Chapter 5 The Icy Gauntlet

"Things don't seem to be going well for that Freya girl" The Principal said softly "She'll pull through" Mr Zane said with a casual smile on his face.

 "That initial speed she pulled off was incredible I was so sure she was going to get hit but within the fraction of a second she evaded to the left I bet the students probably thinks she disappeared but for her to win she has to end this match fast, worse still her opponent already knows about her stamina level too" Mr Zane said inwardly, he was in suspense as he looking forward to know what they're going to do.

"She's been quiet for a while now, I should've figured, in as much as I want to win she also doesn't want to lose, so she's definitely planning something, I can't let her out of my sight, but she doesn't have enough stamina so which means this is the perfect time".

 Immediately Damien was done with his contemplation he stomped his leg on the ground and with that jagged ice spikes all exploded from the Earth heading straight for Freya in a straight path, Freya shocked the entire arena as she ran straight for it with unwavering focus and relentless speed.

Immediately she was about to clash with the ice spikes she leaped high into the air her jump so smooth that most people thought she had disappeared and reappeared in mid air, she had a clear line of vision with Damien and immediately she threw one of her sword towards him, the sword made a swift piercing sound as it tore through the air, Damien saw what was headed for him and with a sense of urgency moved his body out of the way but only able to dodge by a hair's length.

Damien had used too much force to move his body out of the way and just needed a few more steps to balance but as he moved he realized Freya had disappeared again "Shit, where did she go" Damien said inwardly.

 Freya somehow appeared behind him her single sword clutched tightly with both hands and an unbalanced Damien heading straight for it, the whole crowd eyes widened in shock as they thought she was literally going to stab him.

But she immediately stopped using the tip of her sword to hold Damien from falling, his eyes widened in shock as he felt her blade on his back, his chest and shoulders moving up and down, sweat rolling down his face as he fear had engulfed him in that moment.

 Silence engulfed the entire arena as they saw Freya portray an undeniable win, many expected a close match but this was totally different, her voice reverberated through the entire arena as she said the following words "I win".

She removed her sword from Damien's back causing him to fall on the ground landing with his butt, she walked over to her sword that she had thrown earlier, picked it up and walked out of the arena without an atom of celebration in her face.

"Hard to believe she's only a first year" One of the female dignitaries with short black hair who was wearing a black gown said "I know right" Mr Zane added.

"The next match up is between Level 6 Ryder Thorn of the first years and Level 5 Zaheer of the second year" Ryder walked onto the arena with both hands deep inside his pockets and he gave his opponent quite a belittled look even though he was the underclassman stance was quite loose for someone about to engage in a fight.

 "Let's get this over with, I have places I'd rather be if you're gonna lose just do it now, don't stress me out" Ryder's voice sounded like that of a leader giving order to his subordinate calm yet incredibly rude. 

"Am a year above him yet he doesn't seem to care is it because his rank is higher, still though I've never been looked down on like that my entire life I have to teach him a lesson" Zaheer said inwardly his voice having a touch of discipline in it. (Zaheer has a low cut hair style, he is average height which was perfect with his air power as it gave him more control over his body) He was obviously pissed off at his under classman remark.

The match was ready to commence, both contestants stood looking at each other eagerly waiting for whom to make the first move, immediately Ryder thrust his left hand upwards his palm open unleashing a blazing inferno, a straight line of fire shot towards Zaheer fueled by Ryder's unyielding fury. Zaheer easily evaded it but by a hair's length his feets moved to the left one following the other in a sequential manner there was no utter of fear in face he moved around Ryder's fire attack like a pro.

Ryder was relentless in releasing his blazing inferno but Zaheer dodged with ease as he moved his legs from the left to the right in a sequential manner he moved exactly like the wind not fully evading each attack but just enough to not get touched by it.

"You plan on dancing this entire match baldy ?" Ryder yelled "Your attacks are empty and frail so I can easily move around them without needing to use my powers for that" Zaheer said his voice laced with confidence and manliness "Why are you so afraid of coming closer ?", Zaheer set a trap for Ryder here "Afraid ? Did you forget I am a level above you, I'll show you who's afraid" and like a fool he took it, he shot himself into the air with fire from his palms and legs propelling himself straight towards Zaheer.

Zaheer smiled, satisfied, as his plan unfolded. With swift reflexes he sprinted forward using his momentum to tumble and generate powerful whirlwinds from his feet. The wind shot forward striking Ryder's gut with immense force sending him soaring backwards he crashed to the floor sliding several meters away from his initial landing spot. 

Ryder was immensely angry he clutched his fist tightly as he slowly stood up from the ground, Zaheer placed both of his hands behind his back showing how much he underestimated his opponent "What was it you said before the match ?" "That's right, if you're gonna lose just do it now don't stress me out" Zaheer said with emphasis on the

last four words.