Regression of the Genius Extra
Chapter 52 -: 52, Second Round (part_2)

The six fights between the Blessed were as follows:

"’Sage Penelope’ and ’Priest Charlotte’"

"’Dark Knight Azaria’ and ’Marksman Julia’"

"’Sage Kieran’ and ’Summoner Alexander’"

"’Dark knight Caspian’ and ’Nightblade Jack’"

"’Berserker Duron’ and ’Bloodmage Isla’"

"’Hero Aldric’ and ’Witch Grace’"

The minor rounds were already decided, so there wasn’t any need for Saintess Lily to personally announce the contenders, the remaining fight can be handled by the referee.

As their fight was the first to begin, Penelope and Charlotte both stepped onto the arena. As soon the whistle signaled for the start of the fight, they both rushed at each other.

Penelope never really used a weapon and it was her first time ever fighting hand to hand in both of her lifetime as the time she had for preparation was spent on obsessing over Dainsleif, which resulted in her being pushed back by Charlotte at the beginning of the fight.

But despite that, she was adapting pretty well because of the passive skill she created with her skill ’Creation’. This new passive skill made her learn and adapt the battle techniques of her opponents the longer she fought them.

Within just ten minutes, she has completely adapted and learned Charlotte’s ’Holy Battle Art’. And she then began to push her back. Within just five more minutes, Penelope secured her victory.

Both the judges and audience were shocked. They had expected Penelope to be strong, but this was out of their imagination. They couldn’t understand why Penelope’s clumsy moves at the beginning became just as proficient as Charlotte, since she obviously didn’t have any attributes like Dainsleif’s [Prodigy].

Anyway, after their fight ended, they both went back to their seats and rested.

After them, Azaria and Julia stepped onto the arena, both with their weapons. Julia was shocked to see Azaria holding a bow just like her. She was confused as to why Azaria, being a Dark Knight, would use a bow that she wasn’t good at using.

She then moved the thought aside. She thought it would only give her a slight advantage. Man, how wrong she was.

While she was fighting Abigail, Azaria had already mimicked most of Julia’s skills and abilities, including the mana arrow, eagle eye and even her mastery of the bow. The same proficiency Julia needed many years to reach was reached by Azaria in just some minutes.

Their fight began, and Azaria was the first one to shoot an arrow that directly passed by Julia’s shoulders in front of her shocked gaze. Julia looked back at the now disappearing arrow, her heart racing rapidly. That arrow was clearly a ’mana arrow’, her skill.

How? How did Azaria manage to learn it when it was clearly an innate skill, only awakened within a person if they have a class related to its type. But how did she get it when her class was only focused on dark magic and brute sword fight?

The people watching their fight were also shocked, especially Dainsleif. He was completely confused as to how Azaria managed to replicate Julia’s skill when she never did that in the previous life.

Azaria didn’t stop and directly aimed at Julia’s legs. When Julia realized what she’d do, she quickly tried to dodge but unfortunately, she was a second too late.

"Guh!" she yelped in the sudden pain that coursed through her leg. She quickly tried to get that out before she lost any more blood when another arrow came rushing and directly pierced her shoulders.

The pain intensified as the sources increased. The mana arrows might disappear within a few seconds, but for that duration, she would be unable to if she doesn’t take them both out right away.

This time, she waited as her body was already halfway paralyzed and every attempt to move would cause intense pain. But the arrow never came. She looked up to see Azaria walking out of the arena with calm steps, completely ignoring her state.

The healers quickly rushed forward and casted healing magic, quickly filling her wounds and leading her to a safe spot.

Nobody said anything but it was pretty obvious, Azaria had won this round.

After them, it was turn for Kieran and Alexander to fight, so they both stepped onto the arena.

Alexander already knew that he was no match for Kieran without a summoned beast, but despite that, he decided to try his best and test the gap between them. He knew he would lose but even then, he decided to give it his all.

Soon, their fight started. Alexander quickly rushed using his sword while Kieran stood there, waiting for him with his spells ready. As soon as Alexander came within Kieran’s range, Kieran unleashed his externa water skill that he learned through Lilith.

Alexander moved aside while still charging towards him, his blade was flowing in his hand as it waited for its user to slice the enemy with it.

Kieran expected this and then casted a lightning spell, which came out of his hand and struck towards Alexander. The lightning spell indeed struck Alexander and he felt the electricity coursing through his body, causing great pain that was getting difficult to endure.

Eventually, Alexander knelt down as Kieran was announced victorious in their fight. Both of them went back to their seats while Alexander was still feeling a slight static effect, which stung a little but not that much.

*

Hestia, who awkwardly sat beside Dainsleif, looked at his face that seemed like he was contemplating something. Her heart skipped with dread as the possibility of Dain realizing their regression would ruin the dream coronation of hers.

But even now, she couldn’t do anything but to just hope everything would go normally until she wears the crown. Clasping her hands, she closed her eyes and prayed to any of the dead gods and the remaining ones to just let her coronation go smoothly.

To be continued...