Twist of Fate

Chapter 38: Too Fast

A/N: Not my best chapter. Not even close. Needs major editing, preferably by someone with the ability to write(clearly not myself if this chapter says anything). I went crazy and random and just plain weird so good luck. I'll take a break here I think...next chapter is irritating too. I haven't even written the next scene. Sorry. Anyway, hope y'all are having a good summer (I'm not, damm school) cause this chapter may ruin it. Enjoy~ some parts should be...alright. (I loathe this chapter though, especially the ending and "drama", with a passion.)
-Fun Fact: I actually entertained the idea of giving Lareria a harem. That's why there are so many attractive men I created(I was in a phase where I couldn't choose one so I chose all) around her. This won't be romance centered though, thank Veazu, or it would be even more terrible. It's not a harem if you hadn't caught it. Shame.
Word Count:6785...without the AN. Third longest chapter.

The second round was quickly underway and moving way too fast. It was natural that since only four battles remained, the remaining participants were the strongest in the tournament and battles would be far more intnse. That didn't mean they had to be far quicker as well. The first match, between men of ranks 136 and 171, whom I forgot the names of, ended in less than fifteen minutes with the former the victor. It was definitely intense, both possessed fire affinities and the ability to use them effectively. Their fierce attacks were intensely hot, sweltering even in the seats and it became a bit difficult to take a deep breath at times, but no damage was done to the arena whatsoever. How that was possibly, I did not know, but it meant once the 136th ranker secured his victory, the second match was quickly on its way. The Headmaster's eagerness slowed the matter.

The second match was somewhat tamer, despite it being between the 25th ranker, Sian, and the 56th ranker, and it was concluded even quicker than the first, though it was understandable why. Rather than being a battle of elements, it was a war of wits and speed...well, a one-sided war, if it could even be called that. A rather simple strategy was used by Sian right off the bat, he goaded the 56th ranker with arrogant words, proclaiming the match was pointless seeing as he was clearly the superior warrior. It was rather obviously a ploy, in my opinion, since he acted nothing like that in his first match against Deth, but it got the desired results. The 56th ranker was a hot tempered one, and fell into the ploy. He recklessly charged, to "show him who was superior", and was automatically knocked out after Sian eveaded him for a few several minutes before he "cornered the tiny bastard", but as he went for the metaphorical and slightly literal kill, Sian merely side-stepped in an inspiring movement of speed at the last moment and he ran into the arena wall full force.

The match was only an unfortunate ten odd minutes.

The third match was more satisfying to watch and also the longest lasting for a whopping twenty-three minutes and fourty-seven seconds. It was an impressive display of combat between opposite elements, fire and water, from the 111th and 82nd ranker respectively. Their attacks were well-coordinated and timed despite being more or less smaller scaled, they made up for that in number, but displayed to aspiring EM users the immense control they could one day have as neither called out their chants audibly. In the end, fire overcame water in spite of being arguably weak against it, thus the 111th ranker was the winner and my next possible opponent.

If I defeated the fourth ranker.

Which was "as impossible as the Great Veazu descending from the Godly Realm to bless me with luck" as Deth so kindly put to my annoyance and slight confusion.

"There will be a brief ten minute intermission before the final match of the second round!" Headmaster Kaelon announced, grinning much like the canary who got the cream.

"You ready to get creamed?" Raifa quipped cheerfully as she grinned at me mirthfully.

I glared at her from the corner of my eye before sighing. "I'm honored to have so much support. You, who knows just how important this battle is, are giving me so much confidence."