There was a heavy buzz amongst the crowd as the battle became set in stone, excitement and anticipation filled the atmosphere.
Up above the arena, floating high in the sky and looking down at the academy, two names appeared in the air.
Hulio Demore [33] vs Kael Drake [54]
The names were written in giant letters, shining with a bright red light, and after their appearance, the loud blare of a horn echoed through the school.
A fight between two Supremes was a battle between the best of the best.
Watching the clash extended far beyond seeking thrill, it was an avenue for many to see what the limit was and to find inspiration.
Everyone close to the arena immediately began heading towards it, and as for those too far away, they watched the battle from the large holographic screens that appeared in several spots across the school.
With one hand in his pocket and the other gripping his spear, Hulio studied his opponent, his senses stretched out and eyes searching for clues about him.
Before a Supreme challenged another, they must have gotten their hands on an advantage that made them confident in their victory, and in the case of this battle, a rank 33 going against a rank 54, Hulio suspected Kael had stumbled across a wild fortune.
Both men stared at each other for several seconds, then the challenger took action.
Hulio watched Kael bring up his left hand and immediately begin going through hand signs, weaving through different seals in seconds before ending with his index and middle finger pointing towards the sky.
Bang!!
Like a bottle under pressure being uncorked, there was a blast of essence from Kael, followed by a powerful roar of wind around his figure.
Standing at the epicentre, a rush of wind which extended nearly 1 meter circled around him, then compressed, compacting around his form and blazing behind him.
Bang!!
Another powerful sound echoed out, but this one wasn't from Kael releasing his essence, it was from him pushing into a run.
Cracks spread where Kael had previously stood, the ground proceeding to explode, and Hulio, watching his opponent's approach, nodded within.
"He's done his homework."
He waited for the man's charge, his spear falling forward as Kael's spear flashed from the side, both their weapons colliding.
A strong impact rose from the clash, the wind billowing around both individuals, roaring especially behind Kael.
Despite the man drastically boosting his speed and wielding his weapon with both hands, the result had been a draw, and another glaring fact was that Hulio was wielding his spear with only one hand.
Surprise didn't appear on Kael's face, though, only confirmation, and without hesitation, he pulled back his weapon, twisting and striking from the side.
Hulio's eyes narrowed and he turned his waist, his spear following in a swing, cutting through the air, moving faster than Kael's attack.
With its long reach, Hulio did not need to take a step forward, and when Kael's sword stopped his weapon, his legs moved.
In what looked like a blur, Hulio closed the little distance between them, his knee flashing out and slamming into Kael's chest, forcing him to keel over, and then his hand descended for his neck.
Hulio's intention was finality, but then the wind howled and Kael dove into a roll, escaping his grip.
When the man stood up from several steps away, he swung his sword several times, blades of wind launching out of it toward Hulio.
Spinning his spear, Hulio launched forward, swinging his weapon as he destroyed the attacks in his way, Kael not stopping his assault until Hulio was before him.
Without delay, weapons clashed once more, and to Kael's surprise, he was sent stumbling back.
Hulio didn't let up; a kick followed, landing square on Kael's chest, and then he moved, his speed beyond Kael's, taking him out of the man's sight and bringing him to his back.
There was not a sound from Hulio's movement. Kael only had a second to register danger as Hulio's spear tore through the air heading for his back, and at the last second, the wind blew from the side with a dominating ferocity, seizing him out of the way.
"Wind Intent."
The words came to Hulio's mind as his spear struck empty air, a bit of blood at its tip.
"I've seen enough."
With this thought, Hulio's left hand fell on the shaft of his spear, and turning, he shot forward.
There was no crack on the ground, no blast in the air. Hulio cut forward like a ghost, his approach alerting Kael, who had barely recovered from his near-death experience.
His opponent's eye narrowed, and the dominating wind arose once more, exploding in a circular movement around him, and to Hulio's surprise, a pressure similar but still very different from that of the wind began bleeding from his sword.
"Sword intent."