Chapter 32: Semifinal
Flux sat in the waiting room, eyes closed, quietly conserving his strength for the battle ahead.
Minutes passed before a calm voice echoed through the room.
"Flux, please prepare to enter the arena."
He opened his eyes and rose to his feet with a steady breath. His steps echoed lightly as he walked toward the light. The gate opened, revealing the arena bathed in sunlight and thunderous cheers.
From the opposite gate, his opponent entered at the same moment. A tall figure with sharp eyes and a crimson aura—Selina. Their gazes met like clashing blades.
She stopped a few paces away, her voice cold and piercing.
"So you're that Mist Freak?"
Flux blinked. "Mist Freak? Another one of Ryo's rumors?"
Selina tilted her head slightly. "It's nothing. Don't worry about it."
Flux gave a faint shrug. "Very well."
Both reached for their weapons. Flux drew his silver sword, its surface misty and faintly humming. Selina summoned a long crimson chain, wrapped tightly around her arm like a coiled serpent.
The announcer's voice rang out, "Begin!"
Selina struck first—her chain cracked like a whip, slamming into the arena floor and sending debris flying. Each attack left a crater as she lashed out with fluid, merciless precision.
Flux weaved and dodged, calm and calculating. He didn't retaliate—he was watching, waiting for the right moment.
Minutes passed in this deadly dance before Flux burst forward in a blur.
Selina reacted instantly, snapping her chain sideways—but Flux vanished, leaving only an afterimage. He reappeared at her flank, slashing, but Selina twisted away and formed a chain barrier between them.
Flux's blade struck sparks against it.
She slashed forward with multiple strands, trying to bind him.
Flux backstepped, eyes narrowing.
"An illusion technique?" he thought, dodging again.
"Her control on those chain are incredible. If I stay on the defensive, I'll eventually lose."
He took a sharp breath. Qi flared around him as his silver aura surged.
With a burst of speed, he charged again, slamming his sword into her chain barrier. The impact echoed like thunder, but she countered swiftly, weaving illusion into her assault. Her chain split and danced around him, attacking from multiple angles.
Flux vanished and reappeared behind her, blade slashing in an arc of light.
Clang! She blocked, but he pressed the attack.
Selina's eyes narrowed. She released a fiery aura that blazed like a furnace.
"You're slippery and swift, I'll give you that," she said coolly. "Fine. I won't hold back either."
Her crimson chain ignited with flames, heating the air around them.
She lashed out—each strike now left scorch marks on the ground. Flux had no choice but to dodge again and again, his robes starting to smolder from the sheer heat.
"This is bad," he thought. "I'm wearing myself out. I'll be roasted like Ryo if I keep dodging."
He gritted his teeth. "I have to gamble."
Silver qi flared again as he rushed her, determined to break through her defenses. She formed her chain into a flaming barrier—but Flux unleashed Swirling Crescent over and over, crashing against her guard.
Selina's eyes glinted. She smiled.
"Crimson Snake Chain!"
The chain twisted mid-air, transforming into a massive fiery serpent. It shot toward Flux, fast and relentless. He dodged, leaving behind flickering illusions, but the snake followed him closely.
He darted across the arena, the flaming serpent snapping at his heels.
He glanced at Selina—she stood firm behind another barrier, the snake coiled protectively around her.
Flux muttered, "I'm out of options. I'm gonna get smoked."
The serpent lunged. Flux cast a protection spell around himself—
BOOM!
A fiery explosion engulfed half the arena.
As the smoke cleared, a battered figure emerged—Flux, breathing hard, robes charred and still slightly burning. His hat was torn, his shirt scorched off completely. With a sigh, he ripped off what remained and tossed it aside.
Now shirtless, his defined upper body drew gasps from the crowd. Several spectators suddenly had nosebleeds.
Even Selina stared blankly, dazed.
"Huh?" Flux blinked, confused by the silence. Then he noticed the stares.
"Oh no…"
He quickly focused and flared his aura again. With Selina still stunned, he dashed forward and struck with Swirling Crescent.
The impact jolted her back to her senses, but her rhythm was broken. Her movements were slower, distracted, awkward.
Flux didn't let up. He kept attacking, blade flashing in smooth arcs.
Selina tried to retaliate, but her attacks were uncoordinated. Flux deflected them with ease and countered.
After several intense exchanges, her chain faltered. She dropped to her knees, overwhelmed.
The announcer shouted, "Winner—Flux!"
The crowd erupted.
He exhaled deeply as medics rushed in. Selina was lifted onto a stretcher. Flux was handed a healing pill and quickly consumed it.
Looking down at his ruined clothes, he sighed.
"Pity… I just bought those."
He glanced at the staff. "Uh… could I get a shirt or something?"
They stared, wide-eyed, before scrambling. "A-Ah! Yes! Right away!"
Moments later, someone returned with a clean white robe.
"Here!"
"Thanks," Flux said, slipping it on.
The staff couldn't stop staring.
The white robe suit him so well that he appear otherworldly.
"…Is there anything else?" he asked politely.
"N-No! Sorry to bother you!" they said in unison and fled.
Flux returned to the waiting room, collapsing onto a bench.
"Whew… that was a close one," he muttered. "If not for Selina distracted and awkward moves, I wouldn't have won."
He paused, rubbing his temples.
"This is the third time I've won a fight because of my appearance. At this point, maybe I should study a technique that uses it properly. Clearly, it's a deadly weapon."
With that, he leaned back, resting and recovering.
A few minutes later, the arena gates opened again.
Now it was Xavier's turn.
And across from him, Rai stepped into the light.
The arena was filled with loud with cheers again.