Chapter 117: Barrier Breach
The battle finally began. A grand, circular ring had been conjured in the very middle of the field, its boundary a shimmering, almost translucent wall of pure mana, rising from the concrete platform that formed the arena floor. The material felt solid, yet pulsed with contained energy. It was roughly thirty feet in diameter, a confined space for what was about to unfold.
"And here it is finally! The final game for our first day of the sports festival!" Mr. Blade’s voice thundered, his excitement barely contained. "The mechanics are simple: all you have to do is push your opponent out of the ring, beyond the glowing boundary, and then you win. The last one standing wins the day! Easy right?"
Claps and cheers erupted from the bleachers, a wave of anticipation sweeping through the crowed. The sound surrounded the ring, a wall of eager noise, and Eirin could feel her heart thumping a frantic rhythm against her ribs as she waited on the side, watching the empty ring, waiting for her cue.
"For the first round," Mr. Blade announced, "which is quite looking unfair on paper, but we believe in Eirin’s incredible ability!" He paused for dramatic effect. "And for that, let us welcome our two battlers! On the right, the new rising star, Eirin Luxfield! And on the left, well-known for his fiery attitude and unmatched power, Shade Cromwell!"
The roar of the crowd intensified as their names were called. Eirin walked onto the concrete ring, her steps steady despite the tremor in her hands. She met Shade Cromwell’s eyes across the ring, his face once again alight with that infuriatingly smug expression. He looked confident, at ease, as if this were just another casual spar.
"I don’t even understand how this would make it fun for you," Eirin said, her voice steady, though a hint of irritation colored her tone. She glanced at the faint line that marked the boundary behind her, a white against the grey concrete. One wrong step, one careless push, and she would be out of bounds, eliminated.
Shade scoffed. "It’s fun for me to watch you struggle, Luxfield. To see how you push your limits." His eyes gleamed, a dark, dangerous sparkle. "It’s making me want to taunt you more."
Eirin’s forehead creased, a surge of defiant annoyance rising within her, momentarily overriding her fear. Her mouth opened, and the words tumbled out, unbidden, fueled by a strange mix of bravado and frustration. "Do you like me that much, Shade Cromwell?"
That question struck Shade like a physical blow. He froze, his expression of smug amusement melting away, replaced by a flicker of genuine shock. His jaw tightened, and he couldn’t reply. His mind, usually so sharp and calculating, seemed to short-circuit. And he didn’t have the time either. A sharp, piercing whistle cut through the air, signaling the start of the match.
Eirin immediately snapped into her fighting stance, her body low, her mana already humming, ready for action. "Don’t you regret this, okay, Shade?" she challenged, her voice firm. She swung her arm, a swift, practiced motion, and a concentrated blade of wind went straight at Shade.