As the sun set, casting an orange glow over Nova Vista city, the lights flickered on, illuminating the bustling metropolis. Inside the arena, the atmosphere was electric, though the interior remained unchanged.
"And the final match for today has been concluded," the announcer's voice boomed. "Tomorrow, the final match will start, and these are your opponents." The screen displayed Saber and Sydney.
In the lounge that night, Saber paced nervously. What can I do? What can I do? What CAN I do? Forget what I can do, think about what WILL I do tomorrow? His mind flashed back to the battle with Sydney, the ground shining and his eyes covered in fog. Most probably she is a wind type sorcerer at best. A technique against a wind type, huh? Oh! I think I have an idea.
The next day, in the colosseum, the announcer declared, "And with this, the 8th match is concluded. We'll resume the matches after the break."
In the park, Sophie savored the moment. "Oh, I missed this softness so much, can you imagine?"
"Yeh, totally," Saber replied, bothered as his cheeks were squeezed.
Sophie inquired, "By the way, have you thought about any countermeasures against Sydney?"
With pride, Saber responded, "Yes, and you'll be surprised to see it."
"Is that so? I want to be surprised too," a voice said from behind. Saber and Sophie turned to see Sydney leaning against a tree. "I can't wait to see you make a fool out of yourself."
"You jusht shee!" Saber replied with food in his mouth.
Sophie scolded, "Don't talk while eating!"
Sydney snatched the half-bitten sandwich and ate it. "Show me ten!"
"Not you too!" Sophie exclaimed.
"Hey! That was mine!" Saber protested.
"You already have more, so stop whining," Sydney replied, licking her fingers.
"But I wanted that!" Saber insisted.
"Then wait till tomorrow morning and take it!" Sydney shot back.
"You're disgusting," Saber muttered as Sydney walked away.
"What's her problem anyways?" Saber asked.
"I think she was just hungry," Sophie suggested.
"Hungry my foot!" Saber retorted.
Back in the colosseum, the announcer's voice rang out, "And be ready!!! For the most awaited match! The final match between the Core-Wielders!"
The gates opened, and Sydney entered. "From the first gate, the challenger who made a name for herself, 'the fearsome spine-chilling lady': Sydney Storm!"
From the second gate, Saber entered. "And from the second gate, emerging as an assassin in the territory of warriors, the challenger who deceives his opponents with his wicked mind: Saber Ashford!"
"Pissed, Saber shouted, "Whom are you calling the Wicked, huh?!"
"It seems like the judge doesn't like you either," Sydney replied, her handle transforming into an axe. "Just like me."
Saber's handle transformed into a sword. "Is that the case?"
From the stands, a lady called out, "Hey, Glenn."
"Oh! Did you lose your way?" Glenn replied. "Zara?"
"I could say the same thing," Zara said, sitting next to him.
"I got bored, so I just came to see this," Glenn explained.
"Liar," Zara accused. "Did you forget I have the ability to read minds? You're fixated on someone. Ah! That girl? A great choice. She even made a name for herself."
Glenn laughed. "You can read minds but not the players."
"What does it mean?" Zara asked.
"You see that boy?" Glenn pointed.
"That loser who just got lucky?" Zara was surprised. "Don't tell me..."
"Yupp," Glenn confirmed.
"You have eyes on him? But why? He doesn't play with honor, and you like fair fights, so why him? He even played victim in the first round," Zara questioned.
"Is that so? Then you have the best chance to check it yourself," Glenn suggested.
"And begin!" the announcer declared.
Sydney launched a gentle gust in the field, and Saber was on high alert. Zara used her ability, her eyes turning pink, her hand glowing with pink aura.
There's the nose-bleeding gust. Saber thought. System, have you found the breaker yet?
The system replied, "Due to abnormal temperature changes in the atmosphere, I cannot guide you. To overcome this, increase your level."
Damn it! Saber cursed in his mind.
"He's talking to someone… through his mind?" Zara observed.
"What now?" Glenn asked.
"Yes, as if someone is helping him. He said something… 'system'," Zara said.
"Are you sure, that isn't his screen he's talking to?" Glenn inquired.
"It's possible," Zara conceded.
Alright then, time to try the plan, Saber thought as he dashed forward.
"What now?" Glenn questioned.
"He's executing a prepared plan," Zara replied.
I'll mask my footsteps with… Saber ran around.
"This gust and cover up the gap," Zara continued.
"Great plan. But—" Glenn was cut off as Saber swung his sword, only to find Sydney missing.
Where is she? Saber wondered.
Sydney's voice cut through the gust, "A perfect assassin move for wind users."
She's behind me, Saber realized, turning just in time to see Sydney rising her axe.
"But the defect is…" she said, slashing Saber. "I'm not a wind type."
Saber dashed and fell, her words echoing in his mind. "I told you, 'I can't wait to see you make a fool out of yourself.'"
She's not a wind user? Is she trying to cover up her magic? Whatever, Saber thought as he dashed again. I don't care.
"I told you—" Sydney swung her axe horizontally. "This is useless!"
She missed as Saber ducked below, both hands ready to punch.
How's t— Saber was shocked. How?
Sydney stared at him, unfazed. She punched Saber in the stomach. "Stay away, you freak!" Saber fell roughly.
How is this possible? My arms are now at level 5, so why? Saber thought.
In a flashback, the system's voice echoed, "The camera recording was turned off due to harsh surrounding temperature around your eyes."
"Due to abnormal temperature changes in the atmosphere, I cannot guide you," the system had said.
Temperature change… Mere gusts of wind cannot change the temperature… The shining floor… Saber was shocked. Damn it! I was a fool! I ignored everything in front of my eyes. She's an ice type user all along.
"Ice type?" Zara questioned.
"So he found it out. Great job, kid. But only finding out will not lead you to victory, boy," Glenn commented.
I know it now, but I can still play a fool to counter, Saber thought as he dashed forward.
Sydney sighed, "You really are nature's perfect idiot. That name suits you."
She swung her axe again, missing Saber who ducked again. "You really thought the same trick would work twice?" she taunted, punching Saber's arms, freezing them solid. Saber jumped up, landed behind her, and used her back for support to backflip, 'arming' his legs.
I pooped on your talent, how does it fe— Saber thought, only to be thrown away by Sydney's swinging axe. He fell on his face, smirking. Damn it! But I got her good.
"He exposed her good," Zara noted. "With such brainpower, he'll touch the skies one day and will be at the top."
"Glad to let you know," Glenn replied.
"But the match isn't finished," Zara pointed out.
"Is that so? In my eyes, it's already finished," Glenn said.
Sydney, now angry, muttered, "Now you're getting on my nerve."
The system's voice declared, "Leveled up to Level 19."
Sweet, Saber thought, only to be shocked as Sydney appeared behind him. Since when? When did she get behind me?
Sydney punched him in the face, then in the stomach, then right cheek, then stomach again, chest, nose, and stomach. Saber was punched into the air.
Now she's serious, Saber realized as Sydney created small ice shards, shooting them all at him. Saber used 'arms' to cover his face and chest, but the shards sliced his corners, leaving small cuts. He fell down, Sydney's chilling aura and glowing eyes looming over him.
"This match is already over before it even started," Sydney declared.
Her Core Handle's center popped up, and the announcer exclaimed, "I can't believe it! Sydney is the first one to go 'Core Burst'! Sydney! Press that popped-up ring and let your hidden potential trigger itself. And show us your 'Burst Form'!"
Sydney pressed it, and aura flames covered her. The flames vanished, leaving the crowd and Saber in shock.
No way, Saber thought. That form was kept untouched this entire time?
"Like I said, this match is already over," Sydney repeated, now in ice armor.
Glenn laughed, "What will you do now?"
"Did you see it too?" Zara asked, shocked.
"Yep! This year's students sure are interesting, aren't they?" Glenn remarked.
"No way," Sophie whispered, shocked.
Principals, the king, and all the audience gasped in surprise.
*What's the deal? Have they never seen this armor form in their entire life?
Saber's eyes widened in realization. Is it me or… His gaze locked onto Sydney's Core, which was spinning to the left. … the core is supposed to spin from the left side?
Before he could react, Sydney spread a thick mist, covering the battlefield in a shroud of ice. The core continued spinning in her chest, radiating an ominous power