Earth's Greatest Magus

Chapter 2270: Shinta

It was finally Shintaʼs turn.

The weight of the entire Half-Blood Hallʼs fate bore down on her shoulders, and the anticipation from the spectators only added to the tension. Her heart pounded in her chest, each beat fueling the simmering irritation within her.

As she stepped forward, the intensity of the moment pushed her emotions to the surface, transforming them into a tangible force.

Dark, obsidian scales began to ripple across her skin, stark against the contrast of her silvery hair. The Khaos energy surged within her, filling her veins with raw, untamed power. It was as if the very essence of her lineage was awakening, responding to the challenge before her.

Her eyes locked onto Zhin, the Aryan factionʼs golden boy, her voice dripped with venomous resolve, ”Iʼll wipe that smirk off your pretty face.”

Zhin replies with a condescending chuckle ”Hahaha, little girl making scary faces… Iʼm so scared.”

In an instant, the playful demeanor disappeared as Zhinʼs silver chains snapped into motion. The first chain, tipped with sharp points, shot forward like a spear, aiming directly for Shintaʼs heart. The second chain, ending in a heavy, spiked ball, swung in a wide arc, attempting to encircle her like a constricting snake.

But Shinta was ready. Her irritation sharpened her focus, and the Khaos energy gave her reflexes an almost supernatural speed. In a flash, she sidestepped the thrusting chain, the sharp points slicing through the air just inches from her. Simultaneously, she twisted her body, evading the sweeping arc of the second chain with a fluid motion that left the heavy ball crashing into the ground where she had stood moments before.

Shinta, keenly aware of the tactics used in the previous battles, was not about to be caught off guard. As Zhinʼs chains snaked toward her, she released her verdant vines, letting them spring to life from the ground. The vines shot out like serpents, wrapping around the encircling chain and halting its deadly swing in midair. With the chains momentarily restrained, Shinta seized the opportunity and charged forward, her body a blur of motion.

Despite her speed, the sharp points of the other chain grazed her shoulder as she darted past, leaving a shallow but stinging wound. Ignoring the pain, she closed the distance between herself and Zhin. The Aryan championʼs confident expression faltered, replaced by a flash of panic. He attempted to retreat, but Shinta was relentless. With a swift, predatory strike, her clawed hand slashed across Zhinʼs face, leaving a jagged mark in its wake.

”ARRGHH!!! You filthy demon!!” Zhin screamed, his voice a mixture of rage and disbelief.

But Shinta had no intention of letting him escape so easily. Her vines, now fully under her control, coiled around Zhinʼs legs and arms, restricting his movements. Simultaneously, she utilized her exceptional movement technique to stay close, darting around his defenses and exploiting the weaknesses in his form. She was inside his guard, in the zone where his chains were less effective, and she pressed her advantage ruthlessly.

A barrage of clawed attacks followed, each strike aimed with deadly precision.

The audience, who had been buzzing with anticipation, fell silent in shock. The tide of the battle had turned so swiftly that many were left speechless. Zhin, once a formidable opponent, was now being driven back, his defenses crumbling under the onslaught.

His clothes were torn to shreds by the ferocity of Shintaʼs attacks, revealing something that made the spectators gasp in realization.

Beneath the tattered fabric was a full suit of silvery armor, gleaming under the arena lights. It was a high-grade Tier 5 armor, a powerful artifact that shielded Zhinʼs entire body. Despite Shintaʼs relentless strikes, her claws could not penetrate the armorʼs defenses, their force dissipating harmlessly against the metal. The appearance of the silver armor sent ripples through the audience. Though within the academyʼs regulations, its use was considered a cheap tactic, especially by someone of Zhinʼs high rank. However, the Aryan Church, with its unwavering commitment to their so-called divine mission, cared little for honor or reputation when it came to their goals.

”You half-bloods carry the taint of demons in your veins,” Zhin sneered, his voice echoing with conviction. ”Why would I hesitate to use the protection bestowed by the gods?”

The armor was not just a formidable defense. It also had a natural resistance to poisons, effectively neutralizing the passive toxins emitted by Shintaʼs [Calamity Body]. To make matters worse, the thick, enchanted metal blocked her attempts to use her devouring capabilities.

Despite these setbacks, Shinta remained unfazed. She assessed the situation, quickly realizing that her usual tactics would be ineffective against this opponent. But instead of showing frustration, she smiled—a smile that was both confident and unsettling.

”You really did go all out in preparing to fight me, didnʼt you?” she said, her tone light but laced with underlying menace. ”Iʼm so honored.”

Zhinʼs face twisted in disdain. ”Anything to stop the Devilʼs work!” he retorted, his chains clinking ominously as he readied himself for the next round.

Despite her agility and keen awareness of her opponentʼs movements, Shinta struggled with her primary weakness: a lack of raw offensive power. Even her newest skill, the [Duskvine Hex], proved to be only a temporary hindrance. It slowed Zhin down, weakening him slightly, but he seemed to shake off its effects with an almost unnerving ease.

Zhin appeared to possess some kind of additional ability that not only shielded him from physical attacks but also blocked her curses. Each time she attempted to channel her hexes, to sap his strength further or immobilize him, Zhin countered with an unseen force that rendered her efforts futile.

”Urrggh… I feel like tearing his head apart!” Shinta growled, frustration boiling over as she realized her usual tactics werenʼt working. Zhin continued to defend himself like a turtle hiding under a mountain, his silver chains swinging menacingly around him, warding off any attempt Shinta made to close the distance.

The battle took a turn for the worse as Zhin managed to ensnare her with his silver chains. The bindings tightened around her, cutting into her flesh and limiting her movements. Pain shot through her body as she struggled to break free. ʀäƝỌ𝐛Ęṣ

”Haha… Cry... cry… to your daddy!” Zhin taunted, his voice dripping with malicious glee.

The words stung, but they also ignited a deeper resolve within Shinta. She was sick of this arrogant opponent mocking her, especially her father.

At that moment, Shinta made a decision. She reached for a hidden card, something she had been reluctant to use, a gift from her father.

With a determined glint in her eyes, she pulled out a graceful, ethereal-looking blade as white as snow. [Gentle Sword]

This was the sword of Shintaʼs mother, a cherished weapon that Emery had entrusted to her. It held immense sentimental value, and Shinta had always been reluctant to use it, unwilling to even scratch it. But she felt the will of both her parents guiding her, and drew the blade, feeling its power surge through her.

With renewed determination, Shinta began to dismantle the chains encircling her, severing them piece by piece. Zhin, burdened by the weight of his own heavy armor, found his mobility severely hampered. Despite Shintaʼs limited experience with Dao sword techniques, her newfound weapon, combined with her agility, made him an easy target. Every strike she delivered was precise, exploiting his every weakness.

The high-grade sword couldnʼt easily pierce Zhinʼs armor, but it didnʼt need to. Each strike delivered enough force to send ripples of pain through his flesh beneath the armor. Zhin, however, proved to be a formidable opponent. Not only did he possess a deep spirit pool, but his mastery of metal elements allowed him to maintain a near-impenetrable defense for an extended period while simultaneously healing his wounds. But Shinta was relentless. Despite her mounting exhaustion, she refused to give in. Her attacks became a furious, unyielding barrage, each strike more powerful and desperate than the last. Determined to shatter his defenses, she poured every ounce of strength and willpower into each blow. With every strike, the gap between them closed. Zhinʼs composure began to crack under the relentless assault. ”No!! Stop!! Arghh!! Bitch!! Argh!! Wait!! Argh!! Donʼt!!!”

The once arrogant noble was now desperate, his screams echoing across the arena as Shinta relentlessly pressed her advantage.

”Wow… you even scream like a girl…”

By the time the match was over, Zhinʼs face was swollen and battered, covered in a multitude of wounds. He had been thoroughly defeated, his dignity shattered along with his body.

Cheers erupted from the crowd. It was a satisfying end to a grueling battle, one that brought a renewed sense of unity to the half-bloods

However, the Aryan instructor stormed onto the field, his face twisted in fury.

He pointed an accusing finger at Shinta and demanded a full analysis of her weapon. His voice was filled with fury as he yelled,

”Sheʼs cheating!! Sheʼs a cheat!! Thatʼs a tier 6 sword!”