Chương 111: Chapter 109: The Calling

"The first contestant is Khorvus of House Rhal'varn, renowned for their mental attacks!" the commentator cheered enthusiastically. The energy in the crowd was palpable, and Thalion almost felt like he was back at wrestlemania. If only the Undertaker himself could stride out of the gate, he mused, smash that smug brat, and then crush the beast waiting beyond. Khorvus was tall and slender, dressed in an ornate golden uniform that gleamed under the arena lights.

Moments later, a portal opened in the center of the arena, and a massive plant emerged, striding forward on powerful roots. Standing over fifteen meters tall, it resembled a monstrous Venus flytrap, with a gaping maw in its center. The roots burrowed into the ground as countless vines began to hum with power.

"Ah, and the first beast is Thornlash Vinemaw!" the commentator announced, his voice booming through the crystal amplification system.

"These plants are both exceptionally rare and deadly. Known for their sneaky attacks using roots and vines, they're predators of unparalleled cunning. How will the noble Khorvus fare against such an opponent?" Roots erupted from the ground, snaking toward Khorvus. He moved aside effortlessly, responding with a golden wave of energy that tore through the air and struck the advancing vines. The collision sent a shockwave across the arena, but the protective runes lining its walls absorbed the force without issue.

Khorvus, clearly an experienced middle E-grade warrior, exuded confidence as his attacks clashed with the beast's relentless strikes.

"It seems Khorvus is deliberately holding back his mental skills," the commentator observed, his tone both curious and impressed.

"Perhaps he wants to prove his dominance in raw combat first." The battle continued, but despite Khorvus' skill, the Thornlash Vinemaw began to gain the upper hand. The vines, though repeatedly repelled, grew longer and more numerous with every attempt. Then, Khorvus clasped his hands together, directing his focus on the monstrous plant. A moment later, the beast convulsed violently, thrashing in agony despite the lack of visible wounds.

"A masterstroke from House Rhal'varn!" the commentator shouted.

"One of their most feared techniques, inducing unimaginable pain directly into the mind!" With the beast incapacitated, Khorvus conjured a golden spear nearly five meters long. In a single, fluid motion, he hurled it into the plant's central maw. The spear penetrated deeply before detonating in a brilliant explosion, tearing the Thornlash Vinemaw into shreds. While its vines and roots had shown remarkable durability, the rest of its body was surprisingly fragile—a fatal weakness that sealed its defeat.

"Applaud Khorvus of House Rhal'varn!" the commentator cried. The audience erupted in cheers, though some offered only polite applause, their enthusiasm tempered by bias.

"But is this performance sufficient to earn a place in the holy warrior training?" he continued, raising the tension. Above the arena, on a raised platform, the princess and council members convened. The man in the center stepped forward to speak.

"You have proven yourself worthy," he declared.

"Prepare for your training, which begins next week at the holy palace." Khorvus bowed respectfully to the council before exiting through a gate behind him. The crowd celebrated loudly, with members of House Rhal'varn cheering raucously. Elsewhere in the stands, applause was more subdued, revealing subtle divisions within the spectators. The tournament pressed on, offering a dazzling variety of contestants and beasts.

Pyromancers, water mages, blademasters, berserkers, illusionists, and beastmasters showcased their skills, facing enemies that ranged from insectoid horrors to elemental constructs. Among the most challenging opponents was a rock elemental—three meters tall, humanoid in form, and constructed entirely of stone. Every time it was struck, it magnetically reassembled itself, erasing any signs of damage. The fight ended only when the mage shattered two rune-inscribed stones at its core.

Thalion observed intently from the stands. The bloodstained sand below called to him, filling him with a quiet, relentless determination. He needed to act soon. With only ten contestants remaining, the Calling was almost over. His heart pounded, fueling his sense of urgency. In his current form—a teenage servant's body—he lacked many of the advantages his true self possessed. Time was running out. After several more bouts, a swordmaster faced a bizarre creature called a Glitterwing Ravage.

It looked disturbingly like a humanoid hybrid with insect features, as though a man had merged with a giant bee. Watching closely, Thalion decided the swordmaster was his best chance. While not visibly exhausted, the fighter had just endured a grueling battle and might be weakened enough for Thalion to challenge him successfully. If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

"Congratulations to Krevos of House Ny'thak! A spectacular display of swordsmanship!" the commentator roared, and the audience erupted into wild applause. This house was clearly among the most powerful, judging by the thunderous cheers and the council's rapid decision to accept Krevos as a Holy Warrior. Thalion seized the moment.

"What a disgraceful performance!" he declared, his voice enhanced by mana to reverberate across the arena.

"Is this the best you can offer?" A stunned silence fell over the crowd as all eyes turned to him—a mere servant in ragged attire stepping boldly to the railing. Gasps rippled through the stands as Thalion leapt over the edge, his descent accelerated by blood manipulation. He landed in the arena with a deafening crash.

"You are unworthy," he stated, mana fueling his words with unshakeable conviction. He strode purposefully toward Krevos, who stood motionless in shock.

"A servant has just challenged Krevos of House Ny'thak!" the commentator exclaimed, barely able to contain his disbelief.

"You think you have a chance against me, scum? How dare you speak to me like that!" Krevos hissed, his voice brimming with anger. He drew his sword and lunged, the blade flashing as he attacked.

"There he goes! But what can a mere servant possibly do against such a formidable warrior?" the commentator exclaimed, whipping the crowd into a frenzy. Cheers for the noble filled the air, mixed with curses aimed at the defiant servant. Thalion summoned the blood pooled on the arena floor, channeling its raw power. A whirlpool of crimson liquid rose around him, swirling ominously.

"What? The servant is a bloodmage? How is that even possible?" the commentator screamed, his voice tinged with shock and awe. Thalion sidestepped Krevos' strike, using the blood now coating his legs to enhance his speed. The swordsman's slash parted rivers of blood but failed to harm him. Wasting no time, Thalion leapt onto a stream of blood, surfing through the air with uncanny agility. Krevos, unfazed, drew a second sword. With a fierce cry, he leapt onto his weapon, using it to pursue Thalion through the sky.

The E-grade beast blood, still potent and abundant, made it easier for Thalion to form weapons. He hurled blood spears at Krevos, but the noble deflected them effortlessly.

"Such mastery over blood! Truly extraordinary for a mere servant," the commentator remarked, astonished and unsure if it was smart to say something that would reflect badly on the noble. Krevos closed the distance, his blades slashing and stabbing with precision. Thalion rose higher, now level with the commentator's platform, hundreds of meters above the ground. Although Krevos was powerful, his lack of experience in airborne combat became apparent.

Thalion struggled slightly to keep the massive amounts of blood under control but managed to maintain his advantage. A sudden opening allowed Thalion to strike. He launched needles of blood at Krevos. While they didn't cause significant damage, they pierced his skin. Thalion immediately liquefied the needles, forcing the blood into Krevos' veins. The swordsman screamed in frustration, releasing a wave of energy that sent much of the blood scattering.

Thalion couldn't reassert control in time and lost over a hundred liters of blood. Krevos appeared directly in front of him, his blade descending in a deadly arc. Thalion dodged, his blood forming claws on his hands as he swiped at the swordsman. Krevos missed entirely, and Thalion used the opening to drive more of his blood into the warrior's body. Their battle continued to escalate as they rose higher, nearing the arena's ceiling.

Through the chaos, Thalion caught a glimpse of the princess and the council members on their high platform. Their faces betrayed shock as they watched the spectacle unfold. Seizing another opportunity, Thalion launched a blood spear that pierced Krevos' shoulder, forcing him back.

"Enough!" Krevos roared, his voice reverberating through the arena. He drew a final sword from his back, its blade covered in golden runes. He raised it high, and suddenly, the gravitational field shifted. Thalion found himself pulled irresistibly toward the noble, despite his efforts to resist. The next moment, Krevos' blade descended in a devastating strike. Thalion infused the remaining blood with as much power as he could muster, forming a shield in front of his head while twisting his body to the side.

The shield shattered on impact, and the blade struck his left shoulder, cutting deeply and sending him crashing to the ground. The impact was brutal, leaving Thalion momentarily dazed. Though his recovery abilities were swift, his resources were nearly depleted. Meanwhile, Krevos, despite his wounds, showed no signs of slowing down.

"This is your end, servant!" Krevos bellowed, charging at Thalion with murderous intent. Still lying on the ground, Thalion continued to absorb energy from the surrounding blood. With a final surge of power, he turned the blood he'd infused into Krevos' body into spears. One moment, Krevos was sprinting toward him; the next, four massive spears erupted from his skin and impaled him, halting his advance. The noble collapsed, writhing in pain, though it was clear he was not yet dead.

This was only possible to the weak soul of the noble and he hadn't really paid attention to the blood that had invaded his body. Under normal circumstances, such a move wouldn't be possible. Thalion could have tried to manipulate the nobles blood earlier, but without the additional blood he had added, it most likely wouldn't have worked. Thalion rose, forming a blade of blood in his hand as he approached the fallen swordsman. Krevos lay trembling, immobilized by the spears embedded in his body.

Thalion raised his weapon high, preparing to deliver the final blow. But just as he struck, Krevos vanished, whisked away to the safety of the spectator stands by one of his elders.

"The servant defeated Krevos of House Ny'thak! How can this be possible?" The commentator stammered, his voice filled with disbelief. The arena fell into stunned silence. Thousands of spectators sat frozen, unable to comprehend what had just occurred.