Chapter 142 - The Falling Stones (1/2)
In the VIP area of the Municipal Arena, the Matriarch of the Strogueher family was quite proud that her daughter managed to show coolness in battle. For everyone who watched the fight between Nathalia Strogueher and Kaga, it was clear that the young Elf was a placid warrior who showed no desperation or hesitation at any time.
Wang Strogueher, who was watching the battle from the other side of the exclusive area, was pleased with what he saw. He had always been a man who greatly admired Ayumi Yamazaki for having the coolness to make tough decisions, and he was glad that Nathalia had apparently inherited this trait.
Nathalia's presentation also moved Nico Sallow, but she had more interest in the half-wolf.
”Do you believe that your protégé, Luke, will make it to the quarterfinals?” She asked, with her right index finger running over her lips.
”He will definitely win the Tournament.” Ayumi answered her confidently, without looking at the other Matriarch.
”Don't you think you're putting too much trust in this man?” Carter Strogueher asked from the back seat. He was cross-legged and smoking a small cigar, which he lit with his flame skill.
”You will have your answer before the end of this evening, Carter. Wait and see.”
Nico Sallow locked eyes with the blond Elf and smiled in a thought-provoking manner.
By the irony of fate, among the sixteen remaining participants, 'The Half-Wolf' was once again randomly selected to be the first to battle in the next phase of the playoffs.
This time, Luke Lange would have to face a beautiful woman with short honey-colored hair. Everyone in town knew her as Hanemiya Sallow, a very talented young noblewoman who graduated from the Oukiwa Academy as one of the most promising a few years ago.
Hanemiya analyzed Luke from head to toe, and with a serious countenance, she asked:
”Where did you study half-beast? I never heard of you until last week.”
”You don't need to know anything about me,” Luke replied and summoned his axe. The half-wolf hated people like Hanemiya, who usually asked unnecessary questions.
Hanemiya smiled when he heard Luke's answer and then drew his dagger.
The beginning of the fight hadn't even been decreed, but the half-wolf had watched the Sallow girl's previous battle and knew he couldn't take it lightly, so he summoned his axe. As soon as Mikaela announced the start of the fight, the audience screamed in euphoria again as they pounded their feet on the ground.
The blond woman ran in the opposite direction from Luke, out of the empty center of the Arena and into the forest of rocks. She had watched Luke's battle with the Golem God and Suiyan carefully, so she knew that he was not weak in direct combat and was unlikely to be pushed, but with this new scenario, Hanemiya was confident that she could win if she sneaked upon him.
However, Luke's hearing was very sharp; moreover, he could smell the noblewoman several meters away. In short, she would never be able to hide from the half-wolf.
As soon as he saw Hanemiya run for cover, Luke looked closely at the rocks and had an idea.
Luke made the one-handed sign to use <Vind> and propelled a stream of wind at a rock that seemed the largest but also the thinnest among them all. That single stone was enough to create a domino effect, knocking over other stones.