Divine Beast Ascension

Chapter 425: The Final Match

Slazza got busy healing Belma, relying a little more on items after using so much essence to resurrect Hathal not too long ago.

“You’ve gotten stronger, Belma, but you’re still too slow...” Hathal bowed his head ever so slightly before beginning the trek back to the seats above.

Sighing, Belma didn’t refute Hathal’s words. She accepted the honest remark and took it to heart while returning to her seat.

“EVERYONE! IT’S TIME! Time for the final match!”

Up in the seating area, Vant was still sleeping until Tilgron ran his tail along Vant’s nose. Shaking profusely, Vant woke up and calmly checked his surroundings. “Hmm... I’m in the stands? I won, right?”

“You sure did!” Zelsh bellowed, slapping Vant on the back. “You went and did it... You went and killed a private candidate. I’ve got a quadrant finalist!”

“Then... Hathal is-”

.....

“Congratulations...” Hathal grumbled while walking by, catching everyone’s attention. “... Now hurry up and get down there. I need to see you and her in action. The next time we meet, I won’t need to hold back and you won’t be so lucky...”

Finally, Vant caught on to Slazza’s announcement and noticed Netra sitting beside him.

“This final match could never have been anticipated! To have two finalists from the same prefecture is incredible! Yet, they’re also students of the same teacher, and that teacher is Vloz, the Blood-spotted Leopard from Iron Territory, Toxic-shadow Prefecture!” declared Slazza, getting the crowd to roar louder and louder with the mention of a local icon.

“We have the shadow beast, Netra, the senior pupil and perfect candidate! We have the vanishing blade, Vant, the junior pupil and dark horse who killed the quadrant’s private candidate! Who will reign supreme and who will fall just short of ultimate glory?! Who will stand in the end as their master’s greatest, strongest disciple?! Vant, Netra, come down!”

The swordsman nodded enthusiastically. He was still shaking with excitement after verifying his victory against Hathal. And to know that it wasn’t over yet, with Netra as the final foe, Vant was jubilantly rushing down the steps alongside the fox.

As they reached the arena’s center, Slazza gave them a moment to speak, as they both always had with their opponents.

Smiling and laughing, Netra shook her head, “... You stole my kill.”

“I was just lucky to fight him first,” Vant remarked, bowing to the fox. “Senior pupil, it is an honor to meet you on the battlefield, now representing my master.”

“Junior pupil, you’ve done amazingly. I’m sure you’ve filled our master with pride.”

Vant lifted his head and sighed with a beaming grin, “I... I didn’t actually expect to be standing here, though I was certain you’d make it here, Netra.”

“Still, you’re here. And you’ve earned it, Vant,” Netra chuckled, smiling back at him. “So, what do we do now?”

They both turned to spot Vloz in the audience, still holding the king core in his tail. It was a rare moment to see the leopard smiling so brightly. But he said nothing to either of his pupils, only bowing to them with overflowing pride.

Silent, the two contestants refocused on each other. They quietly pondered what was about to happen, already mapping out potential strategies of their opponent and their respective reactions.

“... Vant, Netra, are you two ready?”

“Yes!” they shouted in unison.

“Then... FIGHT!”

“I concede.”

Neither of them had moved an inch yet Vant was already bowing in defeat. “I concede, senior pupil.”

“... Why?”

‘Because I said so.’

“It’s... IT’S OVER!” Slazza declared, trying to overcome the disappointment everyone in the crowd was faced with. “The junior pupil has surrendered to the senior pupil! As fellow students to the same master, it’s only natural that they know each other’s true abilities! And, as assassins in training, they have every reason to hide their full strength whenever possible!”

Both Vant and Netra sighed, disappointed. They were both very eager to fight and test each other. But, thinking about it, they now had all the time in the world to spar and fight thanks to Rhyner Region joining Toxic-shadow Prefecture.

Chuckling, Treeda shrugged while starting to clap. “Vant is very honorable. And, since they’ve fought before with Netra as the dominant winner, perhaps he’d prefer to spar with her in training before confronting her so publicly.”

Kartzal sighed but agreed, “That makes sense... And I can’t complain. Those two have entertained me plenty, and even taught my boy a much-needed lesson! But I wasn’t expecting that lesson to come from a fellow wind user like that boy. I’m certain this will hit Hathal much heavier thanks to that. And he’ll likely be more motivated than ever!”

“So, your strategy worked?” chuckled Warak. “I would say ‘you’re welcome’, but Treeda’s the only one who can say that today...”

Glancing at Peimar and Warak, Treeda asked, “They knew, didn’t they?”

“As not only elite prefecture lords but as friends of mine, they’ve met Hathal once or twice,” answered Kartzal. “And now, so have you. And again, congratulations on your new achievements and your acquisition of Rhyner Region, along with a spectacular candidate and promising new subordinates.”

“Thanks, Kartzal.”

“There you have it!” Slazza continued to shout, gradually getting the crowd to ease up and accept the exhibition’s end. “Now, it’s time to bring back the other two semifinalists! It’s time to award the boons and gifts of the quadrant!”

Following tradition, Hathal got up first while Belma waited patiently. She waited until Hathal eventually reached Netra’s side. Then, Belma took her time to walk down the steps. It took much longer but it was far more respectful to the ceremony.

Once all four of the top candidates were lined up, they turned toward the grand viewing platform and bowed. In unison, the four candidates shouted, “God Toseko, it is an honor to stand before you today!”

Raising his hand and getting to his feet, Kartzal walked to the edge of his viewing platform. “Raise your heads. You’ve earned the right to stand before me today... And congratulations to you all for such outstanding performances. Each of you has represented your masters with pride, and has honored the quadrant with such spectacular performances.”