Hyro slept? No, he did not really sleep, so He guessed it was a Hallucination. He was in the center of a cavern, surrounded by beasts of all sorts, boar, bear, wolves, even those plants that James summoned. He cried out and without any indication of casting a spell of any sort and no indication of activating a gadget of his, Hyro cried out and flames conjured all around him from his feet outward. It was amazing, but Hyro quickly came to after the display of power to realize he was lying down, in a small room with only two beds, one he was on and an empty one, a desk with a few towels and bandages on it and the beautiful lady in white from the beginning of the tournament, Helina, Hyro thought he was still Hallucinating when she spoke. “Ah Monsieur Hyro it seems you are with us once again oui?”
“Um, Yeah I, at least I think so?” Hyro responded not too sure where he was or what happened, his bandages were off of both his hands and there was a smaller bandage over where he was bitten. Hyro also just realized his shirt was completely off too. “Did, did I win?”
“Oui, you won right before being incapacitated yourself. It was actually a pretty good matchup between you and James, Both with some decent power and ability, but almost no defenses, something to definitely think about if you get admitted.” She winked, then continued, anticipating Hyro’s next questions, “James is ok, a lot of his pain was internal, burning his first plant was like burning a part of him, so he was almost out from that alone, He is resting in the Next room. The Last Match of Round one is commencing now, then after a fifteen Minute break for the Staff, we will start round two. For now, do you need more rest?”
Hyro thought for a moment, and He actually felt great! Better than he ever had, he felt more powerful somehow. “No, I feel great, thank you.” Hyro thanked her, assuming she had something to do with his increased vigor but had no way to know for sure. Helina just nodded, “Your clothes are in the drawer here” She opened a drawer under the table, “After you are dressed go back to the room with the other applicants, it is the last door on the right.” And with that she left Hyro to get himself together. Hyro started with grabbing his shirt, hoping that the hidden compartment was there and undamaged, it appeared so, and since Helina did not mention anything, he assumed his secret was still safe. He pulled a slightly exposed thread which pulled all the way out and opened a few inch wide gap between the fabric of the back of his shirt. Hyro pulled out the hand wraps he had stored there and began wrapping his hands, he put enough for three rewraps in there plus the wraps he wore to the academy, two of which he had used already, one after the demonstration and one now. With two fights left he should have just enough for one casting a fight. He also has enough of his fire starting tools, which he also pulls one out and preps it in his sleeve. Once he is all situated, Hyro walks down the hall, pausing slightly at the room where he was told James was resting, but as the door was closed he decided to just continue walking to the room where everyone was waiting.
As he walked in everyone looked up, only to go back to their own things when they realized He had nothing to say. Hyro just took the seat he was in before and waited, like everyone else. Luckily, he didn’t have to wait long, Cynthia, Terry and Valda all walked in, the two former taking their seats, neither looking worn out or hurt at all, as Valda spoke up. “That concludes round one, I hope you all learned a thing or two,” she gave a sly smile, “In fifteen minutes we will send for someone to grab the first matchup of round two, rest until then.” With that he took his leave, closing the door behind him, only to have it open right after as James and Harvey, the only two missing from the applicants, entered, taking their seats. And back to silence, this time true silence. No one was secretly trying to cast spells to gain any special intel. Hyro rested his eyes for what he thought was only a moment but the next thing he knew he heard Valdas Voice, “Acadeles, Gob, Come with me please.” They both got up confidently and followed Valda out.
Everyone seemed to be up to similar antics as before, all using their magic to gain whatever information on the fight as they could, but Hyro didn’t see how anyone could get any information with how quickly Acadeles came back in and announced “Brutey and Hyro, you are up!” Hyro stood up, and followed Brutey out to the arena where they would be facing each other. To be honest, Brutey and her Hammers scared Hyro, he did not see how his parlor tricks were going to be useful against pure and true power, but he had to try. As they arrived Hyro took note of the Matchup listed on the side of the Caravan, and, as suspected, Acadeles was the Victor out the first bout, great, so win somehow and fight the monster that finished both is fights in moments, lose and fight the massive Orc that can crush me with his bare hands. Tough choice.
Valda spoke up as all of the staff, except Helina was on the sidelines, “Hurley, You take Hyro again and prepare all pre fight abilities, Extrial, you go with Brutey.” Motioning to opposite sides as she spoke. Everyone did as they were told, Hyro Following Hurley, “Well lad, quite simple this time, same spells, prep them and lets be on with it!” Hyro nodded in agreement, “Defensio, Vi, Sensus” Hyro was getting pretty good at putting on this act by now. After everything was ‘active’ Hurley walked away meeting the other instructors, Extrial arriving roughly the same time. “Ready, Set, FIGHT!”
This time no one froze, not that Brutey would ever freeze in a fight. Brutey immediately started enchanting their medium sized hammer after grabbing it from their back, the one they removed the enchantment from before. “Ligare '' Brutey spoke, rushing forward towards Hyro, who was lunging to his left, Brutey’s right. Hyro drew his sword, the hammer was glowing a blue hue, hyro knew blue usually meant some sort of Enhancement spell but that could be anything when paired with Ligare a binding or capture word. Brutey swung to the side towards Hyro who rolled out of the way just in time slashing with his own mundane sword, he actually made contact with Brutey, but mostly only tore clothing. Brutey lunged back, prepping another spell, Hyro took the time to use his big one too. “Ignis Imperium!” “Incresco!” Hyro did his act to summon his fireball as Brutey raised their hammer high with both hands as it nearly doubled in size. Well, don’t have to guess what Incresco does Hyro thought as he prepared to throw his fire at a rushing Brutey. Hyro was unlucky in this matchup, most of Brutey’s clothes were leather or other material that does not catch fire easily. Hyro should have added that oil ‘spell’ and brought liquid along but could not find a reasonable way to hide enough liquid. Hyro did his best anyway, throwing it right in Brutey’s face, who completely ignored it, running right through and crushing their giant hammer, right through Hyro’s side.
Hyro somehow hung onto consciousness, barely. On the floor he looked up as Brutey advanced towards him. I can not give up, I have to show resilience if nothing else. Hyro thought as he got to one knee ready to dodge. Everything hurt on Hyro and his vision was blurry but he sloppily rolled to the side right as Brutey slammed the giant hammer down again. Hyro was actually impressed he was able to will his body to still move. He was less impressed when he felt something hit him in the neck as he tried to regain his footing. What Hyro did not notice was Brutey was swinging the giant hammer as a distraction with only one hand, the other hand threw a perfectly placed throwing hammer right towards him. Hyro fell straight to the ground this time, welcoming unconsciousness once again.
The next thing Hyro knew he was in that all too familiar room, with Helina standing right over him. “Oh, I see we are finally waking, oui?” She asked Hyro as she noticed his eyes looking around. “I, I can’t move!” Hyro shouted.
“Oh oui, the move from Brutey, while rendering you unconscious, also caused you to become paralyzed. I needed you awake to, well fix it. Reparare!” She said tracing a line on her palm, then resting her hand on Hyro’s forehead. “Brutey, Acadeles and Gob are really putting me to work this year.” She mumbled, “Same as last time, get ready and meet the others, you were out for a while even with my assistance, so the break before starting round three is almost over, lucky you woke up or you may have been disqualified.” She said leaving the room, knowing that Hyro was feeling great, like everyone after her care feels, especially with as many spells she had to cast on that boy to keep him stable.
Hyro prepared the same as last time, now using his last fire spell ingredients, and headed out to the room where everyone was waiting, he was the last to arrive. Sitting down with everyone he did not even bother looking around this time, he has to put on a good show to even have a chance at getting accepted. How am I going to win against a powerhouse like Gob. He will probably laugh as he brushes off my fireball and crushes me. I need to think. After a while of resting and thinking Valda entered, “Everyone is still alive so far, let’s start the final round, Acadeles, Brutey, come with me.” Without even looking to see if they stood up, Valda walked out and started towards the field. While everyone got to work on their various preparations Hyro noticed one thing - this is the longest time anyway has been away fighting Acadeles. A little more than a half an hour after they left, Valda entered again, “Cynthia, Wendel, follow me for round two.” Again Valda left just as before.
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Remembering the match-up board the last time he saw it, Hyro was pretty certain Wendel was the person who James was against. It does not look that good if the only person he beats loses to everyone. After a short time Cynthia and Wendel reentered the room. Wendel immediately took his seat, looking down the whole time, Cynthia just announced “Petunia, Harvey, umm, you are next.” She then quickly took her seat, blushing. The pair rose and made their way to the arena. This time after a short period Harvey returned and Hyro knew what was coming. “Gob, Hyro, it is your turn.” He said sitting down with his last word. All thoughts of strategy left Hyros' head, at least for the duration of the walk, all he could think was simple: Am I going to live?
When Gob and Hyro approached the arena they saw the familiar caravan with the matchup list along with all of the staff, with the exception of the nurse, she must still be healing from the last match. It appears as though the winner of round three gets a star on the board next to their name.
Hyro had one quick idea to at least get him some creativity points he hoped, if it was allowed. When going with their respective Instructors, Hurly, as usual leading Hyro and Extrial was sent to assist Gob. The Exchange with Hurly was much like last time, though after the act of activating his passives Hurly seemed to be done as before, “Well if there be nothing more lad lets see what ye got.” But Hyro spoke up quickly before he could walk back, “Actually I was wondering if I could use a torch, as a weapon? It does not even have to be lit.” Hurly seemed to think for a moment, “Wait here lad” And he walked to where Valda and the others were, not being able to overhear what was happening Hyro just had to stare and wait in desperation, this was really his only plan. That is when he noticed Gob, Staring at him from across the area with a death stare, he seemed amped up and almost wild. Hyro was so out of it looking at Gob in fear that he did not notice Hurly walk up, Torch in hand. “Here lad, We agreed, it would make sense to carry this around and no reason not to let you have it, Good luck lad” He said handing over the unlit torch. Then he walked away rejoining the others. Valda, as usual for this tournament, spoke up, “Ready, Set, FIGHT!”
Hyro dashed back, correctly assuming that Gob would be dashing towards him. While rushing Gob expertly traced a line on his palm, “Ira!” As he shouted he glowed with a faint red hue. Gob never wore more than the bare minimum, clothes and armor got in the way, and for most of his life he felt the same way about people and weapons too. Weapons, however, his mind was changed on that when he met Bam and Bam Bam, his pair of brass knuckles. They had no real magic and were, in fact, just a normal pair of brass knuckles, but they were the first ones that Gob ever used and when he first did he heard them say their name during the fight, BAM, BAM BAM, the lovely sounds of Gob hitting things. All Hyro could think about when he heard Ira, were the warnings he was given when traversing the woods near his home growing up. Watch out for the barbarians, listen for their rage, listen for Ira.
It was not much of a surprise, Gob probably had a few, mostly attack increasing passives as well, but the rage was Hyro’s currently biggest concern, Hyro never met a Barbarian, but everyone knew they almost always were mindless brutes that bashed their way through anything and anyone to get what they wanted. There were a few that gained a decent amount of control during their rage, and are quite powerful; they are known as berserkers, one of the recognized adventure classes that Hyro read about. Hyro was not sure how much control Gob had and did not want to get in his way to find out. That is when he noticed the Brass knuckles on Gobs’ hands seemed to not only be glowing red too but increased in size ever so slightly. That was something even Gob never noticed as he did not really care about or pay attention to bam and bam bam when they weren’t in action. Hyro was still dashing away from Gob, now more in an arched direction to stay in the arena boundaries. There was not a ring out rule that was mentioned, it was just easier for Hyro to fight in a set space. Hyro pulled out the torch from his back, he had to show what he could before it was too late, and judging by the look Gob had, Hyro did not have long. Hyro took his chance, stopping in his tracks to turn around and lunged into a tumble right past and under a confused Gobs’ swing. Hyro was able to not only dodge but temporarily make Gob lose his balance as his rage filled charge caused his sudden swing to to almost knock the Orc over.
Hyro acted as quick as he could, holding the torch between his legs as he prepared his last fireball. Putting on one of his biggest displays yet Hyro traced his fake palm line and shouted “Ignis Imperium'' lighting his mixture placed on his wrappings and creating a ball of fire in his palm as he usually did. What was not usual, however, was Hyro having a torch between his legs, that was close enough to where the fire lit to light up itself. The reaction shocked Hyro, causing him to jump a little. The flames from the torch engulfed the back of Hyros’ wrapping. It just so happened the fire retardant Hyro used was not as effective over time. Hyro did know this fact but he did not know that keeping it in an enclosed space decreased the effectiveness even more swiftly. So his hand now did not only hold a fireball, his hand was a ball of fire. Knowing this pain as well as Hyro did, did not change the fact that it hurt. Hyro was used to thinking through pain of this level though and decided to use it while he could, rushing towards Gob with his flaming torch and his flaming fist. With Gob controlled by his rage there was no way he could see this coming. He was able to move out of the way of the torch but got a direct hit in the stomach from the fire first. While it did cause some damage to Gob, mostly burns, it hurt Hyros hand just as much if not more. Gobs’ stomach felt like punching a brick wall. Luckily for Hyro, the force of the punch and contact was enough to put out most of the flames as they have also eaten up most of the material by this point, on the other hand however, Gob was able to easily recover from the little hit and punched Hyro clear across the arena. Hyro blacked out but only for a moment.
As Hyro fully came to and started getting to his feet he saw Gob was dashing right at him. His torch was back where he was punched from, how Hyro was even conscious after being punched and falling a good ten feet back is beyond him but here he was. Hyro grabbed for his rusty sword and put it out to defend himself as he suddenly felt another intense burning in both of his hands and feet he dropped his sword in pain as Gob approached swinging. Gob did not expect Hyro to drop in pain and missed his swing. Still in pain, Hyro rolled away. Hyro ripped off what he could of the wrapping on both his hands thinking there was some sort of reaction to the chemical. He did this while running away from and dodging Gob the best he could. Hyro knew he was getting more lucky than anything. Hyro needed a plan, he did not know if he could survive another direct hit, he did not think he could survive the one hit that he did. Hyro did not know that Gob was still weak, both physically and in pride after losing to Acadeles so quickly he wanted to show he was tough. After waking up from being knocked out, Gob refused that Half Breed Helinas’ help or that is how he thought of it. Being slightly worn out still caused him to not hit as hard, fast or as furious. Hyro was losing both energy and hope as he was, after all, doing all of this with only his wits, parlor tricks, and a whole lot of luck.
The pain in Hyros’ palms and feet seemed to subside almost as soon as the last of the wrappings left his hands, one being mostly burnt off helped. Still curious as to what caused such an unusual burning pain he examined his hands quickly as he dodged around the Orc causing him to lose balance yet again. Hyro was in shock as he looked down and saw a single faint, glowing line going across almost his whole palm, fading between red and blue. It was the same line on his other hand and he assumed his feet as well though he had no time to check. What is happening, am I hallucinating from the blow I took, did I really pass out and die or go into a coma Hyro thought rapidly, then quickly changed gears. On the off chance it’s real I have nothing else, so… COME ON HYRO YOU READ HUNDREDS OF BOOKS ON LINES.
Hyro could not remember where he saw this particular line before. Not many were this long, and usually long lines segmented off and were part of multiple different spells, not this one it was just one long line. Hyro knew he saw it in a book before though. What did it do, what word did he need. As he was getting half lost in thought Gob connected partially with Hyro’s thigh as he swung down trying to hit a tumbling Hyro. Hyro did not lose consciousness this time but he did get knocked over and could not move his leg without immense pain. Getting hit knocked his thoughts in place and he remembered where he saw the long flowing palm line before. It always came with such force, a tidal wave, usually it resulted in a stream of liquid with great force in a single direction. With that he also knew the words to try, not having much else, and seeing Gob about to end him here and how he traced this glowing line “Thadal Unda!”
Hyro felt a warm glowing sensation in his chest as he cast his very first spell ever, and thanks to his research, practicing and pretending to have magic for so long, he cast it flawlessly. He felt the warm sensation swiftly move towards his hands which he immediately pointed towards Gob out of reflex. Right before Gob could make contact a stream poured out of Hyros hands, it was not water or any normal liquid, however, Hyro was spewing lava, right at his opponent. Hyro was almost certain this was some sort of dream now, but he was enjoying the power nonetheless. Gob was powerful but even he could not withstand being in front of two lava hoses. The streams lasted for three seconds, Gob fell down after two, was unconscious shouting in pain just as the stream ended. Hyro fell after the fourth second.
Once again the next thing Hyro knew he was awake in the white room for a third time, This time, however it was not Helina that he awoke to but Buck the headmaster. “What in the abyss did you do?” Was all Buck said, but Hyro had no idea, so he went with silence as his answer, which prompted Buck to continue, “Not a single soul expected that kind of power from you kid, let alone Gob who took the full blow, he will live, by the way, Helina is doing all she can to heal his burns, let’s hope he is as good as using spells with burned hands as you are.” Buck tried to joke and caused himself to chuckle, Hyro did too mostly out of respect for the man and fear for what will happen to him. If it appeared he had a killing intent, HE DID, he thought it was fake, a dream. Buck continued to speak however, “We examined you thoroughly after the battle, whatever line of power you had, is gone, burned off like the others. Have you ever cast a spell like that before?” Hyro decided to be honest, mostly, “No, I thought it was a dream.” Buck just nodded along, “I see, that is reasonable, we will have to keep a close eye and examine if that spell shows itself again, such rare power. Try to keep quiet, the announcement will be soon, but if nothing more to keep an eye on your strange new power, you are going to be accepted into Terraqua Adventure academy!”
