Chapter 7

The final examinees are all gathered in the warehouse, awaiting for Mr. Otto to explain the next stage of the exam

" Hey Adir! What took you so long? I honestly thought you'd be the first to finish, not the last." Alex says

" Well the guy I was put up against was no joke. He's really strong! I don't think you can beat him.. Not at your level right now.." Adir responds

While the two friends are talking, Mr. Otto comes back and silences the room,

" Everyone! I thank you for your cooperation and patience throughout this exam! We will now enter the 3rd and final stage of this exam. It will consist of 2v2's and you will be based on your performance, not whether you win or not. This is your chance to really show your teamwork and combat skills. I will now begin to announce the teams." Otto says

I wonder who I'll be paired with.. That Butch guy seems bastante strong! A contestant named Lorenzo thinks to himself

" The first team will be- Butch and Alex! The team that they'll be up against is team two, with Adir and Harry!" Otto announces

Me and Harry?! Against them? I don't know what'll happen in this fight, it all depends on whether Butch will work with Alex.. Adir thinks in his head

" You've all probably noticed that there are only ten of you, making it an uneven amount for 2v2 battles, so there will be only two 2v2 battles, and one 1v1. That 1v1 will be Amaya vs Lorenzo, with the final 2v2 being Jake and Laura against Retz and Cole. I will now give you five minutes to strategize with your teammate, goodluck" Otto finishes

Adir and Harry meet up and begin to discuss their battle up ahead.

" You know what they say, yesterday's enemy is today's friend!" Harry starts

" That's true.. Considering who we're up against, I think that our best bet is to fight them individually, i'm pretty positive that Butch will be after me, so I'll take him on, and I'll leave Alex up to you, sound good?" Adir says

" I'm fine with it, based on what I've seen, they both use basic magic enhancement right?" Harry responds

" That's right, but still be careful, underestimating Alex will lead to your defeat." Adir tells him

Alex goes to Butch, and the two begin conversing

" I don't know what your powers are, or what you can do, but if you get in the way of me fighting Adir, I WILL beat you too." Butch says

" Fine.. I'll try not to get in your way I guess.." Alex murmurs

While everyone is talking and strategizing, Otto interrupts them

" Now, will teams one and two please come forward? We will now begin the first battle of the exam!" Otto announces

The two teams go and are the only ones at the bottom of the warehouse, the floor is made of concrete, with the metal sheet walls and roof. The examiners and remaining contestants watch from a balcony up above led by stairs.

" You ready Adir? You almost seem nervous.." Harry asks

" Yeah I'm fine, I just have this weird feeling.. The feeling that this fight is gonna be harder than the ones I've had before.." Adir responds

" Now! We will begin! In three… Two.. One… Let the fighting commence!" Otto finishes

The two teams split up to different sides of the warehouse and they face up, and say a few words before they begin fighting.

" Adir.. I hope you're ready.. You only caught me off guard last time, I'll beat you to a pulp!" Butch says

" Heh, good luck with that.. Now enough of the small talk, lets begin!" Adir remarks

The two activate their abilities, with Adir bringing out his staff, but Butch looks much different than last time, his eyes looked almost empty, and instead of magic being around his hand, he had an aura, his entire body seemingly covered with magic.

" Huh?! That boy… I think he's unconsciously using a magic aura! I'm excited to see how Adir will counter this one.." Spark states

Meanwhile, Alex and Harry confront each other, and they skip talking and go straight to fighting, with Alex's fists glowing yellow, and Harry's arm flows with water.

An elemental! So this is why Adir had such a tough time huh.. I don't think I can win this.. But I have an idea.. Alex thinks in his head

Harry rushes at Alex, forcing Alex to stay on the defensive, but he gets hit heavily

If I put my guard down intentionally, I think I can knock this guy out.. But I'll be knocked out too.. Alex schemes

Butch blitzes at Adir, knocking him off his feet, giving Adir barely any time to counter and is left on the defensive.

I knew it… He's a lot different than before, it's like his whole body is enhanced.. All I can do is block! Adir thinks to himself

Adir tries to charge up his staff, but before he can, Butch kicks him in his stomach, leaving Adir cold on the floor.

" Heh.. That was easier than expected! I think I'll just finish this other guy off too!" Butch yells boastingly

Adir gets back up, unbeknownst to Butch, and he holds his staff out with both hands, and with a giant grin, says

" I get it now.. This feeling… Stage 1… Demons Daggers!!" Adir yells

His staff breaks in two and they turn into ancient looking daggers, with upside-down crucifixes marked on the blades.

" What's this? You have two little knives now huh? It still won't be enough!!" Butch screams at Adir

" We'll see about that.. First Act… Devils Rush!" Adir chants

Adir seemingly vanishes and appears behind Butch, cutting him and knocking him out. At the same time, Alex gets a giant hit on Harry and the two of them are out cold, making Adir the last one in the arena.

" And the winner is team two of Adir and Harry, which concludes the first match of the final stage!" Otto announces

Everyone in the room is shocked by the short battle they just observed. Spark is speechless, with the other contestants paralyzed by the magic that Adir radiated.

" That guy.. He's a monster… I hope I never get on his bad side.." Contestant Amaya says

" Si, I would not like to fight him either." Contestant Lorenzo responds

The two teams are pulled out of the arena and receive medical attention, and everyone waits a little while before the next fight between Amaya and Lorenzo.