"Didn't expect them to use their Historias," thought Hugo, observing the match with an analytical eye while Dorian, Claude, Roselia, Greg, and Leonardo also shared their own opinions on the escalated state of the match.
With a deep and long sigh from Greg who seemed frustrated, "Damn that brat! I can't believe he'd just use that in this kind of place."
"Hahaha. Well, as a Rotsguard and considering the talent before him, I can't say that I don't understand his reason for going that far," said Leonardo, leaning in his seat with a knowing smirk and attentive eyes.
"I concur," Claude joined in. "Even among their generation, those two are the strongest Gladiators among the numerous Realizers in Elderngard."
"Well, omitting us, it is true that in terms of power, they are the strongest by far," added Roselia. "I sometimes wonder what Isabella was doing instead of building up her strength."
"You say that but us old bones will be surpassed way sooner than you seem to think. I'd say old Hugo is the only one among us whose strength hasn't diminished over the years," said Dorian, laughing in amusement.
"Hahaha. I appreciate your words but even I'm starting to feel the weight of age coming down on me," said Hugo, a well-hidden shrewd smile on his face.
Throughout the few minutes that followed, the VIPs that were sitting in the lounge evaluated the strength and prowess Chris and Deker showed. Hugo, in the meantime, had a gaze that seemed to be looking farther than just the match or the future of the Realizers.
In the meanwhile, Isidor, the commentator who had been sharing his excitement with the audience, continued to watch the duel between Chris and Deker even though he himself had a hard time following it.
"NOW THAT'S WHAT I CALL HIGH-LEVEL! WE'RE ASSISSTING TO A REAL SPECTACULAR SHOW OF POWER BETWEEN THESE TWO LEGENDS, AND YET, EVEN I'M UNABLE TO FOLLOW WHAT'S HAPPENING! THIS IS WHAT PEAK LOOKS LIKE! AND, THERE'S STILL MORE WHERE THAT CAME FROM! SO LET'S KEEP ENJOYING THIS PAAARTYYY!!!" Isidor's voice reached the roof, the audience continuously roaring as the excitement became too much to handle.
From a certain location in the audience, Emilia's thoughts raced as she observed the fight unraveling before her. "I can barely follow what's happening. If it was one year ago, it's clear that I wouldn't have been able to even know what's happening. I guess this is all thanks to Ace's training."
Besides her, within several other spots of the audience, Mira, Frank and other students were in complete bewilderment and admiration of Chris's and Deker's battle while Hugo let a smile slip through his face, seemingly noticing this change in his student as he glanced around the entirety of the colosseum.
Back on the worn, molten and ruined arena, Chris and Deker had been darting and clashing around the stage, their focus completely blocking out the noise surrounding them. No words were shared, no banter was said, only blows and techniques were being exchanged at such high mastery that no one could intervene in this battle of titans.
To them this was no longer an exhibition match for show, it was a duel to decide who would become the winner of this fight. It was as if space and time were completely distorted as their exchange resembled a choreography of a sword dance between two battle gods, an azure dragon made up of wind stronger than the worst storms and a phoenix draped in fire hotter than the most dangerous volcanoes.
Each sword strike and each clash further destroyed the arena around them, reducing it to a dust cloud that surged and dispersed at different locations in split seconds like the sound of fireworks that explode in the sky.
As their fight reached its climax, everyone could feel it. This would be the last exchange, and it would be spectacular.
In a single moment of silence, Deker and Chris, their eyes glowing like beasts ready to hunt and their auras burning brighter and stronger, encountered each other at the center of the arena for a final clash.
As if time was going slower than it actually was, Deker approached in stabbing motion while Chris came at him with a downward side-slashing motion.
Both their attacks connecting, the shockwave of power surged towards the audience like a ferocious whirlwind, the barrier slowly starting to crack under the immense pressure while the audience screamed and barely held onto their seats.
As the surge settled down and the dust cloud faded, Chris and Deker were covered in wounds, bruises and blood, completely out-of-breath and collapsed on the ground.
"Fuck it," Deker barely said as Chris finished his sentence.
"A draw, is it?"
"IT'S A DRAW!!!" Isidor commented, his voice strenuously high. "I CAN'T BELIEVE IT! THE EXHIBITION MATCH BETWEEN CHRIS BLAKELORD, THE INFERNAL SWORDSMAN, AND DEKER VON ROTSGUARD, THE SWORDMASTER, ENDED IN A DRAAAAAAWWW!!!"
The silent audience then roared in excitement, the atmosphere so intense that you could literally feel the pressure exerted by their voices.
"Seems like the next generation's pillars are very promising. It's very good indeed," thought Leonardo, a warm and content expression appearing on his face while Hugo seemed to know what it meant.
"They are strong without a doubt. Strong enough to fight against the threat that will appear. But we will still need more," he thought as he glanced towards Ace who was visibly well-hidden in the excited crowd before closing his eyes, the academy appearing in his mind. "And I intend on nurturing that strength to its fullest potential."
"I'll be going now," said Ace as he stood up from his seat.
"Oh! Okay. Good luck out there," offered Ellie, an indescribable warm yet seemingly relieved expression on her face while Shaw's eyes were still in awe of the battle that had just ended.
Only giving a glance to Shaw who had the same beast-like look in his eyes since earlier, Ace walked away, his thoughts heavy as he replayed the battle in his mind, his eyes having rarely blinked throughout all of it.
"I knew they were strong, but to think they were that strong. Be it speed, technique, power, everything was so high level that I could barely follow," he clenched his fists as a cold yet determined look appeared in his eyes. "I need to get stronger. Get stronger and survive."