As time wore on, Evangeline's advantage dwindled, her magical reserves depleting rapidly.
Even a True Ancestor's mana wasn't infinite—it would eventually run dry.
Medea, on the other hand, could borrow mana from Morpheus at any moment, never worrying about exhaustion. The longer the fight dragged on, the more spirited and fluid her movements became.
Evangeline was suppressed, unable to gain the upper hand.
Barring a miracle, her defeat was only a matter of time.
She knew this, blocking Medea's attacks while her mind raced for a way to turn the tide.
But then, Medea snapped her fingers.
In an instant, an invisible wave radiated from her, sweeping across all directions.
Time in the arena froze.
This was Morpheus's "Time Stop" spell, and among his followers, only Medea had mastered it.
Unlike Morpheus's ability to halt time on a grand scale, Medea could only freeze a small area.
But it was enough.
Caught off guard, Evangeline was frozen in time.
She hung motionless in the air.
Medea seized the moment, closing in and tapping Evangeline's head.
A powerful magic circle materialized, enveloping Evangeline.
It was a sealing spell.
Medea then released the time stop. Evangeline snapped back to awareness, only to find herself trapped within the magic circle.
Inside, her mana was completely suppressed, her body immobile.
She recognized it—a highly advanced sealing array.
With a single thought, Medea could seal her away.
For an immortal True Ancestor, being sealed was the ultimate nightmare. Eternal life became an endless torment, enough to drive anyone mad.
"Surrender?" Medea asked with a playful smile, her eyes glinting with intent. If Evangeline refused, she'd seal her without hesitation.
Evangeline's scalp tingled, sensing Medea's malice. "I surrender."
She'd once been sealed by Negi's father for her recklessness.
She had no desire to relive that agony.
With Evangeline's surrender, the Team Shinso was defeated.
The Team Heroics claimed victory in the Dark Tournament.
The arena erupted in thunderous applause.
The final duel between Evangeline and Medea had been breathtakingly spectacular, a dazzling clash of master mages that left the audience in awe.
They clapped willingly, honoring such a performance.
At that moment, Toguro, masked as always, stepped forward, offering his congratulations. "Well done, Team Heroics. You've won the tournament."
"Now, you may make your wish."
"If it's within our power, we'll do our utmost to fulfill it."
Medea glanced at Raikou, who nodded and stepped forward. "We have but one request."
"Name it."
"Let Seimei-dono come to see me," Raikou said coldly.
Toguro blinked, confused. "Seimei-dono? Who's that?"
Raikou realized he was just a minor figure, unaware of the true orchestrators behind the event.
Ignoring him, she turned toward the palace and roared, "Yoshihira! I know you can hear me. Come out and face me now!"
A thousand years ago in Heian-kyo, Raikou was a figure of immense authority, the hero who vanquished Shuten Doji. None dared defy her, save perhaps Abe no Seimei.
Abe no Yoshihira was no exception.
Inside the palace, Yoshihira had been observing the tournament's progress.
When he heard Raikou's booming demand, he knew his cover was blown.
He couldn't fathom how he'd been exposed.
But seeing Raikou's growing fury, he knew that if he didn't show himself, she might tear the place apart.
Reluctantly, Yoshihira appeared and stepping into the arena with a gust of wind and bowing to her.
"It's been a millennium, Lady Raikou."
Raikou stared at him, expressionless. "Do you know what you've done, Yoshihira?"
Yoshihira shook his head. "I don't."
"You've defiled Seimei-dono."
"I only wanted to save my father."
"It's only natural for a son to save his father—I understand your intent. But your methods were undeniably wrong, Yoshihira."
"You shouldn't have used demonic energy to nurture Seimei-dono's remnant soul, causing his complete corruption."
Yoshihira's heart jolted. He hadn't expected Raikou to know even this.
But he quickly countered, "You're mistaken, Lady Raikou. My father hasn't fallen…"
Raikou cut him off. "Silence, Yoshihira. Can't you see whether Seimei-dono has fallen?"
"In your memory, was Seimei-dono the kind of man who'd use human lives and demonic energy to resurrect himself?"
Her words struck Yoshihira like a hammer, shattering his delusions.
Faced with Raikou's truth, he could no longer deceive himself.
The father he knew had been corrupted by demonic energy over the centuries, transformed from a noble Onmyoji into a demon.
And he was the one responsible.
The realization made Yoshihira's heart twist in agony.
But then, a gentle voice echoed through the arena.
"Raikou, don't be so hard on Yoshihira."
Raikou's body trembled. She slowly looked up to see a kindly old man appear beside Yoshihira.
Dressed in Onmyoji robes, his white hair gleamed with vitality.
For a moment, Raikou felt as if she were seeing the guardian of Heian-kyo from a thousand years ago.
She sighed softly and bowed. "Minamoto no Raikou greets Seimei-dono."
***
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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