Bloodbath IV

"Headmaster, how would you like to punish the dark elves?"

Piri remained silent. She stared at James's warhammer with an intense longing.

"Headmaster, how...?" Piri's raised hand cut off the executioner midway. She turned towards them, as she said, "I'm only here to enjoy the show. My main body will handle the arduous tasks. She might probably have them start at a more compromising location during the Akalite run." Piri shrugged. She quickly turned her head once more. Both executioners glanced at each other, but said nothing. Asking further questions would only provoke Piri's ire.

"What do you think about his odds of being victorious?" Piri suddenly asked. The two executioners didn't immediately reply. James's performance had exceed their expectations. Initially, they believed James was just another unlucky talent to catch Sir Zakaria's attention. Although they didn't know the extent of his abilities, neither of them believed they could best seven seasoned combatants in the arena. They expected him to put up strong, but albeit pointless showing before meeting an untimely end. Contrary to their expectations, James had toyed with all the combatants so far. That he slew four on his own surprised them. They believed the Damak twins would have added to those numbers if they hadn't given up.

"Headmaster, I admit I underestimated him. However, Higgins and Mandrogo aren't in the same league as the others. The kid has already revealed his hand, but he doesn't know about Higgins ability and Mandrogo's absurd strength yet. Unfortunately, it will determine the course of the battle." The first executioner said. One could sense a tad of melancholy in his voice. He didn't want to see the fall of a talented soldier. Especially one who was a summoner. The more powerful soldiers they groomed, the higher the odds of Lord Cassius taking his place as the rightful heir of the sovereign of darkness.

Piri smiled mysteriously before turning towards the other executioner. "What about you? What do you think?"

The second executioner hesitated a bit, before saying, "I also feel his odds aren't too great. Maybe he would have had a chance if he faced either of them one on one. With both of them allying, I don't see how he can survive."

Piri slowly nodded. "I agree with both of you. However, how are you certain he has revealed all is cards? Don't you think it has been a little too easy for him?"

"Headmaster, what do you mean? Surely, he couldn't be hiding something else, right?"

Piri giggled but said nothing. She turned her head towards the arena, leaving both executioners with wry smiles underneath their masks.

***

James had become the hot topic of discussion all over the coliseum. Especially in the rights owners section. Different factions made subtly inquires about his origin and his performance during the selection. His savagery had caught the attention of many, and a few had taken an interest in him, especially his Mask of the Dead.

Some believed James could brutally slay Liko and the others because of the mystical item. They believed if they could get their hands on it, their battle prowess would sour into unimaginable heights.

However, a few had other thoughts plaguing their minds. Especially those who had animosity towards James. None of them expected he would effortlessly slaughter through the seasoned combatants in the arena. To the extent, he would make the renowned Damak twins face the humiliation of giving up in battle.

Haider Lewis' visage had turned unsightly. The smug grin he wore before the battle started had long disappeared. 'How can someone so young be that powerful? Is it because of that strange mask?' Haider glanced at Ainsley Hall and Kirby. They too also wore solemn expressions. 'That brat must die.' After his acrimonious parting with James, he knew he had made a powerful enemy, and one that would only get stronger with time.

"Ainsley. Kirby. We can't let that brat live. If survives, he will become enemies with our Brotherhood." Haider whispered.

Ainsley Hall glared at Haider. He couldn't hide the venom in his gaze. "Haider, if you had used your head for just a moment, we wouldn't have to worry about anything." If Haider had ignored James's taunt, they wouldn't have to worry about any repercussions. Now, however, James was a ticking time bomb that would eventually visit their doors. Given his cruel and decisive nature within the arena.

"What's done is done." Kirby interjected. Although he also bitterly stared at Haider, he believed there was no point mulling over what had already happened. "If by some miracle he survives this battle, we must make preparations." Kirby said solemnly.

Ainsley Hall and Haider remained silent. That they would even consider a possibility of James emerging victorious was something they had never imagined before now.

***

"Human, slit your throat and hand over that mask. Then I'll leave you with a whole corpse." Mandrogo taunted. He approached James from the right while Higgins approached from the other side. James ignored the Ogre. He wasn't naïve enough to follow the orders of a mere Ogre. Instead, he glared at Higgins. Although he suspected Mandrogo was the stronger of the two, Higgins strange ability had piqued his interest.

'He practices sorcery related to gravity? But why does it feel like a localized, but inferior version of mana manipulation?' James pondered. The surrounding mana underwent a consequential change the moment Higgins unleashed his ability. While James fought the other combatants, Higgins slowly fused the mana in the area, before forcefully compressing it at an astonishing rate. He then gathered it in midair, far above the detection range of anyone in the arena. Waiting for the best opportunity to release it. Which came when James and the Damak twins stood directly underneath the compressed mana.

"You're able to manipulate gravity?" James slowly asked. He had regained his calm.

Higgins chuckled. "Maybe. You'll find out soon." There was no way he would explain his abilities to his opponent.

A sly smile suddenly graced James's lips. Higgins paused. 'Why is he staring at me like that? Has he figured it out?' He felt a deep sense of unease as he met James's gaze. Higgins slowly dispelled the thought. There was no way James would have seen through his ability, he thought. Just then, Mandrogo's voice reached him. "What are you waiting for?! Do it now!"

Higgins firmed his resolve. He Raised his massive long sword before making a cleaving motion towards James. However, it produced no sword light or air pressure. Instead, the compressed mana he gathered descended at an astonishing speed. A savage glint flashed across his eyes as he stared at James. 'I thought as much. He only survived the first wave because he was at the periphery.' Unlike before, James's knees curved and his back bent. The transformed Mask of the Dead lay on the floor, forming a sharp depression under the frightening pressure from Higgins' gravitational force.

Higgins turned towards Mandrogo. "Finish him, he can't do anything now." However, the Ogre remained motionless.

"I won't backstab you. Or are you planning on reneging on our agreement?" Higgins glared at Mandrogo. He had purposely deflected the gravitational force from assaulting the Ogre since they had a prior agreement. However, he wouldn't hesitate to break the agreement if Mandrogo showed the slightest trace of betraying him. He would let him taste the full force of his ability.

'Why is this idiot suddenly hesitating? If not for the backlash of controlling the force, I would have ended this already. Damn it.' If he could, he would have made a move on James himself.

"Listen here you ugly fucker! You either do as planned or get ready to eat dust!" Higgins screamed.

Mandrogo remained in the same position. His bloodshot eyes remained fixated on James.

"Damn it. I knew I shouldn't have trusted you ugly piece of shit." Higgins cursed. However, he was inwardly guarded. Because anything that could make Mandrogo cautious wasn't ordinary. He knew Ogres had keener senses than humans. If Mandrogo hesitated, he had definitely sensed something. The only question was what?

"Mandro—" Before Higgins could finish his statement, the Ogre suddenly unleashed a frightening burst of speed. Charging towards James with his axe raise. Thick veins lined Mandrogo's hulking body, threatening to burst out with each step he took.

'Finally.' Higgins sighed in relief. For a moment, he thought Mandrogo would attack him before James. Diverting his attention towards James. He ensured the gravitational force had little or marginal effect in restricting Mandrogo's movement.

'I should start preparing the third wave for when he kills the brat. I'll let this ugly bastard know not to mess with me.' Since James couldn't use his strange weapon, couple with the fact that he could barely stand, Higgins was certain of their victory. He licked his lips. 'Any moment now...' He anxiously counted the seconds in his mind. While he gave others the impression of a brute with no brains, he considered his intelligence and cunning as his greatest assets. His strength was only a bonus. His eyes gleamed with excitement as only a few feet separated James from Mandrogo's axe. 'This is it?' Higgins mentally prepared himself to bring down the third wave. Only inches separated James from Mandrogo's axe.

"I get it now." James suddenly chuckled. His eyes lingered on the vast shadow cast over him. However, James showed no signs of evading. He clicked his fingers twice, and a booming explosion followed. The overwhelming pressure surrounding the Mask of the Dead disappeared, and it instantly appeared in front of James. Taking the form of a six-feet-tall tower shield with white and blue etchings of a skull. The sudden change stunned Higgins and Mandrogo.

'Did the human let him go?' Mandrogo assumed Higgins had betrayed him already. That was the only plausible explanation that made sense to him. He quickly regained his calm. He had absolute confidence in his strength. A mere shield wouldn't stop him, no matter how durable it was. The Ogre's axe smashed on the surface of the shield. Producing another deafening clank. Shock waves spread across the arena, and a section of the arena's walls rumbled as if it would crumble imminently.

"Oh? This is quite the surprise." James smiled slightly as he peeked through an opening in the shield. Not only was Mandrogo's weapon intact, the Ogre suffered no injuries from clashing with the Mask of the Dead.

"You think you're the only one with a special weapon?" Mandrogo sneered. However, he panicked inwardly. He used all his strength in the previous strike; however, he couldn't dent or a scratch the shield. Meanwhile, the edge of his axe had a hairline crack invisible to the normal eye.

Without hesitation, Mandrogo retreated. Since James's weapon had become active, he couldn't carelessly attack him. The thought of Higgins attacking him also lingered at the back of his mind.

"What are you doing? Why are you retreating? Are you reneging on our—?"

"Do it yourself! The deal was off the moment you let him regain his weapon!" Mandrogo spat. He glared at Higgins with undisguised fury. He couldn't believe how low the human would go to perfect his ploy.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Higgins was genuinely confused. Why would he let James attack Mandrogo? He mused. Although he didn't know how James's weapon broke free from his gravitational force, he was confident it had nothing to do with James. Because he was still under the full effects of the gravitational force.

Mandrogo sneered. He would not fall for the cunning words of a human. He pointed his axe towards Higgins. He had decided. If Higgins dared to contest with him for the reward, he would battle him to the death. He had worked long and hard to earn a chance to become a rights holder.

Fury warped Higgins features underneath his basinet. "Do you think I'm afraid of you?! You want a fight? Bring it on!" Higgins then turned his long sword towards Mandrogo. He wouldn't shrink away from the Ogre's provocation. Just then, James' cheerful laugh interrupted the tense atmosphere. Although the duo had subtly watched him, they couldn't figure out the reason for his sudden reaction.

"What's so funny? Do you think you have any chance of living here alive?" Higgins glared at James. Mandrogo also stared at him. He couldn't let his guard down in front of the despicable humans.

"Isn't funny when ants try to act tough in front of an elephant?" James causally remarked.

Mandrogo's grip firmed on his battle axe while Higgins gritted his teeth underneath his basinet. No one needed to tell them James referred to them as ants. Despite their rage, neither confronted James. One abrasive moment could very well condemn them to a brutal end. They bitterly swallowed James's taunts.

The watching crowd had grown uncharacteristically quiet. The battle had reached its decisive moment. No one wanted to miss out on the action. James's taunt confused most of them, because he still hadn't broken free of the gravity force. Yet he talked with much confidence. Some believed he was only speeding up his inevitable demise.

Higgins broke the standstill. He turned his long sword towards James. "Today, you'll witness an ant devouring an elephant." He had heard enough of James's nonsense. He would eliminate James first, before facing Mandrogo.

"Haha… Unfortunately, that only happens in fantasies, and I can assure you this isn't one." James retorted. "If you and the others acted sooner, there was a seventy percent chance you would have succeeded. But that's gone now. Especially thanks to you." James's words stunned the crowd. This was the first time they had seen someone in a disadvantageous position mouthing off. They quickly turned towards Higgins, eagerly awaiting his response.

"Me?" Higgins pointed at himself. "Hahaha… it seems my gravitational force has fucked up your head. Haha…" Higgins snorted. He was confident James only babbled to buy enough time before the inevitable. He wouldn't waste words on him anymore. Mandrogo also arrived at the same conclusion. However, he had no intentions of acting just yet. He would let the humans murder each other first, before he sent the victor on his way to hell.

Higgins voice suddenly turned cold. "I will send you on your way. You can go be an elephant in hell." His grip tightened around the long sword. He didn't dare to dispel the force just yet, and he was still weary of Mandrogo taking advantage of the situation. He would only deactivate his ability when James was within range of his blade. That James's shield remained motionless filled Higgins with confidence. With his mind made up, he slowly walked towards James while staring at Mandrogo at the other end. If he made any move, he would abort his plan. However, Mandrogo showed no signs of moving. In fact, the Ogre retreated. Silently paving the way for Higgins to attack. Higgins sighed internally. The Ogre's retreat erased his biggest fear. His bloodshot eyes then focused on James, who was on the verge of falling to his knees. 'It's surprising this brat hasn't succumbed to the pressure yet. However, I'll make sure he dies a painful death at Vakko's teeth.' He raised his named blade. Only a few feet separated him from James. Once he was within four feet, Vakko's teeth would shred James's stomach to pieces, he vowed.

With less than seven feet between them, James suddenly sighed. Higgins panicked. He didn't dare continue. At that same moment, James's voice filled his ears, "Do you want to experiencing a true gravitational force? If I'm being honest, yours is quite lacking."

Before Higgins could comprehend James's words, a startling changed followed. He effortlessly raised his back. Standing straight without the slightest difficulty. Higgins' eyes widened and his mouth dropped.

"See. I told you it was lacking." James chuckled. He could see Higgins' eyes trembling via the visor slits. The burly man abandoned all plans of attacking and hastily retreated.

"Where do you think you're going? Kneel!"

Seconds after James's declaration, an almighty pressure descended on Higgins. Creaks and cracks echoed within the arena. A moment later, a loud thud accompanied a dust cloud. However, the dust cloud settled quickly. A huge depression appeared in the arena's grounds. The shocking turn of events stunned the petrified slaves among the crowd. Mandrogo's expression had turned unsightly. 'He used Higgins' ability?' His eyes quivered as he stared at Higgins' bloodied body within the meter deep depression. His armor and sword had broken into multiple pieces along with his bones. No one knew if he was dead or alive. Even if he was alive, many believed he would never remain the same.

It wasn��t unheard of for sorcerers to encounter those who practised a similar sorcery. In fact, it was rather common, since ordinary sorcerers couldn't access high profile tomes and scriptures. However, Higgins' gravitational pull was one of those high profile sorcery, and he had dedicated thirty years of his life to learning it. That James would use a similar attack, but one many times stronger, sent chills down the spines of those present. Because it was obvious, he didn't know about it before Higgins used it. Which meant James had learned and mastered Higgins sorcery within minutes.

The soldiers in the rights section became agitated. They couldn't allow someone like that to live. Who knew when he would master all their abilities.

James didn't bother himself with the thoughts and gasps of the crowd. He lazily stared at Higgins' body in the pit, and a slight smile graced his lips. Although he could have mitigated the effects of the gravitational force, he allowed his body to experience the full force of its onslaught. Only because he wanted to determine the extent of its similarities with mana manipulation. The more he bathed under the constant mana assault, the more he realized the similarities between both spells. He concluded that Higgins' so-called gravitational force was only a much more inferior version of his mana manipulation. With unbridled control over mana via mana manipulation, he hijacked the third wave from Higgins, and combined it with his own mana before unleashing it on the unsuspecting soldier. Before Higgins could do anything about it, James's version of the gravitational force buried him in the ground while destroying everything in his body.

James turned his attention towards Mandrogo. "If you slit your throat and hand over your trash of a weapon, I'll consider leaving a leg and arm on your corpse." James smiled cheerfully.

Mandrogo's lips trembled. However, he said nothing. James had repeated the same words he said to him earlier. As much as he would love to tear James to shred, he knew it would only hasten his demise. However, he had no intentions of shrieking away from the battle. He would never bring shame to his tribesmen and brothers.

"So what will it be, huh?" James clenched his fist, and the mask of the dead turned into a halberd.

"I'm no coward. I will never bow to a filthy—" An almighty pressure descended on Mandrogo before he could finish his statement. His head slammed on the ground while his arms and legs bent at awkward angles. He couldn't even open his mouth to scream. He felt as if James stacked thousands of gigantic rocks on his body.

James causally walked towards Mandrogo while swinging his halberd. In three quick slashes, Mandrogo's right arm, left leg and head flew in different directions. His blood eerily fell on the ground while the remains of his body went limp.

Several people rubbed their eyes while others couldn't close their opened mouths. The strongest man beneath Senior Journeyman rank fell after only three swings of James's weapon. All eyes focused on James. They watched as he walked towards the crater Higgins lay. Without saying a word, a thick bluish flame shot out from his eyes into the crater. Silence followed. Within seconds, Higgins' body had turned to ash. He neither screamed nor squirmed while being burned. Most of them knew it was because of James's superior gravitational force.

Haider Lewis, Ainsley Hall, and Kirby all wore unsightly expressions. James's display had exceed what they thought possible. "We can't let him live. We have to kill him no matter what. Haider, you will take responsibility for it. Do you understand?" Kirby declared under his breath.

"Sir…" Haider's paused. He swallowed his words as he met Kirby's bloodshot gaze. He cursed James extensively in his heart.

Meanwhile, Pope Enel watched the scene below with unrestrained joy. 'I want him so bad… I must have him before the others can get to him.' He slowly covered the bulge in the groin region of his robes. But he couldn't hide the desire in his eyes.

"Congratulations Kaleb. Proceed to the inner sanctum. That concludes today's arena battles. You may all leave."