Even with Jaku’s insane quickness, he would not be able to catch all three of them in just a matter of a few seconds, especially since their Aubility Powers specialized in speed.
Not only that, but the way that Jaku’s Aubility Power worked was that his light speed only activated when someone woke him up from his nap. It wouldn’t work if he was the one who tried to attack others instead.
Intentionally or not, this was the best way they could have tried to defeat Jaku.
Yet something else happened.
Just as the three swordsmen were about to run for kilometers on end in just a few seconds, they suddenly felt a prick in their hearts. It was as if someone was grabbing it and holding it with such force that it stopped beating for a few moments.
And suddenly, the Divas above their heads suddenly began to quiver and shift.
The speed that was supposed to overcome their entire body was nowhere to be found. They became as slow as a normal human.
With such an unexpected turn, the three swordsmen found themselves stumbling forwards before crashing on the ground.
"Wha?!"
They looked up above them and saw their Divas disappearing like smoke! It was gone, unmanifested out of their control.
And if Michael could see this sight, he would see that threads of Aubility Power that were supposed to cover their bodies and imbue it with speed, were suddenly cut from its source as if a sword had sliced through it!
No one knew what happened.
It was only after a second had passed did the feeling of heavy air finally pass. The swordsmen felt their GodForge pieces finally breathe again, as if it had been let go from someone’s grasp.
When they tried to remanifest their Divas again, they were too late.
Jaku had cut each of them in the back, just a hair’s width away from turning fatal.
As for Mauricio, he was at such a loss for words that his previous injuries finally caught up to him, causing him to lose consciousness from the extreme blood loss.
With all four unable to fight, the fight had ended.
And half a second later, the final wisp of werewolf fur had burned completely.
Jaku did it. He won the tournament at the literal very last moment.
But there was no celebration. There was only silence.
Everyone was still confused, their jaws unable to shut from pure shock and bewilderment.
They had too many questions unanswered.
The swordsmen should have been able to run away from Jaku in time. So why didn’t they?
What was that strange heavy feeling that lasted for only a second?
How did Jaku awaken an incredibly powerful Diva despite being a demi-human?
It wasn’t until the female Werewolf rushed by Jaku’s side and announced his victory did they finally wake up from their stupor.
"We have a victor!" she declared, holding his hand upwards. "The Brownbloods will fully support and cooperate with Jaku and the Reborn company!"
It took a couple of seconds before the crowd started to clap. It started from one, to a few, and eventually a roaring applause that celebrated Jaku’s unexpected comeback and triumph against the supposed best swordsman prodigy of the younger generation.
Jaku, on the other hand, didn’t care for the praise and laudations directed at him. All he wanted to do was lie down and sleep.
But there was something bothering him.
"What was that?"he asked himself, massaging his throat.
...
...
...
Meanwhile, back at the Draconian Towers, Sergio Aubert continued to express his utmost confidence in his little brother.
"Chief Lupan, please send in a Werewolf to check in on the tournament. My brother has probably won by now," he said.
The giant Brown Wolf nodded. "I’ve already sent for a messenger. He will return shortly."
"That’s great!" said Sergio. "Zovirru, you wouldn’t mind me taking the Antique now, would you? Soon, Chief Lupan’s messenger will arrive and give us the good news.."
Chief Klaus couldn’t help but scoff at his words. But he couldn’t say anything else either. Even he thought Mauricio would win.
But just at that moment, Michael suddenly felt warmth come out of his GodForge pieces.
It was overflowing with Aubility Power!
[Congratulations. Jaku has successfully awakened his Diva. You have received an excess of Aubility Power.]
Such a huge change in Michael’s body would surely have been noticed by the others if he let it continue emanating out of his chest.
Thankfully, he had a [Battery] ready for such occasions.
He put it on his chest, which immediately began to siphon off any excess energy that came from Jaku’s awakening.
It wasn’t long before the charge percentage went up.
[7%... 12%... 20%]
It reached a whopping 20%!
Michael couldn’t believe it. When Fudge and Sheina awakened, the excess energy barely got him up to 15%. But now, it was able to reach 20.
Did something happen?
Either way, he wasn’t complaining. 20% would be enough for a single execution of the ’Quantum Step’ now that he was in the 6th stage of Body Formation.
He felt a little bit more secure surrounded by these powerful chiefs and Draconians with this [Battery] on his chest.
Then finally, the ’good’ news came.
They all turned their heads as a Brown Wolf came to a stop right in front of the tower, his paws skidding on the stone block floors.
Then, its body began to morph and change into something smaller, before eventually turning back into a human.
The Werewolf then walked over towards Chief Lupan and howled.
"AWOOO! I have come to announce the results of the tournament, chief!"
Sergio immediately stepped forward. "Come on, don’t be shy. Just tell us so that I can finally get my hands on this Antique. Mauricio won, right?’
The Werewolf paused for a second before replying, "Mauricio...lost, sir."
Sergio stopped in his tracks, just moments away from touching the Antique.
"Say what now?"
"Mauricio lost in the final round," repeated the Werewolf. "He was defeated in battle and is currently being treated for severe blood loss."
Just as Sergio’s face turned completely ashen, a certain giant scarred Grey Wolf suddenly began howling and laughing.
"AWOOHA AWOOHA AWOOHA! You spoke too soon, Aubert. Looks like Mauricio is not as talented as you said. He lost!"
Sergio ignored Chief Klaus’ insults. "My brother lost? That’s impossible."
Even Chief Lupan was skeptical. "Are you certain? Was it a close fight?"
The Werewolf messenger shook his head. "No it wasn’t, chief. His opponent was uninjured."
"HAHAHAHA! What a wonderful turn of events. I do say I quite enjoy that look on your faces," Zovirru laughed. "But a promise is a promise, young man. Professor, catch!"
Zovirru tossed the giant white tibia bone to the professor, completely overwhelming the man.
But despite having such a heavy bone as tall as a human fall on his chest, the professor couldn’t be more happy.
"The Antique... It’s mine. It’s finally mine!" he exclaimed.
While everyone was shocked at such an outcome, Michael fully expected this from the beginning.
I gotta go get Jaku out of there. He’s probably dying to go to bed.