Chapter 34: Clash of Titans


    <hr>


    The Tournament Continues


    Axel had barely stepped out of the ring before the next match was announced.


    <blockquote>


    "Next battle: Jace Stroud vs. Lysander Roarke!"


    </blockquote>


    The energy in the stadium shifted.


    Jace was well-known—Helix Academy’s golden prodigy. His Storm Wyvern, Stratos, was one of the fastest and deadliest Cipher Beasts in the tournament.


    Lysander, on the other hand…


    Was an enigma.


    A fighter from an unknown academy—one of the tournament’s mystery entrants.


    Tall, broad-shouldered, wearing a dark crimson uniform with gold trim, he carried himself with absolute confidence.


    His Cipher Beast?


    A twin-headed Chimera named Bloodfang.


    Axel leaned against the railing, watching intently.


    "This should be good," Tempo muttered.


    Axel smirked. "Yeah. Let’s see if Jace gets humbled."


    The announcer’s voice boomed across the coliseum.


    <blockquote>


    "ROUND THREE: JACE STROUD VS. LYSANDER ROARKE!"


    "BEGIN!"


    </blockquote>


    <hr>


    Lightning vs. Blood


    The moment the match started, Stratos shot forward like a bolt of lightning.


    Jace was fast—his movements sharp, practiced. He didn’t hesitate.


    Axel had fought him enough to know—Jace didn’t waste time.


    He closed the gap instantly, launching a thunder-infused strike at Lysander’s side.


    But then—


    Lysander didn’t move.


    Instead, Bloodfang’s twin heads snapped forward, blocking the attack with hardened crimson scales.


    Jace’s fist connected—


    And did nothing.


    Axel’s eyes widened. "What the hell—?"


    Tempo whistled. "That’s a tank build if I’ve ever seen one."


    Jace barely had time to react before Bloodfang struck back.


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    The Chimera lurched forward, both heads snapping at once.


    Jace twisted away, but one of the fangs raked across his shoulder, tearing fabric.


    The crowd gasped.


    For the first time—Jace had been hit.


    And Lysander?


    He was smiling.


    <hr>


    The Balance of Power


    Jace adjusted his stance, his blue eyes calculating.


    Lysander rolled his shoulders. "Not bad."


    Jace didn’t respond.


    Instead, he snapped his fingers—and Stratos let out an earth-shaking roar.


    A storm surged above the arena, dark clouds forming instantly.


    Axel exhaled. "Oh, here we go."


    Lightning crackled across Jace’s arms, his aura flaring with raw energy.


    Lysander’s smirk widened. "That’s more like it."


    And then—both fighters moved.


    Lightning met blood.


    Stratos became a streak of electricity, weaving between Bloodfang’s massive strikes, each dodge closer than the last.


    Jace countered with brutal efficiency, every attack landing harder than before.


    But Bloodfang…


    Did not slow down.


    If anything—it was getting stronger.


    Axel’s stomach tightened.


    "Wait… it’s adapting."


    Tempo’s fingers froze on his guitar-axe. "Oh, that’s nasty."


    Bloodfang’s scales were changing.


    The lightning that had once sparked against its hide?


    Now it was absorbing it.


    Jace noticed a second too late.


    Bloodfang’s left head snapped forward—and this time, when it struck?


    Jace staggered.


    The crowd erupted.


    <hr>


    A Calculated Finish


    Jace wiped blood from his lip, his expression unreadable.


    Lysander tilted his head. "You’re strong, Stroud. But against me? You’re just charging my beast."


    Jace exhaled.


    Then—he smiled.


    Lysander blinked.


    And suddenly—Jace was gone.


    No warning.


    No time to react.


    Just pure speed.


    Lightning exploded outward, the force of Jace’s movement shattering the stone beneath him.


    Bloodfang **reared back—**but too late.


    Jace appeared above it, mid-air.


    His fist glowed with raw electricity.


    Then—


    Impact.


    A single, direct strike to the Chimera’s skull.


    The force rippled through the stadium.


    The ground beneath Bloodfang cracked.


    And then—


    The Chimera collapsed.


    Silence.


    Then—


    <blockquote>


    "MATCH OVER! WINNER: JACE STROUD!"


    </blockquote>


    The arena exploded with cheers.


    <hr>


    Aftermath


    Lysander groaned, rubbing his neck as he stood up.


    Jace offered a hand.


    Lysander looked at it for a second—then grinned, taking it.


    "Didn’t expect that at the end," Lysander admitted.


    Jace smirked. "I don’t let people read me twice."


    They shook hands as the crowd continued roaring.


    Axel exhaled, arms crossed. "Damn. Jace really pulled that out at the last second."


    Tempo nodded. "That’s what makes him dangerous. He lets you think you have control—then he ends it."


    Axel narrowed his eyes.


    Because now?


    He was starting to see the real gap between him and Jace.


    He had won his fights with improvisation.


    Jace had won his with precision.


    Axel clenched his fists.


    He needed to catch up.


    And fast.


    <hr>


    Other Battles


    As the tournament continued, more matches unfolded:


    <ul>


    <li>Iris vs. Rowan Leclair – A brutal battle of tactics, with Iris narrowly winning after baiting Rowan into a counter-strategy trap.</li>


    <li>Valeria vs. Echo Kai – Valeria’s Abyssal Wraith overwhelmed Echo’s Shadow Lynx in a terrifying display of pure aggression.</li>


    <li>Sienna vs. Kaito Ryuu – Sienna’s Mirror Serpent outmaneuvered Kaito’s Draconic Juggernaut with flawless counters.</li>


    </ul>


    The tournament was heating up.


    And Axel?


    He wasn’t just watching anymore.


    He was planning.


    Because his next fight?


    It was going to be the hardest one yet.