Ashenfiend Hunting! Kael Vs Arthur

Kael returns to the stands and every applicant is shocked at his performance. Talon swallows his spit and holds his arm.

"What's this Talon? Are you scared?" Elara questioned.

"No older sister," Talon replied.

"Call me heiress," Elara ordered.

"Yes heiress," Talon replied.

"He's using some sort of trick and as an inheritor of the Priestess seat, I won't let it slide," Elara said.

"The first phase of the exam is over and Kael Voss is placed first for surviving the entire 20 minutes, placing second is Team L led by Arthur Armstrong, third is Team Y led by Ada Heiliger, fourth is Team D led by Elara Moore, and fifth Team G led by Lucille Gallagher. The rest you'll see in your system scoreboard. Now we'll proceed immediately with the second phase," Xander said.

The arena begins shifting and some applicants are transported to the wastelands, and others are sent to an enchanted forest.

"The second phase of the entrance exam is to hunt and defeat Ashenfiends in a designated area. Participants are placed in an enchanted forest or wasteland where several Ashenfiends roam. Each applicant must locate and defeat one of these creatures within a 45-minute time limit. The rules are participants must work alone, no outside help or pre-prepared items are allowed, aside from basic gear provided by the Nexus, and lastly, killing the Ashenfiend is required, but bonus points are awarded for capturing it or subduing it non-lethally," Xander dictated.

A window screen opens up before nKael shows him his inventory as he lands on a tree branch.

"He's right, I can't access Black Scythe. And all I have is this Common sword," Kael said.

A Bear-like Ashenfiend tries to attack Kael but Kael jumps off the branch and lands on the ground. He pulls out the common sword and swings at the Ashenfiend but the Ashenfiend catches ityt.

"Tch, just three minutes before my magic returns," Kael exclaimed.

The bear-like Ashenfiend swings at Kael but Kael ducks, pulls his sword into the inventory and connects an elbow to the side. The bear turns around to swing but Kael leaps to the air and punches it down, leaving a dent on its skull. Kael comes landing on its head.

"Woah, my physical stats are insane. And here I thought they were insane three months ago," Kael added. "Hm? I didn't get any point? Were we not supposed to hunt Ashenfiends?"

<Notice:>

- Find one of these creatures to pass the phase

- Creaturesmade of Ash, fire or shadow

====

"Damn it, so they used this once to confuse the applicants," Kael said as he jumps off the Ashenfiend and starts running through the forest. He added, "Only 2 minutes left and I'll be able to use the skill Facade to sense every shadow"

The trees turn to monsters and they all try to attack Kael. Kael steps the ground once, pulls the sword out of the inventory and slashes down every tree monster. The sword he's wielding snaps.

"Tch!" Kael exclaimed but continues running.

"That cursed kid really is amazing. Now I understand why he was so confident," Kevin said.

"Normally it's D Tier that have incredible attack and speed but I'll say he's on par with a C Tier or B Tier," Damon said.

"But how is he able to pull it off when he has no magic? No matter how hard an outcast train, they can never get this strong," Eira questioned.

"..." Lyra kept silent as she was observing.

Kael keep running and destroying every monster that comes his way with his fist.

"I need to pass this phase. I can't let my points get deducted," Kael said.

As he turns a corner, he sees a shadow with a human figure. He pulls branches out of the tree creatures and charges in for the shadow creature while the creature also closes in on him. As he's about to stab the shadow , the branch getsin contact with the shadow and an explosion occurs. A window pops up before.

<Notice:>

- You have killed the the shadow creature. + 1 points

=====

"I did?" *Jolt* "You're not an Ashenfiend are you?"

The dust clears and Arthur is standing on a tree branch looking down at Kael with the wind blowing on him.

"We meet at last, Kael Voss," Arthur said.

"Um, who are you?" Kael questioned.

"Such arrogance. My name is Arthur Armstrong, second prince of the Kingdom of Nevan. You know what kind of authority I hold."

Renatus and Leopold appear out of the shadows and both surround Kael. Leopold points Kael with an arrow.

"Kael Voss, as Ptince of this lovely kingdom, I order your death. Your presence is insufferable," Arthur said.

"Heh, is that all you thought would shake me up?" Kael taunted.

"What?"

"Do a better job next time, oh prince of the insects," Kael taunted.

"You vermin, do it," Arthur ordered.

Leopold fires off the arrow at Kael, aiming for his head but Kael catches the arrow. Kael's hand burns a bit.

"Hm?"

Renatus leaps in for Kael and thrusts the spear at him but Kael blocks it with the arrow in his hand. Renatus keeps swinging at Kael but Kael blocks every attack. Leopold fires more arrows at Kael but Kael dodges most of them and blocks and charges in for Leopold. Renatus appears next to him and swings at him but Kael ducks and connects an under kick and Leopold fires more arrows and Kael catches two and blocks the rest. His hands sting a bit.

(Holy magic? No, it's the Blessing of light. Only the Armstrongs are known for possessing the Light Blessing so it's that prince guy supporting them.)

Leopold fires an arrow directly for a headshot while Renatus charges in for Kael.

"In previous years, some applicants have died in this phase. The Academy anticipated that cause they know it's what shapes a Magi. And no one will care if you die," Arthur said with a sinister grin and folded arms.

As Renatus and the arrow close in, Kael grabs the arrow and stabs Renatus in the neck.

"Y-you monster..."

Renatus drops at Kael's feet.

"With no hesitation, you took another human's life," Arthur said as he unfolded his arms.

"Weren't you all planning the same? Now is not the time to be acting like a victim," Kael said as he picked Renatus's spear.

"You damn outcast!" Leopold yelled.

Leopold rains down arrows on Kael. Kael tightens his grip on the spear and with a purple glow coming from his eyes, Kael throws the spear at Leopold and it stabs him in the chest. Leopold coughs up blood and falls off the tree branch and straight to the ground.

(3... 2... 1...)

A beam of light is fired at Kael but Kael raises his hand and cloaks it in dark energy, canceling out the beam. The dust is cleared and Arthur is standing with his spear on his right hand and the wind blowing on him.

"So that's how you made your way here. So dramatic," Kael said.

"Kael Voss, now I see how you made it past the first phase. You're not to be underestimated," Arthur added as he removed his cape. "Allow me to introduce myself once more, My name is Arthur Armstrong, Second Prince of Nevan and Third son of the Armstrong. I'm sure you've heard about it, I'm one of the Six Heralds of Divine."

"The prophesied six who will protect the world in the future. Every end of the week talks about you guys," Kael said.

"Then I'll perform my duty, by eliminating you!" Arthur yelled out as he leaped in for Kael and thrust at him.

"Shadow step."

Kael teleports away and appears next to Leopold's corpse. He pulls out the spear he threw and stares at Arthur.

<Shadow Step:>

- Short-range teleportation through connected shadows.

Skill Rank: First Tier, Level 2

=====

"You bastard, stop squirming around!"

Arthur leaps in for Kael once more and thrusts at him but Kael blocks the attack. The two start clashing around the forest.

"Pillar of Lightfall."

Arthur casts a spell where he summons a pillar of light, descending it upon Kael.

<Notice:>

- Dispel can be used on this item

====

Kael cloaks the spear in dark energy and splits the pillar in half. Arthur appears out of the dust with an emerald glow coming from his eyes. He swings at Kael but Kael catches the spear and connects a knee to the chest. He adds power and sends Arthur flying. He teleports through the shadows, comes out of Arthur's shadow, and grabs him by the collar. Kaek tosses Arthur across the whole forest.

"Photon Spiral."

Arthur spins rapidly, creating a spiral vortex of light that pulls Kael towards him.

"Luminous barrage."

Arthur unleashes a series of rapid, mid-range thrusts that fire-piercing beams of light at Kael. The dust clears and Kael comes out with his guard up, and his jersey ripped. Arthur fires off one last thrust sending Kael flying through the trees. Kael balances and gets to a knee.

"This is so similar," Alastair said.

"In what way?" Kael questioned.

"It's just like my battle with Sylvester. Perhaps he is a reincarnate," Alastair said.

Arthur comes charging in for Kael and he and Kael thrust at each other, causing an explosion. Kael appears before Arthur with his fists clenched.

"Are you saying you do not need a weapon? You underestimate me, the future great king and hero of Nevan!" Arthur yelled as he thrusts at Kael but Kael evaded the spear and connected a hook at Arthur's face, sending him flying and crashing into a rock

Arthur tries to get up but Kael steps him to the ground, causing him to choke on his blood and cough up. Kael stares him down with his right eye glowing purple and his fists cloaked in dark energy.

"That stupid prophecy of the heralds now sounds like a joke. You just look like a struggling prey at the hands of a beast," Kael said.

"Heh, to think you were able to take me down when I was going all out... Now, witness my S Tier skill," Arthur said with a grin.

A Sword Knight of Light appears behind Kael and swings at him, sending him flying. Kael balances on his feet, the dust clears and Kael sees a knight riding on a horse. Arthur gets to his feet dusting himself.

"I'll admit you're strong, the type of strength you possess doesn't come with talent. But let me educate you, the Astral Benediction system is divided into two, the first being the individuals who awaken to find their place in society, the second being those who awaken for combat, that's what we call the Blessed Warriors," Arthur said.

"..."

"This is currently my strongest ability, the Light Summoning. And standing before you is one of my summons I call the Five Knights of Arthur, Sir Valiant the Sword Knight," Arthur said.

"So much spiritual energy. Now I see why they're called the Six Heralds of Divine," Kael said.

Valiant raises his sword and swings it, sending out a wave of holy light but Kael raises his hand and cancels it out. The Knight appears next to him and swings but Kael catches the sword. Kae's arms burn a bit. He cloaks his left fist in dark energy and connects a hook, sending Valiant flying.

(I can't use Void Annihilation again because it would just leave me vulnerable to that bastard.)

Kael charges in for Valiant, Valiant gets to his feet and swings at Kael, but Kael blocks the attack with the spear. The spear starts to crack. Kael summons shadows and binds Valiant, preventing him from moving. Kael cloaks both fists in dark energy and unleashes a rush of rapid left and right hooks. Valiant grabs Kael's hand and connects a knee to the guts. Kael chokes on spit and coughs and Valiant swings a right hook to the face, sending Kael flying back and crashing back against.

(This thing is too strong. I don't stand a chance at all.)

Valiant sends a slash of holy light, slashing Kael. Kael drops to one knee.

(If I seek to defeat then I must kill this Arthur Armstrong.) Kael thought to himself while glaring at Arthur with a purple glow in his eyes.

<Notice:>

- An Angel of Light opposes you. Activate title

"The system..."

<Title Activated: The Lone Reaper>

- Attack has been boosted to 120%

- Speed has been boosted to 90%

- You have gained access to your inventory. Black Scythe is accesible

"The perks of this title has changed since three months," Kael said while spinning his scythe around.

<Notice:>

- Converting all EXP points and adding it to Attack, Intelligence, and Speed

- You have unlocked the final level of the First Tier: Shadow Spawn

- You have gained a new title: The Shadow Sovereign

====

A grin emerges on Kael's face and he says, "Finally, a title I alone worked for!"

"What is he so excited about? He's literally about to die," Arthur questioned. He then ordered, "Kill him."

Valiant reaches back and leaps in for Kael.

"Looks like there's no need to kill you for now," Kael said as he traps Valiant in a shadow bind. He then added with his right eye glowing purple and a sinister grin, "But I'll be taking this one."

<Notice:>

- Switching title from The Lone Reaper to The Shadow Sovereign

<Skill Activated:>

Shadow Spawn

- The skill Shadow Spawn is a mastery of darkness that allows the user to manipulate shadows and animate them into autonomous entities known as Shadow Servants. These servants obey the user’s commands, acting as loyal allies in battle or as tools of infiltration and subterfuge. The skill grants unparalleled versatility in manipulating darkness and even includes the chilling ability to transform living beings into Shadow Servants—forcing them into eternal servitude while retaining fragments of their former consciousness. Shadow Spawn exudes a terrifying aura, as those who fall victim to this skill feel their very essence being ripped away and chained to the darkness. The appearance of Shadow Servants varies based on the shadows used, but they often take on humanoid or monstrous forms with glowing eyes and an ethereal, smoky texture.

Skill Rank: First Tier, Level 5

=====

The shadows in the area begin to latch on to Valiant. Valiant tries to fight against but the shadows keep spreading on him.

"Hey! What are you doing?! Stop that!" Arthur yelled.

Valiant is fully transformed into a Shadow Servant and he bows to Kael.

<Notice:>

- First servant of the Shadow Sovereign Kael Voss created.

- Due to there being less shadows, your own mana was poured into this molding. Current MP: 40/100

====

"I lost quite a lot, but it doesn't matter, I got my hands on a useful servant. So this is what Alastair was talking about," Kael said with a purple glow in his eyes.

'I didn't deactivate it but was forcefully taken from so I've lost quite the amount of mana. Damn it, just what did that bastard do?' Arthur thought to himself.

Arthur summons a Shield Knight but Valiant swings a dark slash at the Knight, forcing it to disappear.

"N-no... way..."

"I won't be killing you since I don't want to get into beef with your father. But isn't high time you pay," Kael said as he stands balanced and ready with his right arm raised and releasing a purple aura.

Arthur is shaken as he sees a colossal, coiling serpent with shimmering purple scales and swirling shadow eyes behind Kael.

"Shit... I've done fucked up," Arthur said as he was sweating with a nervous smile.