Shards of War: Eclipsian Secrets

Chapter 32

The moment Master Isara signaled the start of the race, Matsu was already in motion. He unleashed his enhancement aura, wings of shimmering energy bursting from his back, propelling him into the air with a powerful leap. The ground fell away beneath him as he soared upward, the wind rushing past his ears. But even as he gained altitude, he wasn't content to simply fly away from the competition.

With a sly grin, Matsu focused his projection aura, summoning a chain made of pure energy. In one swift motion, he sent the chain snaking downwards, each link clinking into place around the ankles of the other chancellors. The chain tightened with a solid clank, tripping them up just as they were beginning to launch their own techniques.

Bonnie's voice echoed across the training grounds, a mix of frustration and exasperation. "I told you all he was going to be like his dad!"

The other chancellors groaned, their initial momentum halted as they stumbled to the ground. Sargon cursed under his breath as he yanked at the construct chain, his aura flaring to break the binding. Agapē, already scowling, flexed her leg muscles and shattered her portion of the chain with a burst of force. Tiago's lions growled in frustration as he quickly freed himself, and Sidric simply rolled his eyes as he dissolved the chain with his manipulation aura.

"Dirty tricks run in the family, I guess," Sidric muttered, shaking his head as he got back to his feet.

Matsu, now far ahead and laughing to himself, glanced back just in time to see the others breaking free of his chain. He could hear Bonnie still grumbling, and it only made him push himself harder, his wings flaring as he soared over the terrain, already planning his next move. He knew the others would catch up quickly, but this little stunt had given him a head start—and an insight into their reactions.

The other chancellors quickly recovered, their competitive spirits reigniting as they surged forward. Sargon, still muttering curses, enhanced his speed with aura, his body becoming a blur as he dashed across the landscape. Agapē, unfazed by the delay, summoned a series of energy constructs to propel herself forward with powerful leaps. Tiago, not wanting to be outdone, conjured a large feline construct, hopping onto its back and charging after Matsu with incredible speed. Bonnie and Sidric, meanwhile, utilized their own unique techniques to close the distance.

As they raced across the landscape, the competitive atmosphere became electric. The chancellors were no longer holding back, and Matsu could feel the intensity of their auras growing as they began to unleash more powerful techniques. The race was far from over, and Matsu knew he'd have to stay on his toes if he wanted to maintain his lead.

Bonnie, now fully recovered, caught up quickly and smirked as she prepared her next move. "Let's see if you can handle this, hotshot," she muttered, conjuring a series of illusions that made the terrain in front of Matsu appear treacherous and uneven.

Matsu, however, wasn't so easily fooled. He recognized the illusions for what they were and adjusted his flight path accordingly, veering to the side where the ground was still solid. But as he did, he noticed Sargon closing in on him from the opposite direction, his aura crackling with energy as he prepared a powerful strike.

"Not bad," Matsu called back, grinning as he narrowly avoided Sargon's attack. "But you'll have to do better than that!"

The race was now a full-blown battle of wits and skill, with each chancellor using their abilities to gain the upper hand. Matsu reveled in the challenge, his mind racing as he devised new strategies to stay ahead. It was exactly the kind of test he thrived on—one that required not just brute strength, but creativity, adaptability, and quick thinking.

And as they neared the halfway point of the race, Matsu could feel the adrenaline pumping through his veins. He knew the real challenge was still to come, but he was ready for it, eager to prove himself against some of the most formidable opponents he'd ever faced.