UNLIMITED SPEED

"Okay?" Noah sat on the bed in his assigned room. In his palms was a shining stone the size of a man's fist.

It shimmered with energy and resembled a rare item.

"What do I do with it now?" He asked the system while inspecting the object that now contained Erolia's soul or spirit.

[[You can simply store it for use in the future. The spirit of beings will find its use as you advance higher in the tiers of power. They are rare to properly obtain after all]]

Noah read the panel containing the systems reply. His mind fell into a moment of wonder. What exactly could he need with a spirit?

His mouth curved into a smile a few seconds after. He honestly had no ideas but his instincts told him it would be fun.

Noah stored the stone and felt the aura it had once bathed the room in, disappear. It felt magical, as it was.

He fell on his bed again before diving into a series of conversations with the system. Its reply truly felt more human. The only thing missing was a voice.

The night of the first day in the city of Elidra passed quickly. The next day would prove to be more eventful than Noah had initially thought.

A knock on the door pulled Noah out of his slumber. He was forced to recall just how many times that scenario had happened. It had to be a curse or something.

A voice reached him from behind the door. He answered with a loud voice even if his eyes still wanted to close in sleep.

Sleep was bliss.

Loria entered with Madison. The second-place winner peeked at his lying figure. Noah noticed her presence, cursed inwardly, and sat up.

His face looked like he had always been awake, unable to be affected by the grogginess of sleep.

"Hey," Noah waved allowing sleep vanish from his eyes.

"Hey..." Madison blushed a bit. Loria inspected that relationship and wondered.

"You know that place we saw yesterday? I and Bon decided to spar there. You know just to test how much we've improved," Madison explained.

An eyebrow rose on Noah's face at her words. He recalled the open court which was available to them for sparring.

"Okay?" He asked.

"I can't spar with you. You might die," he pointed out quite genuinely. Still, his words sounded like bragging to Loria. She held her peace.

Madison felt taken aback, but she was daring by nature.

"I see. I still wanna test my strength on you, however. But in the meantime, I'll spar a bit with Bon. Come watch us," she ushered even if she still stood at the entrance point.

Noah clicked his tongue silently, but he got off his bed anyway.

'Isn't Bon still in the middle stage,' he wondered when his gaze finally focused on Loria.

"What is she doing here?" He asked, approaching them.

"I have been tasked to escort you wherever," Loria bowed.

"Interesting. I'd love to see your spectacular power," Noah pointed out. Loria remained silent raising her head.

"That would be interesting," Madison chipped in as they left his room and began their journey to the said court under the sky itself.

"But seriously, are you allowed to spar with us," Noah's gaze swept the court before momentarily finding its focus on Loria's figure. Her maid attire seemed to have been sewn just for her. And it was.

"If it's a request, I am able to fulfill it," she nodded. She seemed to have lost her expressive attitude. Maybe because of the added people.

"Then it's a request," Noah stopped focusing on her to once again look at the court. Madison and Bon were already facing each other from two opposite points on its surface.

The court was laid out with fine stone painted a vibrant red color and its edges were painted back.

The court being about the size of a football field but circular In color, had inscriptions laid on its edges to create a ring where those inside it would not have the fear of flying outside.

Loria had activated that function by stumping on the ground outside of the field, but very close to it.

The rings of light were also red giving the surrounding a weird vibe.

Both figures on the court's surface had their weapons in their grip, but since it was only a spar they would try their best to reduce their attack power.

Nevertheless, with Bon only at the peak of the middle stage, he was somewhat given the chance to fight with all his might.

Madison on the other hand would need to tone down the expression of her power to prevent the death of her mate.

'What is the point of a spar if the other person can't already win,' Noah shook his head catching the attention of an attentively watching Loria.

She would make no hesitation to step in if Bon was in danger. Noah too.

"Are you ready?" Madison asked cracking her whip. It felt dangerous to Bon.

"Yes," the sword wielder responded and both individuals felt their attention peaked.

Madison wanted to display her power to Noah since he had been the biggest challenge. While Bon wanted to prove he was still relevant.

They would not use spells, only a bit of empowerment. At least for Bon.

Silence swept the court and a tense atmosphere formed. Noah silently applauded them. That level of concentration right off the bat was impressive. Even if he could do it too.

They eventually moved.

The wind blew and the sound barrier trembled as both figures sped forward creating streaks of their different attire.

Noah could follow their movements perfectly fine, but he had to admit that they were quick.

Their weapons clashed and Bon already found himself in trouble.

The long-ranged ability of a whip was completely disadvantageous to him who wielded a fairly long sword.

Madison had a light smile on her face as she tugged at the metallic weapon caught in her whips spiked grip.

Bon clenched his teeth, he stumped his foot on the ground entering a stance that would not allow his weapon to be taken away.

If his sword managed to leave his grip the battle was as good as won. He still had a lot to show off.

Madison got serious. Even with her pull, she couldn't yank the man's weapon away from him. They were in a standoff. But not for too long.

Madison abruptly let go of Bon's silver blade in hopes of destabilizing him. She achieved her aim, but only for a moment.

Her survival instincts trembled as Bon swung his sword in an array of attacks. His movement was telegraphed and practiced, so she instantly knew it was a technique. How would it affect me? she thought while creating enough distance.

Nothing happened.

"What was that?" she asked a randomly moving Bon when realization dawned on her. He had played her into getting defensive.

She was right, Bon dashed forward ready to unleash his real martial arts on her.

"Sixth form; Arms of the seventh spider," Bon muttered. His aura exploded and the wind around him grew troubled. He wasn't of the wind affinity but his attention was able to stir it up until it even turned foggy and mist-like.

Madison felt her instincts rage. He was going for the kill straight away.

Bon came to a sharp halt and he swung his sword at a defenseless Madison. Or so he thought.

Pain reached his mind and a burning sensation exploded on his waist. His arm tilted to the side as a result and a huge slash unfolding in the shape of a spider with seven arms flew forward; its shape mapped out by the thick wind around it.

The wind blew violently at its advance. Even Noah felt it could hurt him.

Bon felt his body being flung sideways, while Madison managed to dodge most of the slash but still had three of the spider arms hit her. Cuts opened on her chest and she slid backward for a few meters.

The rest of the spidery attack now missing three arms slammed on the barrier, instantly disappearing. It was something placed in the fourth tier. They could never hope to affect it.

Silence unfolded as the misty wind cleared. But a clap broke it.