Chapter 1532 Super Dimensional <TOC> Chapter 1534 Hydra’s Serpent Eyes
Translator: SumTLMan
The arrival of Angel still resonated, its impact yet to fully subside. But the countdown on the light screen had already begun its final descent.
The lights in the outer arena dimmed again, leaving only the Boundless Arena under the dome faintly illuminated.
All eyes were involuntarily drawn to the Boundless Arena.
When the countdown reaches zero, within the Boundless Arena, a man named Dominico, who had previously been smiling and bantering theatrically with Spivey, instantly changed his demeanor. Unsheathing his sword, ethereal roses floated around him, “Are you ready to lift the curtain on this drama where the finale is my victory over you?”
“The outcome is still uncertain,” replied Spivey, as he lightly touched the crimson lips on his jester’s mask. An oppressive fog of darkness began to envelop the area immediately.
With an air of casualness, Dominico let his slender sword slowly descend. The moment the tip touched the ground, a surge of immense energy erupted from him.
A spell model, long prepared, was finally unleashed at this moment. The channel for spellcasting followed his fingertips into the slender sword and then slowly seeped into the earth.
An invisible energy amassed deep within the ground.
Spivey felt a slight tremor emanating from beneath the floor, accompanied by an ominous sense of danger.
His wizardly instincts, honed through years of training, kicked in. The moment he sensed something amiss, Spivey unhesitatingly leapt into mid-air.
Just as he left the ground, a voracious maw emerged from the earth, with countless root-like tendrils bursting forth like an exploding fountain, transforming the spot where he had stood into a menacing ocean of thorns.
“Do you think that by leaping into the air, you’ve escaped all danger? How naive!”
Spivey abruptly turned around, only to see that at some unknown moment, Dominico had thrust his slender sword into the ground. The sword immediately transformed into countless vines of roses.
These rose vines surged in growth, swiftly reaching a height of over ten meters and encircling Spivey in a circular formation.
At that moment, vivid red roses successively bloomed on the vines.
A pale pink pollen was released as the rosebuds unfurled, wafting through the air. Countless rose petals, caught in a tempest, transformed into razor-sharp blades that darted towards Spivey.
The ground was an ocean of thorny vines, while above him floated an undetermined pollen. He was caught in a precarious position between a rock and a hard place.
Either he could force his way out, or just endure the hardship. The former would inevitably lead to entanglement with the thorny rose vines; the latter was essentially waiting for doom. So no matter which path he chose, from Dominico’s perspective, Spivey was…
“Doomed without a doubt!”
Just as Dominico was basking in his triumph, a cold voice suddenly whispered beside his ear, “Is that so?”
He abruptly looked back, only to see a jester’s mask floating behind him.
The mask bore a bizarre crimson grin that seemed to mock his ignorance.
Dominico caught a glimpse of the center encircled by pollen and thorny vines, where only a wisp of black mist remained. The jester’s mask had disappeared.
Moreover, the black mist inside the circle grew dimmer, while behind the jester mask in front of him, shadowy figures started to emerge.
A flicker of surprise flashed through Dominico’s eyes. How had the Deceiver managed to escape? Clearly, he hadn’t made any moves. How did he manage to break free?
As Dominico’s heart raced with astonishment, a dazzling silver light suddenly flashed in one of the eyes of the jester’s mask.
In an instant, a myriad of swords flew out from the eyes. These swords had an eccentric design; their hilts were carved to resemble jesters’ skulls, and from the middle of the jester’s cap-shaped hilt, shimmering silver blades protruded.
Hundreds of jester swords aimed at Dominico.
Caught off guard, Dominico found the back of his hand pierced by one of these jester swords. The blade went straight through, creating a bloody hole.
Even with his protective spells, the blade penetrated effortlessly, attesting to its immense power!
Seeing more swords coming his way, Dominico dared not take the risk. He immediately transformed his flower vines into layers of protective shields surrounding him, fending off these razor-sharp blades.
However, when the next wave of jester swords made contact with the vines, there was no sound whatsoever. Reaching out, Dominico discovered that these jester swords were all illusions!
“Hee hee hee, fooled you——”
The jester’s eerie laughter reached Dominico’s ears.
He seemed to realize something and abruptly turned his head to look at the vines he had laid earlier. Spivey, whom he had thought had already escaped, was leisurely walking out from within.
Because Dominico had called back the vines for defense, there were gaps in the entanglement. Spivey was strolling out as if from a dire trap, completely unfazed.
“Your vine cage is flawless. However, you’ve been duped.”
As Spivey passed by, Dominico heard his murmur.
Only then did he understand that Spivey hadn’t actually escaped earlier. He had merely employed an illusion using a jester’s mask, leading Dominico to believe he had broken free. Then, using a real jester sword amidst countless illusionary ones, he forced Dominico to retract his vines for defense, allowing Spivey to casually stroll out.
It was as if it took no effort at all.
Dominico’s eyes flashed with anger. Just as he was about to retract his flowering vines, a jester’s dagger flew toward him from not far away.
The blade of the dagger reflected a haunting, cold light.
“Is it an illusion?” Dominico hesitated for a moment and withdrew his vines. But when the jester’s dagger struck his shoulder, Spivey from a short distance chuckled softly and reminded him, “This time it’s real.”
…
Outside the Boundless Arena.
Farina slowly moved her hovering seat closer to Angel: “The Deceiver truly lives up to his name, creating illusions that blur the line between reality and fiction.”
Angel: “There are no fluctuations of illusionary nodes. It’s just a play of light and shadow. It’s not difficult to break through.”
“Yes, but it’s unfortunate that the Spring Waltz was caught in the web spun by the Deceiver and was fooled for a moment. To perfectly construct such an atmosphere in this kind of competition shows his spell-craft is indeed exceptional.” Farina paused, “Who do you favor in this match?”
Angel pondered for a moment and said, “The Spring Waltz, still.”
Farina looked at Angel quizzically: “Oh?”
“I thought you’d say the Deceiver, especially after his outstanding performance just now. Moreover, Liana told me that Flora’s new disciple is a once-in-a-lifetime genius, progressing at a speed not slower than you, at least in the apprentice stage.”
Angel nodded, “Not just in the apprentice stage. I believe his advancement to becoming a formal wizard will also not be slower than mine.”
After all, Spivey was once the notorious ‘Little Demon’ Grak.
Although he transformed into Spivey, his memories and experiences didn’t vanish; even the original Sanders had returned his spatial badge to him. Inside that spatial badge was Spivey’s entire wealth from his days as the “Little Demon.” Armed with this foundation, advancing in realm would naturally be swift for him.
It could be said that his rapid advancement is justified. Even if he becomes a formal wizard, he is merely reclaiming what he had once lost.
Farina: “If that’s the case, why are you not optimistic about him? Or do you have some understanding of the Spring Waltz?”
Angel watches the ongoing match in silence. He has no insights into the Spring Waltz, nor does he think that Dominico could genuinely defeat Spivey. Whether it’s in terms of spells, experience, or even equipment, the Spring Waltz is clearly at a disadvantage.
One must understand that the variety of items in Spivey’s spatial badge is certainly extensive, more than enough to secure his victory.
But Angel still does not believe Spivey will “choose” to win.
Indeed, Angel has thought from the start that the outcome of the match is in Spivey’s hands.
Whether he chooses to win or lose is all a matter of his own volition, depending on how he wishes to enact this drama of victory or defeat.
Since Spivey has control over the pace of the match, will he opt for victory or defeat?
Angel thinks he might choose to lose.
As for the reason, Angel’s gaze subtly shifts, glancing towards the opposite side of the dome. There, “Old Night” Kemone is attentively watching the match, appearing to fulfill his role as a judge conscientiously.
Kemone is the reason Angel thinks Spivey might choose to lose.
Kemone and Grak are close friends, according to Kemone himself, and this fact is evidently known to both Farina and Hydra.
Considering their close friendship, Angel revisits his assessment of the match.
Given that Spivey has already “reincarnated,” he can’t afford to reveal his true identity to old friends until he surpasses or even exceeds the achievements of his former self, Grak. This means, in this competition, he must be cautious to not give any signs that would tip off Kemone.
Under such circumstances, he can’t employ any of his trump cards — like his former combat style, detailed battle tactics, and battle-tested experience, or even use items stored in his spatial badge.
All Spivey can rely on are generic tricks and the new combat styles he has learned. However, having reincarnated just a few short years ago, he hasn’t really learned much that’s new.
In essence, he’s fighting with one hand tied behind his back, while his opponent, the Spring Waltz, can bring all his strengths to bear.
The Spring Waltz is formidable in his own right; otherwise, the organizers wouldn’t have scheduled him to fight in the first match.
So even if Spivey briefly gains the upper hand, he can’t let loose; otherwise, he’s doomed to lose.
Angel keeps these thoughts to himself, leaving Farina waiting for an answer that never comes. Finally, she shrugs, “Well, I initially thought highly of Spivey, but if you insist that he’ll lose, then he probably will.”
The battle on the field continues to rage.
Five minutes into the match, Spivey has yet to launch an effective counter-attack, proving Angel’s suspicions correct. On top of that, his opponent, Dominico, is no fool. After being tricked twice, he becomes much more cautious. Spivey will find it difficult to fool him again.
Although Spivey hasn’t yet revealed any unique spells, he manages to hold his own based solely on his rich combat experience.
This prompts Farina to comment, “This trickster is very experienced in combat. If he had a few more powerful spells up his sleeve, this match would probably be over by now.”
Angel silently reflects: Spivey does have more than a few tricks. If his mischief can give even a wizard from the Twilight’s Edge a headache, it means he’s far from lacking in resources.
However, he simply doesn’t dare to use them now.
Angel sighs, acknowledging the role of unfortunate timing. If Kemone hadn’t been a special judge, Spivey would likely have won by now.
Chapter 1532 Super Dimensional <TOC> Chapter 1534 Hydra’s Serpent Eyes