body tightly, and Lucen’s elemental bullet, which was imbued with a great amount of mana, was leaking out a portion of it. Lucen looked like he was surrounded by crackling lightning.

The audience became quiet, and even Kaelvar was silent as he focused on what was about to happen.

A single gust of wind swept across the stage. It was at that moment that Elyra made the first move.

The ground were she was standing looked like it had exploded and cracked, as she dashed forward like a comet. The sound of a sonic boom echoed in the coliseum.

The very second Elyra moved, Lucen fired at her. The bullet flew out with crackling blue lightning. The speed at which it moved was far greater than Elyra’s.

Red and blue met in the center of the stage. Elyra’s dashing momentum made her unable to dodge the bullet. Well, even if she tried to dodge it before making her move, she would not be able to do so.

She already knew that this would happen after witnessing the shot that penetrated Eisen’s floating rock fortress.

So she needed to move first, and using the momentum of her dash, she was able to swing her sword forward, clashing with the lightning-imbued bullet.

The bullet and her sword were not even touching as her fiery aura clashed with the mana lightning being emitted by the bullet.

Elyra saw that Lucen was simply standing beyond the lightning bullet; it was like he was waiting for her to either fall or get past the bullet first.

Elyra gritted her teeth as her muscles screamed at her. ’Fine, I will cut this thing, and then I will cut you altogether!’

Elyra screamed in her mind as she put back into her strike. The thin, compressed layers of aura that enveloped her and her sword finally went through the lightning and were able to cut the bullet in half.

The bullet that was cut in half split and hit the barrier protecting the audience. The penetrating power of the bullet was no joke and almost broke the barrier, even while the mages empowered it.

Before one of the other Tower Masters made a move to strengthen the barrier, Seraphina did it first. The bullet was stopped by the barrier strengthened by Duchess Serpahina.

***

Elyra, who was excited that she was able to deflect Lucen’s supposed strongest attack, suddenly heard his voice.

"I knew you could do it." Lucen appeared before her with no weapon in hand and simply punched her in the stomach.

Elyra flew back to the wall of the stage, where she hit the wall and fell to the ground. Elyra was still smiling viciously as she looked at Lucen while trying to stand up.

Her legs were shaking, and she was now using her longsword like a cane. Her bright, fiery aura could no longer be maintained as it disappeared. Despite her situation being rather dire, she started laughing happily.

This confused not only the audience but even Lucen. As Lucen was about to ask why she was laughing, she spoke first.

"Hahaha! I finally did it! My sword finally reached you!"

The second Lucen heard what Elyra said, he finally noticed that there was a cut in his chest. It was not deep enough to be a fatal injury, but it was enough to make blood flow out of him.

Seeing this scene, many who thought Lucen would end this match, no, this entire tournament, without being harmed, were stunned.

Lucen touched his chest, feeling the warmth of fresh blood between his fingers. A shallow cut, thin, precise, unmistakable.

He stared at Elyra, who was barely standing, her knees trembling, her breath coming out as ragged bursts of steam. But her eyes, her eyes were blazing with triumph hotter than any fire she conjured.

Lucen couldn’t help but shake his head and smile. "That was a good hit. I didn’t even notice that you countered. Was it during my punch?"

"Yeah... I couldn’t block your punch... Or evade, so I just decided to attack.... And it worked!... My sword reached you."

Elyra then forcefully lifted her sword and pointed it at Lucen. "Come on then, let’s continue this dance."

Lucen got into a fighting stance. He was about to run out of mana, so he decided to fight barehanded. "Very well, milady."

As Lucen dashed forward and got in front of Elyra, he punched, aimed at her face, but before his punch reached he stopped.

Most of the audience was confused by his actions, they were also confused why Elyra did not counter when Lucen stopped. It was at that moment that a few realized what had happened.

"It truly was a good match," Lucen whispered.

Elyra’s fiery eyes continued to look at Lucen, her sword still pointed forward did not respond. Principal Aldren went down on the stage, and so did Kaelvar.

Aldren stood beside Lucen, and Kaelvar stopped in front of Lucen and spoke. "Thank you for making this an enjoyable experience for my daughter." After saying those words, Kaelvar walked forward towards his daughter and carried her.

It was at that moment that many finally realized that Elyra had already fainted. She did so while standing up and still emitting that fiery spirit of hers.

Aldren lifted Lucen’s right hand and made an announcement. "Winner and champion! Lucen Thornehart!"