"Thanks." Even though Gideon's injuries were recovered by the healing card, Azzy still saw exhaustion all over his face.
Patting his friend's shoulder, Azzy then said, "Stand back and relax for a while."
"But, Azzy…" If it is anyone, Gideon would have surely told them to not interfere in his personal matters, but since it is his best buddy out here who is rather stubborn once he decided about something.
So, he gave up on convincing him a long time ago. All he wanted to fight with him, instead of sitting on the sidelines.
"Did you forget why you challenged him in the first place? I know that this isn't about you Gideon. You wanted to show that our Academy isn't a playground for these foreign students, aren't you?" Azzy spoke to him while staring into his eyes. The bull also returned to its owner and was waiting for the orders.
Gideon was taken aback, at first. It's true that he was irked by these bullies as it reminded him of the main family members of the Crescent Clan. He wanted to show that they aren't pushovers. However, as he continued to battle him, his insults wounded his pride and it became personal.
After getting back to his senses, Gideon let out a deep breath, "I understand that I'm not strong enough to face a mid-rank-5 expert from a top-level academy but now that I have already been challenged, I also can't back down from it and be labeled as a coward who depended on his friend."
Azzy nodded in understanding. "Fine, I accept your wishes. I'll take care of these soul beasts and his partner. You finish off your duel with that guy."
"Now, if you stop wasting time, then, let's get started." Floyd appeared rather impatient now. Unlike Gideon, he was serious about the duel with Azzy.
Since he was someone their captain wanted to test around, Floyd didn't intend to toy around and be careless. He wanted to finish it as quickly as possible and show that Barbara was just bragging about him for nothing.
Upon hearing his opponent's words, Azzy turned his head towards him and said, "I never said that the battle has been paused. You are free to attack whenever you want to."
Azzy's indifferent tone and expression made Floyd only anger as he thought he was being looked down on. Even, in reality, Azzy never thought of him as an opponent.
For someone who trains with a peak-rank-6 robot every day, both of them are just troublemakers who needed beating. It's also the reason, he allowed Gideon to join the battle.
Meanwhile, the onlookers that belong to Aclein Academy weren't shocked a bit, especially the tenth graders. It is pretty well known that Azzy always talks like that without a shred of emotion as if he disregards the person before him.
But, at the same time, most of them never saw Azzy's combat skills too. So, they had mixed reactions.
Some of them hoped Azzy to be taught a lesson while some students who were angry at Floyd's actions openly cheered for Azzy. People like Vann were looking forward to this battle to check whether he can be scouted or not.
Luci, who was patiently listening to their conversation in silence, spoke, "Now that I'm the proctor until I say start, fighting is prohibited. And since you are so intent on following the rules, let's do it properly, then. First, introductions."
Looking at everyone, Luci introduced herself, "Hello, I'm Luciana Hearth, grade-10 of the Phoenix Academy."
She then looked at Floyd and Gold.
They understood the gesture and spoke, "Floyd Lyre, grade-10, Moon Academy." "Gold Lyre, grade-10, Moon Academy."
As she turned her head towards the other side, Gideon spoke first, "Gideon, grade-8 of the Aclein Academy."
Most of the people who watched the finals knew the fact. So, they didn't react much except for a few. However, Azzy's introduction surprised them. They didn't expect a grade-8 student of a mediocre Academy with no last name (common background) is a rank-5.
"The duel will start on the count of five. Everyone get ready with your Arcana." Luci announced it. She glanced at Azzy who still stood calmly without taking out his Arcana. Thinking that it is not her problem to worry about, she started counting.
"One, two, three, four, five… Go"
The Bison and the Bull charged forward together. Azrael raised his hand towards them. Gideon raised the sword in reflex.
"Azrael, you know that you what you are doing, right?" The Reaper suddenly questioned him in his head.
"Yes." Azrael was very firm on this decision. "If I beat them up by regular means, then, I will just be branded as some genius with a platinum grade beast.
And tomorrow, someone else with higher soul power will cause trouble too. These two should be an example to everyone. That's why it is necessary for me to reveal this skill."
"Well, since you already decided, then, go for it." Reaper gave him permission to use the soul skill.
After cutting off the connection, Reaper then mumbled to himself, "Well, it would also bring unnecessary attention from hidden organizations but I guess it's better than revealing a celestial grade Arcana. Hmm, maybe, I should teach him the sealing technique to let him mask or diminish this wolf's aura."
*Wow* Vajra barked in response, indicating that it doesn't like to be looked down. After all, it was once the weapon of the King of the Heavens. It has its own pride.
The Reaper then, stared at it with his pupil-less eyes, "Do you like to go into the soul jar, instead?"
What else Vajra can do other than whimpering on the side. It cannot defy its master, a Supreme God that can erase its existence at any time.
Back to the real world, The Bison and the Bull, which are charging towards Azzy and Gideon, reduced the distance to almost 5 meters away.
Since Azzy isn't doing anything, Gideon decided to unleash the soul skill.
Just then, Azzy opened his mouth, <strong>"Soul Skill: Rise of the Undead."</strong>
As two hundred thousand of soul power has been depleted from his soul orb, making his soul energy almost empty, deathly dark energy formed a layer around his body. His eyes turned pitch black with no visible pupils.
At the same time, a giant skeleton rose from the ground, making the two beasts halted their movements. It appeared to be a rank-5 and was releasing a terrific dark aura and shook everyone's hearts.
The skeleton was quickly recognized by everyone. Its four snakeheads gave away its identity. It's none other than Hydra. But, it isn't a simple four-headed snake either. Every expert was able to sense the intensity from Hydra's aura. It is far stronger than a mere gold grade, suggesting it is of the next level.
While Gideon was stunned on the spot upon realizing that Azzy possesses two Arcana spirits, he then saw his lightning sword Raiga was almost shaking in fear due to its presence.
Once again, he remembered the incident during his first team-up with Azzy in the illusion world.
Meanwhile, collective gasps can be heard in the audience section.
The sourc𝗲 of this content is free(w)ebnov(𝒆)l