Primordial Heir: Nine Stars-Chapter 54: The First Match

Truth be told, each member of the seven families was a genius in their own right, and they never underestimated one another. Growing up together, Adam knew how challenging it could be to deal with Azalea, which was giving him a headache, but he had no intention of losing. Looking in Azalea’s direction, his eyes burned fiercely.

Feeling intense stare directed at her, Azalea spun to check out but when she saw it was that gruff dwarf, she harrumphed, giving Adam the middle finger salute, of course she made sure nobody was looking this way.

The princess was busing thinking how to toy with his next opponent, unfortunately it wasn’t Nero as she wished.

Elreth was set to face another promising cadet from one of the lesser families, which were powerful families below the seven prominent ones.

"Let’s begin!" Balrog announced, and the two cadets stepped onto the stage to test their skills. Both were women from Barak’s group: Leslie and Jordan, both knights with specialized classes. While most knights were typically swordsmen or spearmen, other types of knights existed too. Leslie wielded a rod, while Jordan used a warhammer.

Of course, this was just a sparring match, and the weapons they would be using weren’t the real deal; instead, they were alternate weapons made from a special type of wood known as Ashenwood. This wood was extremely durable, able to withstand significant impact, and above all, it could endure the power of a Law. Its unique properties made it an excellent choice for training weapons, allowing cadets to hone their skills without the risk of serious injury. Ashenwood’s resilience inspired confidence in both cadets as they prepared to engage in their match.

Leslie’s inherent Law was the Law of Earth, much like her family known for their affinity with the earth element. Although she could only use it at a basic level, under the influence of the Law of Earth, her rod could become incredibly heavy, making it difficult for her opponent to face her. She could also create small earth spikes, which would disrupt her opponent’s movements and provide her with an advantage.

Standing opposite Leslie, Jordan wielded the Law of Fire. She could envelop her warhammer in flames, enhancing its destructive power, or surround her feet with flames to increase her speed.

As the match began, Leslie immediately tapped into the Law of Earth, raising her rod high. With a swift motion, she slammed it into the ground, causing the earth to tremble.

Boom!

Several small earth spikes erupted from the ground in Jordan’s direction, forcing her to leap aside just in time to avoid them.

Jordan, undeterred, countered by igniting her warhammer with a fierce blaze. "I won’t back down!" she shouted as she charged forward, flames trailing behind her. With a powerful swing, she aimed her warhammer at Leslie, who quickly raised her rod to block the attack.

Bam!

The impact sent a shockwave through the arena, causing the ground to crack beneath their feet.

Leslie quickly regained her footing and used her ability to increase the weight of her rod, making it a formidable weapon.

Swoosh!

She swung it downwards with all her might, aiming to catch Jordan off guard. Jordan, however, was quick on her feet, using the flames around her to propel herself backward, avoiding the strike.

The two continued to exchange blows, both utilizing their respective Laws to their fullest potential. As the fight progressed, Leslie unleashed a series of earth spikes aimed at Jordan’s feet, hoping to immobilize her. Jordan reacted swiftly, twisting her body and using her flames to create a fiery barrier that melted the spikes before they could reach her.

"Impressive!" Leslie exclaimed, acknowledging Jordan’s quick reflexes. "But let’s see how you handle this!"

With determination, she summoned a larger surge of earth energy, creating a small wall of earth that rose behind Jordan, cutting off her escape route.

Realizing she was cornered, Jordan grinned, she mustn’t lose, she could use this opportunity to impress Barak their leader.

"You think you’ve got me?" she taunted.

Channeling her Law of Fire, she released a burst of flames from her warhammer, creating an explosive distraction. The heat radiated outward, causing the audience to gasp as they felt the intensity of the flames.

In that moment of chaos, Jordan dashed forward, using the cover of the flames to close the distance. Leslie, caught momentarily off guard, quickly raised her rod to defend, but Jordan swung her warhammer with all her strength, aiming for a decisive blow.

The match intensified as both cadets pushed their limits, each determined to come out on top. The others watched in awe, captivated by the display of skill, strategy, and the raw power of the Laws at play.

As the flames from Jordan’s warhammer flared dramatically, illuminating the arena, Leslie stood her ground, her focus unwavering. The heat from the fire washed over her, but she focused on her connection to the earth beneath her feet.

’’Huff!"

With a deep breath, she channeled her energy, feeling the familiar weight of the Law of Earth surge through her.

Just as Jordan swung her warhammer toward Leslie, the ground trembled and responded to Leslie’s command. A thick wall of earth rose up in front of her, absorbing the impact of Jordan’s fiery strike.

Boom!

The explosion of flames and dirt sent shockwaves through the arena, causing the spectators to shield their eyes from the dust and debris.

As the smoke cleared, both cadets stood their ground, breathing heavily, each assessing their opponent. Leslie had successfully blocked Jordan’s attack, but she knew she had to act quickly. With a determined expression, she called upon the Law of Earth once more, summoning a massive spike from the ground beneath Jordan’s feet.

’’!"

Jordan, sensing the impending danger, leaped to the side, narrowly avoiding the spike that shot up where she had been standing just moments before. However, the movement had left her slightly off-balance.

Seizing the opportunity, Leslie charged forward, rod raised high, channeling all her energy into a final strike.

"Now!" she shouted, swinging her rod down with all her might. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through the ground, momentarily staggering Jordan. With her opponent momentarily disoriented, Leslie followed through, aiming to end the match decisively.

Just before Leslie could make contact, Jordan regained her composure and unleashed a blast of flame from her warhammer. The fiery explosion met Leslie’s strike, and the arena was filled with a brilliant flash of light and heat. When the dust settled, both cadets stood panting, their weapons locked in a clash, neither willing to give an inch.

After a tense moment, Balrog stepped in, raising his hand to signal the end of the match.

"Enough!" he called out, his voice commanding attention. "This battle has shown both of you the strength of your abilities and the importance of strategy."

Leslie and Jordan reluctantly released their weapons, both breathing heavily as they awaited Balrog’s assessment.

"Leslie," he began, "your ability to manipulate the earth is impressive, but you must learn to control the weight of your power. Use it to not only defend but to create opportunities for offense. The earth can be your shield and your weapon if you master it fully."

Then he turned to Jordan. "As for you, Jordan, your fire is fierce and destructive, but remember that flames can also be used to deceive and distract. Use your speed and agility to outmaneuver your opponents, not just to overpower them. Control is as important as strength."

Balrog paused, eyeing both cadets with a thoughtful expression. "Both of you have a long way to go, but you possess the potential to become formidable knights. Practice harnessing your Laws with precision and creativity. The next time you face each other, think beyond brute force. Consider your opponent’s weaknesses and exploit them with your strengths."

With that, he stepped back, allowing the two cadets to absorb his words. The tension between them had eased, replaced by a newfound respect. They nodded at each other, each silently acknowledging the other’s skill and the lessons learned.

As the audience erupted in applause, Leslie and Jordan exchanged a glance, their rivalry transformed into a mutual understanding. They had both grown stronger through this battle, and with Balrog’s guidance, they were determined to enhance their skills and mastery over their Laws. The journey ahead would be challenging, but they were ready to face it, both as competitors and as comrades in their pursuit of greatness, well, one of them would eventually conquer the heart of their leader, they vowed in their hearts.

They both looked in Barak’s direction, hoping at least he would show some reaction, smile at them, if possible say a few words of encouragement but unfortunately what they saw leave them crestfallen. He didn’t even acknowledge them, he had his eyes closed, deep in thoughts, not bothered by the surrounding.

The two sighed and went to sat together to rest, discuss and watch the next match.