The Mysterious Black Magician

Now in their advance resonance, Kiko and Brai had once again clashed.

Swoosh~

While wielding the heavy flat sword in his hands, Kiko bolted like a cannon bullet in Brai's direction. 

Brai confronted him with his Katana.

Although it was daytime, sparks were visibly flying every time their weapons clashed.

Ting! Ting! Ting! Such rapid high pitched tones could be heard. And all of these were happening quickly, like a fast-forward of a movie scene.

There was a noticeable increase in both party's attributes. Brai had become faster, and Kiko's attack had become more powerful.

The battle entered the last minute. Everyone could not utter a single word as they were so engaged watching the current match.

Feeling the pressure of the match, even Kiko could not utter a single mockery while trying to parry all of Brai's rapid attacks. He was so absorbed in defending himself.

A thrust coming from his side almost hit him, but Kiko was able to block it using the flat side of his sword as his shield.

TIIIING!

A much higher tone reverberated when their weapons came across each other once again.

Ohhh!

Some audience members groaned in excitement, most were wondering how this match was going to end. Any of the two could be reasonable to win. 

After the attack was blocked, Brai did not stop with just that, he shifted his body's center of gravity and spun around along with a horizontal strike.

"F*ck!" Kiko groaned inwardly.

Strands of hair flew in the air. Fortunately, Kiko was able to duck. If not, it would be his head that would be flying at the moment.

Brai's attack was sharp and fast. Every thrust was accurate.

Grr! He gnashed his teeth in annoyance. The hair he tended carefully was cut so easily. Fortunately, only a tiny bit of it was cut. Still, Kiko's pride could not take it. He disliked being on the receiving end. However, Brai's relentless attacks could not give him a margin.

He didn't want to admit it, but Brai was the greatest opponent he encountered. Still, he believed it wasn't enough to defeat him.

While believing he was unbeatable, something rose beneath him.

"!!"

When Kiko noticed it, it was already too late. He was thrown, spinning in the air. It was a gust of wind that suddenly materialized under his feet. Kiko was now inside it, spinning like he was inside a washing machine.

Brai surprised Kiko with a sudden use of his wind element. Kiko was now spinning in the air, looking somewhat vulnerable.

'Tsk! I never thought this Brai had so much to show,' Kiko thought both in annoyance and for his failure to comprehend Brai's action.

Three wind blades were closing to finish the spinning Kiko in mid-air. 

The wind blades were bigger and looked powerful than any other wind blades that the other participants showed in this competition.

Unexpectedly though, before the wind blades could reach him, they exploded. Then Kiko's body was engulfed by flame. His spinning suddenly stopped and now he's floating in mid-air with wings spread open.

"Majestic!"

The announcer Instructor Beth could not help but exclaim in excitement upon seeing Kiko's magical form. After all, he was in his advanced resonance, and he had the looked of a salamander with his fiery armor.

Most of the people around shared the same thought as Instructor Beth. Kiko truly looked magical in his current form. Especially with the addition of flames around him.

On the contrary, there was a sharp invisible aura circulating Brai. It was sharp like the edge of his sword. 

Brai squinted his eyes. He wondered what those flames around Kiko could do. They seemed to be not ordinary flames. 

Well, since guessing was useless anyway, he decided to shoot a water ball at Kiko. Kiko easily avoided it.

At the moment, Kiko was in mid-air, while Brai was below, standing on the broken stage.

When his first attempt bore no result, Brai fired a volley of it. Kiko did not evade this time. But Brai's attack disappeared when they touched Kiko's flame.

Seeing that they turned into white fumes before disappearing, there was only one explanation for it.

Everyone was wondering how Brai's water element lost against Kiko's flame.

"Well, the reason is simple. Kiko's mastery degree in his fire element was higher than Brai in his water. Although the water was strong against fire, it only applied if the two elements were to the same degree. Although Kiko's other element isn't weak, his fire element cut above his other elements. Well, it was only natural since Kiko was focusing all his training to deepen his understanding of his fire element. The other elements were only for his support."

Acting so smart, Kesha explained to the others what she believed was the reason.

In Yman's mind, he agreed to her. In short, Kiko's control in his flame was far stronger than Brai's control in his water. So as a result, Brai's water lost its form and disappeared like vapor.

While everyone was yet to say something, it was Yman who said something first.

"Hee~, so Miss Kesha knows a lot about Kiko."

"Humph!" It was the reply that he so much expected. "What are you saying? Of Course, since Kiko is popular. Unlike some infamous someone who could not even stay conscious for five minutes in the training!"

"....."

Yman fell silent for a moment. Well, he had nothing to rebut against it as it was true. 

"Uhm, Kesha, isn't that a bot too rude?" Almina came to the rescue. "Also, did you forget that Yman's physical attributes are far higher now, you know? I even heard the elders talking about his unusual physical stats."

"Wha—!"

Yman was surprised to hear it. "Uh, Almina. Is it true?" He asked her in a serious tone.

"Yep, yep, I heard it yesterday when I went to Elder Paan's office after the third elimination round."

"Oh," Yman was curious. He did not expect that the elders were talking about him. For some reason, he felt worried. What if they discovered that he was contracted with the demon? They would probably seek him out of the city. Or worse if they send him to rot in jail. This is getting worrisome.

While Yman was worriedly pondering, Kesha opened her mouth again. "Still, that physical ability is useless against Kiko's dazzling fire!"

"Look how majestic he looks!"

'Wow, she's fangirling!' Yman thought.

Some members of Almina's party also shared the same thoughts as Yman. Looking at Kesha, she looked like an avid fan of Kiko. But they understood her since Kiko was popular with the girls in the academy. However, Jami and the others were more loyal to Almina. 

"Well, I wouldn't say for sure," Yman muttered a reply to Kesha's statement a while ago.

Kesha, who happened to hear it, sneered at him. She wondered if this person wanted to become a charred potato.

"Regardless, Yman, i-if the time comes that you will be facing Kiko on the stage, no matter what happens I will cheer for you!" Almina said with her face beet red.

After hearing it, Kesha's expression turned bitter. 'That's my best friend for you! She's blinded by this person's unfound attractiveness,' she thought while shaking her head in dismay.

She was still wondering why Almina rejected Kiko. 

To Almina's words, Yman smiled gently. "I see.. Thank you for the support then."