*Seew*
In one swift motion, the bright sphere of light formed from Yang bolted into the sky and disappeared with a twink, as though it was a shooting star.
Seeing the two members of the Yaltan Wind's attack was enough to get everyone else to also spring into action. This creature was powerful. Jackson and his teammate didn't even expect it to be taken down, even if everyone used their combined strengths.
Still, the possibility that it could fall existed. So, they lunged forward with a formulated plan.
"Remember! We still have to be there to support Lyrian's group, so don't get eliminated! If anything goes south, just play it safe and retreat."
Jackson shouted to his teammate, and he was met with a nod in response. His fellow White Knight members didn't exactly know why Jackson wanted to support Lyrian's group so much, but since he was the lesser teammate in terms of power, he still listened to and followed his orders.
As everyone took the middle stage once again, Jackson and his teammate dashed forward, jumping up into the air.
"They are the best in terms of teamwork. The White Knights, that is."
Rylan began to speak, still tired, but better off than how he was moments ago. The others changed their attention to him, even Spade and other examinees who weren't a part of his inner circle listened in.
"From the four main factions, the White Knights weren't really known for their individual prowess. That's why I was shocked to see Nelmis' insane display of power when fighting Syanr and Linc... as I'm sure they were equally as surprised."
Rylan glanced over at Spade for only a moment.
"But yeah... these two attacking together isn't just a stupid show. It's an actual attack, a powerful one."
He sounded serious.
While in the air, the two boys grasped each other's hands, before quickly beginning to sway their legs side to side. Before long, they were shooting up towards the bird whilst spinning.
It was a peculiar, almost comedic scene, but it was also impressive. The balance and experience one would need to perfectly create a rhythm of movements in line with another person to result in what they were doing right now would easily take up to 10 years without special help.
Considering they did have special help, however, it was still impressive. As they got 10 meters away from the bird, Jackson suddenly let go of his friend's hand and launched him at the bird. His friend straightened his arms to his side, speeding forward like a bullet.
On reaching a few feet away from the target, he kicked the air, allowing his body to begin turning like a fast-moving drill. Finally, he struck the bird with forceful velocity but was halted in his tracks immediately.
The bird's thick feathers stopped the impact and also absorbed half of the boy's body inside. Jackson immediately felt a sense of danger as his eyes widened.
"Bail! It's too dangerous!"
He yelled, landing back on the ground as he frantically dashed forward. The bird shook its body, making Jackson's friend begin falling down to the ground, before flapping its wings once again.
This time, along with a powerful gust of wind came several slices of sharp, concentrated, and powerful light magic.
Everyone dashed out of the way to avoid them, as they crashed into the pillars and sliced right through him, causing many to fall.
The aftermath of the intense assault left the arena in a state of disarray. As the dust began to settle, Jackson's determination burned brighter than ever. He watched his fallen comrade, his heart pounding with a mix of worry and resolve.
Ignoring his own exhaustion, Jackson sprinted towards his fallen friend, evading residual beams of light magic that sizzled across the ground. With haste and determination, he reached his fallen comrade, checking for signs of life. Relief washed over him as he felt a faint pulse and saw the shallow rise and fall of his friend's chest.
"Don't get eliminated. Breathe," Jackson whispered urgently, gently supporting his friend's head as he looked around for cover. It was clear that staying out in the open would only invite further danger.
Lyrian's voice rang out, sharp and clear, cutting through the turmoil. "Don't fight it alone any longer! I don't want us to fall one by one like flies! The best way to defeat it is to work together!"
He felt like he had said the same speech multiple times by now. It was odd, but then again, not many others went through the things he had during the exam multiple times over either.
Lyrian looked forward at Yang, still floating menacingly in the air.
"You stronger than the Black Kailion, but barely. On the other hand, I've crossed several leaps and bounds of power of ability since the last time I fought your other half. And I even have stronger disposable pieces. You will be easier."
He said confidently, a small smirk on his face. Looking back, he saw that Spade was sitting down. Instead, he looked forward at Silvus, who was still floating in the air.
The air-born adversary, having weathered their onslaught, let out a resonant cry that echoed through the tower. Its luminous form pulsed with renewed energy, wings beating with a rhythmic intensity.
With a resolute nod, Alten pushed himself to stand up straight.
"We've faced worse odds than this."
He declared, taking out his bow
"Let's show this bird what we're made of."
Seeing Lyrian approach, Silvus floated forward, his wand held high. "You," He said, looking down at Lyrian, "I will use your power for now. We have no other choice but to team up."
Lyrian nodded in agreement, channeling his mana as the air around him crackled with anticipation. The two examinees' synergy was actually palpable as they unleashed an aura of slight elemental forces.
Slivus exuded a flurry of wind and from Lyrian, a mix of all four major elements.
"Flame!"
Lyrian suddenly shouted, putting his hands together. A brilliant flame exploded out of his palms, creating a giant ball of fire in the air.
"Gale Tornado!"
Silvus answered himself, casting a giant tornado that quickly engulfed the ball of fire, turning into a fiery inferno of forceful hell and destruction, which quickly traveled towards Yang.
The bird of light met their assault head-on, its brilliance clashing against the powerful magic. Light, Wind, and Fire intertwined, creating a dazzling display that illuminated the tower top. The clash of powers sent shockwaves through the chamber, causing the very foundation to tremble.
As the battle raged on, Jackson and his friend coordinated their movements once again. This time, their approach was more measured, and their actions aligned with strategic precision. As they closed in on the avian adversary, their maneuvers mirrored each other flawlessly.
With a synchronized effort, they unleashed their combined strength. Jackson's friend launched himself toward the bird once more, delivering a swift series of blows that tested the creature's defenses. At the same time, Jackson moved with calculated swiftness, drawing upon his training to exploit openings in the bird's guard.
Their determination was unwavering, but their teamwork didn't seem to pay off. While fighting off the giant fire tornado, it also reflected off Jackson's teammate, sending him flying into the large vortex of embers.
This time, the boy was eliminated in an instant, nearly burned to a crisp as soon as he entered the fiery spell.
"No! Heo!"
Jackson exclaimed, wanting to dive head first into the tornado of fire, but restraining himself. He tried to look around inside to see whether his friend was still there but quickly realized that nothing could survive inside such a ruthless spell.
"We shouldn't have gone in again... damn it!"
His face was shadowed with a mix of both concern and sorrow. However, before he could lament and mourn any further, he stared at Lyrian.
'He really is my only hope now. If he doesn't defeat this monster... I don't know who will.'
Silvus and Lyrian's combined assault intensified. At this moment, Glis also dived into action.
"Ice Spike-Wall!"
She yelled, waving her wand in the air as he traveled behind the bird. Suddenly, several ice spikes, each increasing in size, protruded up from the ground at near-instant speeds. the tempestuous winds and crackling fire, partnered with the incoming ice spikes, seemed to overwhelm the bird's luminous barrier.
The flyer, looking to be frustrated with its faltering in power, separated itself from the battlefield, flying up into the air once again as it dodged the ice spikes before releasing a powerful wing flap. This unleashed an enormous wind, the strongest they had ever felt before.
In an instant, the fire tornado was scattered into nothing but air.
"Even if we have a chance to over power it with pure magic, it is too quick to actually be hit by our moves. Especially since it's in the open air, where it can move freely."
Lyrian said, looking back at Spade.
"We will need to use melee attacks at full speed if we want to kill this damn bird!"
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