Chapter 1246: Part 2: Fighting against Bella (Inner Hall)

From MC’s Perspective:

Fighting Platform

Bella was frustrated. Every attack she launched missed its mark. Determined, she rushed forward to engage in close combat, swiftly appearing in front of Zack.

Her right fist was enveloped in a bright, dark red flame. Any strike from her fist could burn and destroy anything in its path.

In response, I channeled my blood force. An invisible energy coated my right arm, surging into it instantly.

Swoosh!

I punched forward with a resounding force.

Our fists collided. The impact sent a terrifying heat coursing through me, as if my skin, flesh, and bones were burning.

At the same time, my blood force was affecting Bella.

She felt the bones in her right fist crack under the strain. If she didn’t pull back, she feared her fist might be destroyed.

Swoosh!

She withdrew her hand and retreated quickly, returning to her previous position in a flash. Her right arm was now bloodied, with drops slowly dripping onto the ground.

Plop!

I stood firm in my position, watching as blood dripped from her injured fist. A quick gleam flashed in my eyes, I had successfully damaged her right arm. She wouldn’t be able to use it effectively anytime soon.

Gasp!

The audience was stunned at first, then erupted in exclamations. On the big screen, Bella’s injury was clear for all to see.

She wouldn’t be able to use her right fist for the rest of the duel. This match was already proving more intense than yesterday’s. Zack was landing effective attacks, unlike his passive performance in the previous duel.

However, the crowd didn’t know how Zack had managed to injure her. No one had seen his inheritance power in action. The injury was the result of their direct clash.

Issac, standing outside the fighting platform, was stunned. He hadn’t expected Bella to get hurt. This scene was entirely different from yesterday’s match.

Even the referee, an old man, was taken aback. He hadn’t anticipated Bella’s injury. The duel was no longer one-sided.

—

Above the Fighting Platform

Dean Jerome observed the scene clearly. He suspected Zack had used his blood element to injure Bella.

His eyes flickered with realization, Zack Lockwood’s blood element was unique. It was impossible for others to discern unless they knew about his abilities.

Seeing Bella’s injured right arm, Dean Jerome was certain Zack would win the duel.

The Purple Mark Guard remained silent but shared the same observation. He believed Bella had underestimated Zack. Moreover, it seemed Zack was determined to gain the upper hand in this duel.

—

Viewing Block 1

The faction leaders watched the duel intently. Clifford’s eyes flickered as he saw Bella take damage. He was aware of Zack Lockwood’s blood element and knew Zack’s physique was stronger than most.

Still, he hadn’t expected Zack’s raw strength to overwhelm his opponent.

Faction Leader Elmer raised his eyebrows in confusion. “What’s going on?” he muttered to himself. On the big screen, it was clear Zack hadn’t used his inheritance power, just a brute-force punch.

Bella, on the other hand, had used her inheritance force, yet she was the one injured. Elmer couldn’t make sense of it but refrained from commenting aloud.

As a faction leader, admitting his confusion wouldn’t reflect well. He glanced at Clifford, who maintained a neutral expression, unreadable as always.

Francesa, however, understood what had happened. She was surprised, as she had assumed Zack wouldn’t use his inheritance power.

Yet he had done so discreetly, unnoticed by the crowd. She sighed inwardly, convinced the duel was no longer suspenseful, Zack would win.

Bella’s injured right hand would hinder her ability to use her techniques effectively.

Dew Water Faction Leader Monica remained silent, observing without comment. Faction Leader Vince, meanwhile, was carefully analyzing the duel.

He, too, was puzzled by how Zack’s brute force had bloodied Bella’s arm. He continued to watch closely, determined to uncover the truth.

—

Meanwhile,

In the Virtual Training Lab, a small group of interested spectators watched the duel on multiple screens.

Ronnie Seth and a few like-minded individuals were among them, alongside Old Man Daniel and his staff, who were observing for research purposes.

During Zack’s time in the Outer Hall, he had frequently used the lab to improve himself.

But since joining the Inner Hall, he hadn’t visited once, disappointing Daniel and his team. They had believed Zack was different from other warriors.

Ronnie Seth, however, convinced them otherwise, suggesting Zack had a reason for isolating himself.

After learning Zack had returned from Camp 424, now Silver Mark Camp, Daniel and his staff decided to support him by collecting data on his duels.

Seeing Bella’s injury from the fist clash, everyone in the lab was stunned. The multiple screens allowed them to view the duel from various angles.

They saw Zack deliver a simple punch, yet it had injured Bella. Her dark red flames, powered by her ancient inheritance, were extinguished upon contact, and her fist was left bloodied.

“What happened here?” Ronnie Seth asked, his view clearer than those in the duel arena. He could spot subtle differences in the clash.

Old Man Daniel turned to his staff. One of them replied, “We lack data. We need more to determine what caused her injury.”

Hearing this, Daniel instructed his team to research how Zack had extinguished Bella’s dark red flames. He was intrigued, those flames were a force of ancient inheritance, not easily countered.

His curiosity about Zack’s abilities deepened.

Not only was Ronnie Seth present, but a few other warriors who had faced Zack Lockwood in virtual duels were there as well. They were eager to challenge him again.

However, Zack Lockwood had broken through quickly. Ronnie Seth had achieved a breakthrough too. They were all waiting to become Inner Hall warriors.

At the same time, those unable to watch the duel in the arena were following it from their factions. Warriors on missions outside were receiving live updates from their friends.

News of the duel had also reached other universities. Zack Lockwood’s name was already well-known in certain circles due to his impressive record in the Outer Hall.

This news further amplified the attention surrounding him.

Your gift is the motivation for my creation. Give me more motivation!