Leveling Up With My Dragon System-Chapter 71: Display Of Power

"Impressive," Colonel Skai’s voice echoed through the arena. "Your understanding of the dragon node is truly remarkable, Kai." The colonel’s praise was met with a mix of awe and jealousy from the recruits. Kai’s teammates rushed to congratulate him, slapping him on the back and offering words of encouragement.

"You’re unstoppable," Rerna whispered, her eyes sparkling with admiration.

Kai couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. "We’re all getting stronger," he said, trying to deflect the attention.

The battles raged on, each recruit pushing their limits. As the tournament progressed, the intensity grew. The remaining matches were filled with suspense and excitement as the recruits’ unique abilities clashed in spectacular displays of power.

In the stands, the students and staff watched eagerly, discussing the outcomes and placing bets on who would make it to the top. Team 12’s victories had earned them newfound respect, and even some of their former naysayers had become supporters.

The next match was about to begin, with Erik facing off against Team 4’s Fairy node bearer, with his specialization in plants and nature a tall and lanky boy named Leif. Despite his nonchalant demeanor, Leif’s ability to manipulate the foliage around the arena made him a formidable opponent.

The arena grew quiet as the two stepped into the ring. "Ready?" The referee’s voice crackled over the speakers. Both Erik and Leif nodded. The crowd watched with bated breath, eager to see what tricks the plant-wielding recruit had up his sleeve.

Leif’s first move was swift, sending vines shooting out of the ground to ensnare Erik. But Erik was prepared for this, his lightning node allowing him to anticipate and counter such attacks. He danced around the vines with an agility that surprised even his teammates.

"Looks like the plant boy’s got some competition," Frode quipped, nudging Kai.

Erik smirked as he watched the vines coming towards him. His eyes flashed with lightning, and with a flick of his wrist, the vines snapped and retreated into the ground. The crowd gasped, realizing the extent of his power.

Leif, unfazed, chuckled. "Is that all you’ve got?" He raised his hands, and suddenly, the entire arena was engulfed in thick foliage, obscuring the view of the fight. The sound of rustling leaves and branches filled the air, along with the faint buzz of hidden creatures.

Erik’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the jungle that had sprung up around him. He knew Leif was playing to his strengths, but the arena’s size was working against the fairy node bearer. "You might control the plants, but you can’t control the lighting," Erik murmured to himself, a smug smile playing on his lips.

With a flick of his wrist, bolts of lightning shot out, zigzagging through the dense vegetation, seeking out their target. Leif, anticipating this move, had already retreated into the canopy above, his form blending with the leaves.

"You think you can hide from me?" Erik called out, his voice echoing through the foliage.

Leif’s only response was a whisper of the wind that rustled the leaves. Suddenly, the plants around Erik began to move in an eerie dance, their vines reaching out like snakes seeking prey. Erik’s eyes darted around, his heart racing. He could feel the electricity building in his fingertips, ready to strike at any moment.

In a flash of light, Leif descended from the canopy, a whirlwind of leaves and vines surrounding him. Erik leaped into action, releasing a barrage of lightning bolts. The arena was a blur of light and shadow as the bolts met the whirlwind in a cacophony of electric sparks and shredding foliage.

The two combatants moved with a grace that belied their deadly intent, each trying to outmaneuver the other. Leif’s vines wrapped around Erik’s arms, but the latter’s lightning bolts sizzled through them, leaving only ashen strands. Meanwhile, Erik’s swift movements made it near impossible for Leif to land a hit, his fists crackling with electricity as they danced around the fairy node bearer.

Suddenly, a vine snaked around Erik’s ankle, tripping him. Before he could recover, Leif was upon him, a branch coated in thorns aimed at his chest. In a moment of desperation, Erik unleashed a powerful lightning strike that obliterated the branch, the electricity arcing through the air and striking Leif squarely in the stomach.

The fairy node bearer’s eyes went wide with shock, his body convulsing as he was thrown back into the thick foliage. The arena lights flickered, the plants around them withering as the excess energy dissipated. The crowd held its breath, unsure if Leif would get back up.

Erik took a moment to gather himself, his breaths coming in ragged gasps. His heart pounded in his chest, a mix of excitement and fear coursing through his veins. He had never pushed his lightning node this far in a fight before.

The foliage around them began to clear, and through the gaps in the leaves, they could see Leif struggling to stand, his once-green clothes now singed and blackened. His eyes burned with determination as he glared at Erik, a hint of admiration shimmering in their depths. "You’re... strong," he managed to say between wheezes.

Erik slowly got to his feet, his body aching from the intense battle. He knew he couldn’t let his guard down, not yet. The tournament was a test of endurance and strategy as much as it was of brute strength. "Thank you," he replied, his voice strained but courteous. "But it’s not over until the bell rings."

The crowd watched with bated breath as Leif’s plants began to regrow around him, forming a protective barrier. The fairy node bearer’s face was a mask of pain, but his eyes shone with a newfound respect for his opponent. He knew he had to pull out all the stops if he wanted to win.

"Let’s finish this," Leif murmured, his voice barely audible over the murmur of the crowd. He raised his hand, and the ground beneath Erik’s feet began to tremble. A giant, thorn-covered vine shot up from the earth, aiming to entangle the lightning node bearer in its deadly embrace.

Erik’s eyes widened, but he remained unfazed. He leaped into the air, the vine narrowly missing him as it slammed into the arena floor. He hovered there for a moment, lightning crackling around his body, charging his fists with electricity. The crowd below watched in awe as the two opponents faced off, their power levels evening out.

"Is he... flying?" someone murmured from the stands.

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