Point of view of Areci:
My ability to sense danger activated the moment spatial mana began swirling around me. Something felt wrong as soon as I found myself “floating” in a strange, unfamiliar place. Being certain that something like this should not be happening, I made a decision.
I tried to break the space around me with all my power. Little by little I managed to do it. It was far easier than I expected. Pure brute-force explosions were enough.
Something strange about that place, which I noticed at the end, was how my stamina was slowly being drained. It was minimal, almost imperceptible, but if I had remained there much longer everything would have gone to hell. My ability did not warn me of something as fatal as death—perhaps it would only weaken me enough to leave me unable to defend myself.
When I broke free, I appeared on grass. My head was slightly disoriented; I felt dizzy for the first few seconds. The sensation of not knowing where I was quickly faded.
“Where am I?” This place looks exactly like the one from the second stage. In the distance I can see the same light that served as the safe zone during the previous stage when we used this same location.
I don’t think—I act. My body shoots toward the place where the light shines. As I get close enough, I immediately notice a difference: the glow is dimmer, weaker. As if it were slowly losing strength. It does not have the same intensity as before.
Without hesitation, I reach less than a kilometer from the pillar of light. I am slightly surprised not to have encountered any other students along the way. Did everyone go through the same thing? Are we under enemy attack? That should be impossible… no, nothing is impossible.
My danger-sensing ability has not stopped sending me signals at any moment. The warnings grow stronger the closer I get to the safe zone.
Is there something wrong with this place? My ability is telling me yes. I decide to move forward anyway, ignoring the sharp beeping in my head. I cannot retreat now. I need to understand what is happening and make sure the other students are safe.
I head toward the point where the warning feels strongest. I have a terrible premonition about what I am about to see. When I arrive, I am confronted with a scene I never expected—something I had not even considered.
Prince Charles and Salvaj are struggling to remain standing, and a man floats above them with a defiant expression. The pressure is that of a Diamond rank, without a doubt—though something feels strange… it feels slightly weaker than normal.
I have crossed paths with many Diamond ranks. I have even trained with dozens of them thanks to my mother’s influence. I have personally experienced the jurisdiction of many Diamond ranks, and this particular jurisdiction is the weakest I have felt in all my years.
That does not change the fact that he is still a Diamond rank. How did he get here? I recognize him easily because of what happened months ago in Maki’s territory. His name is Aaron. I cannot forget his face after learning of the atrocities he committed.
“We have a new guest. The most promising ones are gathering,” he says, his gaze locking onto me. A chill runs down my spine and my danger sense intensifies.
“That makes three out of the seven or eight I predicted capable of breaking the temporary capsules.” The pressure of his jurisdiction intensifies and attempts to envelop me. I do not allow it fully. I counter immediately with techniques I have trained for years.
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I take my Imra as the foundation—my willpower is the most important element to counter a jurisdiction. Mana solidifies it, making it harder to penetrate, and all my Laws serve as connecting points to hold everything together.
I imagine Salvaj and Charles have done the same. Otherwise they would not have endured the pressure of a jurisdiction. It may be the weakest I have ever felt, but there are still two ranks of difference between us. That cannot be ignored.
This man was Ruby rank not long ago, according to the reports. I can feel it as his jurisdiction brushes against me. It is not very powerful, nor does he control it well. His lack of experience is obvious.
My body feels weaker. An immense weight crashes onto my shoulders. I reinforce myself with every ability I possess to remain standing against this bastard. I cannot fall. I cannot be intimidated.
Not everything is bad. Now there are three of us, and his inexperience prevents him from properly controlling his jurisdiction over all of us. I can clearly see the pressure on Charles and Salvaj decrease. They are also strengthening themselves with everything they have.
We have a chance… if more people appear, we will have a real chance. I do not allow those emotions to show on my face. I maintain a look of concern and slight fear.
“What will happen to those who cannot break the ‘capsules’?” Charles asks directly, without fear.
Aaron stares at him, and a sadistic smile spreads across his lips. “I like that firm gaze, just like your father’s. You were raised well, worrying about others even in your situation.” The madman laughs harshly.
“Not much. Their bodies will simply weaken enough to nearly faint from exhaustion.” I cannot relax at those words. My ability screams that something is wrong.
“That way I can kill them easily. I don’t want to run after them while they scurry like frightened rats. It’s easier to tire them out and then deliver the final blow.” His smile grows even more deranged.
I see Salvaj’s and Charles’s gazes turn serious. Both are ready to attack the idiot the moment they can.
“You should feel honored. Because you’re talented, I’ll grant you the luxury of being destroyed slowly and painfully. That is your reward for freeing yourselves from the capsule.” My blood boils at his words.
Aaron slowly descends to the ground, positioning himself almost in the middle of Charles and Salvaj and me. His gaze shifts between us several times. “You have no chance. I’ll love seeing your faces when you realize you were fighting for nothing.” He throws his head back, laughing louder than before.
I move first. My body launches like a rocket, propelled by my fire-based movement technique. I see the other two react the instant they notice me advancing. They both activate their movement abilities to reach the piece of trash.
Aaron coats his body with mana constructions. His speed and precision are impressive. If he were not so insane, he could have achieved a high position in a major territory or guild.
He is one of the few who uses pure mana without a special affinity. His constructions and techniques are based entirely on pure mana, though I can clearly detect traces of death magic within them. The reports were correct—he only uses pure mana, has very low affinity for death, and a decent one for space.
My sword moves at full speed. Two small mana walls attempt to stop my charge. I break through them with some effort. Salvaj and Charles shatter other defensive walls almost at the same time.
I hear Aaron whistle in admiration. I swing my sword when I am close enough to strike. I am surprised to see my blow stopped without much effort.
The same happens with the attacks from the other two. The maniac looks at us. “If you don’t come at me with everything you’ve got, you won’t even scratch me. At least make this entertaining.” He laughs and mocks us.
The three of us exchange glances for a brief moment and immediately understand.
We must go all out. I increase my mana output to the maximum possible without reaching the point of waste. I do not need to hold back, but it would be reckless to run out of fuel after only a few minutes.
Salvaj reinforces his body as well. Several layers of crystal form over different sections of his body, stacking over one another to create a denser armor. The sensitive areas are covered only by a more flexible fire mana.
He is the least pressured among us. His Imra is much stronger and more refined. He should be able to resist the jurisdiction more effectively.
Charles also increases the mana throughout his body. Certain key points visibly swell. I can see the typical red sections beneath the tournament-issued clothing. He does not wear armor—his own body is the ideal armor.
He strengthens specific sections, freely manipulating his blood to make certain areas far harder and more resilient than the rest. That way, he can defend more fluidly.
All of us are ready. None of the three of us feel fear. It is time to annihilate this bastard.