1,000,000 Karma: My Reward Is a Quiet Life-Chapter 64: Tenacious Thunderbolt, Part One

The center of the arena became an accursed storm, with black lightning raining down with unending persistence from Sylvan. Around the veteran’s body, an ever-present cyclone persisted, lashing out only when a threat came close.

"Y’know, I’m only able to use this kind of defense when my opponent’s magic is a good degree in strength lower than mine," Tederich casually explained, dismissing a pincer strike of two bolts with a flick of his wrist. "Cursed Lightning is invaluable when dealing with durable monsters, like dragon scales and basilisks. Thing is, it doesn’t make a difference if it doesn’t hit."

None of the champion’s words did anything to lessen the unending assault launched by Sylvan, though each and every manifestation of lightning was brushed away by the wind.

Tederich laughed hoarsely to himself, snapping his fingers as a bolt that took the shape of a great-white shark parting its jaws attempted to bite through him, "--I’ll say, you’ve got a respectable tank of mana. You’ve been launching attack after attack without so much as making me build up a sweat. Bravo, dear."

For once, the scarlet-haired swordswoman, now caked in sweat, halted her assault, addressing her opponent, "Haaah..." She caught her breath. "Y’know, I heard rumors about your rotten personality. I thought "Well, adventurers tend to be a little off", it’s part of the job. I see now you’re a bonafide dirtbag."

The words brought a slight downward curve to the veteran’s smile before he fixed it, holding his arms up while the crowd was relentlessly cheering, ignorant to the competitor’s conversation.

"Lighten up, sweetheart," Tederich said without any intent on defusing. "I’m being nice enough here to let you put on a show for the fans. It’ll at least appear like you gave me a good fight, and your star will rise."

"I don’t care for the theatrical bullshit, and I don’t buy it!" Sylvan rejected, calling forth a maelstrom of black lightning around her body. "If you think you’re stronger, then beat me–! Right here, right now!"

The woman of golden-brown skin flexed her body to its utmost capabilities, her thick forearms flexed as she brought her blackened blade back. All of the cursed lightning followed the motion of her weapon, serving as the singularity of the coiling element.

It defied logic; the black electricity produced a shine that burned just to observe. The completed form of cursed lightning, brought forth in absolute abundance as the swordswoman cemented herself in a powerful stance.

"SHE’S ANGRY NOW...! I WOULD ADVISE LOOKING DIRECTLY AT IT, BUT I CAN’T TURN AWAY! SYLVAN’S GOING ALL OUT! HOW WILL THE DEFENDING CHAMPION RESPOND!?" The announcer said, shielding his eyes while observing dutifully.

Tederich took a single stride forward, holding his right hand in front of his body with a calm, but focused look embedded in his verdant irises, "I’ll give you props, little miss. That’s some powerful stuff you’ve got there, so–I’ll take you on seriously now."

Amidst the storm of unstable lightning that dragged along the battlefield, scarring the stone and leaving trails of fire, the wind around the champion shifted. All of the arrogance was put aside, solidified into experience worth decades as the man second only to a Saint formed his counter:

"Gather and spin," Tederich calmly invoked amidst the chaotic maelstrom. "Titanius Gael of Griffos."

The head of a hawk; its beak opened around Tederich, facing his foe with supremacy over the winds themselves. All aspects of the proud element were born; the glimmer of clear skies fixed into the enclosed space; clouds swirled beneath the ceiling; the rumbling of moody tornadoes–

"Wind", in its most bare form, for the audience to witness.

Noah sat there, looking up in wordless awe along with those beside him, unable to even find the words to describe what he was looking at.

["Grand Magic–the pinnacle of magecraft requiring a combination of immense talent and dedication to one’s path in the field. A single casting of grand magic required enough mana to kill the average person, bringing forth a phenomenon described by most as acts of divinity."]

Even the unyielding self of Sylvan paused for a moment before swinging her claymore forth, "Twilight Raze!"

The supreme casting of cursed lightning was sent across the battlefield in the form of a parade of beasts, stampeding while leaving trails of electricity. Everything rumbled beneath the weight of the march of the dragons, sharks, and whales of lightning darker than the night, yet still shining as if layered by moonlight.

In the face of the approaching bestial storm, the champion remained unflinching, letting the absolute manifestation of wind be unbound, "Fly free."

Pushed through an unseen barrel appointed by Tederich’s aim, the wind was unleashed through a condensed path. All at once, the eviscerating gale shredded through the accursed lightning.

"Nngh–?!" Sylvan winced as the unrelenting force swept against her.

From the view of the stands, sediment was kicked up while the wind went wild, testing the stability of the barriers.

While Lacian laughed in excitement, Noah and Otto held onto the seats while the entire colosseum rumbled.

"Woah, woah, woah...!" Otto repeated, clutching into the ivory stands.

Once the unruly storm settled and the quaking ceased, everyone looked towards the battlegrounds. It was completely obscured by dust as sediment drifted in the air like snowfall.

Tederich stood in the settling dust, certain of his overwhelming victory, only having to wait for the headache-inducing announcer’s words to prompt the crowd’s cheers.

’Maybe I went a bit too far and killed her. That’d be a waste,’ the Champion thought.

Amidst his carefree thoughts, the veteran’s sharpened instincts kicked in something moving fast pierced through the thick veil of dust. He reacted instantly, sending a sharp dispelling wind forward, cutting apart a stray bolt of cursed lightning.

’A bolt–? A desperate sneak attack? She’s conscious, but that was half-assed at best,’ he considered.

While relief surfaced in the mind of the man who came short of sainthood, his instincts kicked in once more, only a moment late–ZAP. Just as his wrist moved, the black projectile struck him in his left knee.

’The first was a decoy–?’ Tederich realized.

While the strength of the elemental projectile wasn’t enough to falter the Champion, the nature of lightning made his muscles unresponsive, if only for a moment, Once he regained function, he swiped his hand harshly, casting a blade of wind that eradicated the biting bolt along with the surrounding dust.

What should’ve been resounding cheers instead came as shocked gasps from the audience as the veteran stumbled in place. At the spot where the cursed lightning touched, a blackened wound spread beneath the man’s skin like the venom of a snake.

"Nrgh..." Tederich clenched his teeth, holding his thigh.

"...THE DUST HAS SETTLED AND...THE CHAMPION IS HURT?! HOW DID THAT TRANSPIRE?! AND FOR SYLVAN...GUUH?! SHE’S HURT BADLY!"