Practice Match (Part 3)

The battle reached its climax as Ellora, standing amidst the raging inferno that was closing in on her, calmly snapped her fingers. In an instant, the terrifying firestorm vanished, swallowed by a small circle that appeared before her—a tiny black hole created by her mastery of dimensional power. All the blazing fire energy, the swirling vortex from the combined forces of Madalyn, Cestine, Chris, and Charlotte, was absorbed without a trace.

Everyone's eyes widened in shock. A heavy silence fell over the arena, and awe mingled with fear in everyone's hearts.

"That's... impossible..." Cestine muttered, her gaze fixed on the small circle that appeared momentarily in the air before vanishing. 

"She absorbed the entire attack...?" Chris whispered, stunned. Cold sweat began to bead on his forehead, even as he tried to keep his expression composed. 

"So Quantum's Eye wasn't wrong about her magical atom resonance," Professor Fei Zhang, watching from a distance, remarked quietly. 

The Headmaster, who had been observing closely, added, "That's just a small fraction of the dimension she can create, right, Commander Astrid?" 

"Yes, I saw her split the sky during the selection match yesterday," Astrid responded seriously. 

But Madalyn and Gareth, who had been ready for the next phase, moved into action immediately. They charged towards Ellora with incredible speed. 

"This isn't over yet!" Madalyn shouted, refusing to let the shock affect her. Utilizing Charlotte's mirror magic, she and Gareth launched their attacks from all directions through the reflections. Madalyn's light spear moved with lightning speed, thrown at various mirror angles, bouncing and striking Ellora from unexpected directions. At the same time, Gareth, in his giant bear form clad in glowing golden armor, charged at Ellora, clawing with deadly force, only to bounce off the mirrors and attack from another angle.

"Attack from every angle! Don't give her a moment to defend!" Madalyn commanded, swinging her spear into the air. Charlotte, controlling the mirrors, meticulously adjusted the reflections, ensuring that every attack was perfectly directed.

Gareth disappeared and reappeared through the mirrors, his sharp claws always aimed at Ellora. His movements were unpredictable and incredibly hard to anticipate. Madalyn's light spear darted between the mirror reflections, each throw bouncing back faster, bombarding Ellora from multiple angles like streaks of light.

Yet Ellora remained unfazed. Her barrier held firm, encasing her in a dimensional presence impervious to ordinary attacks. Each time Gareth's claws drew near, Ellora calmly shifted the surrounding dimension, causing his attacks to miss by a hair's breadth. Occasionally, Gareth was even deflected back into different mirrors, making his counterattacks increasingly difficult to predict.

Madalyn hurled her light spear once more, aiming it through the mirror reflections to strike directly behind Ellora. This time, Madalyn hoped her attack would penetrate the barrier that had been hit several times in the same area.

"You won't be able to hold out much longer!" Madalyn shouted with confidence in her voice.

Ellora moved her hand swiftly, manipulating the space around her. The light spear did hit her dimensional barrier, but like the previous attacks, it couldn't break through. The spear was absorbed into another dimension, disappearing without a trace. Despite the vibrations on her barrier, Ellora remained unshaken.

Charlotte, observing this, felt a surge of frustration. "Our attacks are being reflected back! She's absorbing everything. Madalyn, we need a new strategy!" she called out, trying to think quickly.

Madalyn frowned, realizing their well-planned, layered attacks weren't achieving the desired result. "Keep pressing! We need to force her until she can't hold out any longer!"

On the other hand, Gareth, growing increasingly aggressive, struck with unimaginable force. Every time his claws hit Ellora's dimensional barrier, it shook slightly but remained intact.

"She's too calm. We need to shake her up more!" Gareth growled, beginning to feel frustrated with Ellora's resilient defense.

Akira, who had been observing from afar, watched Ellora with a sharp gaze. He knew that no matter how hard his teammates attacked, Ellora always had the upper hand in controlling space and dimensions. He walked over to Nadeshiko, who remained focused on the ice formations around Ellora.

"Nadeshiko, we need something more. Pay attention to her movements; she's waiting for the perfect moment to strike back," Akira said seriously. "We need to change our approach."

Nadeshiko nodded. "I was thinking about setting up a new trap, but I need more time. My ice magic can bind her, but with her dimension manipulation... it won't be easy," she replied, continuing to control the ice energy around the battlefield.

The fight grew increasingly intense as everyone realized how difficult it was to face someone like Ellora, who expertly controlled space and time. All their plans, tactics, and attack combinations felt like they were hitting an invisible wall that couldn't be breached.

Astrid Lorelei, observing from a distance with the headmaster, watched intently. She took in every move of Ellora and her opponents. Even though she was merely a spectator, she began to see the patterns in Ellora's fighting style.

"This girl... she's on a whole different level," she murmured with a hint of admiration. The headmaster standing next to her simply nodded in agreement, remaining silent in serious contemplation.

The fight was far from over, and everyone knew that Ellora still had something up her sleeve, hidden beneath her calm demeanor. Then Cestine summoned a massive poisonous tree behind Ellora. The roots of the tree surged forward with incredible force, binding Ellora tightly. For a moment, the scene seemed to freeze as the roots coiled around Ellora, almost immobilizing her.

"This is it! The tree's roots will hold her down!" Cestine declared with conviction. She then turned to Nadeshiko standing beside her. "Nadeshiko, now!"

Nadeshiko nodded and quickly channeled her ice magic through the tree's roots. The cold energy spread through the roots, freezing the outer layer of Ellora's dimensional barrier. "Don't let her move!" Nadeshiko shouted.

Ellora, now seemingly frozen, appeared completely still. Her dimensional barrier, though it looked frozen, still emitted a soft glow, indicating that its power hadn't completely shattered.

"We're ready!" Madalyn shouted, satisfied with their teamwork. She summoned several light spears that hovered around her. The spears gleamed brightly, unleashing deadly beams of light toward Ellora.

"Now!" Madalyn shouted, and the spears were immediately directed through Charlotte's mirrors. With astonishing precision, the mirrors reflected the light spears towards Ellora, amplifying the already formidable attack.

Gareth, standing next to Madalyn, repositioned himself and used the mirrors to bounce off with incredible speed. He surged through the reflections, building up tremendous momentum, ready to strike with full force.

Madalyn and Gareth coordinated flawlessly. Madalyn's light spears darted with blinding flashes, while Gareth, in his giant bear form, charged fiercely toward Ellora. The combined assault resulted in a massive explosion that shook the training ground.

Toxic smoke from Cestine's poisonous tree roots quickly spread, making the explosion even more terrifying. The fire ignited by the combined attacks engulfed the surrounding area in raging flames.

In the midst of the explosion, Madalyn and Gareth swiftly dodged and leaped towards Charlotte. They landed nimbly and took cover behind Charlotte, who was safely positioned.

Cestine, Nadeshiko, and Akira remained in their places, watching intently. Cestine looked at the fruits of their labor with a hint of satisfaction. "We've unleashed all our power. She should be defeated by now," Cestine said confidently.

Nadeshiko, appearing slightly exhausted from channeling her ice through the tree roots, nodded in agreement. "I think we've delivered a very strong attack."

However, Akira showed no expression, his eyes sharp and observant. He realized that Ellora wouldn't be easily defeated. He glanced at the headmaster and Astrid, who were watching from afar, sensing the growing tension.

Amidst the swirling smoke, Ellora's dimensional barrier began to shake violently. Meanwhile, the light from within the barrier flickered with intense strength. It seemed Ellora still had some power left.

"She's still in there!" Charlotte yelled, her face showing concern.

Madalyn, taken aback, stared at the explosion in disbelief. "How is she still holding on?" she said, her eyes wide with amazement and astonishment.

"Be careful!" Charlotte shouted, noticing the situation closely. "She might reveal something we haven't seen yet."

As the smoke began to clear and the explosion subsided, Ellora's dimensional barrier glowed even brighter. Emerging from the haze with calm composure, she appeared largely unaffected by the previous attacks. Her barrier still stood strong, and she exuded confidence.

"Impressive!" Astrid exclaimed, watching in awe. "This is truly an amazing fight!"

The headmaster, standing next to Astrid, could only smile slightly and nod in agreement. "Ellora is truly remarkable. This is an exceptional test for everyone."

With the arena shrouded in smoke and tension still high, the fight was far from over. Ellora decided it was time to counterattack with a power she hadn't yet shown. With intense focus, she gathered magical atoms and fired a void laser—a pure destructive energy using absolute void—toward the assembled group. This spell, a complex form of magic, used absolute emptiness, containing nothing but pure destructive energy.

"I learned this void magic thanks to Arche's recklessness. It seems that every spell I create just mimics that child's actions," Ellora mused with a nostalgic smile.

"Look at that!" someone from the group shouted as they saw the void energy hurtling towards them.

The laser shot forth with a dark, menacing light, speeding toward Madalyn and Gareth, who were visibly exhausted. Gareth, having reverted to his human form, and Madalyn, her light fading from overuse, appeared worried about the incoming attack.

Charlotte, near her mirrors, saw the attack approaching and quickly redirected one of her mirrors to deflect the void laser. "We need to handle this carefully!" Charlotte shouted, adjusting her mirror.

The mirror successfully deflected the attack, but something shocking happened—the void laser passed through the mirror without causing any cracks or damage, as if the mirror were a transparent void. Everyone stood stunned by this phenomenon.

"That is impossible!" Cestine exclaimed, her eyes wide with a mix of awe and fear.

Akira, who had been closely observing the situation, didn't hesitate. Standing firm in front of Ellora's attack, he prepared to act. With intense focus, Akira drew his blade and split the void energy Ellora had unleashed into two. This technique effectively divided the attack, neutralizing the void magic.

"What is he doing?!" Madalyn exclaimed, astonished at Akira's ability to block such a powerful attack.

Ellora, seeing her attack split by Akira, was taken aback. She had expected her attack to have a greater impact, but Akira's speed and precision in dividing the magic left her stunned.

"Hmm, this magic shouldn't be split so easily unless with ancient hero magic," Ellora murmured, observing Akira's sword glowing with a gray aura.

Akira, calm and focused, responded to Ellora's muttering, "This technique involves splitting energy and balancing power. Courage and precision are key in handling it."

Nadeshiko, standing beside Akira, nodded with pride. "Akira is indeed a master of this technique. He has extraordinary skill in dealing with complex magic."

Charlotte, still watching her mirrors, felt a slight relief. "We need to stay cautious. Nothing can be predicted in this fight."

Cestine and Gareth, still feeling drained, worked to regain their strength and prepare for the next phase of the battle. Cestine took a deep breath and began to gather her energy again, while Gareth stood reenergized, ready for the next attack.

"Good, we can't give up now," Madalyn said, trying to motivate herself and her team. "We must keep fighting and not let Ellora dominate this battle."

Ellora, having adjusted her strategy, contemplated her next move. She realized that facing such attacks required a more complex strategy and extra caution.

"In that case, I need to change my tactics," Ellora thought.

As everyone readied themselves for the continuation of the fight, the tension in the arena intensified. The headmaster and Frey Ireshia, observing from a distance, were visibly impressed by the dynamic and skill displayed by all the participants.

"This is an incredible battle," the Headmaster remarked, watching every move and strategy with keen interest. "All the participants are displaying remarkable skills. This is a truly valuable learning experience for them."

Astrid, with a satisfied smile, added, "And the fight isn't over yet. I'm sure there will be more surprises to come."

As the battle grew more intense and dramatic, every step and decision became crucial. Each participant, including Ellora, Madalyn, Gareth, Akira, Charlotte, Cestine, and Nadeshiko, continued to push their limits in this challenging fight.

Akira, standing in front of the group, recognized the exhaustion and immense challenge his teammates faced against Ellora. With confidence, he decided to take over the situation and give his friends a chance to rest.

"Everyone, take a break for a moment. Let me handle this fight," Akira said, his voice brimming with assurance. His calm confidence made everyone pause and focus their attention on him.

Madalyn, hearing Akira's offer, felt a mix of frustration and hope. She had exhausted her energy and strategies, but she trusted that Akira, as the strongest student at Lupusrica Academy, might have the ability to deal with Ellora. "Alright, Akira. I trust you," Madalyn said, channeling her remaining light magic to him.

Madalyn's remaining magic enveloped Akira like a final burst of power. His academy uniform shone brightly, transforming into a radiant golden-white, exuding a strong and majestic aura. Everyone, including Ellora, watched in awe at this dramatic transformation.

Charlotte, still managing her mirrors around the battlefield, made additional adjustments to support Akira. "I'll keep my mirrors ready for Akira," she said resolutely.

Nadeshiko, with a gentle but serious expression, raised her hand and began to summon her ice magic. She conjured a thick storm cloud, darkening the sky. "I hope this helps Akira," Nadeshiko said, proud of Akira's progress and dedication.

The heavy rain increased the humidity, causing water vibrations to spread across the battlefield. This provided Akira with a clearer visual of the surroundings, allowing him to sense every movement with greater precision through his sharp inner sight.

Ellora, carefully monitoring the situation, was taken aback by this new development. Though she remained calm and analytical, she realized that Akira, with his newfound power, could pose a serious threat.

In the midst of the tension, Akira respectfully asked Nadeshiko, "Nadeshiko, may I use the ancient Yoshitsuki family magic to face Ellora?"

Nadeshiko, with a gentle smile and a trusting gaze, nodded. "Of course. According to Yoshitsuki family tradition, using our ancient magic requires permission from other family members. I grant you permission, brother."

Akira thanked her sincerely. "Thank you, Nadeshiko. I'll use this power to the best of my ability."

With the permission granted, Akira began to prepare the ancient Yoshitsuki magic. He gathered energy in his hands, feeling the power flowing through his body. The ancient magic of the Yoshitsuki family remained a mystery to most, and though Akira had never used it before, he felt that his opponent this time could not be underestimated.

"This duel between the strongest student of this year and a student who might surpass those of previous years is truly exciting," the Headmaster murmured with a smile, observing the unfolding training session.

"Indeed, it's rare to see the ancient Yoshitsuki magic in action," replied Professor Fei Zhang.

"Hmmm, I've seen Commander Regalizen 2, Jin Yoshitsuki, use that magic, but I still don't quite grasp the concept," Astrid said casually.

Meanwhile, Ellora watched Akira's preparations with keen interest. She knew he was about to use something powerful and potentially devastating. Therefore, Ellora strategized on how to handle the upcoming attack, readying herself for whatever was to come.

In the high-pressure atmosphere of the battle, the tension mounted. Akira, in his shining golden-white uniform, stood with an imposing presence. Nadeshiko, Charlotte, and Madalyn watched with a mix of hope and concern, while Gareth, Cestine, and Chris stood behind with unwavering determination.

Despite feeling the weight of Akira's preparations, Ellora remained calm. "Let's see what you can do, Lupusrica Academy 1st Ranked Akira Yoshitsuki," she thought, bracing herself for the next phase of the fight.

***