The Extra's Rise-Chapter 348: Crown Challenge (10)

Seol-ah Moyong. She was going to be a truly troublesome challenge even for me. In fact, after Lucifer and Jack, she was the most formidable opponent, surpassing even Ren in terms of sheer difficulty. Because I hadn't yet devised a strategy to defeat her.

Her katana, encased in shimmering golden enhanced aura, bloomed with ethereal light as she swung it in a perfect arc. The movement was both beautiful and deadly, like watching a dancer perform with lethal intent.

Second Petal of the Grade 5 art Skyward Lotus: Blossom in Storm.

Golden energy petals materialized around her blade, each one capable of shearing through stone as if it were paper.

'Starting strong?' I thought, feeling Lucent Harmony activating automatically in response to the threat. The golden energy flowed through my circuits, synchronizing my breathing, heartbeat, and mana into perfect alignment.

I reached out mentally to Erebus, drawing on our contract.

Six-circle spell: Abyss Chains.

Darkness coalesced between us, physical shadows taking form as gleaming black chains that shot toward Seol-ah's attack. The Deepdark spell pierced through the golden lotus petals, entangling them momentarily. The collision of opposing energies sent shock waves across the arena floor, cracking the stone beneath our feet.

Seol-ah's golden eyes gleamed with appreciation rather than frustration. Without hesitation, she flowed into her next movement, her body moving with the precision of someone who had practiced the same technique thousands of times.

Third Petal of the Grade 5 art Skyward Lotus: Divine Gale.

The air distorted around her katana, golden petals transforming into a vortex of cutting wind that threatened to shred my Abyss Chains. Before I could counter, a familiar figure stepped between us—Seraphina's slender form moving with liquid grace, her silver hair whipping in the artificial gale.

Her blade traced the distinctive pattern of Mount Hua's ancient sword art. Ice crystals manifested around her sword, taking the form of frozen plum blossoms that shimmered with inner light as they rushed to meet Seol-ah's attack.

'She's not strong enough,' I thought, calculating the power differential instantly. Seraphina's Mount Hua techniques, though enhanced by her ice magic, lacked the raw power needed to counter Seol-ah's Divine Gale.

But she wasn't alone. Rachel appeared at her side, her golden hair radiating light that marked her status as the Academy's Saintess.

"Divine Protection," Rachel called, her hands weaving complex patterns. The frozen plum blossoms became infused with sacred energy that didn't melt the ice but rather enhanced it, creating a perfect synthesis of holy power and winter's fury. The enhanced blossoms collided with Seol-ah's golden petals, creating a spectacular explosion of light and power that temporarily blinded everyone in the arena.

"Go Arthur," Seraphina said without turning, her voice strained from the effort of maintaining her Mount Hua technique against Seol-ah's superior force.

"What do you mean?" I asked as Cecilia appeared beside me, her blonde hair immaculately styled despite the chaotic energies swirling through the arena.

"You want to fight them, don't you?" Cecilia asked, gesturing toward the far side of the arena where Lucifer and Jack were already engaged in combat. "So go, leave her to us."

"All three of you?" Seol-ah said, her movements displaying the first hint of hesitation I'd seen from her. Even she would struggle against three opponents of their caliber.

I hesitated, torn between concern for them and the undeniable pull I felt toward the clash of powers occurring across the arena. Lucifer's shadows were engulfing half the space, while Jack's flames burned with such intensity that the air itself seemed to waver and distort.

"Go," Rachel insisted, her golden hair shining like a beacon as her Saintess powers manifested more fully. "This is our fight now."

I nodded, understanding the unspoken message. This wasn't just about the Crown Challenge anymore. For them, this was something more personal.

As I turned away, racing toward the epicenter of power where Lucifer and Jack were locked in combat, I caught glimpses of their battle techniques. Lucifer's shadows had taken physical form—massive constructs that fought with surprising precision despite their amorphous nature. Jack, meanwhile, had transformed the area around him into a swirling inferno, his laughter audible even over the roar of his flames.

"Took you long enough, Nightingale," Jack called out as I approached, his grin visible through the curtain of fire surrounding him. "Thought you might sit this one out."

"And miss the opportunity to put you in your place?" I responded, drawing power into my blade. "Unlikely."

Lucifer said nothing, but his shadows shifted, acknowledging my presence while refusing to drop his guard against Jack. His pale features were set in absolute concentration, not a single movement wasted as he maintained control over his technique.

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The three of us circled each other warily, each waiting for the others to commit to an attack first. This was the true final confrontation—the three highest ranked competitors, exactly as Vice Headmaster von Lampez had intended.

Before any of us could make the first move, a commotion at the entrance drew our attention. Two figures burst into the arena—Rose Springshaper and Ren Kagu, both looking as if they'd fought their way through significant obstacles to reach the Heart of the Crown.

"Late to the party as usual, Ren?" Jack called out mockingly.

Ren ignored Jack's taunt, his eyes scanning the battlefield and quickly assessing the situation. Without hesitation, he moved toward Seol-ah, his expression hardening with determination.

"You're in my way, Moyong," he said coldly, unsheathing his blade in a single fluid motion. "Step aside."

Seol-ah's golden eyes narrowed, her stance shifting subtly to a more defensive position. "I didn't expect you to target me first, Kagu. Bold choice."

Ren didn't bother with a reply. Instead, his mana surged visibly, enhanced aura coating his fist as he launched himself at her with devastating speed.

Seol-ah barely had time to parry, her katana coming up to intercept his attack. The clash of their weapons sent sparks of conflicting energy cascading across the arena floor.

"You're still bitter about the preliminary rankings, aren't you?" she taunted, pivoting gracefully to create distance between them. "Sixth place must sting for someone with your ego."

"This isn't about rankings," Ren snarled, already moving into his second attack pattern. "This is about proving who truly belongs in that final confrontation." He gestured toward where the three of us stood. "Arthur, Lucifer, and Jack are playing their own game. But before this is over, I'll show everyone they were wrong to dismiss me."

"By defeating me?" Seol-ah scoffed, her nodachi tracing golden arcs through the air as she prepared her counter. "Ambitious plan. Flawed execution."

Meanwhile, Rose had positioned herself near Rachel, Cecilia, and Seraphina, her casual stance belying the readiness in her eyes. "So, what's this? A tournament within a tournament?"

"Something like that," Cecilia replied coolly. "We have unfinished business to settle."

"Four-way battle to determine who's strongest," Rachel added, her golden hair shimmering with Purelight as her Saintess powers gathered around her hands.

"For Arthur," Seraphina confirmed, frost forming around her blade as she shifted into another Mount Hua stance.

Rose's lips curved into an amused smile. "Well then, count me in. Though I think we all know who's going to win."

As the four women squared off against each other, their powers creating a secondary battlefield almost as impressive as the primary one, I refocused on Lucifer and Jack. The Crown still hovered at the center of the arena, pulsing with energy that resonated with our Shards.

"Shall we begin?" I asked, Lucent Harmony fully activated alongside Soul Resonance.

Lucifer nodded once, his grip tightening on his longsword. Jack's flames intensified, the temperature in the arena rising to almost unbearable levels.

"Try to make it interesting, won't you?" Jack taunted, and then we were in motion, three unstoppable forces converging at the heart of the Crown Challenge.