[VIP Lounge – Arena Overlook]
"So it's Katie now, right?" I asked, looking at Kayda next to me in a VIP lounge.
"Hmm, yes."
"Right, so what do you want to talk about? I mean, you were quite insistent that we need our own VIP room." I asked, grabbing her hand.
"Yeah, so what's your plan?" Kayda said, glaring at me, taking her hand back.
"Hehe, of course you would realize, but don't say it, okay? And sorry, but I can't say too much myself." I said, chuckling, lounging into the chair.
"So what's the end goal of this plan?"
"I guess the end goal of this plan is to get looked down upon." I said, shrugging.
"They already do," Kayda said, shaking her head.
"We don't know if they know or not, Kayda. I mean, we had quite a number of leaks last year. I prefer not to rely solely on chance." I said, looking at her before looking back at the arena as Katie and her opponent walked up to the stage.
"Another paladin?"
"Hmm, yes, quite a high level one at that."
"Ah, she is still using my claymore, nice." I said proudly, pumping my fist.
"Of course she would. That thing is as close to a demigod sword as you can get." Kayda said, shaking her head at the obvious.
"Pfft, that thing isn't even close to the real thing, Kayda." I said, knowing how much better a real demigod sword really was, especially with the stat boost and abilities you get from them.
"I know. That's why I said, as close as you can get." Kayda corrected.
"Want one too?" I asked, already planning her set.
"I'm a mage genius. What would I do with a weapon?"
"Close-range combat," stating the obvious.
She deadpanned. "Thousands of spells. No need. But… Build me a catalyst that can handle all my magic, and I'll consider it." She said, giving me a side glance for a few seconds with expectations.
"Is that a dare?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
'It's not impossible, but catalysts are made out of monster parts, and there is a reason. Whatever monster part you use will add abilities to it. Well, it depends on the monster you use and all, but then what will happen if I make one out of my ice? A thought for another time.' I thought to myself, analyzing the possibilities.
"Sure, why not? Now quiet, they are going to start." Kayda said, shushing me.
"Let the fight begin!" The announcer yelled, making both parties in the arena jump at each other.
The paladin rushed at Katie with his shield in front of him.
Seeing this, Katie did a high swing, slamming her claymore down towards the guy.
Holding up the shield, the guy blocked the sword but was surprised about the amount of power Katie exerted, making his knees buckle.
Taking advantage of this, Katie attempted to kick the guy in the chest, but the angel wings flapped him backwards, dodging Katie's leg before it could reach him. As her foot moved forward, she maintained pressure on him by launching a few water javelins from behind her, further increasing the pressure on the angel.
Surprisingly, the angel was agile enough with his wings to dodge all the javelins, making himself ready to parry Katie's next attack with his shield, once again being pushed back with her amount of strength.
"Oh, the combo attacks are in full swing today!" I said, smiling widely at how well Katie was handling herself, even though she was a mage.
"Yes."
As Katie was trying to push the angel down to the ground, the angel took complete flight instead of just dodging.
Seeing that the angel was starting to fight in the air, Katie decided to flood the arena's floor with water.
"Hmm, she is doing the same as Amari; it's quite obvious what she is intending to do with that water." I said seeing her doing the same as Amaris's fight yesterday.
"Yes, but then again, water is her thing." Kayda said, making me nod in agreement.
'Amari is more impressive than Katie.' I thought to myself.
Realizing he couldn't land on the arena floor anymore, he discarded his shield and conjured three light lances, hurling them at Katie. She countered instantly with her own projectiles, the resulting clash creating a brief smokescreen. Seizing the moment, she surged forward through the air, using water to propel herself upward. In a blink, she was above the angel, bringing her claymore down in a powerful arc.
And as expected, the angel dodged to the side, sending a counterattack at Katie.
Something she also expected, but seeing as she wasn't really air dominant, she blocked it before dropping to the floor again, looking up at the angel annoyed.
Grinning back at Katie, the angel sent out another few light lances. It became a frustrating stalemate—Katie couldn't close the gap, and he couldn't land a clean hit.
As this was going on, both of them started getting visibly frustrated with the situation.
As we all know, angels can't fly for too long, and it was getting visible, but Katie also didn't have unlimited mana, but then again, like I said, Katie isn't as imposing as Amari and goes in with a plan with as many layers as Stacy.
'Obviously I would have done this way differently and easier, but who cares?' I thought to myself, knowing I would have just made the air more violent, overwhelming the angel in the air. Additionally, the ground only required about 3 cm of water rather than the 20 cm layer that Katie applied.
"Katie won." I said seeing the end of the fight coming.
As I said, it was the same sort of attack played out, only this time Katie didn't go for the angel himself but at his wings, catching him off guard, giving Katie enough time and reach to cut half of his wings off, making him drop into the pool of water that embraced him like a mother would their child, drowning him in seconds.
As this was happening Katie landed softly next to the guy still underwater with no remorse at her action.
"She really was done with him, drowning him with that amount of brutality." I laughed seeing Katie's actions.
"I think she learned that from you." Kayda said, a bit surprised.
"Are you saying I am a bad influence?" I said with mocking surprise.
"…"
"Well, Zagan is next." I said, not wanting to continue with that line of discussion.
"Yeah, we can finally see what that other kid can actually do." Kayda said thoughtfully.
"You are going to be on the field with them." I was referring to Amaris's fight.
"No, they weren't happy with me on the field with Amari and Rachel, so they banned that."
"Ah, I see. Do you think Zagan will actually fight?"
"Ah well, he should be good enough."
"What?"
"Dean stepped in to get him on the right track." Kayda explained, making me raise an eyebrow.
"Seriously?" I asked in surprise. I have known Dean for quite some time, and I have never seen Dean take actions himself. Not that I think he is lazy or anything; it's just that Stacy is like the first one to make a move, and then it is him.
I've observed him engaging in some hands-on tasks with the Black Ops, yet he primarily spends his time in his office, handling paperwork.
"Yeah, he said he had enough shit with the brat."
[20 minutes later.]
"Hello, ladies and gentlemen! We have finally reached the end of the day with the final fight!"
"Now come in, contestants. Logan and Zagan…!" The announcer yelled, making the crowd roar in applause.
As he said it, I saw Zagan walk in with a concentrated face, something I haven't seen in quite a while.
He didn't seem like he had any sleep or mental problems anymore at all.
"Good, he is using my swords as well." I said, narrowing
'Glad he is using them; they should be stronger than Katie's.' I thought, nodding to myself.
"What did Dean do?"
"Who knows?" Kayda said, shrugging.
"Damn, I should get some lessons from him."
"That's the smartest thing you've said in your life." Kayda said, making me actually angry at her response.
"What!! That was not needed." I shouted, glaring at Kayda.
"Let the fight begin." Ignoring Kayda, I looked at the arena again, giving Logan a proper look.
He had long blonde hair, green eyes, and radiated confidence. Well, we will have to see if the confidence has some backing.
As the announcer yelled for the fight to start, Logan held out his hand, sending divine magic at Zagan.
Zagan, on his end, just scoffed, jumping into his shadow and disappearing. Surprisingly, Logan was actually surprised that Zagan disappeared. He was taken aback by Zagan's effortless transition into and exit from his shadow, as he skillfully swung his sword at his neck, effortlessly cutting through it.
Silence fell over the crowd. Even Kayda blinked.
"Seriously?" I muttered.
Zagan just wiped the blade clean and turned.
One move. One cut. And not a drop of sweat spilled.
"Something isn't right." I muttered, narrowing my eyes at the still-standing body.