Parallel Memory

King Tranduil watched Elena leave.

He wanted Elenia to know the importance of checking Hiro's skills but didn't say anything more.

If Hiro was truly as Elara said and one that might save them all then he believed that Hiro would be able to show him something even if Princess Elenia didn't go easy on him.

The anticipation in the arena was palpable as Hiro and Princess Elenia made their way to the center of the arena.

"Princess Elenia! Do your best!"

"We love you! Show them what you got!"

"Princess! Princess!" …

The spectators had overwhelming support for Princess Elenia. After all, most spectators were Elves and it was their princess who was competing.

As they stood across from each other, Hiro couldn't help but feel a surge of nervousness.

He could feel any overwhelming pressure from Princess Elenia and knew that she was stronger than anything that he had ever fought.

*GULP!

However, he wasn't going to go down without a fight.

Princess Elenia, on the other hand, exuded an air of confidence and nonchalance. She didn't look down on Hiro and knew how capable he was but still didn't think that he could win against her.

However, she was curious about this human who had garnered so much attention.

Hiro took out his sword and was ready to fight.

"Are you both ready?"

The referee asked and both gave a small nod.

"Then let the battle begin!"

The referee announced the fight.

[ "Star Swift" ]

Hiro immediately utilized his skill to increase his speed. He knew that if he didn't increase his speed, he would be defeated easily with the speed that Princess Elenia had.

-WHOOSH!

Like he thought Princess Elenia approached quickly and within a second reached within the attacking range of Hiro.

Princess Elenia didn't bring out her weapon. She hasn't since the start of the contest and defeated most of them using her hand combat.

The only time she used her skill was in that last moment to attack Sylvia. So, Hiro and others were all ignorant about what Princess Elenia was capable of.

-WHOOSH!

Hiro instantly dodged Princess Elenia's attack. Luckily, Hiro was using Star Swift and Princess Elenia wasn't using any other skill, although it is not known whether she even knows movement skills.

Even so, it was so close that if Hiro was one millisecond late, he would have ended up on the ground.

[ "StarShatterer Style: Starfall Fracture" ]

Not wasting any time, Hiro instead focused on counter-attacking. Princess Elenia was very near to him after she attacked and was defenseless. It was the best time for Hiro to attack.

And he didn't hold back either!

As Hiro lunged forward with a swift strike, his sword gleaming in the arena's bright lights, he aimed for Princess Elenia's exposed flank.

But just as Hiro's blade was about to make contact, Princess Elenia moved with astonishing speed and agility. She effortlessly caught Hiro's sword between her slender, delicate fingers.

Of course, her fingers were strengthened by her mana which enabled her to be able to catch the sword.

Even so, it was incredible that she was able to stop Hiro's attack with just her fingers.

The gasps from the spectators echoed through the arena. No one had expected such a display of skill and dexterity. Elenia's eyes bore into Hiro's, and for a moment, time seemed to stand still.

Hiro, now weaponless, was momentarily stunned by Elenia's grace and strength. He tried to pull his sword free, but her grip was unyielding.

With a faint, enigmatic smile, Elenia let go of the sword. She was impressed by Hiro's speed but that was it.

Now, Hiro got a grasp on just how terrible Princess Elenia's power is. It didn't look like he would be able to do anything unless he threw everything he had at her.

Hiro immediately stepped a few steps back. Princess Elenia let him go and watched with amusement. She wanted to know what Hiro would do after she showed such a huge power gap.

Most people would have already given up!

Hiro took a deep breath and channeled his mana throughout his body.

[ "Devoted Star: Limit Release" ]

His mana flared and he could feel his power increasing rapidly at the expense of his mana.

Princess Elenia was still watching in amusement. She could feel that Hiro was becoming stronger but she didn't care as she knew that no matter what, she would prevail.

[ "Star Swift"]

-WHOOSH!

This time, Hiro went on the offense. He quickly rushed towards Princess Elenia with the speed increased by his limit release and Star Swift.

Princess Elenia was quite surprised by the speed displayed by Hiro. It was at the level of Rank-S - and truly astonishing.

Unfortunately for Hiro, the one he was facing was Rank-S and someone was faster than that. She was able to keep track of Hiro and wasn't caught off guard.

[ "StarShatterer Style: Stardust" ]

Hiro used a Stardust attack which is a series of quick attacks. Hiro thought of using speed as a means to injure Princess Elenia.

-CLANK! -CLANK!

However, Princess Elenia merely deflected those attacks with her hands. With such speed, Hiro might have been able to overwhelm a Rank-S - fighter but she was different.

She could see his attacks easily and no matter how fast Hiro attacked, Princess Elenia easily defended against his attack.

Hiro continued attacking, trying to find some kind of weakness but found none. Instead, he got a bit slower since he couldn't always keep his top speed.

At that moment, Princess Elenia dodged his attack and got a bit closer, and then with her palm, she hit Hiro on his chest.

-BANG!

Although it was nothing fancy, her attack was heavy and Hiro ended up rolling on the ground. Fortunately, at the last moment, Hiro had tried to defend himself with a mana barrier but it only reduced the damage and wasn't able to block everything.

*PUH!

Hiro lay on the ground, gasping for breath. Pain seared through his chest, and his vision blurred.

The spectators all believed that the fight was over. They were fairly surprised by what Hiro had shown but Princess Elenia was just on another level. They believe that if Hiro was in Rank-S -, he would have a chance to win it but not at the moment.

"Surrender now!"

Princess Elenia said. She thought that she had seen everything Hiro was capable of and wasn't interested anymore.

Hiro's body trembled as he tried to push himself up, his fingers gripping the arena floor. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth as he struggled to speak.

"N...no," he managed to choke out between painful gasps. "I...I won't give up."

"Very well!"

Princess Elenia thought that if nothing else, humans were very persistent, at least her opponents who were humans were.

Hiro struggled back to his feet, swaying unsteadily. He wiped the blood from his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes locked onto Elenia.

[ "System Double Power Activate" ]

Hiro power which was already strengthened by Limit Release was further increased. If previously, his power was at the peak of Rank-A + then it was Rank-S - now.

Elenia watched with mild interest as Hiro's power surged. The power that she felt from Hiro was truly astonishing, especially considering Hiro was Rank-A -.

"Looks like you hide your power well. Well then, I will respond back with my power as well."

Princess Elenia said as she extended her hands. Then her bow appeared which should be her weapon. It was covered in golden color and gave off a powerful aura.

As Princess Elenia summoned her bow, the crowd fell silent in anticipation. It was a weapon no one had seen her use before, and the sight of it added an extra layer of intrigue to the already intense battle.

Hiro, despite his injuries, didn't waver. His determination burned brighter than ever as he faced the formidable Princess Elenia and her newfound weapon. With the power boost from his "System Double Power Activate," he knew he had to make every moment count.

Princess Elenia pulled the bowstring and the arrow manifested. It was shining brighter than anything and looked to be containing pretty destructive power.

Princess Elenia aimed at Hiro and attacked. Although it seemed to be a casual attack from Princess Elenia, it was pretty powerful.

[ "StarShatterer Style: Void destruction" ]

Hiro instantly destroyed Princess Elenia's attack with an attack of his own. The clash of two attacks caused the space to vibrate.

But this wasn't the end. Princess Elenia was already ready for her next attack. She casually shot another two attacks.

[ "StarShatterer Style: Complete Annihilation" ]

Hiro used his techniques to stop Princess Elenia's attack. Despite Hiro's giving his best, it looks like the most he could do was handle some attacks from Princess Elenia and he was already on the verge of being exhausted.

Hiro knows that if he doesn't do anything, he will likely lose. He still defended himself from Princess Elenia's attack and waited for a chance to unleash his strongest attack.