Chapter 84: I Am My Father's Daughter

News From Around The World

Thousands Of Teenagers Died Worldwide In Attempts To Level Up Skills

Dead Coal Town To Become Boomtown Due To Discovery Of Massive Mythril Deposit

Tobacco Companies Emboldened Thanks To Healing Magic

Future Of Medical Research Uncertain Due To Magic

US Supreme Court Rules That Titles And Moral Alignments Are Admissible As Evidence

VVVVVV

Lynia managed to effortlessly defeat her quarter-final and semi-final opponent.She felt like luck was on her side this time. Last time she participated in this tournament, there were many Adventurers who also attended. She managed to reach the semi-final before she was defeated by a Rank One Adventurer. Lynia spent the last several years training and fighting to be strong enough to win the tournament and the staff.

She was so close to her life goal, but now she felt her goal threatened by the Elementalist mage girl. Lynia watched each of her matches and was impressed by how talented this young lady was with magic. Each of her attacks were high powered. Even being able to use combination spells was something mostly seasoned veterans would have difficulty doing. She hasn't seen this level of talent since her baby brother.

The final match had arrived. The sun hung high in the sky and the temperature rose to just below zero.

"We have had many talented participates this year," Wunyar said to the crowds. "And each of them should be proud of their accomplishments. If the chosen is not found today, then all of you can try again next year. Now onto the final match."

The crowds erupted into cheer. It lasted for fifteen seconds before Wunyar raised a hand to signal to them to quiet down.

"We have now arrived at the finale of this tournament. Tala Mau of Canada and Lynia Ocelo of Bohalen. Would you two please come to the stage?"

"Well, this is it," Tala said as she got up.

"You got this," Tom assured her as he patted her back. "Try using all you've learned from sparring with me and you'll win."

Tala placed her helmet on her head and nodded. "Cheer for me when I win."

"We'll be the loudest," Reia said.

Tala walked over to the stage. Despite the importance of this match, she felt calm. Her heart beat at a steady pace. She walked on the stage next to Lynia who looked just as determined.

"I don't know why you're so desperate to get this staff, but I can't let you win," Lynia said to her.

"This staff is too important to me for you to get it."

"I won't hold back."

"Neither will I."

"Mau would you please go to the left side of the arena and Ocelo please go to the right."

Tala went to her starting point and got into a stance to prepare of her first spell. Based on her matches with Tom, she knew the strength and weaknesses of these magic warriors. Of any class, Magic Blades and Knights are best described as the Jack-Of-All-Trades class. They are not as good of fighters as other warrior classes, nor can they cast magic as powerful as mages. Their strength lies in their versatility and adaptability.

With the Fast Travel ability, Tala can be certain that Lynia is going to try to quickly get into close range. Unknown to Lynia, Tala already has her strategy planned out. She had her staff stretched out in her right hand and her left hand on her chest.

Wunyar raised his staff and barriers appeared around both competitors and the arena.

"Are you ready, Tala?" Wunyar asked.

"I am," she replied.

"Are you ready, Lynia?"

"I am," Lynia answered. Her eyes never left Tala.

"Then let the final match... begin!"

Tala in quick succession casted two spells. The first spell created a circle of fire swords that spun around her. The other spell came from her left hand and created a small flame that stuck to her chest. At the same time, Lynia vanished from sight.

"Shit!" Lynia cursed as she jumped back from behind Tala.

Tala spun around and casted Lightning Strike. Lynia had brought up her left arm and created a Magic Buckler that received the spell. The force of the attack still shoved Lynia back a few steps.

Lynia brought up her free hand and a cloud of sand was launched at Tala. Her helmet stopped the sand from getting in her face, but the distraction allowed Lynia to reposition herself. Spells of different elements were launched from different directions as Lynia teleported all over. Tala quickly countered with Bubble Shield to stop the attacks.

Seeing that Lynia was very skilled in combat, Tala summoned her Fire Sprite to give her aid in battle. Any time Lynia appeared, the sprite fired a small fire bolt at her. Irritated at being unable to get close, Lynia realized she needed to destroy those swords that spin around Tala. She has never seen this spell before so she could only hope that the swords are not a permanent effect.

Large boulders appeared around Lynia and were launched forward at Tala. Whenever the one of the boulders got close to Tala, one of the swords would destroy it; however, that sword was destroyed right after.

Lynia's eyes widen as she found the weakness in the swords. A wall of fire started to form around her so she quickly teleported in close to attack Tala. Her sword connected with the girl and sent her back a small distance.

"I'll admit, I still underestimated you," Lynia said to Tala. "But this staff means everything to me. I'm going all out."

Lynia held her sword to the side and her left arm outwards. Energy took form inside her hand. The energy quickly changed shape and extended into a blade made of blue light. Lynia then shook the magic weapon and water swirled around the magic sword.

Tom leaned forward when he saw the ability.

'This must be the ability someone gets when they become a Magic Knight,' he thought.

With a magic sword in one hand and her regular sword in the other, Lynia charged directly at Tala. Tala tried to do a double Flamethrower attack at Lynia, but Lynia held her swords up as she charged and dispersed the flames. Lynia got within striking range and spun around to swing her swords.

Tala held up her staff to block the attack. The two swords hit like a truck against her staff. Cracks formed from where they impacted. Tala grit her teeth at the frustration of seeing her weapon take so much damage. Lynia gave her no chance to cast an offensive spell which left her one option.

Lynia readied another strike when a shockwave came off of Tala and interrupted her combo. Tala followed up with Wind Blade and Fireball to create a Fire Tornado. Lynia raised her swords as the tornado approached her. She swung them both and split the tornado in two.

"Don't mistaken me for some green horned student," Lynia roared as she charged forth. She vanished and appeared behind Tala. Tala spun to block the attack but was too slow. Lynia's swords hit Tala's side and knocked her to the side of the arena.

Lynia didn't give Tala a chance to recover and quickly teleported to catch up to Tala and strike her again. Tala blocked the attack with her staff, but the swords proved too much for it and it broke in two. Tala set off another Shockwave to give herself space.

Both the two magic warriors were heavily breathing from the quick but intense exchange. Tala shakily got to her feet. She held the pieces of her broken staff in her hands.

"You're good, kid," Lynia admitted. "Real good. But your weapon is gone and you're probably close to zero HP. Give up."

"You think you're the first teleporting Magic Blade I've ever faced?" Tala scoffed. "My boyfriend, my lover, trained with me daily for the past year. I quickly learned that one-on-one with a person with close-quarter combat abilities who can get in close fast is my weakness, so I came up with my own strategy." Tala smiled and then she went invisible.

Lynia sighed. "Turning invisible won't save you here. You've lost."

"I'm afraid you lost the moment I casted my first spell," Tala said behind her.

Lynia barely had time to look over her shoulder to see Tala.

"Detonate."

The flame that stuck to Tala's chest for the fight exploded. The explosion sent Lynia flying towards the arena edge. She managed to stab her sword into the ground to stop herself from leaving the arena. Lynia struggled to get to her feet. She could feel that her barrier was on its last legs. Lynia looked up to see Tala walk towards her. Tala had completely recovered and looked even stronger than when she started the fight. For a brief moment, she could have sworn she saw a spirit stand behind her. The spirit of someone dear to her.

"Who are you?!" Lynia demanded.

Tala raised her hand and a large ball of fire appeared above her. The fire consist of indigo, yellow, blue, and green flames. It was her Supernova ability.

"I am my father's daughter," Tala answered as she fired the attack.

The ball of flames exploded against Lynia and quickly sent her out of the arena. The crowd was at an awe at the display before them. They still didn't register that the match was over. The barriers around the arena died down and smoke drifted off of the arena stage. At least a third of the arena was on fire.

Tala quickly walked off the stage as several mages came over to quickly put out the fires. Wunyar collected himself as Tala approached and announced, "and the winner of the nineteenth annual Magic Tournament is Tala Mau of Canada!"

The announcement knocked everyone out of their stupor and the area erupted in cheer over the fantastic match. None were louder than Tala's family who loudly cheered.

"Knew you could do it, Tala!" Vivian screamed. "Woo!"

"We love you, Tala!" Reia yelled out.

Lucia couldn't help but join in the cheer as she never had a chance to be a part of a happy family moment.

Lynia felt terrible as she struggled to her feet. The last several years she spent training felt like they were a waste. All she wanted, nay, needed was the staff. With it she could finally get some closure. Lynia looked towards Tala and Wunyar and saw that several University personnel were carrying the case that contained the staff. She walked over to the two just to see how the staff would react to her.

'Why did I see him behind her?'

The University personnel handed Wunyar the staff case.

"As is tradition for this tournament," Wunyar explained, "the winner is given the chance to claim this staff. If they are worthy, they can take it." He opened the case to reveal the staff. The staff seemingly was made entirely out of green crystal. The main body of the staff was straight, round, and thin enough for a hand to comfortably hold it. At the top, the staff formed into an insect-shaped ornament. The center of it was an oval-shaped aqua-coloured core. Several green wing-like ornaments were attached to both sides of the core. "Miss Mau, pick up the staff."

Tala found herself shocked in this position. Before she came to Earth, she never thought she would have the chance to get this close to the Staff of Exile. Tala moved her right hand to the staff and grabbed it.

Wunyar's eyes widened to see that she wasn't shocked. Most winners would be shocked by the staff and not touch it. In one case, someone picked it up while it was actively shocking them. The shock intensified until the winner passed out.

Tala raised the staff out of the case. The area went quiet as Tala held the staff up. A light inside of the staff's core began to grow in brightness until it flashed. The light briefly blinded everyone. When the light died down, the translucent figure of Leo Ordata appeared in front of Tala.

"L-Leo?" Lynia said when she saw the figure.

"F-Father," Tala muttered. She felt tears come to her eyes.

"Father?!" Lynia gasped.

"Tala, my darling daughter," he greeted.

Wunyar was so shocked by the turn of events that his arms slumped. The vocal amplifier on his staff remained active and broadcast the dialogue for everyone to hear.

"I'm leaving this recording behind for you to find once you get a hold of my staff. I knew the moment you were born that you would be talented in magic beyond all measures. That was further confirmed to me when Kara told me that you were an Elemental. A person destined to kill Hastur. Between my history with Hastur and your destiny, I had to hide you to protect you from Hastur's wrath. So I left the instructions to have my staff delivered to the Magic University of Skysign so that the worthy one would be given it. That is you. But do not be afraid. You won't be alone in this fight. There are other Elementals like you out there. Delix's and Niala's daughter Reia, Axel's daughter Vivian, Evaline's daughter Sylmae, and Ayil's daughter Alya are all Elementals. Find them and the other Elementals. Find all fourteen of them. You must also find a Nephilim. I don't know what that is but Kara said it is related to the being with the blood of many in the Dragon Prophecy. I know this is a lot to take in and it may be overwhelming, but I believe in you. The fact you hold my staff in your hands means that you went through a lot just to get to this point." Leo looked behind him like someone was trying to get his attention at the time of the recording. "I have to go. The final battle is at hand. Tala... Your mother and I loved you with all our heart. Please be safe and find your happiness. Good bye."

Leo vanished and the area was left silent. Thanks to Wunyar's absent-mindedness everyone heard everything.

"I'll see you soon, Father," Tala whispered back. She knew that when she needs to train for her next class, she will see him one last time. Out of the corner of her eye, Tala saw Lynia approach her. She turned to her to see she had tears in her eyes.

"Little Leo is your father?" she got out. Her voice was shaky.

"Little Leo?" Tala repeated.

"Tala, Leo is my brother," Lynia revealed to her as she placed her hands on her shoulders. "I'm your aunt."