The rubble and destruction scattered throughout the Arena floor Ezekiel patiently waits for Jericho's Dragon Clad Form.
"Want me to go first?" Ezekiel asks Jericho.
"The pleasure is all yours" Jericho motions with his hands.
{ULTIMA MAGICA: LIONHEART}
"Ezekiel Agnes unleashes his Ultima Magica a few minutes into this matchup" Randall Deximar speaks.
Ezekiel glows a yellow hue as a magic circle appears under him once more as his Leo Isgnia appears. As he got bigger, his brown hair got longer, and gained a tail. His arms and feet turned into more animal-like parts, with a mane like a lion's and a face that looked a lot like a lion's. He got black and gold wristband bands. Gauntlets with a lion symbol on them, golden shoulder pads, and his yellow eyes became more animalistic.
The light fades as the transformation ends.
"Hmm," Jericho asks.
"What's wrong?"
"That form if not mistaken is smaller and sleeker than the one that I saw during the second exam"
"Oh is it now well let's see if it is," Ezekiel says sarcastically motioning his arms toward him as he awaits Jericho's transformation.
Nodding his head Jericho jams his sword into the ground on places his two hands on it.
{ARMOR ENHANCE: SIEGFRIED}
A surge of mana bursts as it engulfs Jericho like flames.
"What's this we are now witnessing the transformation of Jericho as well," Lop says.
-----------------------------------
"So you're going to do it, Jericho. Let's see how far you've come to master it" Percival thinks to himself sitting in the audience.
Wings emerge as he steps out of the mana flames wearing black and gold armor with boots, long pants, a chest piece, shoulder pads, a cape, an extended neck collar, with gloves, although barely visible a dark red is integrated within the armor as well. Behind him, the mana flames subside as it is all now concentrated in one area the hilt of his sword.
"That armor is a work of art the black and gold color scheme representing the school colors with a subtle tint of red in there. Very brilliant work" Randall says.
CLAP CLAP
Ezekiel claps "Impressive" he speaks in a more deeper voice.
"Come!" Jericho demands.
DASH
Ezekiel goes after Jericho preparing to land a closed fist strike on him.
CLASH
The two collide with one another.
"He's faster. I say even faster than he was in the last time in that form" Jericho says as he grips the sword.
SIZZLE
"Argh" Ezekiel backs away as a part of his fur is scorched. "That sword is a little tricky"
"There's more to it but am not too sure if you're going to see it now" Jericho launches his offensive attack as he slashes his way.
SIZZLE
DODGE
SIZZLE
SIZZLE
Ezekiel backs away once more looking at his body. Examining it there little scorch marks on them.
"The same effect that it had on that sea serpent. His blade must have a little area of effect on it. Although am perfectly dodging and evading his attacks it -"
DASH
"You overthinking?" Jericho appears in front of him preparing to land a fatal blow.
GRAB
Ezekiel grabs the sword before it can make any contact with his midsection throwing Jericho and his sword aside toward the arena's edges.
"Woah"
Jericho adjusts mid-air as he shoots up taking flight in the sky.
"Alright if you going to fly then-" Ezekiel plants his feet into the ground bending his knees and shooting off going straight towards Jericho.
"Damn block"
Whilst in the air Ezekiel opens his mouth as he takes air in.
"Oh," Kayneth activates a barrier around him and simultaneously around the edges of the arena.
{STAR CREATION MAGIC: LIONS ROAR }
A powerful roar that created a sonic boom blast.
ROOOOAR
"SHIT"
BOOM
RATTLE RATTLE
"Wow, he created a shockwave using his voice," Lop says.
"Very impressive indeed" Kayneth remarks.
Ezekiel closes in on the kill going through the smoke.
HISS
He looks above him Jericho points his Siegfried at Ezekiel.
"BURN"
KAPOOSH
A powerful scorching ray shoots out of the blade.
POOSH
POOSH
Ezekiel nearly dodges each beam as it goes straight towards him.
"Cmon Jericho your making me hot here"'
SHINE
A bright orange light then shines.
Ezekiel points his blade up
"CRIMSON RAIN"
Jericho shoots a blast in the air as it scatters across the Arena.
WOO
AHHH
"What a spectacle" Randall comments amazed by the magic.
-----------------------------
Participants Box
"That was pretty strong," I said to myself.
"Even with this barrier, I could still feel it" Bianca comments.
"I think the match may come to a close here" Eriko remarks.
"No these two are far from over there beasts they wouldn't go down that easily. Watch " Jonathan says nonchalantly.
Albeck watches silently in the corner.
----------------------------
Headmasters Box
"A destructive battle," Ariana says.
"They using their brute strength and overall destructive capabilities in this match compared to the other" Celeste remarks.
"Correct I do believe Jonathan will prevail Celeste"
Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
"I would wish for my student to win as well but by the looks of it now that may not be the case. Though my Twelve Star might have something up his sleeve"
"Celeste you did say that this one is more destructive than the last one right?"
"Correct miss Heldam"
"But you were gone for half the match you didnt see how it ended"
"I heard the results from elsewhere"
"Okay." Ariana with a conflicted face.
Celeste stares down a few rows down. In the Federation Box.
----------------------
Federation Box.
"Wow that's putting up quite a show ain't he Percival" Kaneda says in an entertained face.
Percival watches the match closely "You got stronger Jericho but why are you holding back? You have some many opportunities you can outspeed him anytime. This should've been done earlier"
Javin stares at Percival "What's wrong? How's Jericho doing?"
"He did become stronger but something is off about him"
"Yeah I noticed it too"
"What? What happened?"Kaneda asks "He holding back" Percival responds.
"Who? The dragonclad or the Twelve Star?" "Why would you say the Twelve-Star?" Javin questions.
"The way am looking at things is the two are trying to upstage one another seeing what the other can do. What kind of abilities does the other have? Stuff like that. " Javin responded "That's a weird way to go about if I were in there I would end it quickly SNAP in a second"
"All your matches are fast even you-"
"Hey! Kaneda that's uncalled for"
"Sorry sorry let's get back to the match. Are you still watching for any suspicious activity?"
"Yeah no reports from my speed clones that I set up"
Kaneda leans back "Well for me there were three key movements" he points above them someone from here he points across "there and" he points a few rows below them "and there they moved. It also seems whoever is up there point vanished and reappeared am not to sure how that could happen"
"Strange," Percival says. "If anything happens like that again let me know"
"Yeah-" Kaneda stares up at the Headmasters box "I'll let you know"
---------------------------------------
Falos Box
"The food is good Xi," Ai says.
"It looks good it took me a-"
kee-eeeee-arr
"The hell! That damn bird took my food"
"It's not just a bird it's a silver hawk," Rowen says.
"Silver Hawk aren't they supposed to be in Falos during this season they shouldn't be coming this early" William remarks.
With the food beef shiskabob in its mouth, the hawk flies down to a lower level entering it through the Colosseum's many windows.
SHIFT
"Lady La Flore" Owen calls out.
"Owen please refrain from calling my real name outside of the tavern"
"My apologies lady Melody The Twelve Stars from Falos are back at their seats"
"I see thank you for the update. Hmm, what are you eating there?"
"A beef stick I snagged it from one of Falos Twelve Stars"
"Haha looks scrumptious enjoy your meal I had you all day working up and down this giant place you rest for now"
"Thank you milady. Are the plans coming together with the other members?"
"Yes, they're doing what they've been told. Two more matches and the plan commences. Be ready by then please"
"Of course"
----------------------
Another section in the lower section of the Colosseum.
BOOM
STEP STEP
"It seems my precious lion is fighting his heart out," a female voice says in the shadows.
STEP STEP
"He's still learning to control his powers," Silient says. "Yeah, I know. Still so young it's a shame that we need him and the others to summon the 7 Great Demons Again."
"Well, that's Deadman's plan. Phantom just wants to bring together the Twlelve Stars but his reason is unknown. What do you think Bloody Queen"
"I believe that their plans are identical in retrieving the twelve stars but their reasons for them differ. I too wonder what he has in store. Ever since the beginning, it was his goal to retrieve them no other reason given.
"Then when I joined you told me about Deadman's plan since you two known each other the longest and he told you about it," Silent says.
"Yeah for some reason, he is obsessed with the demon lords and overlords still not sure why but I dont care" as she twirls her little umbrella. "By the way is Melody's little plan working?"Bloody queen asks.
"Yes, the first participants are her allies who are asleep.
"She better keep them away from me." She touches her face "the urge to drain the blood and mana of those young mages" as she smiles.
"Thank god she doesn't want mine," Silient thinks to themselves.
BOOM BOOM
"Oh, I got distracted what happened to my- What? It happened in a matter of moments??"
A giant crater appears in the arena ground with both mages being knocked down.
Moments before
CRIMSON RAIN
Jericho shoots a blast from Siegfried in the air as it scatters across the Arena.
"Wow pretty," Ezekiel says sarcastically.
DASH DASH
Ezekiel attempts to get in some offense as he moves closer to Jericho who remains in the air being surrounded by the Crimson Rain ability.
"Hmm," Ezekiel gets closer. "He's just going to stand there and let me close in?" he thinks as he dashes across the arena on all fours.
Jericho then points the blade down at Ezekiel as the fire blasts shoot towards him.
FOOM
FROM
"I see"
Ezekiel jumps and sidesteps all the falling flames. "These flames aren't burning out" Ezekiel continues to dodge as he realizes something "My space to move and evade has shrunk. Wai this is"
"Using Crimson Rain Jericho has seemed to trap Ezekiel in a small space"
"It appears that Jericho has made a circle around them"
Jericho raises slowly raises his right hand.
RING OF FIRE
The flames shoot up in the sky creating a flame ring around the two.
"Things are getting heated up in here" Randall comments.
"Yes, it is. The heat is so hot I can feel it from up here." Lop says.
The two circle each other.
"C'mon Ezekiel, what are you going to do? You're trapped in here within my domain. My flames will burn you if not suffocate you" Jericho speaks to him while hovering over him.
Ezekiel looked up "I just know that only one of us can move on"
"That someone being me" as he prepares to strike.
"Your pretty little fire tricks are cool and all but they won't take me down."
-------------------------
Federation Box.
"Well well looks like your fellow Dragonclad has the Twelve Star-"
"No"
Unfortunately, He won't win," Percival remarks.
"Hmm, why?"
"Kaneda. Just pay attention to the match you'll see why" Javin says
"Alright alright" Kaneda focuses on the match.
"Ah I see now"
------------------------
HUFF HUFF
"That sound am hearing" Ezekiel looks at Jericho.
"You tired aren't you?"
"W-what did you say am just getting started" as he prepares for his attack
ARGH
Jericho attempts a downward slash.
DODGE
"Ok ok I guess using that {ARMOR ENHANCE: SIEGFRIED} does take a toll on you"
DODGE
Ezekiel continues to dodge the attacks as they become more and more easier to dodge.
"Tch"
"How did this happen?"
SWIPE
DODGE
"That form is one thing"
SWIPE
"Using a large amount of mana like an idiot"
ARGH
SHUT UP AND FIGHT ME
"How can it" Ezekiel begins to grow slower. "Am going through the same shit" as he slowly sluggishly dodges the sword attempts.
The ring of fire slowly subdues as the flames disappear soon after.
The stand is in the center of the ring.
Ezekiel taunted "Cmon dragon hit me"
ARGH
Jericho attempts to slash Ezekiel.
Ezekiel evades and dropkicks Jericho in the mid-section as his body shifts.
Ezekiel lands a kick on Jericho sending him flying across the ring.
Jericho slowly gets to his feet and uses his blade to stand.
----------------------------
Participants Box
"Mana exhaustion shame," Jonathan says.
"Hey!" Eriko snaps at him.
With his arms up Jonathan explains "I knew from when he activated Armor Enhance mode you have to be a peculiarly skilled mage to have that active openly. Any enhance mode even his transformation." As he points at Ezekiel.
"Both are great in maintaining their forms but they used too much mana in the process" Bianca remarks.
"I knew this was going to be a battle of who loses mana first due to the fact in the second exam. That lion could only maintain that ability for so long. How long has it been just over 5 minutes?"
"Around that time" I respond.
"Alright, plus both have been exerting so much power. So bad to the point where the Professor had to apply a barrier to protect us all"
Eriko stands as she puts her hand to her chin. "You examined all of that"
"Yeah eyes trained like mine you'll start to pick up on a lot of things"
"Who trained you? Who are you?" Eriko asks.
"I am just a mage who trying to win the Magus Exam Jonathan Fultear"
"Fultear?" Why does it sound vaguely familiar?" Eriko wonders.
--------------------------
"No. Not yet. That kick ain't nothing" Jericho punches where he got hit. "CMON!" he shouts as he picks up speed dragging his blade across the arena floor.
He accelerates and spends a complete 180 before jumping and landing a hard strike on Ezekiel.
Ezekiel blocking with his giant arm as he slowly begins to revert to his normal self in other parts of his body.
SLICE
DRIP
Blood begins to drip from Ezekiel's right arm as he continues to block the attack.
CRACK BOOM
The floor below them begins to cave in.
Ezekiel struggled to maintain the upper hand. As the left side of his body transformation is becoming undone.
"What losing strength now?" Jericho asks.
Ezekiel smiles "No just trying to find the perfect opening"
WHA
Ezekiel smacks the hilt of his blade to the ground Siegfried then transforms back into a normal long sword.
"He now lifting Jericho on his shoulders," Lop says.
HA
He leaps off the ground creating a shockwave and cracking the arena floor once more.
Kayneth once again uses a barrier to protect the crowd from any debris.
Now both in the air, Ezekiel proceeds to slam Jericho down Back first into the ground
BOOM
!LIGER BOMB!
The two come crashing down into the arena creating a giant crater.
"Who who won" Randall asks.
"Wait there seems to be some movement"
"You know Ezekiel you were pretty good," Jericho says barely able to stand with the help of the sword.
"Said yourself" Ezekiel gets up to one knee wobbling as he gets back on two. The cut from his arm dripping with blood.
"But you didnt have to do all that" Jericho collapses to the floor.
"Ezekiel Agnes Wins he advances to the next round!"
-------------------------------
"Woo good job man" I yell aloud.
"That was a hard-hitting match" Bianca remarks.
"I hope they're alright," Bianca asks. Jonathan stands up "They'll be fine just exhausted from using too much mana. If that damn knight didnt just showboat and get straight to the point he could've won" Jonathan says "I'll be back am going to grab a snack"
"Valerus" Albeck says "Were next"
"Yeah good luck" as I extend my arm.
"To you as well" as he shakes it.
"Good luck Valerus," Bianca says. "May the earth bless you"
"Thank you, guys"
---------------------------------
Headmasters Main Box
CLAP CLAP
"Excellent," Celeste says smiling.
"If Jericho kept applying pressure," Taz says.
"He would've won" Ariana comments.
--------------------------------
"Woah"
Ezekiel nearly falls.
"Easy there they'll take care of you," Professor Kayneth says handing Ezekiel over too the nurses.
"Dont worry you'll be in our care"
"Sure whatever just have me fixed up before the semi-final"
"Dont worry we will"
"Ugh did I collapse man," Jericho thinks to himself being brought down to the resting rooms.
"Ha at least I tried"
"Jericho!" A voice calls out.
"Mom. Dad"
"You're awake. Am glad"
"You did great my son"
"Dammit, you're going to make me cry. I did this for you guys to be proud of your son and become a member of the Federation. Ha, I guess there's no rush waiting another two years to graduate may not be too bad" Jericho smiles at looks at the nurses.
"Wait this scent. Your eyes what the hell-"
"SLEEP"
Jericho falls asleep being brought back to the recovery room.
------------------------------------
Another section in the lower section of the Colosseum.
"So my little cub won after all. I can't believe I missed that whole sequence. Well, no matter just let me know when it's time Silient."
"Of course"
Bloody queen vanishes into the shadows.
Haa
VRMM
"So Augustine what did you think of the matchup?" Bloody Queen emerges from the shadows.
"Alice we said we mustnt use our real names," Deadman says
"Ah, who cares our names are going to be everywhere after today. Heck, we should take off our masks as well?" Alice reaches for her mask.
"No dont not yet per Phantoms order"
"Ok," Alice responds in a irritated manner. "Whatever he says we'll follow"
"I heard the job is going smoothly for now"
"It is for now The issue is Jonathan Fultear. That young mage was able to somehow block out her magic ability"
"We'll find a way. Oh my dear boys match is next" Deadman speaks.
