I regressed and became the Sword Ice King

As the sun's rays cast a luminous glow on the Arena, a Mermaid Warrior stood with resilience, her hidden strength glowing within her eyes.

She had called forth all her mana, and all the power that had been bestowed upon her by the sea.

She was a Warrior of the Mermaids and their princess. A power far nobler and stronger than most. Yet, she was merely at the beginning, and it wasn't enough to face the Martial Son. Amidst this wall, she found courage and strength to try and prevail in any way she could.

Her resolve suffused the air as blue mana surged out of her body, growing rapidly. The six circles within swirled around like the dance of the waves.

Though the royal family made use of circles, theirs was a rather specific type.

Crafted from water and an ethereal glow that shone when they danced in harmony. It was a spectacular sight.

The crowds stared in awe and reverence, hoping that their princess may emerge victorious. Perhaps this was blind fate ? They didn't know, but they felt driven to support her, at all cost, with all their hearts.

This was known as the power to move hearts and not just the sea–the Ocean Call.

"Oh, I presume you are going all out then ?" Jang Kang Lin's voice echoed in the Arena, his steady gaze fixed on her, glowing with an otherworldly hue. "then, do your best, princess, and maybe you shall get the reward you deserve".

His voice echoed with self-confidence as he folded his hands.

Mariam charged forward with impeccable strength, the ground depressing as a crater formed and water swirled out like a fountain.

It surged around her triton as she jumped into the air, swinging her triton down with amicable strength.

Her muscles contracted, and a flowing stream of water surged around the tip of her spear, rotating at an incredible speed.

"1st Primordial Ocean Technique : Twirl Strike"

She thrust her triton towards Jang, a burning intensity glinting in her eyes.

This was the only technique she could master so far, but after fighting and seeing many strong opponents, and how easily they used their family techniques, she decided to let this be the last time she lost.

Jang thrust his fist towards the tip of her triton as a burning flame grew from within. His yang energy surged forward, brimming with a red-yellow intensity as a sparkling red flame ignited in his scarlet eyes.

"3rd Step of the Imperial Mystic Kang Arts : Flames O'Kneel".

The flames surged through his body to the tip of his fist as it collided with the triton, a pulsating feeling of energy surging through his body as a mighty forceful blast occurred.

The sky shone blinding white as a luminous glow ignited from the clash of attacks.

The force of the flame blew the triton and the young warrior with it, flinging her body weakly towards the Arena walls and crashing into it with great force.

A loud explosion occurred, and a pulsating force blasted throughout the Arena as flames surged out from the ground, swirling towards Mariam before halting abruptly and dispersing into ash.

Jang Kang Lin floated in the midst of soot and ash, staring coldly at the unconscious body of the Mermaid Warrior stuck to the walls of the Arena.

A giant crater had formed, and her body was held in place by the bits of rocks.

Her transformation slowly unraveled, and her triton fell to the ground, dispersing into bits of white light.

The battle was over, and with it, the defeat of the Mermaid Warrior. A moment of silence descended upon the Stands, as they contained their rage against the man that had left their Mermaid Warrior, an unconscious marionette.

Yet, they couldn't tear their eyes away from the sight. Amidst her bruises and injuries, she laid beautifully bathed in the sun's rays.

Jang turned his attention away from the Arena and towards the Jun household, but the boy he sought was nowhere to be found. A bitter feeling grew in his chest. 'If the battle with Ciara was your limit then there is no victory for you in this fight, Raffaelo Jun'.

His gaze glinting with strength and diligence, he turned away, descending to the ground.

Just then, Michaelo appeared, announcing the result of the battle as the Clean-up and Medical mages arrived.

The Arena once again and for the last time of the day, bustled with activities.

It only took a moment for the Stands to resume their liveliness but some Spectators left with heavy hearts. Now the finals have been set: Raffaelo Jun, Darell Silvan and Jang Kang Lin were the last participants in the Rankings battle.

Now, who would rise victorious ?

Michaelo sighed in the midst of the liveliness, his thoughts clouded with other…concerning things. They had quickly gathered the relevant individuals and left a short moment ago.

Now, he had no choice but to leave it for his wife to handle. Not that he didn't trust them, but worrying about his wife and children was a normality for a loving father such as him.

'Well, They better handle it carefully'.

As the Mages continued their activities, the others left their seats to rest.

It was still bright with the light of the sun and its intensity proved that it was still early afternoon.

They had a long day ahead of them, and a longer one, the next day. Probably.

****

A cold sensation swept the surroundings as the cries of grown men faded away.

About twenty frozen statues stood in the compound while a frozen Bastion basked in the Sunlight.

Broken and damaged ballistas littered the ground, and the loud echo of walking footsteps filled the air as silence descended in the Compound.

A loud female sigh broke the silence. "Was that it ? fifty of them ?" Morganna asked, a few dust particles and scratches on her cloth but not a single injury.

"I thought they had skills or something ?" She kicked an unconscious body.

Raph glanced at her, then looked around. They had taken care of the goons, but now they had yet to find the boss. His eyes had been searching the whole time, but Gonzalo seemed to be hiding his energy quite well. It surprised him that Gonzalo had reached this stage already.

Morganna noticed his wariness and raised a brow. "I…don't think there's anyone else" She said, matter-of-factly.

Raph shrugged. "Remember I said I saw an 8th star ?"

Her eyes widened slightly and she looked around wearily. "that's true".

Raph turned towards the Bastion and approached it, his sister followed quietly, her arms on her wand, ready to strike at any moment's notice.

"Oh, and regarding your question, only specific professions can acquire high skills….you should know this as an adventurer"

Morganna chuckled. "Well, I only recently joined a guild, so I haven't been in touch with…my other guild members". She said awkwardly as they walked into the Bastion, looking around.

The space was empty, with a silence–a haunting silence, and it resembled a warehouse. They looked around, noticing distinctive features like chains and padlocks.

"They kept the ballistas here ?" Raph asked, his eyebrow raised into an arch.

"Seems so" His sister replied, a tone of curiosity etched in her voice. They lingered for a while before continuing forward, their senses on high alert.

It was possible for them to get ambushed but with Raph's eyes and Morganna searching magic, it was possible for them to fight off against any weaker attack.

After a while, they arrived at a hallway with three doors: two on the sides and one in front.

They glanced at each other, nodded and separated. Raph entered the left room and she took the right.

Upon entering the left, the smell of boiling meat flooded his nose, a rather invigorating scent at that.

He looked around carefully, thinking to himself, 'A kitchen'.

There was a wooden cabinet on the walls and a large table in the center.

On the table were unwashed and washed ceramic plates and pots left in disarray.

A large basin with running water from a pump sat opposite the table, next to a coal oven burning brightly.

A coal stove and a fan was placed on the other side of the basin with a wooden stool next to it.

A large iron pot was placed on the stove, the pot erupting in a furious boil while the content churned and spluttered wildly.

A Chopboard was placed on the table and a knife next to it. His brows furrowed slightly as he felt a second, smaller and insignificant presence. It should be one of the residents then, was what he thought.

He walked in slowly, taking notes of the cast-iron pots and pans hanging from the walls when he stopped by a portrait.

It was a weird drawing of the Royal family which caught his attention, but a clatter echoed in the Kitchen.

A sigh exuded his lips as a kitchen knife was pressed against the front of his neck.

"if you so much as move a muscle, then I'll kill you".