The Dark Tournament's final arrived as promised.
Team Heroics versus Team Shinso.
It was a matchup no one had anticipated.
Truth be told, the Team Shinso's journey to this point hinged entirely on the True Ancestor vampire, Evangeline. Without her, they never would've made it this far.
While Negi and the others were skilled, they were unremarkable in the talent-packed tournament.
But Evangeline, a centuries-old True Ancestor, was overwhelmingly powerful.
Her immortal body, enigmatic magic, and astonishing puppetry techniques had toppled one formidable opponent after another, bringing her to this moment.
Now, she faced the legendary Heroic Spirits.
For the first time in ages, Evangeline's blood surged with excitement.
Unlike others who might doubt their existence, Evangeline, having lived for centuries, knew exactly what Heroic Spirits were.
Though she didn't know how these spirits had manifested in the human world, she was certain that both Martha and Raikou were the real deal.
To clash with such legendary figures was a rare privilege.
However, Evangeline didn't take the stage immediately. Instead, she sent Asuna Kagurazaka, Ku Fei, Chachamaru, and others to face the Heroic Spirits first.
She could tell that neither Martha nor Raikou would go all-out against children.
This was a perfect chance for her team to gain experience against such opponents.
As for herself, she prepared, readying her best condition to face these legendary spirits.
It didn't take long for Asuna, Ku Fei, and Chachamaru to fall to Martha.
The gap in strength was simply too vast.
Asuna faced Martha's fists and was utterly outmatched. If not for Martha's mercy, she would've been knocked out in the first round.
Even so, she was pummeled relentlessly.
In the end, Martha casually threw her to the ground, unable to get up.
Ku Fei fared no better.
Though skilled in various martial arts, she couldn't last three rounds against Martha before being thoroughly defeated.
Chachamaru didn't even get a chance to deploy her orbital cannon.
Before she could act, Martha charged, grabbing her and hurling her out of the arena.
Chachamaru was eliminated.
Then came Negi. Taking the stage, he immediately unleashed Magia Erebea.
With his current strength, he needed Magia Erebea just to qualify to face Martha.
Even then, he only lasted a few extra rounds. After all, Martha was the Iron-Fisted Saint who had subdued a dragon barehanded.
Defeating Negi was effortless.
After Negi's defeat, Evangeline A.K. McDowell the True Ancestral Shinso vampire descended like a demon king.
Martha smiled warmly. "Seeing you reminds me of the True Ancestor I once chased across the land. I hope you don't disappoint."
Only then did Evangeline learn that Martha had dealt with a True Ancestor in life.
Who was it?
No matter—it wasn't important.
Evangeline cast aside stray thoughts, letting out a wicked, villainous laugh. "Then let me grant you defeat, Iron-Fisted Saint."
With that, she vanished, pushing her speed to its limits.
Martha, undaunted, disappeared as well.
Both chose the same tactic—speed against speed. Their figures were invisible in the arena, but the air was filled with the relentless bang bang bang of their clashes.
It was a battle of fists.
This surprised Morpheus. Wasn't Evangeline a mage? How could she hold her own against Martha in close combat?
But then he noticed Evangeline had layered herself with seven or eight different spells.
Strengthening magic to boost her power.
Speed magic to enhance her agility.
Defensive magic to shield her.
These enchantments allowed her to match Martha blow for blow in melee.
Without them, a fragile mage like her could never trade hits with a saint who'd tamed a dragon.
Martha noticed this too but grew even more excited, her fists moving faster, striking harder.
Each punch unleashed a howling gust, shattering the air.
Evangeline sucked in a breath, realizing she'd underestimated the Iron-Fisted Saint.
Martha's power was still growing—terrifying, absolutely terrifying.
Her moves became increasingly cunning, nearly catching Evangeline several times.
If she was caught, a single combo could end her.
Realizing she couldn't continue like this, Evangeline retreated, putting distance between them. A storm of ice arrows shot toward Martha like bullets.
If close combat wasn't working, she'd lean into her true strength as a mage—ranged bombardment.
Boom!
Martha punched the air, the sound piercing as transparent ripples surged forward, shattering the ice arrows before they could reach her.
That punch carried the force of a shockwave.
Evangeline smirked. Suddenly, Martha's shadow twisted, rising from the ground to attack her.
It was bizarre—Martha's own shadow turning against her.
Such was the wonder of magic.
But Martha seemed to have anticipated it. She spun, kicking her shadow to pieces, scattering it into fragments.
The fragments reformed into her shadow.
Then, she grunted, her face paling as if injured.
Destroying her shadow had cost her.
Evangeline seized the moment, pointing as a Thunder Spear shot toward Martha.
Just as it was about to hit, Martha smashed it with a single punch.
Whoosh!
Martha launched forward like an arrow, twisting through the air to dodge Evangeline's attacks, closing the gap.
Now, they were only three meters apart.
Far, far too close.
***
Bonus Chapter:
100 Power Stones = 1 BC
300 Power Stones = 2 BC
500 Power Stones = 3 BC
700 Power Stones = 4 BC
1000 Power Stones = 5 BC
***
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