Rise of the Devourer
Book 4: Chapter 15 — Tournament Pt. 2

As workmen completed cleaning up the burn marks from Aurelia’s match, the arena floor shone in the afternoon sun. The crowd buzzed with excitement, a thousand voices forming a constant hum of speculation.

Noah rose in the viewing box as his name was announced for the next match. His friends offered brief encouragement—not grand gestures, but the kind of support that came from people who knew exactly what he was walking into.

“Don’t get frozen solid out there,” Seraphina quipped dryly.

“She’s good, but you’re better,” Aurelia said with the certainty of experience.

Noah nodded, double-checked his gear, and headed toward the arena entrance. The hallway leading down felt unexpectedly cool, and as he entered the tunnel, he saw why: frost clung to the walls.

Stepping out into the blazing sun, the announcer’s voice boomed across the colosseum.

“Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for our second match of the first round! From the south gate, representing the Windrest Adventurers Guild—Noah Brown!”

Reactions varied across the crowd. Some cheered for the novelty of an Outerworlder, others murmured about his void-touched reputation. Noah lifted a hand in acknowledgment, but the lights rendered the audience a shifting blur of color.

“The Void Walker has reached level 200, having passed both trials with flying colors,” the announcer continued. “Scouts from across the realms are watching him for his rare blend of void magic and draconic powers!”

A voice shouted, “Show us some of those draconic powers!” followed by laughter and cheers.

“And now, from the north gate, hailing from the frozen Northern Reaches—Lyralei Frostborn!”

Immediately, the temperature dropped. Frost spread across the ground from the tunnel entrance in intricate, crystal-like patterns that sparkled like diamonds under the sun. As Lyralei emerged, she commanded the space with an undeniable presence.

Her pale blue skin looked like it shimmered with internal frost, her white hair flowed as if caught in a perpetual winter breeze, and her pure white eyes resembled the heart of a blizzard. Light armor allowed for agile movement, and frost formed wherever she stepped.

The crowd’s tone shifted—no longer boisterous, but reverent. Ice magic earned respect, and Lyralei’s name carried weight.

“The Ice Maiden has dominated northern tournaments for three consecutive years,” the announcer said. “She’s undefeated in single combat and is often compared to the frost mages of legend!”

“My money’s on the ice lady,” someone called from above. “That boy’s about to learn cold the hard way!”

“Don’t count out the Outerworlder,” another retorted. “Did you see what he did during the trials?”

Noah and Lyralei met at the arena’s center to exchange greetings, a tradition of respect. Up close, she radiated an intimidating chill, like standing near a frozen lake.

“It is an honor to face you,” she said, her voice touched by a northern accent. “I’ve heard interesting things.”

“Likewise. Your reputation precedes you,” Noah replied.

They parted to take their starting positions. Noah summoned his red glaive, its weight familiar. Lyralei conjured a pair of flawless ice daggers, sharp as razors.

“Are the fighters ready?” the announcer called.

The arena hushed. Only the wind and distant crackle of frost could be heard.

“Start!”

Lyralei moved first. Instead of advancing, she slammed her foot down, sending a wave of ice racing across the arena. Frost spread in complex patterns, transforming the battlefield in moments.

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Noah leapt back and ignited the flames in his boots, melting the ice climbing his legs. Steam hissed around his feet.

But Lyralei was already skating effortlessly across the surface, fluid and graceful. Noah struggled for footing.

She struck suddenly with her daggers. He barely blocked the blow, frost crawling up his weapon and numbing his grip.

“Interesting,” she murmured. “Your fire burns hot, but ice is patient.”

She hurled both daggers. Noah sidestepped, only to realize too late they weren’t aimed at him—they exploded into shards, peppering his arms and legs with numbing cold.

The whole floor was now ice. Lyralei glided effortlessly while Noah expended energy just staying upright. He activated Abyssal Inferno, encasing himself in flame. Some ice melted, but Lyralei waved her hand, dropping the temperature even more.

“She’s controlling the entire field,” Seraphina observed from the box. “Using ambient temperature to weaken his fire.”

Lyralei attacked with curved short swords, precise and elegant. Each hit sapped more heat, slowing Noah down. The cold affected his reflexes and mana flow. She unleashed a flurry of strikes, driving Noah backward. Each move had layered intent: damage, debilitation, positioning.

Suddenly, she slammed both hands into the ground, summoning a forest of ten-foot ice spikes. A translucent maze formed.

“Can’t see a damn thing now.”

“That’s the point. She turned the arena into a weapon.”

Within the maze, the cold intensified. The ice amplified itself, and visibility was low. Lyralei’s voice echoed.

“Winter’s embrace. Few escape.”

Noah tried melting the walls, but the fire faltered in the cold. An ice dagger nearly struck his head. He turned—another dagger from a different wall. He was surrounded.

“She’s using the whole maze!”

Ice spikes grazed his shoulder. His arm numbed, his spear felt heavier. He tried Void Annihilation, but his void lightning fizzled against the walls.

“Void magic’s failing! The cold’s shutting him down!”

Lyralei whispered through the maze: “The cold always wins.”

Noah was being dismantled. Reflexes, speed, magic—all stifled.

Then, he felt it: a tingle in his chest.

Arcane Step has been upgraded to rank Elite.

Noah barely had time to look at the ability, as he ran purely on instinct. As another spike surged up, he activated his ability. The world unraveled, space unwinding in front of him. He noted he could see the mana moving between Lyralei and her magic, but he didn’t have time. Stepping through, he teleported to the arena’s edge.

The crowd stared in confusion, as Noah teleported again, this time into his Cosmic Vault disappearing entirely.

Lyralei spun, stunned. Noah didn’t wait. He teleported behind her, spear mid-swing. She summoned an ice shield, but he vanished again, reappearing to her side as his spear pierced her side. Ice spread across her wound in an instant, sealing it, but Noah was gone already.

Moving back he let his void lightning manifest. Running purely on instinct, he let Arcane Step activate, teleporting not himself but just his attack. Space twisted as the bolts of lightning arced in impossible geometries before striking Lyralei from all directions.

Lyralei was forced to defend. Her ice maze was useless, he bypassed it completely. She attempted to freeze the air, but he moved faster than she could react.

“Teleportation,” she breathed. “You hid that well.”

“Can’t just show all my cards,” Noah replied with a wink, teleporting above her.

The audience roared with every blink. Lyralei tried an ice storm, filling the sky with shards. Noah combined Arcane Step with Cosmic Vault, teleporting and launching knives.

She couldn’t land a hit. He chipped away at her, each blow restoring warmth and fire. Lyralei summoned one last storm, ice whirling in every direction. But Noah dodged through it, using Arcane step to teleport away any ice shards that came near him, becoming the eye of the storm as he calmly moved through the battlefield.

He walked right up to her, spear inches from her throat.

“Yield,” he said.

Lyralei stared at the tip, then nodded.

“I yield,” she announced.

The crowd erupted as barriers fell. A standing ovation for a comeback well-earned.

“What a match!” the announcer cried. “The Outerworlder has turns defeat into victory with astonishing spatial magic!”

Noah lowered his spear and offered a hand. Lyralei took it.

“Well played,” she said. “You waited until the perfect moment.”

“Thanks. Your ice maze nearly had me.”

“Almost,” she smiled. “But ‘almost’ doesn’t win tournaments.”

As he returned back to the the viewing box, his friends welcomed him with smiles. Noah grinned back.

“Didn’t think I’d unlock it in time until ten minutes ago,” Noah admitted. “The announcements of contestants all being a bit slow might have saved me. I’ll need some practice though,” Noah said, before finally opening the ability’s description.

Arcane Step (Legendary, Elite) - lvl 50

You can perceive spacetime like an extension of your senses. Find yourself capable of bending space to teleport with yourself or nearby objects. Magical barriers no longer impede you. Become capable of bending magic itself, and manipulating reality with ease.

Noah whistled as he read the description. So that’s what had been going on. I expect no less from my second best ability. After Tony of course.

Below, workers repaired the arena, melting ice and sealing cracks. The crowd was eager for the next fight.

Noah leaned back, satisfied. Lyralei had been a challenge, but he’d still managed to keep most of his abilities hidden.

Either way, round one was over. And Noah had just beat the favoured victor for the tournament.

Now, he just had to repeat that till he was the only one remaining.