Hao looked at the image of those two still fighting and sighed; he couldn't deny that after the winner had been decided, even he felt disappointed, since there had been good fights between Prodigies.
"If they're both still fighting, that means they both agreed to it, right, Director?"
Virelle looked at the image with shining eyes. Danyana was one of the two people she was interested in, so this would be good. She didn't know how Enrico had managed to evolve during the fight, since she knew he wasn't a prodigy. The only thing that could really be considered above others was his intelligence and adaptability.
"Yes, this fight will be considered outside of the battle between classes and will be a battle for rank."
Without wasting time, he canceled the images of all the fights that were being broadcast, giving a final message to the other continents and territories.
"It's best if this fight is broadcast to the Sanos Academy. Maybe then the other rank 10s will hurry before their ranks are stolen."
Yumeha, who had just become rank 11, looked at the transmission that had begun with excitement. Rina, beside her, had defeated rank 10, now being one of the best in the academy, and Grakka had become rank 29. They hadn't managed to arrive earlier because of a monstrous student who went ahead—apparently, she was rank 1.
"The human looks excited."
"Of course, my Ketsumei wants to become stronger. Besides, did you see how he evolved in the fight?"
"Master is incredible."
Thalen, who was hiding behind a rock, approached from a distance, watching the fight. He had been sent by Elowyn to try to reach the finish line, but had only managed to get that far with difficulty.
"Well, at least I defeated rank 30… let's see. From what I've seen, I already know he's stronger than Elowyn, but I want to see more…"
Enrico landed three Zero Impacts on Danyana. Returning with three blows of lightning and pure speed, she tore the entire right side of his clothing and caused a cut. Forming his fire bow, he shot her in the stomach, making her crash and break through a wall.
"Charged Impulse."
Not wanting to let her recover, Enrico kicked her into another wall, but his foot was grabbed and he was thrown to the other side. Both were now in another location, smashing through several walls and places without giving each other time to breathe.
"Thunder Punch, Level Three."
Like a thunderbolt falling, she descended after a jump and came directly at Enrico, who barely managed to dodge. Several pieces of debris flew to the sides.
'What destructive power.'
With a punch, Enrico forced her to retreat. He was truly grateful for the pact he had made, but now he needed something more. During the fight, it seemed Danyana was starting to get stronger, and that was problematic.
Dodging a lightning tiger that crossed where he had been, he focused on trying to perceive something in the field that could help him. Enrico felt his strength decrease and realized the ring's effect had ended.
'Damn, now I only have the clone, and it'll only last a few seconds.'
Without wasting more time, he summoned the clone. He could summon and dismiss it to make it last longer, which was why it had endured so much in battle. Stepping on a rock and using it as a springboard to strike Danyana as she descended, he pressed his palm and summoned several fireballs, sending her upward.
She stepped on the ceiling, and wind magic appeared in one arm and lightning in the other. She was improving rapidly, and because of that, she was using two magics at the same time. She ended up jumping back to where he was, and with that speed, she managed to strike his face, making Enrico almost lose consciousness.
Landing a blow in his characteristic pose, he quickly pushed her away. Danyana grabbed her stomach and realized she had two broken ribs.
'He's good… really good… I want more.'
A smile of amusement that seemed like madness appeared on her face. She was evolving and wanted much more. Disappearing from in front of him, she grabbed his head and threw him into the rushing water below. Her body became covered in lightning, and with her palm glowing blue as if transforming, she struck in the air.
A tiger claw hit Enrico under the water. With electricity, water, and a great amount of magical power, an explosion was caused, making the walls tremble.
'Come on, get up…'
Looking at the water below, she continuously waited for him to rise so she could have more fun. Luckily for her, her wish was granted because she felt a blow to her already broken ribs and was sent flying to the side. Crashing into the wall, she realized he must have swapped with the clone, but what made her excited and surprised was that Enrico was badly injured but not as much as he should have been.
'Damn, I'm having to use my water magic too much… if I hadn't been thrown into this current, I'd be worse off.'
He still couldn't control non-magical elements, but at least he could use them to improve his healing, since he didn't need to create water with magic. Even though it wasn't that good, it let him take less damage and heal more. With his eyes glowing with the fire of his crimson eyes magic, he tried to analyze the best moment for a decisive strike.
'System, have you already decided on the new pact?'
[Yes, we have. Its effect is that you can only use it once a day; your body becomes harder than steel, able to withstand both physical and magical blows.]
Dodging a new attack consisting of several high-speed tigers trying to hit him, since the clone's time had ended, he depended only on his body and magic.
"What's the drawback?"
[During activation, you lose tactile sensitivity and agility, and after the effect ends, you will feel muscle pain that can leave you out of combat.]
Seeing that she was covering her fist with more power, he had no other choice. Besides, it didn't seem like a unique ability, which confused him.
'I accept.'
[Alright, you have gained a technique called "Skin Beyond Iron."]
Forming his bow, he shot at the tigers with several fire arrows, destroying them. A thunderbolt from where Danyana was came toward him; focusing, he let the attack get close.
The ground was torn apart by her stomps. With her fist raised, she struck Enrico's face, slamming him into the wall behind him, and with a smile for having enjoyed herself so much, she thanked him:
"This battle was really fun, but I think it's over, so—"
"Yes, it's over."
Surprised, she had her arm grabbed, and Enrico aimed his bow right at her ribs. With a massive accumulation of magic, he released a flaming shot that immediately sent her flying, causing destruction everywhere.
Even after taking such a strong hit that made her stomach bleed, she tried to get up, even though it was clear she was about to faint. Looking at Enrico with a satisfied smile, she began to pass out.
"You… evolved… again… incredible…"
'No, I didn't evolve… at least not on my own like you.'
With those words from her, the battle had ended, but Enrico couldn't celebrate because his muscles began to hurt intensely. Grabbing himself, he fell to the ground, starting to lose consciousness as well.
'I'd better only use this at the last moment…'
He heard footsteps running toward him, but just like her, Enrico was satisfied to have achieved what he wanted.