NOVPUBThe next day, Rain was experimenting with the Blood Mage path while he headed toward the arena. Controlling the skills was easy since he did something similar with Limit Breaker. Thanks to that, he was also able to control his body a bit better… that was supposed to be a magic path, but that actually helped his fighting style.
Rain's recent training had the goal to help him surpass the limitations of an ordinary body and attack as fast as possible, using all parts of his body. Still, certain moves were difficult to pull off, like axe kicks, since they were too long and big moves. However, using his own control of blood, Rain was able to jump, spin in the air, and then launch three axe kicks without moving from his spot.
That was quite something.
"It exposes my back three times in a row, though," Rain thought.
Level 5: Sanguine Bond Forge a mystical connection with a chosen ally, sharing a fraction of your life force with them. This connection enhances their strength and dexterity temporarily.
Level 10: Blood Bolt Project bolts of condensed blood at your enemies, causing both physical and magical damage. The impact may cause a slow bleed effect over time. It costs ten mana points per projectile.
Level 15: Coagulation Shield Create a defensive shield using coagulated blood that reduces incoming damage. The shield's strength increases with each level. It requires blood on the area and fifty points of mana.
Rain used that technique just for funsies, but things were starting to look pretty good… perhaps at some point, his skill will reach a level where he will be able to recover his blood lost and even repair his wounds like that guy did that… he will have to purify his blood after touching the ground, though.
"Another path to master… even though I already have over thirty of them, and only four reached the max level," Rain thought. "Well, this is a problem for another time."
Rain reached the arena and he began to focus for the next match… truth to be told, while he didn't see the results or hear them from his wives, Rain imagined that Reca would have the upper hand. Kei was a mage through and through, and it was almost surprising that she was participating in the tournament.
Even if she improved her fighting style in the last one hundred years to make her fight at close range as well, her core was still the same.
Today's matches: Rain vs. Kei and Sealyn Vs. Keila.
"Oh boy… this is truly surprising," Rain thought when he read the board at the entrance of the arena.
It seemed that Rain was selling his little sister short… while the Kei of one hundred years ago was a girl who found most things bothersome and would instead spend her time minding her own business and reading books, it seemed that she became quite the fighter… She was the one who taught Dana how to use Greedy Vows in a troublesome way. She definitely had a bunch of tricks up her sleeve.
"Knowing Kei, she will probably try to defeat me as soon as possible while I am troubled trying to win without slapping her senseless," Rain thought.
Unlike all the others, who looked pretty eager to slap Rain like a bitch, Kei looked pretty calm and unfazed… it could be her strategy, but it also looked like she didn't mind if she were to lose there. Then again, Kei always looked like nothing could faze her, only annoy a little.
Before long, Rain and Kei were called to the arena.
At that particular moment in time, the spectators aboard the vessel found it challenging to contain their excitement. The daily routine within the confines of the vessel usually involved monotonous activities such as training and work, leaving little room for exciting events like that one. However, the unfolding spectacle managed to inject a surge of adrenaline into the otherwise boring routine.
With limited sources of entertainment, the prospect of a noteworthy event had become a rare and highly anticipated occurrence. Hungry for excitement, the onlookers were now fervently engaged in the unfolding scene. The air buzzed with palpable energy as spectators leaned forward, their eyes fixed on the participants in the unfolding drama.
The participants' names echoed through the space, and among them, one name seemed to dominate the chorus – Kei. Kei's name rang out more prominently than the others, whether due to popularity, prowess, or perhaps a charismatic presence. The vessel, once a quiet and functional environment, now pulsated with the vibrancy of a collective enthusiasm that had found an outlet in the unfolding spectacle.
The event had successfully managed to pump the blood of the spectators. 𝔫𝖔𝖛𝖕𝖚𝔟.𝖈𝖔𝔪
"The sisterhood is as strong as ever, but the brotherhood needs some work," Rain thought.
Even before the start of the match was declared, Kei assumed her fighting stance. It was a peculiar one… she lowered her stance quite a lot while she kept her arms high.
When Rain thought of assuming his stance as well and then preparing for the start, Kei changed her stance once more and opened her hands like she was about to grab something in the air. Her knees had bent a bit, and her arms were at her shoulder length.
"Is she trying to confuse me?" Rain thought.
"Begin!" Esmeralda shouted.
In the next moment, Kei inclined her body upward and then fell with her hands on the ground. She immediately propelled herself forward using all of her limbs… she was quite fast, too… She had experience running like a dog or something.
When she was ten meters away, she jumped and then moved her arms to prepare her to punch, but when she got closer, and Rain moved his arms to block her, Kei swung both of her arms. Rain quickly moved his own to grab both of them, but then, with lightning speed, she kicked his face with both of her feet.
