Chapter 1016: Dark Horse

Chapter 1016: Dark Horse

Matimba’s pupils constricted as an incandescent flash of blue light enveloped his vision.

But thanks to his years of combat experience, he was able to instinctively step to the side, narrowly dodging Edward’s attack by a hair’s breadth at the last possible moment.

Edward’s eyes narrowed as he failed to connect his palm thrust. Pivoting his waist, he spun around and delivered a vicious spinning back heel kick.

However, that was already enough time for the talented young Magus from Greenfield Ridge to cast a defensive spell, erecting an earthy wall right before him that blocked Edward’s attack.

Matimba hurriedly retreated towards the part of the battlefield occupied by the mystical fog, and at the same time, he weaved hand seals, aiming to launch a counterattack on his opponent.

But right at that moment, a bolt of blue lightning tore through the rocky wall, destroying it into smithereens. Then, it arched through the air and arrived before Matimba in the blink of an eye.

The youth was already weaving hand seals for an attack spell, but now… with such little time to spare until Edward’s attack reached him, it was too late to alter the hand seals and cast a defensive spell. It was also too late to evade the attack.

So, Matimba gritted his teeth and injected mana into his silver armor, and then…

The bolt of lightning struck the youth with explosive force, hurling him several meters through the air. He hit the ground hard, bounced, and rolled several more times before coming to a halt.

Sparks of lightning danced across his armor, and Matimba felt as though his entire body had been paralyzed… numb, frozen, and burning all at once.

“Ughh…” A groan escaped his lips as he tried to get to his feet, but his body refused to obey his commands.

And right at that moment, Edward suddenly appeared before him, towering above. His hand, crackling with lightning mana and shaped like a blade, hovered just inches away from Matimba’s throat.

“Do you yield?” He asked flatly.

Mathimba gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing with dark reluctance.

Damn it! I tried so hard to reach this stage… only to…

He closed his eyes shut and then heaved a long, heavy sigh. His lips parted, and he said helplessly:

“Yeah, screw it… You win.”

Edward exhaled a breath of relief. He truly didn’t want this match—or any of the successive ones, as a matter of fact—to be drawn out. He wanted to conserve as much mana as possible.

The blue-eyed youth willed the lightning to dissipate, then extended his hand for his opponent to grab.

“You did well. Better than most, really.”

Matimba resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He didn’t know if it was Edward’s arrogance speaking or genuine sincerity.

Still, he took the youth’s outstretched hand and pulled himself to his feet. He turned to Edward and said evenly, “Good match.”

“Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this duel… Edward Turner!!”

While the arena jovially chanted Edward’s name, celebrating his victory, the two commentators had already begun discussing the specifics of the match.

This was a moment for spectators to gain insight into the battle. After all, the two commentators could be considered the greatest of Mana Liquefaction Magi in these lands, and as such, there were many things that people could learn from them.

“So, what did you think, my friend?” Almansour asked with an inquisitive gaze.

Mario pondered for a moment before speaking, “Well, it is evident that both are exceptional Magi. Magus Matimba’s sensory capabilities are truly worthy of praise. As for Edward… heh, let me tell you, whether it’s strength or speed, that young man is simply a monster.”

“It would appear that the two of you share a history,” said Almansour with an arched eyebrow.

“Haha, of course. I’m his senior at the Tower, after all. We’ve sparred many times in the past,” said Mario with a proud smile on his face.

He turned to his friend and spoke in a mysterious tone, “And believe me, Almansour, what Edward’s shown just now isn’t even a fraction of what he’s capable of.”

“Oh, goodness arcana!” Almansour exclaimed—perhaps a little exaggeratedly. “For the previous winner of the tournament to speak such highly of Edward…”

Seeing that half of the spectators’ attention was on them, while the other half was watching Edward and Matimba exchanging words, Almansour’s lips curled slightly.

“So, it is safe to assume that you’re going to bet on Edward of Daybreak to win this tournament?” He asked with a chuckle.

And right at that moment, the entire coliseum began chanting Edward’s name with fervent zeal.

However, Mario’s next words were completely out of their—and Almansour’s—expectations.

“If I’m being honest,” he began, “my bet would be on the biggest dark horse this tournament has seen in years… someone no one saw coming…”

***

“Boo-hoo! This fraud!”

“Why is he here again?!”

“Get out! Get out now!”

“You suck! You suck!”

“You suck! You suck!”

Merlin strutted out from the towering gates, chest puffed, arms swaying wide, his long strides full of swagger like he owned the whole damn place.

Hearing the boos of the crowd only made his grin stretch wider.

The first round of the final trial was already over. Thirty young Magi had already been eliminated. Now, the remaining ones would fight against one another in this round.

Merlin stood at the center of the arena, taking in the boos and the insults of the crowd with a wide grin on his face.

He was excited, oh so excited to meet his next opponent. He’d been wanting to meet him for a very long time.

The madman took a deep breath and roared like a lunatic, “Oh, how long I’ve waited to deliver justice! Oh, those poor little sisters, those poor little aunties…”

He threw his hands into the air and screamed at the skies, “Watch over me, aunties! For today, I, Merlin the Handsome, will exact vengeance! Fafafafa!”

The crowd looked at him like he had lost it. Perhaps, he already had. They were stunned for a moment before bursting into laughter and hurling insults once again.

Meanwhile, standing on the floating platform, Almansour cast a dubious look at his friend, Mario.

“…So, this is who you’re placing your money on?” He asked with a strange expression.

Mario’s lips curled into a faint smile. “Merlin the Handsome? More like… Merlin the Mad. Yes, that’s got a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”

Almansour’s lips twitched, then he proceeded to introduce Melrin’s opponent.

“Fighting out of the eastern gates, from the Tower of Daybreak, ladies and gentlemen, I present to you… Slade Shipley!”