Gan Salin entered insane mode.
He tried again to wear the gloves, but his hands were shaking, and the flas hot on his heels. Fine! he roared. Canine Dash! Letting the gloves drop, he fell on all fours and ran so fast he almost disappeared.
From the stands, Jack raised his brows, and the audience erupted into clamor.
Vivi remained standing. A barrier of blue flas erupted around her, flowing like water. At the sa ti, she kept moving, dashing backward and rotating her hands. Her previous river of flas followed Gan Salin and was lagging behind, but a new one appeared, stretching wide to block his path.
Gan Salin made a barking sound. Though his path was blocked, and though he was insane, he wasnt a simple character.
His second Dao RootResolveflared, making him unwavering. He ran straight into the flas and cut through them like a dogfish, screaming but enduring the pain. A mont later, he was out, charred and tattered. His clothes were on fire at the edges, but his red eyes stared right at Vivi.
She still wasnt done. Though her back had reached the wall, her hands still moved. The flas were increasing in volu, more rising from the ground every mont, and the nearby sand had turned into jagged glass. The first river was coming over as well. Gan Salin had to finish the fight quickly or be drowned in fire.
He scread and rushed forth.
The blue flas around Vivi ford into a glowing armor in the color of hot iron. They were dancing and flowing around her, up and down, left and right, coming and going with the rhythmic movents of her hands like waves. That wasnt how flas were supposed to move.
Jack realized she had another Dao Root. The Dao Root of Water? Of the River?
Gan Salin reached her, and without stopping, fell onto her. His skin was charred and his face twisted into a crazed visage, but he pushed through. Even through his madness, he knew that this was do or die. Their battle had reached its climax in the blink of an eye!
The river of flas coiled harder around Vivi. Gan Salin opened his palm and stabbed it at her. Five-Star Grasp! he shouted. The tips of his nailswhich were more like clawsglowed white.
His hand pierced into the flas. The pain must have been excruciating because Gan Salins screams rose to new levels. The closer he got to Vivis body, the higher the temperature, and his skin was lting, and his claws were about to drop. But he didnt stop.
With a final push, he dug into her chest, penetrating an inch but no more. He retracted his hand almost imdiately, unable to take the scorching heat any longer, and fell back. His entire arm was black and smoking. Vivi was bleeding, but the flas rivers she had unleashed had arrived, and they were about to smother Gan Salin. He was surrounded and out of montum.
I resign! he shouted fearfully, coiling around himself to protect against the flas. So reached him, as Vivi was unable to stop in ti, but they quickly withdrew and vanished into red wisps, then nothingness.
Just like that, it was over.
The entire arena held their breaths. Then, all at once, they cheered like crazy, shouting so hard that the rock shook. People stood in their seats and hollered, and first among them were the mbers of Fla River, who celebrated their leaders victory with joy rivaling hers.
This fight had been by far the most intense so far. Both opponents were at Level 41 and possessed two Dao Roots. Where others fought with sticks and stones, Vivi had created multiple rivers of fla and unleashed them at her opponent, flooding her entire section of the arena.
Moreover, she had fought against a scion and won. She had proven that humans could stand against these monsters. She had brought hope.
Amidst the cheers, Vivi held her bleeding chest with one hand and extended the other towards Salin to help him stand. It was an offer of peace, and a way to further cent herself as a hero in the eyes of all who were watching.
Gan Salin looked at her hand and ignored it. Gritting his teeth in pain, he shot off the sand, then jumped again on so spectator stands and disappeared in the curtained-off section. Supposedly, there was a healer there.
Vivi used warm air to fly to the lip of the stands, then walked to her seat amidst the audiences cheers. However, when she got there, Jack wasnt looking at her. His gaze was aid at the curtain separating the scions from common mortals, where the shark-man from before still leaned against the railing, following Vivi with his predatory eyes. He was clearly dissatisfied with the battles result.
When she reached her seat next to Jack, the sharken caught Jacks stare and gave a wide, wide smiled filled with rows of sharp teeth. He then retreated inside the curtain, following after Gan Salin.
Jack turned to Vivi. Well-fought! he exclaid. That was amazing!
She gave him a tired smile. Im glad. She then sat down, taking deep breaths and calming herself.
Do you need dical assistance? he asked, motioning at her chest, where blood was still dampening her shirt.
She shook her head. Ill be fine. I have regeneration. His strike wasnt too deep, anyway.
Alright. Jack nodded. Againgreat fight. I really hope I never match against you.
Because you admire ?
Because Id have to spank a hero of humanity.
She groaned, but her smile could not be hidden.
Whatever you say, big man.
Excuse , a voice suddenly ca from the side. It was Edgar, who had overpowered his antisocial tendencies and walked over. Jack noticed a glint in his eye; the excited glint he showed only when magic was on the table. Can I ask you a question?
Vivi hesitated for a mont, then said, Sure.
How did you sustain all those flas? They looked trendous, but they must have taken a lot of mana.
She t his stare. Consud in his fervorhe loved magicEdgar stared back. Vivi hesitated.
Edgar realized he was asking about her secrets. Its fine if you dont want to answer! he said quickly. Sorry for asking!
She still didnt respond. A mont later, she lowered her voice and spoke slowly. I was using the ambient energy. My flas were sustained by my mana, but they also fed on the oxygen in the air, significantly lowering my consumption. Thats one reason why I kept them moving around the arena.
Oh! Edgars eyes widened in realization. I see!
Magic in general should be used like that. The mana in our bodies is too little for aningful applications. We should use the environnt to our advantage, letting the world bear the burden of our powers. Thats how wizard Classes beco truly strong.
Edgars eyes were practically glowing now. Vivi continued, I saw your fight. Your magic is peculiar but lacks power. Birds made of pure mana are too wasteful. If your Dao Root and Skills are compatible with any environntal forces, you should consider incorporating them into your arsenal. For example, you could make your birds fiery in nature, letting them consu oxygen instead of mana to a degree. Your shield could be watery, drawing in the airs moisture, or earth-based, where you use your mana as the conduit to make the ground rise and form a stable shield, or where you use the sand specks of the arena to enhance its hardness without spending extra mana. In general, the more you can adapt to your environnt, the stronger youll be.
Edgar was star-struck now. He looked at Vivi like she was his favorite person in the world. Thank you! he exclaid after a mont, losing his words. Thats Thank you! Youre amazing!
She smiled back. Of course I am.
Ill go practice right away! Edgar exclaid, rushing back to his seat and conjuring a pair of birds to fly around him. A thousand calculations passed by his eyes.
That was very generous of you, Jack said, looking at Vivi. He could beat one of your faction mbers with the tips you gave him.
I know, she replied, looking him in the eye. But the Fla River values our relationships. You gave advice against Gan Salinmaybe I only won because of you. It was only fair I repaid the favor.
She still didnt ask how he knew, though she must have had her suspicions. Jack smiled.
Thats right.
Are you familiar with the Ice Peak? she asked him, changing the subject. By her tone, this was sothing she intended to speak about from the very start. Karvahul wisely stepped away and found another seatnot next to Edgar, as he was still surrounded by blue birds.
The ones that have been glaring at ever since you sat here? Jack replied, motioning at another part of the spectator stands.
Yes.
Then, yes.
Theyre our enemies, as you might have noticed. We blend together like fire and ice. As we are two of the major factions, we will inevitably clash at so point, which is why were looking for allies. The problem is She grimaced. Alexander is allied with the scions.
I see. That sounds pretty bad for you.
It is. With the scions on the Ice Peaks camp, not only do they have the favor of the Animal Kingdom, but also a great fighting force. We desperately need strong allies.
And youre telling this because?
Dont play dumb, John. You know what Im getting at. I dont mind what relationship you have with Gan Salin, but you helped against him. You are opposed to the scions, who are allies of the Ice Peak.
The enemy of my enemy is a friend.
Exactly. Plus, you seem like an upstanding individual despite yourspankingtendencies. I dont know how much youve heard about the Ice Peak and the Fla River, but even morally, youre much closer to us than them. We can help each other.
So, youre offering an alliance.
Precisely.
Jack pretended to think about it for a mont. He was a hundred percent in, of course, as this was probably the best case scenario he could get, but it wouldnt do to agree too quickly.
Plus, this was a great chance to get information.
What about the third major faction? he asked. The Fist Brotherhood?
The Bare Fist Brotherhood, she corrected him. They havent shown themselves yetat least, not openly. They could be hiding anywhere; there are disguise potions that could fool most of us.
She looked at Jack with aning, but he played innocent. Its not ; Im Jack Brown.
I believe you. She smiled. Co on, John. Lets work together. If anyone can stop the scions, its you.
Jack crossed his arms and grimaced. Fine, he said. Whats the layout of alliances so far?
Not many people have given a definitive response. I have approached Dorman Whistles, but he seems uninterested in our conflict. Hes such a child. She pouted. My mbers have talked to so promising fighters, too, but no one too important. Is there anyone you have in mind?
The martial arts master from before, Jack replied instantly.
Already on my list. She laughed. Anyone else?
Hmm. Jack took a mont. He did have soone in mind, but he first wanted to consider how all-in he should go on this thing. Vivi gave him ti, turning to watch a couple of uninteresting fights.
Jack pondered. Both him and his spanking persona were on the shitlist of two scions, including the strongest one, Rufus Emberheart. He was definitely an enemy of the scions, who were allied with the Ice Peak.
Therefore, he needed allies himself, and there wasnt a strong enough third party besides the Fla River, which was already opposed to both the scions and the Ice Peak. If he avoided their conflict altogether, he needed the Fla River to win, or he would be the next to fall.
And, if the Fla River could win without him, they sure as hell could win with him.
He was in.
The Sage, he told her. She raised a brow.
Who?
A guy who looks like a beggar. I havent seen him fight, but his divination powers are scary. Im still not 100% sure hes not a conman, but I tend to believe him.
Divination powers? Vivis eyes widened. As in, he can predict the future?
Kind of. I dont know exactly how it works, to be honest, but he seems like a pretty useful person to have at hand.
I see. She nodded seriously. Okay. Ill approach him.
Thats all from . I dont know anyone else. Has the Ice Peak gotten anyone?
Nobody important. They arent working as hard as we are, given that they already have the scions. They did approach the tal guy from yesterdaythe one with the guitarbut I think he turned them away. Hes also on my list.
Jack nodded.
Good. Im glad we got this out of the way, John, Vivi said with a smile, extending a hand. To a pleasant cooperation.
To a triumphant alliance. Jack shook her hand, perfectly aware of all the eyes on him.
Then, Ill be going now, Vivi said. Ive already busied you enough for today.
Sure thing. See you around, Vivi.
See you, John.
With a final hug at Brockwho seed oddly receptive of her affection, though he would have punched anyone else that tried to hug himshe took off, slowly crossing the stands to get to where the rest of her faction waited. Most of those peoplethere were five in total, three n and two wonnodded at Jack, who nodded back.
What was all that about? Karvahul asked, approaching.
Were in an alliance now, Karvahul. You too, Edgar. The Fla River is our friend, the Ice Peak and scions are the enemies.
Karvahul exclaid, The scions!?
I was already enemies with those.
Oh His blue face paled a little. I see
Dont worry. We got them.
With enough experience balls to reach Level 49 and enough training, he might be able to stand against Rufus Emberheart. Maybe. His heart still clenched at the mory of that guys attack, but it wasnt like he had a choice. It was do or die.
What are you planning to do now, Jack? Edgar asked.
Watch the fights, I guess. He shrugged. I get the feeling that watching strong people fight will be good for my growth. Who knowsI might get so insight. Ill go train with my robot in the afternoon.
Oh, the joys of being an Integration Tournant participant Karvahul lanted.
Sounds like a good plan. Edgar nodded, then returned to flying his birds.
However, the universe disagreed. It hadnt been a minute since Jack sat down to watch when a figure approached him; a short, Asian-looking teenager with two daggers strapped to his belt: Dorman Whistles.
Hello, he said, speaking only to Jack.
Hey.
Spar with .
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