Ambers were scattering in all directions as a large amount of heat was radiating and spreading across the entire room. The intensity of the heat gave the false image that the sun was falling from the sky. However, contrary to the state of the room, the spectators were all stunned with their eyes wide open from the scene before them.
There was a large, majestic bird measuring 10 meters in height. It was completely covered with flames all around its entire body; its wings were both spread across, scattering feathers of flames on the ground.
It truly was a beautiful sight, I was captivated seeing the bird one could only hear of in legend. That was the immortal bird phoenix. Surely if there was anyone from my previous world, they would widen their eyes from such a mythical sight while questioning their own sanity from the spectacle that goes beyond common sense.
"Gryaaaa."
A loud, sinister cry resounded through the entire room. The Phoenix glared down at me with eyes of a beast waiting to devour its prey. Flying at an altitude of 20-meter there was a dangerous atmosphere coming from the Phoenix, surely even the fiercest beast would cower before such a monster.
"So, this must be the foundation for his confidence."
I muttered in a mix of both awe and exasperation. If I had an ace like this, surely even I would have a huge degree of confidence in my victory. I sighed internally.
-I'm almost ready, so there is no need to worry.
Alya said with a voice filled with confidence.
"You must be quite honoured to be able to witness the greatest spell known to my noble family, even a peasant such as yourself should know it's useless to struggle. Just give up and accept your defeat."
He said while still raising his right hand, the Phoenix followed the movement of his hand and waited for the moment the order was given, when it was allowed to scorch its prey.
I made a face filled with anxiety. Perhaps it would be best to use a spell of the water element, surely that would be the better option than to keep depending on the wind element. Considering my partnership with Alya, I honestly thought my wind element was enough to end this duel quickly; however, it seems fate was on the side of the other's side this time.
But even so, I made a stance to ready myself for his attack. Seeing that Hindu squinted his eyes dangerously. The phoenix flaps its wings sharply while taking a diving position. Like a bird preparing to dive down and devour a small helpless fish that was about to jump from the sea. Everyone watching in the audience held their breath; the incarnation of death itself was preparing its first attack.
"So even after seeing this with your own eyes, you're still not giving up?"
Hindu said with a bitter face that the spell was obviously too powerful to be used against a single person in an official duel. Well, I'm sure I'll be fine; however, it was a spell I really didn't want to have to deal with.
"Well, I'm sure you'll be treated by the best healer in this castle anyway."
He muttered quietly. With that, his hand, which was still raised high into the air, was slowly brought down. Monster of calamity that was the Phoenix obediently followed his movements and came straight at me with a speed incomprehensible for the human eye to follow.
*BOOM*
A loud crash resounded in the arena, the place where I was standing moments ago was dyed black and was completely covered with flames and smoke, it perfectly resembled a sea of flames. Like a house that was just blown up by hundreds of missiles, creating a small nuclear explosion. Anyone who witnessed such a sight would naturally think, 'Ah, a young soul has now gone to heaven' due to the force of the explosion.
The Phoenix's body was naturally destroyed by the impact of its crash and was instead covering the surrounding area with flames. Ayumu, who was standing a long distance away, had a look of surprise, not expecting Hindu to use a spell of that level. He then made a look of contemplation as though he was deciding whether or not to end the match; however, the smoke dies down, and my figure became clear to the spectators, they all widened their eyes from what they saw. My body was now wrapped in a torrent of wind, creating a protective wall around me.
(It's been a while since this happened.)
I thought, smiling lightly inside. I couldn't help but feel truly grateful towards the wind if it hadn't protected me when it did, that would have been game over.
-Phew. It seems I made it in time; that was a close call.
Alya said with a voice filled with relief. Wait, could it be no? It couldn't, right? I never thought of it until now, but the wind kept protecting me after my first encounter with Alya. Could she be the one? I thought.
-Fufu... of course, did you really think the windshield would shield you on its own? I've been the one protecting you from the very beginning.
She said even though her body wasn't present, I could tell she was making a smug face. I was a bit irritated, but I always wondered why the wind would shield me whenever I was in danger. I guess this answered my question.
-Don't let it get to your head, though. While my wind barrier is strong, it's not impenetrable. Some attacks, strong enough, can still pass through.
She said, strongly emphasising that her barrier isn't invincible. I felt a bit disappointed hearing that, however, now wasn't the time. During the time it took me to get up off the ground, the phoenix was able to reform itself into its original majestic look. Truly living up to its name, the immortal bird.
-You'll have to keep our bird friend over there busy while I concentrate on gathering the mana needed for our most powerful wind spell.
Alya said in her carefree tone. "You're only saying that because you're not the one fighting it." I wanted to yell, but decided to hold my tongue. Naturally, Alya, as a spirit, gave off a powerful presence; even this giant bird would be nothing more than a small fly before the great spirit of wind. I honestly don't think I could win against her even if I used all the elements at my disposal.
"Still holding out, huh... well then, how about this!"
Hindu said, swiping his hand with that movement, the giant Phoenix opened up its jaws and scorching hot flames were fired out instantly sensing the danger coming, I promptly dashed away, avoiding the flames. The phoenix continued firing flames in my direction. I then sprinted in a zig-zag pattern, easily avoiding the flames, but at that moment.
The flames which were fired out from the jaws of the phoenix all changed their trajectory at the same time. I kept running at a high speed with my magic sense I was able to sense the flow of mana coming towards me from behind. The flames which were fired from its jaws were easily dodged; however, I was concerned about the projectile spells which were changing their direction as though they had eyes.
(This is bad, I won't be able to run forever in that case.)
"Mother of water, devour my target, sea serpent!"
A huge 2-layer magic circle was formed, followed by a large amount of water taking the form of a giant snake. Its movement was slow compared with the phoenix, and the difference in power between the two spells were obvious there was also a huge difference in sized between them, the phoenix measured roughly 10 meters in hight while the snake measured 7 centimetres it was clear to everyone present who had the upper hand, however, what I wanted isn't to stop the Phoenix using the water serpent but something else entirely.
Phoenix and water serpent, both spells opposite in nature, made contact, resulting in the creation of a huge, thick cloud of mist which covered the entire arena. Using the mist as a smokescreen, I easily disappeared from the view of everyone. Once the vicinity was cleared, Hindu looked around with caution.
"Mother of wind, slice my target air cutter!"
I appeared behind him and cast an air cutter, a second-level spell. Everyone looked confused by the air cutters I fired. Surely it was a high-level spell, but it was obvious it didn't have nearly enough power to stop the calamity of fire that was the giant Phoenix, which was giving off intense heat, as though to burn everything in its path. Hearing my voice, he immediately sent the phoenix in my direction.
"Grayaaaa."
Another loud cry resounded, followed by a breath attack pack with a huge amount of heat. The air cutter was easily nullified by the hot flames. "Oooo!" Once again, loud cheers resounded in the arena from the spectators who were watching from a distance.
Scarlett, who was watching, had a pale face, while Hinata's eyes were unusually sparkling. It seems seeing a battle of this degree was rather entertaining for her. This entire dual Hindu had the upper hand, but I'm about ready to end this already, to be honest.
-Okay, I'm done. We can start whenever you like.
Alya's voice resounded inside my head, filled with confidence in our victory. Okay, now I can finally end this. However, before that, there is something I want to know.
"Hey, how are you able to change the trajectory of your spells so easily?"
I asked curiously, no matter how much I put my brain on overdrive, I couldn't find the concept behind it. So, the only way to know is to ask the caster.
"Fu... even if I tell you, it's not like you'll be able to do it after all, it's my gift."
He said, showing a mocking smile. It's his gift. Does this mean it's one of those blessings bestowed upon you by the world? I wondered.
"I see, so that's it. It's the gift you were born with, am I right?"
I asked, tilting my head to the side.
"Hmph... so you figured it out, yes, it's my gift of perfect accuracy. No matter how bad my aim or if my target gets away, my attacks will always find their targets."
He said in a haughty tone. His confidence keeps rising throughout the entire duel. I'm sure his overbearing attitude got even more unbearable.
(Perfect accuracy, huh... what a terrifying gift. If he has perfect accuracy, then surely even at a distance where he couldn't be seen with the naked eye, he could still easily hit his target.)
I thought as cold sweat went down my back. The ability to never miss your target, it honestly reminds me of missiles, which are able to change their trajectory. Anyone would naturally feel despair from such a dangerous attack coming at them at high speed.
"Gryaaaaa!"
The Phoenix opened up its jaws once again as fire gathered at its mouth corner.
"Well, it's about time to end this."
I muttered quietly.
-I couldn't agree more.
Such a carefree voice could be heard.
"Mother of wind blast my target, show all mortals your destructive might... Gale force!"
A large magic circle was formed. However, the torrent of wind quickly compressed and took the form of a giant spear measuring over 7 centimetres. The spear was made completely out of wind; however, its hardness was formed using spirit arts gathered by Alya. It gave off a divine glow, while in contrast, there was an intimidating pressure coming from the spear.
"Tch... so you still had that much mana left, huh? In that case, it ends here!"
He shouted while holding out his palm, naturally the phoenix followed his lead and went straight in my direction at high speed. At that, I fired the spear made of wind and spirit arts.
*Boom*
A loud sound echoed through the arena, fierce wind and fire were sent in all directions as two high-level spells clashed and competed for supremacy. The spear, mixed with spirit arts, blew away the jaws of the phoenix and the upper parts of its body were all blown away, unable to keep its form due to the amount of damage it had accumulated. The rest of its body fell apart. It truly resembles the scene of a candle being blown by a strong wind.
The spear then went in the direction of the Hindu, who was powerless on his own. Seeing the spear coming at him with the speed of a hyper-powered rocket, he immediately tried creating a wall of flames; however, that was impossible before he could even chant his spell, the spear was already at a close distance where the wind pressure could easily be felt.
It took about five seconds for someone to chant a spell, and even that depends on the type of spell the caster was going to cast. This was one of the disadvantages the mages are burdened with, that was why mages always fight at a distance, where their opponent won't be able to reach them or take advantage of their distance and slow attack time.
"Gah!"
His body was sent flying by the wind pressure created by the spear of wind and crashed into the wall behind him, completely robbing him of his consciousness. "Ooooo!!!" Once again, loud cheerers resounded in the arena.
"The winner is... Haruto Sato!"
Ayumu declared, signalling the end of the duel once he had confirmed that Hindu was out.