With the announcer's call, two towering figures strode purposefully into the arena, their presence commanding the attention of the crowd. Their imposing presence dwarfed even the announcer, who seemed diminutive in comparison.
At the announcer's command, they exchanged vows with gruff nods, their hands morphing into lethal claws, a testament to their formidable prowess. The air crackled with tension as they prepared to engage in a clash of titans.
The towering figures stood locked in a tense standoff as the announcer swiftly retreated to a safe distance. Their eyes bore into each other with an intensity that sent shivers down the spines of the spectators.
Cesar was adorned in a formidable suit of steel armor, covering his shoulders down to his waist, secured by a cummerbund that held his warrior's skirt in place. His face was partially obscured by a menacing black leather strap, which only served to accentuate the steely determination in his eyes. Meanwhile, Arces stood bare-chested and imposing, his arms and legs clad in black tights that accentuated his bulky stature.
The crowd erupted into cheers as Arces made his first move, slashing at Cesar's face with ferocious intensity. The blow was so powerful that it tore away Cesar's mask, revealing his half-mangled lower face to the world. Arces recoiled in a mixture of disgust and awe at the sight before him.
But Cesar wasted no time in retaliating, seizing hold of Arces's arm with wise like grip. With a swift twist, he snapped Arces's forearm like a brittle twig. Arces howled in agony as Cesar delivered a series of brutal punches to his face, dislocating his jaw and causing blood to gush forth in a crimson torrent.
Arces's cries fell silent as the crowd erupted into a cacophony of cheers, reveling in the brutal spectacle unfolding before them.
Cesar grabbed Arces by the neck with his clawed hand and him violently into the ground. With a sickening thud, he delivered a series of savage stomps to Arces's head, blood spewing forth from his neck and face as they were crushed beneath the weight of Cesar's fury.
The crowd roared in delight, knowing that the match had reached its grisly conclusion. As the cheers reverberated throughout the arena, the announcer stepped forward, his expression a mix of shock and awe at the display of raw power before him.
"Pompeii!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing across the arena. "Did you bear witness to the awe-inspiring display of strength and brutality? With a swift and merciless victory, Cesar stands tall as the undisputed champion of the fifth bout of the Chronos Academy physical trials!"
As Cesar returned to his seat, Alan couldn't help but feel a chill run down his spine at the raw power emanating from the victorious combatant. He wondered if he could stand against the giant as blood flowed freely from his face.
The announcer's booming voice echoed throughout the arena, stirring the excitement of the crowd:
"Please welcome, Lyco Preprena, representing the Lineage of Librarians, the Preprenas! And his opponent, Grumio Bestia, from the Lineage of Craftsmen, the Othonos!"
As the announcer's words filled the air, a petite boy emerged, wearing a large hat with a brim that shielded his eyes from the sun.
Dressed in scholarly attire and sporting steel-framed glasses with opal lenses, he struggled under the weight of a seemingly heavy knapsack on his shoulders.
Unfortunately, before he could reach the announcer, he stumbled and tumbled to the ground, eliciting laughter from the crowd. Some even hurled half-eaten apples and mud balls in his direction. Alan watched all this with a hint of disapproval at the audience's mockery of Lyco.
Despite the mockery, Lyco remained determined. With resolve, he retrieved a staff from his knapsack, adorned with a muddy-colored gem at its head, using it as support to rise to his feet.
With a steady gait, he approached his towering opponent, whose bulky hands bore the markings of two short hammers. Grumio's eyes reflected years of experience near the furnace as he stared at Lyco with ferocity.
Grumio cast a disdainful glance at Lyco as the announcer instructed them to repeat the vow.
With unwavering determination, both fighters locked eyes, ready for the impending battle. As the announcer returned to his post and signaled the start of the 7th battle, Grumio let out a loud grunt, summoning his marked hammers into his grasp.
Clad in leather overalls with a rubber belt cinched tightly around his waist, Grumio waited expectantly for Lyco to summon his weapon. However, when Lyco stood resolute and swirled his staff at Grumio, the audience couldn't contain their laughter,at what they perceived as Lyco's childish naivety.
But as laughter filled the arena, Grumio's expression shifted from amusement to rage. With a ferocious swing of his hammer, he aimed a powerful blow at Lyco, who, in his attempt to dodge, stumbled and fell directly into the path of Grumio's attack.
Like a ragdoll, Lyco tumbled against the wall, the force of Grumio's blow sending him sprawling. Grumio's booming laughter blended with crowd's jeers as insults rained down on Lyco
As Grumio moved to stomp on Lyco's fallen staff amidst his laughter, the arena fell into a stunned silence. Suddenly, a collective gasp echoed through the crowd as the ground beneath Lyco's staff began to shift and tremble.
In a mesmerizing display of power, a formation of rocks surged forth, carrying Lyco's staff towards him with astonishing speed, placing it back in his hand as if serving its master.
Lyco stood tall, eyes blazing with fury, his green hair whipping dramatically in the air. The announcer's voice, breaking the silence, rang out in awe and disbelief at the unexpected turn of events-
"What an unexpected twist! The seemingly meek dwarf reveals himself to be a powerful Earth Element wielder!" Suddenly, the silent stadium erupted into cheers and applause for Lyco's newfound abilities.
Alan watched with widened eyes, a mixture of awe and surprise reflecting in his gaze. He couldn't help but feel amazed by Lyco's unexpected prowess.