ONLINE: Blades of Eternity-Chapter 243: THE FERRUMS VS THE LUCENTS

"Now then, I give you all ten minutes to form your ideal groups. Right after that, the second phase of Battle convention will kick off"

As soon as Seraphine announced that the teams had ten minutes to finalize their groups, the representatives of Pacesetters Academy quickly gathered together. Kaelen, Morris, Sofia, Ethan, Charlotte, Guinevere, Eldric, and Forbes formed a loose circle, their expressions serious as they prepared to decide the core five members who would represent them in the upcoming team battles.

Before anyone could speak though, Forbes suddenly took the lead. His sharp gaze swept over the group before he declared, "The main five will be Morris, Sofia, Ethan, Guinevere, and Kaelen—who will also be the leader."

"Huh?"

"Mysterious swordsman!?"

"Am the leader!?" Kaelen and the other let out surprised gasps as they questioned. But Forbes didn’t seem to want to explain as he close his eyes while being a state of ponder.

Charlotte frowned at the statement, her lips parting in immediate protest. "Hold on. Why am I not in the main five? I was one of the top ten in the individual battles. Shouldn’t I—"

Before she could finish though, Guinevere, who had been silent up until now, finally spoke. "It’s simple," she said, her voice calm but firm. "Morris, Sofia, Ethan, and Kaelen have already fought together before. They know each other’s fighting patterns and can adapt quickly in a battle scenario. That level of familiarity is crucial in a team battle. While we all have our strengths, cohesion and synergy are what matter most."

A brief silence fell over the group before Forbes nodded. "She’s right. And personally, the one I work best with is Valir. But since he isn’t here, I’d rather be a sub myself than force my way into the starting lineup."

At the mention of Valir, Eldric scoffed and muttered nonchalantly, "I still can’t believe he didn’t show up for something this important."

Forbes gave him a sharp glance but then sighed. "What he has to overcome isn’t something light. I don’t blame him for not being here. Fortunately, we get to bypass the first round, so it’s not a huge issue… for now."

"Well let’s just pray that he gets here.... before our time is up" Morris said with a worried look on his face.

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That last part lingered in the air as everyone absorbed the weight of his words. Though Charlotte still looked displeased, she reluctantly conceded. The team was now set, and with the time ticking down, they turned their attention to the upcoming battle, knowing full well that this was just the beginning.

"Ok, times up!" As soon as Seraphine’s voice rang out across the coliseum, signaling the end of the preparation time, a translucent countdown on the screens around the arena reached zero. Almost instantly, the display shifted, revealing the first two groups set to clash in this phase of the battle convention.

[MATCHUP: FERRUM CLAN vs. LUCENT FAMILY] Continue reading stories on novelbuddy

A wave of murmurs spread through the audience at the announcement. The Ferrum Clan, known for their unparalleled mastery of metal magic and their impenetrable defense, would be facing off against the Lucent Family, famed for their elegant yet deadly light-based techniques. This was a duel between raw might and refined precision, a battle that many had anticipated.

On cue, the two groups began making their way up the arena from opposite ends, their movements calm yet filled with restrained intensity. At the forefront of the Ferrum Clan was Magnus Ferrum, a towering young warrior whose physique alone was enough to intimidate. His silver armor gleamed under the coliseum lights, a reflection of his clan’s mastery over metal while he humongous hammer rested comfortably on his shoulders. His sharp eyes locked onto the opposing team, reading their every movement like a predator eyeing its prey as a light smirk appeared on his face.

Leading the Lucent Family was Vivienne Lucent, a strikingly composed figure draped in radiant white robes embroidered with golden insignias. Her long silver hair flowed gracefully behind her, exuding an air of nobility and unwavering confidence. In her grasp was a thin, refined long scepter, as it’s humming with condensed light energy. She met Magnus’s gaze with unwavering determination, her luminous golden eyes filled with an intensity that refused to be overshadowed.

As both groups took their positions in the arena, a tense silence fell over the coliseum, anticipation thick in the air. The contrast between the two teams was stark—one a force of unrelenting strength, the other a beacon of precision and speed.

Seraphine, standing above on her elevated yet invisible podium, raised her hand.

"This is the first match of this phase of the battle convention! A clash of power and technique! Magnus Ferrum and his warriors of the Ferrum Clan versus Vivienne Lucent and the elites of the Lucent Family!"

She let the tension hang for a moment before dropping her hand.

"BEGIN!"

In an instant, the battle erupted into chaos the moment the Ferrums and Lucents clashed.

Vivienne took several steps back, her eyes glowing with golden light as she and two other Lucents rapidly chanted incantations. Within seconds, dozens of radiant light spells materialized in midair, launching forward like beams of divine judgment, tearing through the battlefield at speeds almost beyond human perception. Each streak of light aimed to pierce through the Ferrum Clan’s defenses, but Magnus Ferrum stood at the forefront like an unshakable wall, his massive frame absorbing the impact without faltering.

"Let’s crush this nobodies to the ground!!"

"Yes!!!" Magnus yelled out passionately which made his group yelled out with an intense fighting spirit brimming in them.

And in an instant, Magnus and the rest of the Ferrums surged forward with powerful battle roars, their sheer brute force colliding head-on with the charging Lucents. The impact sent shockwaves through the battlefield, cracking the earth beneath them. The Ferrums moved like an unstoppable avalanche, their heavy weapons and reinforced bodies repelling every assault thrown at them.

"Time for you to know your place!!" A Lucent warrior leaped into the air, attempting to drive a spear of light straight through Magnus’s chest. But with a snarl, Magnus swung his colossal gauntlet, smashing the attack aside with terrifying power. The air itself trembled as he countered with a devastating fist strike, sending the Lucent crashing into the ground like a meteor.

Despite their agility and destructive magic, the Lucents found themselves steadily losing ground. Their light-based attacks, though swift and refined, barely left a dent in the Ferrum Clan’s impenetrable defenses. Every time they tried to flank or outmaneuver their opponents, Magnus or another Ferrum warrior would counter with crushing force, breaking through their formations effortlessly.

’At this rate, we will really be crushed’ Vivienne thought with a frustrated look on her face before she thought resolutely. ’Seems like I have no choice but to use that’

In a final desperate attempt, Vivienne gathered an immense amount of light mana, forming a massive spear of pure radiance above her. She hurled it toward Magnus with a piercing battle cry. The entire battlefield held its breath as the glowing weapon streaked through the air.

"Recieve the full power of our prestigious family!!"

But Magnus did not move.

Instead, he raised his arm, and with a single motion, he punched forward—his brute force colliding directly with the spell. The resulting explosion was deafening, sending a blinding wave of light outward. Yet, as the dust settled, Magnus still stood, unscathed, his eyes burning with victorious ferocity.

"How..... Is this possible?" Vivienne muttered slowly with disbelief on her face as she slumped to her knees.

The Lucents, drained and battered, finally collapsed to their knees, acknowledging their defeat. The Ferrums had won. Magnus, towering like an indomitable titan, merely smirked, his monstrous strength once again proving why his clan was a force to be reckoned with.

Kaelen and his group stood in stunned silence, their eyes fixed on the fading remnants of the destructive spell that Magnus Ferrum had just shattered with nothing but his fists. The raw, inhuman brute force on display sent a ripple of unease through them. Even the seasoned fighters among them, accustomed to incredible feats, found themselves momentarily at a loss for words.

"That… was just his fists?" Ethan Kent muttered under his breath, gripping the hilts of his twin daggers.

"That’s no normal physique," Charlotte Stark added, her brows furrowed. "Even among body refiners, that kind of power is unnatural."

Kaelen nodded slightly, his mind racing. The Ferrum Clan was known for their overwhelming physical prowess, but Magnus had just demonstrated something beyond even their usual reputation.

Yet, amidst the murmurs and speculation, Forbes Hernandez remained oddly quiet. His sharp gaze locked onto Magnus and his group as they descended the arena steps, their expressions calm—too calm for what had just transpired. Something wasn’t right.

Forbes’ fingers twitched slightly as if contemplating something before he finally spoke. "There’s something off about them."

Kaelen glanced at him. "Off how?"

Forbes didn’t immediately respond. Instead, he continued watching Magnus, his suspicions deepening. "I don’t know yet," he admitted, "but something tells me Magnus Ferrum is more than just a physical powerhouse. There’s something else at play here."

Kaelen and the others exchanged wary glances, but before they could press Forbes further, the next match was being announced, drawing their attention back to the arena. However, a lingering tension remained in the air, the unsettling mystery of Magnus’ power now etched in their minds.