The sound of steel crashing against steel echoed throughout the arena. The fanfare of trumpets and drums stirring up the screaming audience into a frenzy; demands of bloodshed and carnage booming across the Knight Ranked Immortal Training Arena.

Fifth Initiated Mortals littered the stands making up the vast majority of the audience. Sixth Initiated Mortals made up more than a third of the audience with more than half of the gathered crowd emanating the subtle presence of a Mortal Ranked Title.

The screams of humans, vermitons, undynes, nadians and lutins almost drowning out the grunts and cries of pain as spiritually constructed weapons slashed through flesh and muscle.

Fragments Of Axe colliding against Fragments Of Sword.

Fragments Of Armour deflecting blows from Fragments Of Spears.

Fragments Of Aegis shattering beneath the weight of Fragments Of Hammer.

The hardened stone floor of the Immortal Training Arena, cracking under the immense pressure of dozens of physical enhancements.

The earthen monoliths that once littered the arena floor laid scattered about, most shattering after being struck with Fragments Of Slash or Fragments Of Pierce. Knight Ranked abilities continued to launch out from one side of the arena towards the other, carving deep gnashes through the earth, or exploding upon impact.

Several Knights stood at each entry point to the arena, rushing to retrieve those that had been injured or suffered a backlash from having their spiritual constructs forcibly broken. According to the rules of the tournament, the loss of all spiritual constructs or the loss of limb would result in the immediate disqualification of a participant.

Two Knight Ranked phoenixes soared in the skies above Flavian Imperialis, casting instances of [Healing Flame] and [Life Preservation] on those that had been downed or forced to retire. Despite the loss of several limbs and the puncturing of major arteries and blood vessels, no-one was able to be killed within the boundaries of the Immortal Training Arena.

A certain green-skinned satanas dual-casting instances of [Twelfth Sonnet Of Life] and [Tenderness Is The Gentle Hand Of Spring] in order to reattach three severed fingers on a First-Veined human while also healing a spear wound to the stomach of a First-Veined undyne.

The Adeptus Sanctus Medicus wiping her brow as she lifted her head, smiling as she watched a certain human carve his way through another opponent, knocking them out with the butt of his spear rather than impaling them through the stomach.

The Spear Of Cedarwood Transformations extending over a dozen metres in length, crashing against a blood natured spiritual shield, causing it to fracture in multiple places. With a flourish and another swift transformation, Assail transformed into an enormous verdant halberd, shattering the Fragment Of Guard as if it were made from glass.

Sariel found her gaze lingering on Jon for several seconds before she returned her focus back towards the injured and wounded around her. Her gaze swiftly moving towards another injured participant, a Second-Veined Knight who had the privilege of fighting against the Tribune Of Dusk And Destruction.

His muffled groans causing his head to spin even while lying flat on his back.

Considering that said tribune was the owner of the Memento Source Item beneath their feet, it was not a decision that she considered particularly smart.

'Perhaps if they could obtain their own Memento Source Item things would be different.'

Flavian Imperialis; Immortal Training Arena was a Memento Source Item born from an Eternal Mana Core and Fragment Of Training. Upon Amadeus' ascension from Mortality to Knighthood, the red-scaled vermiton integrated a Fragment Of Immortality into it, elevating the Combat Training Arena into the Immortal Training Arena that it was today.

It was perhaps the grandest Memento Source Item within Springtown.

Outshining both Takamagahara; Vanishing Time Palace and Porta; Boundless Heaven Gate.

'Although perhaps not as useful as either Takamagahara or Porta. But if I am comparing usefulness, then Wilheim's Dimensional Dungeon Shadow might take the cake…'

Sariel felt something within her Rahu-Ocean Shadow stir, the effects of her Fragment Of Tether snapping as one of the injured stood up, hobbling towards the closest exit. Her brows furrowed swift casting her Fragment Of Invidia and manifesting a physical shadowed hand to envelop the retreating Knight.

"I don't think so Tobias! You lost more than four litres of blood before Aerion brought you back! Don't think I'll let you off after ingesting just a single Mortal Ranked Life-Blood Potion!" Sariel exclaimed, pulling the First-Veined Knight back within range of her Fragment Of Tether and stabilizing his regenerations.

The man in question, Tobias, squirmed within her grasp but did not voice his complaint having his windpipe severed mere minutes before. Even if he wanted to resist, Sariel was a Second-Veined Knight and he an ordinary Veinless Knight.

These tournaments always resulted in First-Veined Knights being the most injured, although a small number of Second-Veined Knights were laid scattered about, receiving the benefits of her Rahu-Ocean Shadow combined with her [Merciful Shadow Art; Graceful Shadow Regeneration].

Most attempting to settle their rivalries with Amadeus, Mael, Regulus or Jon.

"Things are getting heated up folks! Just nine participants remaining our seasonal free-for-all tournament! All four of our frontrunners are doing their best to maintain their spiritual energy levels but are continuing to be pestered from ranged attacks and Spell effects!"

"What do you think Nestor!?"

The familiar sound of a certain floresiensis interrupting the cheering crowd caused Sariel to roll her eyes, scoffing as both Wilheim and Anthony relished in their newfound duties as announcers. After witnessing the sporting events from Jon and Amadeus' memories, the Wisdom Of Myriad Lands could not help but think of another way to generate wealth in their bustling town.

Another voice echoed throughout the boundaries that Flavian encompassed, enhanced through the effects of a Knight Ranked Echoing Sound Amplifier.

The Strategos Of Time And Words hummed, his mechanical clockwork voice possessing a certain level of emotion to it that did not exist at Mortality.

"The remaining Second-Veined Knights do not possess the same longevity as Amadeus, Mael or Regulus. Considering that the use of summoned companions are prohibited, Shamael is severely limited in the number of options at his disposal. His hydra-type transformation is indeed formidable but lacks the mobility to keep up with his opponent."

"The Spiritus Ensis Sanctus and Son Of Wolves And Hunger are also locked into battle with one another. Mael possesses a greater offensive might through his Sword Mana Core and Wrath Mana Core although requires a single decisive blow to counter Regulus' Incarnation Mana Core."

"The tribune and princeps on the other hand-."

Amadeus gritted his teeth, activating his Fragment Of Burst, Fragment Of Ira and Fragment Of Destruction. A figurative flood of spiritual energy exploded outwards from his Weapon Mana Core and Destruction Mana Core, saturating Nennius; Soul-Rending Greatsword and Caesar; Soundless Towershield.

The sound of Caesar scrapping against the ground caused nearby Mortals to wince, unable to escape the effects of it Knight Ranked ability. Despite Flavius intercepting the debilitating effects produced by the Soundless Towershield, infinitesimal amounts of weapon natured damage still struck those too close to the arena floor.

"Stop fucking moving!" He shouted, the ground cracking beneath his scaled feet as he swung Nennius out in a wide arc. The Fragment Of Soul that Amadeus had integrated into it at Knighthood, allowing the spiritual construct to pierce through defences and to strike the spirit directly.

Stolen novel; please report.

His opponent, the Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation, merely responded with a scattered barrage of intangible spear constructs. His hand glowing with the image of his Longinus-Rune Spirit, producing over a dozen instances of [Thou Art The Monarch Of Spears And Truth] all at once, without him needing to utter a single word.

Each one of the intercepted by the Soundless Towershield, shattering against its ornate appearance and causing Amadeus to be pushed back several steps. The Fourth-Veined Knight gritting his teeth before letting out a horrifying roar, allowing a burst of dragon natured spiritual energy to escape from his lips.

[Draconic Art; Sound Of The Dragons Wrath].

A rippling wave of sound emerged from his fanged maw.

Although imperceptible to Mortal eyes, his opponent let out a small tsk, seeing the wave of sound transform itself into wingless dragon, launching itself forward in a horrifying burst of speed.

The carved stone floor of the Immortal Training Arena collapsed under the immense concentration of dragon natured spiritual energy. Even as his opponent attempted to evade the once-linear attack, his eyes widened seeing it curve in accordance with his movements. The wrathful expression on its face staring into him, unblinking as it charged towards him.

Glaucus encasing his shoulders and head, while continuing to grip onto both Luin and Assail in each hand. Although he considered using one of the other participants as a shield, Jon just took a deep breath, extending his hand forward in the direction of Amadeus' ranged Technique.

The Princeps Of The Wandering Mutation smiling as he activated his own Fragment Of Spellfrost Destruction.

[Fragment Of Spellfrost Destruction] [Frosted Requiem Of The White Spellstar] (Ice, Destruction, Spell, Technique, Spell, Ability, Enhancement, Debuff)

Effect (Knight): Enter the [Stance Of The White Spellstar], saturating the flesh and muscles with the cold and horrendous strength of spellfrost destruction. Leaving the [Stance Of The White Spellstar] while still possessing [Requiem Charges] will instead restore spiritual energy.

While within the [Stance Of The White Spellstar] successful strikes against enemies will generate instances of [Requiem Charges] up to a maximum threshold. While within the [Stance Of The White Star] expend instances of [Requiem Charge] to cast either [Spellfrost Requiem] or [Spellstar Destruction].

[Stance Of The White Spellstar]: Increases physical strength and physical endurance. Physical strikes will inflict traces of ice natured damage.

[Requiem Charges]: Infinitesimally increases stamina regeneration. Additional stacks have an additive effect.

[Spellfrost Requiem]: Releases a concussive wave of ice natured spiritual energy in all directions using oneself as the point of origin. Requires five [Requiem Charges].

[Spellstar Destruction]: Launches crescent-shaped waves of ice natured spiritual energy towards enemies. Successful hits will generate instances of [Requiem Charges]. Requires three [Requiem Charge].

Jon slamming his dominant foot against the ground, shattering the reinforced stone floor of the Immortal Training Arena. Five of the stored [Requiem Charges] within his Fragment Of Spellfrost Destruction expended in an instant, as an explosive wave of ice natured spiritual energy erupted in all directions around him.

The sound of dragon natured spiritual energy and ice natured spiritual energy crashing into one another resounded throughout Flavius Imperialis. Fine dust particles created from the shattered monoliths that littered the arena floor kicked up high into the air, obscuring the visions of those without perception-type fragments.

Despoina and Aerion both swooping down in order to retrieve another injured Second-Veined Knight. The two Knight Ranked phoenixes able to hear the sounds of Jon and Amadeus clashing even through the dust particles concealing their figures. The sound of Assail bouncing off Caesar and Luin being parried by Nennius echoed across the arena-shaped Memento Source Item.

"Stop running you coward!" Amadeus shouted, trying to aggravate Jon through the dust haze. His Fragment Of Awareness alerting him to the sound of footsteps behind him, grinning as he activated his Fragment Of Banishment.

[Violent Destruction Art; Banishing Tidal Wave].

His Destruction Mana Core surging as Amadeus swung out with Nennius.

The sound of the Soul-Rending Greatsword tearing the air around his summoned construct blew away all dust particles that preventing him from seeing his opponent. His grip around the Soundless Towershield tightening as he blocked against another flurry of extended thrusts.

Jon standing more than a dozen metres away, manipulating the Spear Of Cedarwood Transformations with a level of finesse that exceeded his Rank and Tier. His Wood Mana Core hardly drained of spiritual energy, nothing but his Archetype Twinleaf, somewhat draining his reserves of wood natured mana.

Amadeus unable to see his eyes or facial expressions, obscured beneath both the Heretical Chalk Protection and Mask Of Jade Lies. The latter enhancing the effectiveness of all abilities with the Wood Trait, including both his Fragment Of Incarnation and Fragment Of Spear. The spiritual shield effect of Glaucus had yet to activate, considering that no-one had yet managed to land a decisive blow on his Fragment Of-.

[Bestial Intuition].

Jon's pupils dilated, the hairs on the back of his neck uncurling themselves as his danger sense alerted him to another approaching threat. Waves of sword natured spiritual energy and phantasmal constructs of wolf natured spiritual energy launched towards him, forcing him to activate his Fragment Of Barrier.

[Imperial Wood Art; Towering Tree Barrier].

His Wood spiritual vein humming in response to his activated Spell, connecting to the Fragment Of Barrier it was born from.

With a single tap of his foot, the ground beneath Jon surged.

As his towering tree barrier enveloped him in a flowering protective barrier of wood, sap and leaves. With the addition of a Fragment Of Tower into [Temperance Of Green, Imperial Wood Barrier], the sheer size and growth that his Spell could achieve was astounding even without overloading it.

Trees sprouted from the ground around him, coiling their leaves and branches around each other to prevent even light from entering. The internal structure of the towering tree barrier was Jon's to shape and his to command, growing further and further upwards with each passing moment.

Swords slashed against bark, halted after encountering the viscous sap contained within it. Wolves snarled and chewed on leaves, dissipating after striking their target.

Despite Mael and Regulus abandoning their own battle and joining in on Amadeus' assault on Jon, neither of them managed to land a successful blow against the human. The three of them glancing towards one another before lifting their heads to stare up at the chalk-armoured figure above them.

"Ah shit… I think we pissed him off with this one," Regulus muttered, spitting onto the ground beside him as his spiritual veins swiftly connected with their associated fragments. Amadeus and Mael doing the same, biting their lips as a shared thought crossed all their minds.

'There is no way in hell I plan on losing again to this bastard!'

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