(36) Power of Ego |7|
May 19th 3019
6:05 P.M.
Cambridge, HAS Arena
The battle rages on as Livestream and Mirage barely manage to hold on, we have gotten used to the illusions and we don't fall for them anymore or at least most of the time.
"Damn it!" Jacob roars at them, this is the fifth time he was tricked in the last seven minutes and he's getting agitated.
Mirage tries to cover the area in fog and gets this distracted but I use this chance to use my trump card.
"{Ignis Aloe Vera}" A thick Illusory Aloevera stalk sprouts from my palm covered in a shiny light green flame, it extends and wraps around Mirage as the flames burn him. Both are taken by surprise and Livestream tries to intervene but is stopped by the others.
I raise my hand and the stalk follows my lead raising the screaming victim in the air as I then slam my hand down, the stalk making Mirage crash land head first into the floor with just enough force to knock him out.
"[Attention... Participant... Mirage... Eliminated]"
"Nooo!" Livestream tries to run away but Max appears behind him.
"Haha, you... hid that well" Livestream sighs then takes up a stance.
"But don't think I'll go down without a fight" His drones appear above and circle around us like a flock of vultures, staring attentively at us as if waiting for something.
"I can't believe I'm using this here... but you leave me no choice... I doubt I will find a way to win even with this but... Step-Technique {Vision Instincts: Replay}"
Our expressions become grave, while Self-Techniques are stronger moves with more energy usage, they are something a lot of people can still use or even make and they are a staple of fighting, Step-Techniques however are much rarer and will need extensive training, they tend to be martial arts or extensive and complicated spells/skills passed down from generation to generation. They are called Step-Techniques due to the fact they have several 'steps' within them, each building a foundation for the next and tending to be stronger than the last.
Most of them are well known and from prominent families or groups but the one Livestream is using doesn't match with any of the ones widely known which means he either got his hands on a rare ancient scroll, an expert to teach him, or he made his own.
If he had found a scroll he shouldn't have been able to hide it as something of that rarity wouldn't have gone unnoticed.
Masters of Step-Techniques always make sure to be in the limelight to find worthy students and pass on their legacies.
Making a Step-Technique should take years or even decades unless it's a lower level technique in which case a few months would be enough, with the first two options being unlikely that means he probably made his own...
Livestreams eyes glow and he strikes. As we fight he blocks most of our attacks and when he can't he makes sure to trade blows, despite being a three on one the fight is very difficult but we manage to get him on his backfoot.
"Ugh, {Vision Instincts: Understanding}" He groans as he activates the next step of his technique.
His every move is calculated and his drones are constantly monitoring the fight preventing us from launching sneak attacks. His attack power increased and he's blocking even more of our attacks.
I decide to target the drones first but they avoid us and hide in the trees. I could chase after them but with his current fighting boost it will be hard for the others to hold him back properly. I focus all my attention on him mixing my attacks from further back and we get him on his backfoot again.
"{Vision Instincts: Foresight}"
Suddenly he seems to perfectly block our attacks and starts landing attacks of his own. We barely manage our ground but as the battle goes on we see Livestream seems to be straining himself, his eyes finally stop glowing, his attacks slowing down at a visible rate as he takes more and more damage until finally he falls under our onslaught, all bruised and defeated.
"[Attention... Participant... Livestream... Eliminated]"
"[Attention... Match End... Victory For... Cambridge Team]"
The stands on Exponentia's side go quiet as the ones on Cambridge's side go into an uproar, the spectators cheering and celebrating as Max, Jacob and I look at each other. We catch our breath as Max and I smile at each other. Jacob snorts.
"Humph, I'd say not bad but we could've beaten him much faster if Golurk was here." He pants as he says his piece.
Max interrupts with a bear hug "I told you, you'd do great!"
"Max please I can't breathe" He lets go and I gasp for breath. We step off the Arena and see the others getting carried away to the designated healers to recuperate.
"That was something" I smile and look down at my hands. I may have won the battle but it was only with the help of others, and my own techniques are lacking. I need a way to improve and fast.