"How shameless!"
"Come on, Ethan! Don't lose to them!"
"They're so despicable—calling themselves Magic Knights is a disgrace!"
The civilians watching the projection stone erupted in anger, their voices filled with disdain and frustration. Despite knowing alliances and such betrayals were within the rules, seeing them unfold in real-time hit differently.
"What did you just say, commoner?"
"Say that again, I dare you!"
"Have you forgotten your place?"
The nobles retorted with their usual arrogance, unwilling to let the peasants' scorn go unanswered.
Amidst the noise, the Wizard King remained silent, his gaze fixed on the projection stone. His expression was tense. Ethan Hayes' victory or defeat would directly affect his ideals and reforms. However, the rules were clear—alliances, betrayals, and even ganging up were all within the boundaries of what was allowed.
"Ethan, how will you overcome this?"
A razor-sharp ice blade shot up from the ground beneath Asta's feet, forcing him to leap onto the treetops to avoid it.
Asta was frustrated. His opponent wasn't just stronger than anyone he had ever faced on missions—they were also smarter, giving him no chance to close the distance.
Under the relentless assault of spells, Asta could only use his Demon Slayer Sword to slash through each one. But exhaustion crept in; his stamina wasn't infinite, nor was his energy boundless.
"Kid, distracted, are we?"
Xerx's voice came from behind him, and before Asta could react, a hand clamped down on his shoulder.
Xerx smirked, noting Asta's valiant but futile efforts. The young knight had done well to endure for this long. Yet, Xerx had been playing a psychological game, giving Asta the illusion that he was unwilling to engage in close combat. Then, he struck when Asta least expected it.
"Ice Constriction Magic: Ice Prison!"
A layer of frost rapidly encased Asta. Despite his quick reflexes, the spell took hold, immobilizing him.
"It's over... Hmm?"
Xerx's confident smirk faltered as the ice began to melt. The source? Asta's black sword, the Demon Slayer.
"What an eerie sword," Xerx muttered, astonished. "Even now, it's nullifying magic?"
Kicking the weapon out of Asta's grasp, Xerx ensured the young knight was fully restrained. "One down," he said, his gaze shifting to the chaos where Ethan battled the other five.
Ethan's movements were a blur, dodging, parrying, and countering as five spells from his opponents converged on him simultaneously.
"Xerx has neutralized Asta," Ethan thought, his mind racing. "Now it's six against one."
Overhead, a storm of glistening ice blades formed, raining down mercilessly.
"Xerx, looks like Asta's out," Ethan muttered under his breath, narrowing his eyes. The pressure was mounting, and every passing second stretched his limits.
"Spirit Magic: Sylph's Breath!"
A faint light glowed as a tiny, winged figure appeared before Ethan—Zephyra, the Wind Spirit.
A stream of white energy poured forth from Zephyra's mouth, sweeping across the battlefield.
To the astonishment of Ethan's opponents, the six spells hurtling toward him disintegrated mid-air.
"What just happened?!"
"He nullified all six of our attacks?! Impossible!"
"Is that... a Wind Spirit?"
The sight of Sylph left Ethan's enemies shocked. Few in history had been chosen by the elemental spirits, and even fewer had the privilege of wielding their immense power.
"Don't let your guard down!" Langris yelled. "He's just one man—we outnumber him six to one!"
Renewing their assault, the six mages launched a barrage of magic.
"Wind Magic: Tempest Cloak!"
A blinding green light erupted around Ethan as his mana surged to unprecedented levels. The sky above darkened as the sheer pressure of his magic distorted the air.
From afar, civilians and nobles alike could see the pillar of green light piercing the heavens.
"Such immense power!"
"How can a mere commoner possess so much mana?"
Back on the battlefield, Ethan's transformation was complete. Zephyra fused into his body, augmenting his strength. A glowing wing sprouted from his left shoulder, and an elegant crown of light adorned his head. His eyes shimmered with emerald brilliance, and a regal cloak with intricate patterns draped over his shoulders.
"Spirit Assimilation: Wind Spirit Descent!"
His voice echoed with an authority that silenced the chaos around him. Ethan Hayes stood, not as a mere commoner or contestant, but as a force to be reckoned with—a wielder of ancient power that demanded respect.
For a moment, even the six attackers hesitated, awestruck by the sheer majesty of his presence. But hesitation wouldn't last long.
"Don't falter! Take him down!"
The battle resumed, fiercer than ever, as Ethan prepared to unleash the full might of his newfound power.
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