A New World, An Immersive Game Experience

Eldrian didn't know what to make of how things had turned out. He had thought this would be a simple duel -albeit with no holds barred- between him and Levana to determine the ownership of the fort. Now it had turned into quite the spectacle.

Luckily, there weren't any other players or it would have been even more embarrassing.

Solvi and Sofiera had created a stage for them to fight on. Falling off wouldn't disqualify anyone, seems they just felt the surroundings would be destroyed if the two didn't contain their fight. Naturally, like the walls of the forts and towers they had created, the stage was quite sturdy.

Myropsis, on the other hand, had created a viewing area. At a distance of around twenty meters from the stage, she had set up multiple barriers to keep the effects of the duel from reaching them. Poor Jade, however, wasn't going to be included, her power getting in the way.

"This isn't fair!" She huffed, but no one regarded her with any sympathy. Their dry reply of "get a hold of you power then" did nothing to assuage the discrimination she felt.

"Is this all really necessary?" Eldrian asked as he saw the vampires arriving. All eleven of them. Each dressed for war.

"Of course." Solvi replied with a look that seemed to question if the hundred meter wide stage would be too small.

"Fine, I relent." Eldrian sighed, looking towards the vampires. Luckily, it appeared that Alec wasn't going to make a fuss. After inspecting the stage to ensure fairness, the vampires moved to the opposite side from Vivian and the others.

'This is kind of embarrassing...' Eldrian rubbed the back of his head in embarrassment as he climbed onto the stage. Noticing that all eyes were flirting between him and the firebird—which was resting a short distance away. The area surrounding it burnt and devoid of mana.

'What trouble has come to our doorsteps...' The strongest vampire, Alec thought as he watched Eldrian climb onto the stage. His charge, Levana, climbing up moments later.

The vampire appeared like a normal nobleman entering his late forties. Dressed impeccably and clearly well groomed. He could certainly be called handsome, if on the older side.

Shifting his focus to the bird of flames, the vampire scrutinized it and felt a shiver run through his old bones. The bird was deadly. It had a certain power that chilled the vampire.

Turning his sights to the crowd, the vampire frowned. He got a similar feeling from a scarlet haired woman standing beside the centaurette in human form. The feeling was not quite the same, but he also felt a power inside her. Something deadly.

Then there was the centaurette who was looking at him. She would certainly be difficult to defeat. The dwarf beside her would be even more troublesome since it appeared his equipment was designed to battle with the undead. While not optimized for vampires, the edge it would give him would be enough to bridge the gap Alec might have in stats and experience.

"Shall we start?" Eldrian asked, still dressed in casual clothing. Only holding his winged spear at his side. A strange weapon with a hidden power still locked behind the voidstone, nestled like a dragon's egg between the shaft and adamantine back blade.

"Are you looking down on me?" Levana questioned. Unlike Eldrian, she had changed into full armor.

To allow for optimal movement, her armor was a mix of chain and plate. Covering near her entire body in a tight fitting design.  The design was certainly impressive, not just for usability but also appearance.

To Eldrian's mana sense, she appeared like a Christmas tree. For some reason, she did not wear a helmet, instead; she had what appeared like a crown and earrings that covered her ears. Both of which shone with mana, the crystals enhancing their appearance clearly not just for show.

"Not at all." Eldrian smiled, trying to hide his embarrassment. "Sadly, I have no armor."

"Yet, you dared to..." she faltered, recalling the wave after wave of shock he had given her. "Forget it. How will we decide to start?"

She was impressed that Eldrian had added no traps, nor had he tried to prepare spells ahead of time. Of course, doing so would mean breaking the rules of the duel. Hence, she also behaved herself. Though, these rules weren't as clearly defined in the contract so there was some gray area.

"Since we prepared the stage, why don't your side declare the start of the match?" Eldrian offered, and Levana gladly accepted. Looking towards Alec, the old vampire nodded and moved forward.

"The match shall be decided when either party surrenders, is incapacitated...or dies." He had hesitated to the add the last. If it came to it, his life would be forfeited. Yet, with the contract signed, there was little he could do to change things now.

Much like Levana, he regretted having thought so little of Eldrian upon reports first arriving. If he had rushed to deal with the threat, perhaps thing could have been different. After a long pause, he finally mustered up the courage. "Begin!"

With the announcement of the fight, Levana rushed forward. Her speed was too much for poor Jade to even follow. With agility near to a thousand, Levana was truly fast. But Eldrian was not far behind her in speed.

Guarding with Crystoi, Eldrian deflected her lighting quick strikes while keeping a proper distance between himself and the vampire. A few seconds quickly passed with only the sounds of metal against metal filling the air.

'She's really quick.' Eldrian was having a hard time keeping up, luckily the distance a spear offered allowed him to survive the onslaught. Finally, the two separated. Having more or less gauged the other's abilities in a melee.

"Aren't you going to use magic?" Levana asked.

"Of course," Eldrian replied, smiling as he formed several icicles and sent them flying at the vampire.

Levana dodged beautifully, only to have the icicles follow her like homing missiles. After a few seconds of running and dodging, she struck the icicles from the air. Rushing Eldrian right after, hoping that he would not be able to cast any spells so quickly following.

To her dismay, she found another round of icicles flying at her. Having learnt that dodging them is impossible, she struck them from the air while keeping her advance moving. Not slowing in the least.

She struck at Eldrian with her blades, only to have her hand slip to the side by some invisible force. Her attack harmlessly moving past Eldrian as he moved to thrust his spear.

Jumping back, Levana flinched as an icicle struck her at the back of her shoulder. The icicle shattered harmlessly against her armor, but he had caught her off guard from her blind spot.

Certain she had struck down all the icicles, she froze as she realized the shattered ice had reformed and she was now surrounded by double the amount.

'So far, this is too easy,' Eldrian thought. The icicle had done no damage, but he felt no danger in the match.

'I can't hold back, it seems...' Levana straightened her back and re-gripped her daggers.

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