The anticipation was palpable as Velkharion prepared to step onto the arena floor once more. The semifinals of the World Champion Tournament had arrived, and the cheers of the crowd were deafening, echoing throughout the massive coliseum. The energy in the air was electric; after a week of battles, only the best of the best remained, their names whispered with both admiration and trepidation across the realms of Yggdrasil Online.
Back in the preparation room, Velkharion took a moment to steady himself. This wasn't just another match—it was the semifinals. One step closer to the title of World Champion. He gazed at his reflection in the polished surface of his blade, Crimson Fang, the fiery glow of his horns flickering faintly in the dim light.
"This is it," he murmured to himself, adjusting the straps of his armor. His blue flower-like markings pulsed with energy, the reminder of how far he'd come. "No more holding back."
The system notification flashed across his HUD, signaling the details of his match.
"Semifinal Match: Velkharion vs. Serathis the Bladeweaver."
Battle Commences in 10 Minutes.
The name made Velkharion's fiery eyes narrow slightly. Serathis was a legend in Asgard—a Level 94 Sword Saint known for her unparalleled mastery of dual blades. She was as swift as she was lethal, and her ability to dance around opponents with her dual swords had earned her the nickname "The Untouchable Duelist." This match would be his toughest yet.
When the iron doors creaked open, Velkharion stepped into the arena to a thunderous roar from the crowd. Across the battlefield, Serathis stood with a calm but confident demeanor. Her twin blades glimmered in the sunlight, their edges crackling with faint arcs of lightning. She was clad in sleek, lightweight armor, designed for agility rather than defense. Her piercing silver eyes locked onto Velkharion as a faint smile played on her lips.
"You're the one everyone's been talking about," Serathis said, her voice carrying easily across the arena. "Velkharion, the Kijin of Nephilheim. Let's see if you live up to the hype."
Velkharion smirked, gripping Crimson Fang tightly. "Guess we'll find out. Just don't blink—you might miss something."
The system's countdown began, the crowd's cheers rising with each number.
3… 2… 1… FIGHT!
Serathis moved first, vanishing in a blur of speed as she activated Third Tier Skill: Blade Dash, closing the distance between herself and Velkharion in an instant. Her twin blades struck in a flurry of precise, calculated attacks, each strike aimed at exploiting even the slightest gap in his defenses.
Velkharion reacted quickly, raising Crimson Fang to parry and deflect her strikes. Sparks flew as the blades clashed, their ringing sound echoing through the arena. Despite her relentless assault, Velkharion's agility and reflexes allowed him to keep up, his horns glowing faintly as he activated Verdant Glade Step to teleport a few meters back.
"You're fast," Velkharion admitted, his fiery eyes narrowing. "But speed alone won't win this."
Serathis chuckled, spinning her blades in her hands as she advanced again. "It's not just speed. Watch closely."
Serathis activated Fifth Tier Skill: Tempest Weave, a technique that combined her agility with precise, spinning strikes designed to overwhelm opponents with both speed and unpredictability. Her movements were mesmerizing—a graceful yet deadly dance that seemed impossible to counter.
Velkharion gritted his teeth, raising Runic Amplify: Frostfire Burst to imbue his blade with a combination of frost and fire magic. He waited for the perfect moment, watching her patterns carefully, before countering with Twin Blade Tempest. His flurry of strikes collided with hers, the resulting clash sending shockwaves through the arena.
The crowd was on the edge of their seats as the two combatants exchanged blow after blow, their weapons a blur of motion. Neither seemed willing to give an inch, their skills and strategies pushing each other to the limit.
As the match wore on, Velkharion began to notice a subtle flaw in Serathis's strategy. While her movements were almost impossible to predict, they relied heavily on maintaining a constant offensive rhythm. If that rhythm could be disrupted, she would be forced to adapt—a riskier proposition in a one-on-one duel.
Velkharion smirked, activating Runic Engraving: Emberlash Blade to infuse Crimson Fang with explosive fire magic. He intentionally let Serathis close the gap, parrying her strikes with calculated precision while preparing for his counterattack.
When Serathis spun into another series of rapid strikes, Velkharion seized the moment, activating Celestial Bloomstorm. The arena darkened as a vortex of glowing petals and elemental energy erupted around him, the sheer force of the attack forcing Serathis to break her rhythm and retreat.
With Serathis momentarily off-balance, Velkharion dashed forward, teleporting behind her with Verdant Glade Step. He raised Crimson Fang, channeling all his remaining mana into a single, devastating strike.
"Blazing Blade Apex!" Velkharion roared, unleashing a massive shockwave of fire and frost magic that engulfed Serathis. The impact sent her sprawling to the ground, her twin blades clattering across the arena floor.
The system notification flashed across their HUDs.
"Winner: Velkharion."
Serathis rose slowly, brushing herself off as she retrieved her blades. Despite the defeat, there was no bitterness in her expression—only respect. She approached Velkharion with a faint smile, extending her hand.
"Well fought," she said simply. "You earned that win."
Velkharion shook her hand, his fiery eyes gleaming.
The crowd's cheers reached a deafening crescendo as the announcer declared Velkharion's victory. The semifinals had been grueling, but Velkharion had proven himself yet again. Now, only one match remained—the finals.
Back in the preparation room, Velkharion leaned against the wall, catching his breath as he opened the updated tournament bracket. His name now stood alone on one side of the chart, while his final opponent's name glowed on the other.
His fiery eyes narrowed as he read the name: Valtheris the Infernal Sovereign. A player known for their overwhelming destructive power and mastery of fire-based magic, Valtheris was the reigning favorite to win the tournament.
Velkharion smirked, gripping Crimson Fang tightly. "Looks like I'll have to give it everything I've got."
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