[Raul PoV]
The character Raul possesses three Profound Codices with different themes: Bloodlust, Anger, and Hatred.
Currently, I have only unlocked the ability from the Bloodlust theme, namely Prince of Darkness. I first used this ability against the three assassins during the survival exam. In truth, this ability is merely a counter-skill meant for use if my enemy finds a way to overcome my Shadow Link magic, making Prince of Darkness an ability I use less frequently than the other two. However, this will change if I can upgrade it to the third level.
The next Profound Codex theme is Anger. If I unlock this Codex, I can use Mirror Force, an ability capable of creating an impenetrable shield. Well... that's not entirely true; high-level magic can still shatter it if the Profound Codex is only at the first level.
The final theme is Hatred. If I can unlock this Profound Codex, I will be able to use an ability called Vengeance. This is a skill that absorbs pain from my body and temporarily converts it into strength. The closer I am to death, the more my power increases—multiplied several times over—if I activate Vengeance. It is the ultimate ability for securing an Epic Comeback against an enemy.
Among these three abilities, none provide direct damage to an enemy. They consist of two buff-providing abilities and one defensive mechanism. Usually, characters in the game Path of Destiny possess a balanced set of Profound Codices: one AoE or direct attack, one buff ability, and one defensive mechanism.
I think I need to speak with the original Raul in the Soul Room again to ask him to activate Mirror Force for me. Right now, what I lack is a solid defense to face powerful magic that I cannot evade. With the hatred I collected from the Lancer Club members earlier, it should be enough to unlock this ability.
After resting for approximately four hours, I left the infirmary and returned to the arena stands. The cheers of the spectators still echoed throughout the stadium. It seemed several other participants were still mid-combat. Upon arriving, I sat next to Viera, who appeared to have recovered from her previous match. In the middle of the arena, a woman with brown hair in a side ponytail was facing off against a man using a sword and shield—a Paladin.
"Ah, Captain. Have you recovered?" Viera asked, noticing my arrival. "I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to watch your match earlier."
"It's fine," I replied. "What about Piers? Did he win?"
"Unfortunately, he lost to Senior Moraine two matches ago," Viera answered, looking disappointed.
"And which match is this?" I asked.
"This is the last match, Captain," Viera replied. "After this, the tournament will resume tomorrow."
Is that so? It seems I missed many of the other matches during my recovery period. Viera then informed me of who had advanced to the second round. In the next round, sixteen participants would remain to compete for a spot in the quarter-finals.
Out of the sixteen participants, only six students from the third year advanced to the Round of 16. For the second year, nine people advanced. As for the first year, no one had advanced yet, leaving only one person left to fight in this final match.
"Wait, isn't that Miria?" I murmured.
"That's right. She is up against a Senior from the third year."
The final match between Miria and the Senior had already begun. Four tree trunks began to protrude from the ground, signaling that Miria had activated her Nature Mana. On the other side, the Paladin wreathed his sword in lightning. He then dashed toward Miria to attack.
The junior directed her palm toward the Paladin, and the tree trunks around Miria began to shoot toward him. He began slashing and cutting through the trunks attacking him from the front. Seeing this, Miria summoned even more trunks around the arena to increase the frequency of her attacks. The Paladin looked overwhelmed trying to cut through the wood lashing out at him; he then began bashing the trees with his shield using a Shield Bash technique.
However, Miria did not lose her composure. A tree root erupted from the ground where the Senior stood. The root coiled around his leg and hoisted his body into the air. Having captured the Paladin, Miria began slamming his body repeatedly against the ground and the arena walls.
It seemed this match would end shortly.
"What powerful Nature Mana!" Viera remarked, watching the brutality of Miria's magic, which contrasted sharply with her cute face.
There were no surprises here; a Paladin would have a very difficult time against a mage like Miria. Paladins are defensive-type fighters who rely on counter-attacks. If you want to win against Miria, you must change your fighting style to be aggressive.
"Miria's wood and plant Nature Mana is just as rare as the blood Nature Mana possessed by Prince Vlad," I said, responding to Viera's comment.
The Paladin finally managed to free himself after successfully cutting the root bound around his leg. However, his body was clearly covered in severe wounds. The Paladin then took a stance, his sword and legs once again wreathed in lightning. He lunged toward Miria at incredible speed.
Miria could be seen murmuring a magic incantation. Shortly after, a massive tree trunk emerged from the ground, forming the shape of a dragon. The wooden dragon then lunged toward the Paladin. Facing the dragon head-on, the Paladin slashed his lightning sword to cut through it. However, his efforts were in vain; his attack failed to leave even a scratch on the wooden dragon.
Miria's Wooden Dragon then bit the Paladin's body, carried him into the air, and slammed him into the arena wall at full speed.
—Baammm!
A thunderous sound of impact followed, and the entire arena felt as though it vibrated slightly from Miria's attack. This time, it was certain that the Paladin had been eliminated from the tournament. This was the strength of Miria de Coruna—the strongest student in the first year.
"Ugh... seeing her magic is that powerful, I'm not sure I could win against her," Viera said, sounding pessimistic.
"If you were to fight Miria, I think you would still have a chance to win, Viera," I told her.
"Huh? How is that possible, Captain? Look at how terrifying her magic is! Even a Senior was helpless before her," Viera replied, still not understanding my point.
"If I were you, I would let Miria fill the arena with her trees first," I answered, beginning my explanation. "With so many trees, you would have the advantage for launching hidden attacks."
Hearing my explanation, Viera touched her chin. "You're right, Captain, but I'm still not sure it would be that easy in a real fight."
Viera underestimates herself too much. With the Profound Codex ability she possesses, Silent, the only thing that can counter her is a mage with the Sensing Mana ability. However, Sensing Mana would also be ineffective if Viera can develop her Profound Codex to the third level.
Finally, the first round of the tournament concluded. Tonight, the opponents for the next round would be announced.
.
.
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That evening, the students and attending nobles gathered in the hall for a banquet. The nobles and military officials could be seen conversing about their affairs. The students seemed to be discussing the previous matches.
"Did you see Princess Alisha's magic earlier? I think she's the one who will win this tournament!"
"I agree, the ice magic she uses is incredibly powerful!"
"But don't forget Princess Elena and Brian; they managed to defeat third-year Seniors."
Hey, I also defeated a third-year student, you know. Why do they act as if my existence in the tournament doesn't matter? Whatever. I'm only here to see if my opponent is that person. If Instructor Tevaz followed my advice, then tomorrow is the chance to silence him and teach him a lesson.
Not long after, Headmaster William entered the main hall. He walked up to the podium carrying a slip of paper.
"Forgive me for interrupting your dancing and conversations," Headmaster William said. "I am here to announce the matches for the second round of this tournament, which will continue tomorrow."
The students and nobles in the room began to shift their attention toward Headmaster William to hear the announcement clearly.
"The first to compete in the second round will be Leon versus Miria de Coruna!"
After the Headmaster said that, the students began whispering, commenting on the potential of the match. Leon, huh? This will definitely be a very difficult fight for Miria.
"The next match: Alisha Romanova versus Viera Regnan!"
The third-year students cheered when Baldwin's name was called. He possesses strong fighting power, much like Emilia. He currently holds the fourth rank among all students at this academy.
"The third match!" the Headmaster called out, reading from the paper again. "Vlad mel Dracus versus Raul de Garcia!"
Hearing my name called, I drained the glass of wine I was holding. I saw Elena talking with Vlad. They seemed to be discussing the recent announcement. My gaze met the black-haired man's; he gave a mocking smile and then moved closer to Elena, trying to provoke me.
He then made a throat-slitting gesture with his hand toward me, signaling that tomorrow he would torture me just as he had done to Valeria in the previous match.
How incredibly foolish. He has no idea that I know every secret of his abilities. Tomorrow, it won't be me you're torturing, Prince Vlad. Instead, tomorrow, I am the one who will show you the true horror of what real fear feels like.