Chapter twenty Seven
Chapter 27: The High School Challenge – 1 vs. 1
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The air in the arena was thick with tension as the loud cheers of the students echoed through the coliseum. Today was the day of the High School Challenge, a highly anticipated event where each student must fight a single opponent in a 1 vs. 1 battle. Crow had entered the arena with his usual calm demeanor, but there was a fire burning inside him. The challenge was an opportunity to prove himself—though many still doubted his abilities as a Beast Tamer, Crow knew that today would be different.
His opponent was someone everyone knew: Vincent Edge, the Sword Saint. A level 19 warrior with an unmatched reputation for swordsmanship. His skills with a blade were considered second to none, and he had been undefeated in every challenge he had fought. But Crow was not one to be intimidated.
He stood tall at the edge of the arena, his Hell Hound at his side, and the rest of his beasts safely stored away. He wasn't going to hold back today—not with his Mythical beasts now part of his team. The crowd, not knowing the true strength of Crow's tamed beasts, assumed that he was just a normal Beast Tamer. But what they didn't realize was that Crow had the potential to overwhelm any opponent who underestimated him.
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The Fight Begins
The announcer's voice boomed over the speakers, introducing the two contestants: "In this corner, the undefeated Vincent Edge, the Sword Saint! And in the opposite corner, the mysterious Crow, a Beast Tamer who has yet to show his true strength! Let the battle begin!"
The gate on the far side of the arena opened with a heavy clang, and Vincent stepped out, his long, elegant sword gleaming under the sun. The crowd roared in approval, many already chanting his name.
Crow's gaze remained focused. He knew that Vincent was a formidable opponent, but he had no intention of losing today.
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"Let's see what you've got, Beast Tamer," Vincent called out, his voice filled with confidence as he took a battle-ready stance.
Crow didn't respond. He simply extended his hand to his side, and in a flash, the ground at his feet trembled as his Hell Hound appeared beside him, its dark fur bristling and fiery eyes locked on the opponent.
Vincent's smile faltered for a moment as he sized up the Hell Hound. It wasn't a particularly intimidating sight—after all, it was just a Hell Hound—but Crow's expression remained unreadable.
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"You're confident," Vincent said, before raising his sword high. "Let's see if your beast can match the speed of my blade!"
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The Clash
With a sudden burst of speed, Vincent dashed forward, his blade a flash of silver in the sunlight. He moved faster than Crow had expected, the sheer speed of his sword strikes leaving no room for error.
Crow's eyes narrowed. He wasn't worried. The Hell Hound was a swift and formidable opponent, and he trusted it to handle the fight.
The Hell Hound dodged Vincent's initial strike, its speed far outpacing the sword's cutting arc. It circled around Vincent, its fiery tail snapping through the air. But Vincent was no amateur—he wasn't just relying on speed alone. His swordsmanship was honed through years of training, and he was already calculating his next move.
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Vincent thrust his blade forward in a perfect strike aimed at the Hell Hound's throat, but Crow was already one step ahead.
**"Hell Hound, Inferno Lash!" he commanded.
With a sudden flash of fiery energy, the Hell Hound's tail elongated, glowing with intense heat. The tail whipped forward with blinding speed, connecting with Vincent's sword in a shockwave of force. The impact sent sparks flying, and Vincent was thrown off balance for a split second.
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"Is that all?" Vincent sneered, recovering quickly as he launched a series of rapid sword slashes toward the Hell Hound.
But Crow wasn't going to let him have the advantage. He raised his hand and whispered to himself, "Ethereal Gloom Serpent, come forth."
A shadow shifted near the ground as the Ethereal Gloom Serpent emerged from the earth like a wisp of smoke. Its eyes glowed green, and the air around it felt colder. The Hell Hound stepped back, allowing the serpent to slither forward, its body weaving around Vincent's strikes with eerie precision.
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"Ethereal Coil!" Crow commanded.
The Ethereal Gloom Serpent launched itself forward, coiling around Vincent's legs. Before he could react, the serpent's ethereal chains wrapped tight, rendering him unable to move.
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"What is this?!" Vincent grunted, struggling against the chains, but his strength was no match for the serpent's supernatural hold.
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"Thunder Strike!" Crow called next, directing his Thunder Python from his Taming Space.
At Crow's command, the Thunder Python shot forward like a bolt of lightning, its body crackling with electrical energy. In the blink of an eye, the serpent coiled around Vincent's torso and sent a surge of lightning coursing through his body, stunning him completely.
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"It's over," Crow said calmly, stepping forward. The crowd fell silent, watching in awe as Vincent struggled to break free, but he couldn't. The combined force of the Ethereal Gloom Serpent and the Thunder Python's lightning had rendered him helpless.
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"I yield!" Vincent shouted, his voice strained. "I surrender!"
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The crowd erupted in surprise. Crow had defeated the Sword Saint—the undefeated level 19 warrior—in mere minutes. The announcer's voice rang out, and the bell signaling the end of the match sounded.
"Winner: Crow!"
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Aftermath
As Vincent was helped off the arena floor, Crow turned his attention to his beasts. The Hell Hound, Ethereal Gloom Serpent, and Thunder Python were all beside him, their forms exuding power. His team had performed perfectly, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. He had won not through sheer brute force but by using his beasts to their fullest potential.
Crow's eyes scanned the crowd, many of whom had been watching with wide eyes, shocked by the outcome. Some whispered in disbelief, while others stared at Crow with newfound respect.
His best friend Zane was among them, cheering loudly. "You did it, Crow! I knew you had it in you!"
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"This isn't the end," Crow murmured to himself, watching the crowd as he walked off the arena. "This is just the beginning."
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[TO BE CONTINUED...]
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