Fulfilling of Hope

Wrock dodged an incoming blow and knocked Hairn to his feet, "There is a little improvement. But we don't have much time, experiment on your own."

Hairn stood back up, "This is humiliating."

"Nothing wrong with learning something new. It's a shame we only have thirty minutes though. Ask to visit us and perhaps we can chat, if you want to that is."

Wrock lifted a hand, "No point in using your Berserk Skill either."

Hairn lowered his arms in defeat, "You even know about that?"

"Chaotic mana is quite easy to spot once you're familiar with it."

"Then I forfeit, I am no match for you."

"Alright."

~ ~ ~

The crowd wasn't sure how to react. Was this a school lesson?!

Desk Guy rubbed his chin, "Hm, this is not what I expected to happen."

A coworker crushed a can, "You think?! This is by far the worst day of the competition!"

"Well, the worst day so far. There is still tomorrow."

". . ."

". . ."

~ ~ ~

-Anon626: This is strange.

-Anon597: They legitimately just tutored their enemies?

-Anon156: lol, is their advice of any use?

-Anon721: If you have the same issues as them maybe. Otherwise there is mostly no point.

-Anon771: It really shows their skill level.

-Anon626: great

-Anon597: Silence everyone!

-Anon771: Being able to deduce the flaws in someone's style requires a lot of experience. Being able to guide them in the right direction requires even more. They had shown them their biggest weakness and gave ideas on how to improve. Even if it isn't the greatest of advice, it gives them a start.

-Anon626: Their matchups, it's almost as if they aren't going to actually fight.

-Anon597: ?

-Anon626: From the card game to this tutoring match. Now they are going to die within seconds from Bakery Basics?

-Anon771: We will see about that last bit.

-Anon626: No one has been able to stop it.

-Anon771: You have seen their calm reactions to it. Almost as if it isn't even a threat.

-Anon626: They have merely accepted fate.

-Anon771: We have already wagered on the outcome. I just hope you are ready to bite the loss.

-Anon626: Ha, the same to you.

~ ~ ~

The match ended, for their enemies seemed to have gained a realization that they were no match. Making the crowd even more displeased.

Before the party returned to their VIP rooms they were quickly intercepted by Determined Souls.

Quol looked at them with newfound respect, "Just who are you guys?"

Akiol shrugged, "Just some people taking it easy I guess."

"With your skill level? Have you come here for the prize money?"

They whole party shook their heads unanimously, leaving Quol confused. Wrock took the opportunity to explain, "We simply came to see what the professionals were like. A shame we can't face against the Guild teams though."

"It's natural that Guild's have an advantage. It really just evens the playing field for us."

"I wonder about that."

The two groups then mingled, as the party further explained some of their lessons. Providing insight to Determined Souls. They walked and chatted the entire way to the hotel, for the thirteenth day had ended. As they split off there was promises for further chats and they had friended each other on the Forums.

As the day ended peacefully for the party, and chaotically for the organizers. A lingering sensation of excitement flowed through many. Despite the overall disappointing experience, they couldn't help but get their hopes up for the final day. Perhaps it would end spectacularly.

Thus when night fell and the moon arose accompanied by only a few stars, many were restless. The Forums were scattered with hateful comments about the lackluster thirteenth day and hopeful commenters who still believed in the organizers.

Those who were restless wasn't only due to excitement. Some few were restless in fear and anxiousness. If the fourteenth day wasn't impressive enough, they might not be able to do another Professional Competition.

The sun arose and the streets grew busy. A World's Arena became as energetic as it was on the first day, if not more so. Despite the disapproval of the thirteenth day the last day was still incredibly popular. All the seats were sold out, many players logged into the game to experience it themselves in more ways than one. The Livestream had reached a new peak in viewers.

As things settled to prepare for the first match, the finals for the non-Guild 1v1 match. Many were on edge, all hoping for one thing. A proper and true battle, with trump cards being used and all-in bets. No more holding back, no more tactical choices.

A true raw battle.

The first match did not disappoint.

Unlike the scheming Guilds, the guildless players did not worry about the future Professional Competitions. They simply worried about the next match. With it being the finals, there was no need to hold anything back.

The audience got their wishes. A match between two players. Raron and Unoni. A brilliant display of skill and strength occurred. A battle until the end. Each moment changed the tide of battles.

Strangely, the commentators were incredibly energetic. Providing another level of entertainment with their excited voices.

In the end, in a final contest of strength Raron had taken first place. Gaining many fans and cheers from the audience. During the ten minute break many were still gossiping about the battle. Overall they were satisfied. The one match alone almost made up for the catastrophe the previous day was.

The Trios were just as exciting. With triple the total players the battles were only more chaotic. Skills of all kinds were unleashed, creating a brilliant show of lights and action. The two teams: Kora Nora and Glory to All provided an additional exciting show. The total battle having almost reached the thirty minute mark.

Although it wouldn't have mattered. In order to not end things prematurely, the finals were not constrained by the thirty minute rule. However if a team was intentionally dragging a battle out for too long they would receive a warning. If it continued they would be disqualified.

In the end a single player remained on Kora Nora, against two from Glory to All. Just as the audience believed that the winner was obvious, the remaining player from Kora Nora had won with a final risky move.

This made the audience shocked and excited. With such a show who wouldn't be? Posts were spammed in the Forums, making the moderators force a temporary mute for new posts. Despite this many posts gained traction and conversations sparked like wildfire.

As the ten minute interval was coming to a close, many felt a sense of dread. The organizers felt similarly. Everyone was dreading the potential for Bakery Basics to one shot the enemy team, leaving a anticlimactic ending to the already fantastic day.

Desk Guy merely sipped a can of sparkling water, having grown accustomed to the taste he no longer felt repulsed by it. Watching his fellow coworkers pull out their hair he chuckled to himself. He wasn't worried at all. As the time ticked down heartbeat rates began to rise. The Livestream chat began to die down, as many were watching intensely.

Despite the overall excitement and energy showed previously, everything was silent. As the arena was chosen and the two teams loaded in many began to hold their breath.

Their hearts stopped upon seeing the same process begin to unfold. As a cherry blossom petal floated the audience watched Six Lights with an intense gaze.

A silver haired player spoke, "It's the cherry blossom petal."

A second had passed. . .

Another second.

At the third second many's expression began to brighten. Had they survived?

At the fourth second the silver haired player grinned, "I hope you all didn't think we would die that easily. A technique like this won't work."

Excitement burst through, there wasn't going to be a one shot match!

As the organizers leaned back in their chairs with sighs of relief Desk Guy joked, "See? I told you all you were overreacting."

Everyone was in a good mood and agreed. Perhaps they were too negative after all.

~ ~ ~

Akiol's grin faded, the mana technique was in fact incredibly similar to {Order of Mortem}. The key difference was that his own aimed to defeat the opponent with a singular powerful strike. What the enemy team had used was hundreds of tiny attacks. Creating tons of cuts throughout the body, killing in seconds.

Defending against this technique was incredibly simple. Surrounding themselves in a thin barrier of mana rendered the attack useless. Such a basic mana technique was essentially for defending against offensive mana techniques.

This was why Akiol believed {Order of Mortem} was superior. With the powerful slash the victim would need a significant amount of Mana Control in order to block the powerful strike. Versus the basic defense they had used against the lesser technique.

With a brief overlook of the map Akiol unsheathed Stars. The arena was a set of plains. Similarly named The Final Plain. There were a few wooden houses scattered about. Large rocks decorated a section of the arena, along with a few trees standing alone.

Akiol glanced behind him and asked, "Ready to see what these guys can do?"