Chapter 116 Nobles and Royals
Chapter 116 Nobles and Royals
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As Dabi's victories in the individual matches continued, the tension in the stadium grew.
With each battle, he not only showcased his tactical brilliance but also defied the expectations of his opponents and the influential spectators watching him closely.
For some of the nobility, particularly those aligned with Reniel Vantore, his rise was unacceptable; Dabi's achievements threatened the balance they worked so hard to control.
The next match would be against a contender from the Gavriel family, masters of elemental magic and allies of the Vantore and Hadrian families.
Word had quickly spread that Dabi's success was causing growing friction among the noble families, and several planned to intervene directly in his upcoming match.
However, one person stood against the tide: Lady Althea Illyrian from the Illyrian royal family.
While the Illyrians were typically neutral, Althea had grown increasingly interested in Dabi's resilience and determination.
Her subtle but influential stance kept certain forces from taking more drastic measures against Dabi at least, for the time being.
The individual tournament continued to escalate, with each match seeming more intense than the last.
For Dabi's upcoming battle, his opponent would be Lyra Gavriel, a skilled manipulator of elemental magic.
The Gavriel family's influence was strong, and whispers of sabotage filled the air as they prepared to face off.
As Dabi entered the arena, he immediately noticed that the atmosphere was different.
There was an almost palpable charge in the air, hinting at hidden enchantments or tampering designed to skew the battle in Lyra's favor. Enjoy new adventures from empire
He didn't let his guard down; after the Hadrians' interference in the previous round, he was prepared for anything.
Lyra stepped forward with a confident smile, her hands crackling with elemental energy.
"You may have defeated others, but you'll find me a different challenge," she said, her voice laced with arrogance.
Dabi met her gaze calmly. "Then show me what you've got."
The crowd leaned forward, and with a wave of the announcer's hand, the match began.
A Battle of Elements and Strategy is happening, Lyra wasted no time, unleashing a torrent of fire and wind in a powerful combination that whipped across the arena like a storm.
Dabi activated his Phantom Steps, darting to the side to avoid the oncoming blast.
But the enchanted arena seemed to amplify Lyra's magic, causing the flames to follow Dabi with unnatural precision.
Realizing that Lyra's abilities had been enhanced by hidden magic, Dabi summoned Nyx to shield himself.
Nyx's tendrils of shadow absorbed the fire, creating a buffer around Dabi as he assessed the situation.
The whispers of tampering became clear as he noticed subtle energy shifts in the ground and walls, feeding into Lyra's spells.
Lyra sneered, sending another blast of elemental energy toward him. "What's the matter, Dabi? Having trouble keeping up?"
Dabi maintained his composure, adjusting his strategy. He signaled to Whity and Fen to flank Lyra, intending to disrupt her focus.
Whity moved with lightning speed, darting around Lyra's defenses, while Fen coordinated with Nyx to create openings.
To counter their approach, Lyra released a wall of ice, separating Dabi from his summons. The ice barrier, reinforced by the arena's enchantments, glistened with powerful magic.
Dabi realized that breaking through it would require a precise combination of his own magic and his summons' abilities.
"Alright, let's try something new," Dabi muttered. Using his Dimensional Summon skill, he opened a small rift and drew forth an elemental creature a shadowy figure wreathed in cold fire.
The crowd gasped at the sight of the summon, a rare creature from another dimension, whose mere presence seemed to weaken Lyra's elemental control.
The shadowy figure launched itself at the ice wall, melting it instantly. Lyra took a step back, her confidence wavering as her barrier crumbled.
Dabi seized the moment, instructing Whity and Fen to move in, while Nyx flanked her from the opposite side.
The combined force of his summons overwhelmed Lyra's defenses, and with a final blow, Dabi secured his victory.
The crowd erupted in cheers, many of them stunned by his strategic prowess and his creative use of Dimensional Summon.
In the VIP Section: A Growing Divide begins, Reniel Vantore's expression darkened as he watched Dabi's latest victory.
The Gavriel family's interference had been subtle yet powerful, but Dabi's quick thinking had neutralized it entirely. Reniel turned to Vladimir, his ally from the Leontes family.
"We can't let this continue," Reniel whispered. "If he keeps winning, Astral Heaven Academy will take back its standing. And Dabi… he's a threat."
Vladimir nodded, his gaze still on the arena. "The boy is persistent, I'll give him that. But we're running out of options. Althea's presence is complicating matters; she seems to favor him."
Reniel clenched his fist, frustration evident in his eyes. "We need to bring this to an end before it's too late."
At that moment, Lady Althea Illyrian glanced their way, her keen gaze making it clear that she hadn't missed their conversation.
She raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement in her expression as she continued to observe Dabi.
Althea's interest in Dabi's abilities was growing, and her silent protection kept Reniel and his allies from taking even bolder measures against him.
Back in the waiting area, Dabi regrouped with his team, who welcomed him with wide smiles and congratulations. Zen was practically beaming with pride.
"That was incredible, Dabi!" Zen exclaimed. "You handled Lyra like it was nothing."
Dabi chuckled, though his focus was elsewhere. "Thanks, Zen. But this was no ordinary match. I felt interference again, stronger than before. Someone's enhancing my opponents' powers."
Zen's smile faded. "So, the nobles are interfering even more directly now."
"Seems like it," Dabi replied, his voice calm but resolved. "But I'll keep fighting. As long as I'm in control of my abilities, I can counter whatever they throw at me."
Kiba, one of the new recruits watching nearby, stepped forward, admiration in his eyes. "I hope to be as strong as you someday, Dabi.
You inspire all of us. Kiba was there as a helper for the astral heaven academy participant. It's was by dabi request, dabi want Kiba to watch closely how other fights."
Dabi placed a reassuring hand on Kiba's shoulder. "Keep training, and don't let anything hold you back. Strength isn't just about power it's about perseverance."
As Dabi continued to dominate his individual matches, the royal families took an even greater interest in him.
Lady Althea was particularly attentive, her gaze never leaving Dabi as he fought. She saw in him a rare blend of resilience and intelligence that was uncommon, even among nobility.
In the evening, as she discussed the tournament's progress with her cousin, who represented the Illyrian royal family, she expressed her thoughts openly.
"This Dabi is different," she mused, her eyes distant. "He's not just strong; he's resourceful.
He's managed to overcome the Vantore and Hadrian family's interference repeatedly. There's something about him that defies their schemes."
Her cousin raised an eyebrow. "Why show interest in a commoner? It's not our family's custom."
Althea's lips curled into a slight smile. "The Illyrians value strength and intelligence.
He has both. I won't interfere, but I also won't stand by if others use dishonorable means against him. I want him to join our family."
Her cousin nodded thoughtfully, understanding her stance. The Illyrian royal family was known for upholding high standards, and it was clear that Althea saw potential in Dabi that went beyond his current station.
As Dabi advanced through the tournament, he eventually faced a powerful new opponent: Leonel Vantore, a fighter with a reputation for ruthless tactics.
The tension in the stadium was palpable as the two squared off, with spectators eager to witness the clash.
Reniel watched from the VIP section with a smug expression. Leonel was his cousin, and Reniel was certain that he would defeat Dabi, restoring the Vantore family's pride.
Leonel met Dabi's gaze with a cold smirk. "You've gotten lucky so far, commoner. But your luck ends here."
Dabi didn't respond to the taunt. Instead, he studied Leonel, noting the subtle signs of enchantments enhancing his speed and strength. This wasn't a fair fight, but Dabi had no intention of backing down.
The match began, and Leonel charged forward with blinding speed, launching a series of powerful attacks.
Dabi countered with Phantom Steps, narrowly evading each strike. He summoned Whity to support him, using its agility to create space and disrupt Leonel's rhythm.
Leonel's frustration grew as Dabi continued to evade his attacks. Determined to end the match quickly, Leonel activated a powerful spell, causing the arena to tremble.
Dabi realized that the spell was designed to manipulate the ground itself, creating fissures that limited his movement.
But Dabi had a plan. He summoned Nyx and Fen to support Whity, positioning them strategically around Leonel.
Together, the spirit pets coordinated a relentless assault, exploiting Leonel's focus on Dabi to catch him off guard. Then he use his space skills open a small portal near punch Leonel in the face.
He fainted, the match ended.The second day of the tournament ends. Everyone returns home.
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