Sacred Arts

24. Top Three

Barry, Amon, and Matthew were called up onto the stage by Master Shawn. "Congratulations to the three of you," Master Shawn announced. "You are all the top three fighters in this academy," he continued. "This will be the final round to decide who is number one, number two, and number three." "Each of you will fight two battles, and the results of those battles is how we will determine who claims those positions this year," Master Shawn informed.

"The final matches will take place in two days." "Once the matches are over, your rankings will be finalized and the tournament will be over," he added. Barry, Amon, and Matthew exchanged determined glances, eagerly anticipating the upcoming battles. All the warriors who had participated in the tournament were now healed him and had joined the rest of the spectators in the crowd. "I advise you three to use your forty-eight-hour rest period wisely," Master Shawn said, taking his seat.

The three fighters positioned themselves on different parts of the fighting stage, sitting cross-legged, and focused on gathering as much strength as possible before the tournament resumed. Within just two days, Barry had reached the peak of rank one within the spirit realm. At the same time, Matthew reached the peak of rank eight within the human realm, and Amon reached the peak of rank seven within the human realm. "Your time is up warriors!" Master Shawn announced, standing up. "Prepare yourselves for the final round," he continued.

"Since Barry held first place last year, he will fight first this year," Master Shawn informed the warriors. "Whichever one of you wants to fight Barry first may step forward," he said to Amon and Matthew. Barry, with a smug smile, confidently mocked Matthew, "Don't even bother, you know you won't beat me," his voice dripping with icy disdain. Amon began to step forward, but Matthew had extended his arm in front of him, signaling him to hold back. "No let me, I've had just about enough of him already," Matthew said to Amon before looking back at Barry with a sly grin.

Amon nodded, allowing Matthew to proceed. "Now back to your earlier comment," Matthew said with a cold stare. "I won't know, unless I try!" roared Matthew, as he let out a fierce aura that surrounded him. "Trust when I say that I am going to show you why you shouldn't talk so much!" Matthew yelled, his voice filled with confidence and resolve. Barry, undeterred, stood nonchalantly with his hands behind his back.

"Come at me, since you think you are so brave," Barry said to Matthew. Sensing the imminent attack, Matthew immediately unleashed his soul beast and unleashed a powerful energy blast towards Barry. The blast hurtled towards Barry with incredible speed, but instead of evading or defending, Barry stood firmly in place with his eyes closed. As the energy blast closed in on him, Barry stretched out one arm and opened his hand, attempting to block the blast with his bare hands. The blast collided with Barry's open hand, but instead of being pulverized, Barry closed his hand, crushing the blast within it.

"How was he able to destroy my blast with little to no effort?" Matthew muttered anxiously. "How's that even possible?" He wondered. "How about I show you real power!" Barry yelled triumphantly at Matthew, a grin spreading across his face. Barry summoned his soul beast and a huge brown ape materialized behind him with streaks of blue aura around it. Witnessing the display of Barry's strength, Headmaster Edward couldn't help but be amazed.

"His soul beast looks as though it's close to the blue tier," he whispered in awe. "It seems it's far above an average soul beast but slightly below a blue tier soul beast," Master Shawn added, analyzing the strength of Barry's summoned beast. The massive brown ape roared, exerting a heavy gravitational force that weighed down on the space surrounding Matthew. Beads of sweat formed on Matthew's forehead as he nervously trembled, realizing the immense power of Barry's soul beast. "His beast is on a whole other level," Matthew thought to himself, feeling the need to prepare for the upcoming clash.