Chapter 217 (1/2)

Abruptly, Randidly realized that the entire crowd had fallen silent as this small girl spoke. Even the referee stood at the side deferentially. And there was something in the air... a palpable energy around Azriel. Randidly couldn't find himself to disbelieve that this individual was one of the favorites to win the tournament. Her Battle Intent-

His eyes narrowed. That's what this was. Artisan. An Artisan level.

Aether began to roar as it swiftly flowed through him, to his fingertips and toes, his entire body trembling. His previous match was against a rather weak disciple, and now....

”So too,” Azriel said, her gaze sharpening. ”You will be judged. If your results are insufficient... you can only blame your own weakness.”

”Are both Spear users ready?” The referee said, stepping forward. Azriel said nothing. Randidly nodded.

”Begin!”

There was a half moment, and then Randidly's instincts kicked in, screaming at him. Haste, Empower, Mana Strengthening, and the active version of the Golden Roots of Yggdrasil snapped on, burning as much Mana and Stamina as he needed to activate all the skills that would improve his body, so he could dodge to the side.

But Azriel was already there, her slender needle spear aiming for his throat. This amount of speed.... it made Randidly embarrassed to think about his own skill, the Spear Advances, Ash Trails. This brooked no resistance. It was rapid and precise, and even Randidly's powerful senses hadn't realized she had moved until she had arrived.

There wasn't an image used, but the air behind Azriel vibrated with power. It was like an unstoppable asteroid, like the one that descended and murdered all of Earth's dinosaurs, millions of years ago. Unavoidable, a force of nature, preordained.

But Randidly was experienced in those feelings, from his own images, and although the strength of his Battle Intent was severely lacking, his focus on those particular emotions were what he focused on. He wasn't about to be discouraged by just that.

In his chest, the bundle of Aether that was his skill Rejection burned with resentment and unwillingness. Not like this... he wouldn't just lose like this...

...Reject....

A deep vibration emerged from his Aether, surprising Randidly, but there was no time to think about it any further, because this needle spear had arrived, and there was no more time.

Azriel streaked past, then stopped, turning and regarding Randidly.

His chest was heaving, and his eyes were wide. Although power was coursing through his limbs, it wasn't enough. The needle had ripped a hole in the muscle of his upper shoulder, entering his body right above his collarbone on the left side.

But had he not reacted as quickly, the attack would have taken him in the neck, perhaps ending him permanently. It was difficult to admit, but all of his effort amounted to only 4 inches before this woman.

Much to Randidly's surprise, her eyes began to glow with an unholy red light.

”Interesting... Interesting....!”

With a smile on her face, Azriel began streaking back and forth in a zigzag pattern, making it impossible for Randidly, even with Eyes of the Spear Phantom, to track her. In a way it was a slow approach, as she weaved forward and away from him, but in another it was still frighteningly fast. But before his eyes could recognize the small girl went on the offensive, Azriel and her needle were there, slashing at him.

This time, Randidly used Phantom Half-Step several times in succession, creating some distance. It allowed him the precious moments he needed to find his feet and prepare to avoid her attacks.

Which Randidly was able to, barely, on her next two strikes. But Azriel continued to accelerate. And accelerate, and accelerate...

....

Randidly woke with a start. Then he swore.

”Thirty-seven seconds, the match lasted. Quite impressive, all things considered. Still the shortest match the 5 Princes participated in, but you certainly had the most ferocious opponent, if not the strongest.”