The match had gone in a way that none would have expected!
A Lower Class elite, already known to be scum, competing earnestly against one of the strongest in the Academy. That was something unbelievable to the audience.
Jerry had somehow defied the odds and kept fighting even when the others that came before him surrendered without even the slightest bit of effort… or were simply one-shoted before they could even voice out their surrender.
Seeing Jerry engaging Richard with all he had slowly morphed the opinion of those who watched. Even though they knew the boy would ultimately lose… something about his persistence struck a chord in their hearts.
So, this was what a true battle was like?
It was due to this reason that Jerry could not give up now! So far, he had been giving his all, and was now inspiring his underclassmen. If he faltered now, how would they find the courage to advance? The boy wasn't merely looking for a way to look good while fighting. No, he wanted to do battle… and win!
That was the only way he could actually turn the dogma within the Academy around.
>WHOOOOOSSSHHHH<
He charged at his opponent with that resolve, cutting through the wind as he took flight.
This time Jerry made sure he was faster, stronger… infusing so much mana into his legs and arms that he felt like they would blow up from the heat. Searing pain shot through his body, but the resolute lad endured it. It was all or nothing!
A few seconds more… just a bit more time remained!
This time… he was going to ensure he got that hit!
"That's enough messing around!" Richard Novo stated.
All of a sudden, Jerry couldn't explain what happened but, his body felt heavier than ever before.
>WHUUUUMMMMM<
Without any warning, the boy who glided through the air thanks to his Fire Magic, plummeted to the ground.
"Guh!" He groaned, trying to push himself higher, but there was no sped or momentum that could go against the weight of gravity that pushed him to the ground.
>BOOOOOOMMMM<
His body landed on the ground in a heavy thud, fracturing his knees as they crashed upon the concrete, no, beyond concrete stage.
"Arghhh!" Jerry screamed, feeling his legs snap in pain.
Unfortunately, the heavy pressure wouldn't let him bellow out, as the intensity increased even more. He fell, flat-faced on the ground, unable to freely move his tensed arms and legs.
'W-what's this? What's going on?!'
Despite his inquisition, it wasn't like anyone was going to answer him, but still…
Jerry lifted his heavy head, pushing with all his might as he glared at the being who still floated above him. Richard Novo was smiling so confidently. Clearly he was behind the sudden phenomenon, but the question was… what did he do?!
"Now this is much better. You should grovel on the ground like a rat." The arrogant boy's voice rang out in amusement.
Jerry growled, desperately trying to return to his feet, but it seemed like his efforts were pointless. The more he struggled to rise, the worse the pressure got. It was like the force of the universe kept him bound to the ground.
"It's useless! No matter how hard you try, how much you struggle, you can't defy my spell, Descending Gravity!"
Jerry's eyes bulged, and at least ninety percent of the audience gasped.
This caused Richard's grin to widen more. Clearly, he was enjoying this.
[Descending Gravity] was a High-Tier Intermediate Spell, but people often believed it was higher. The reason dwelled in its inhibitive abilities that made even more powerful opponents subject to its power. Despite the name, it wasn't a Gravity Spell, but a very elevated form of Wind Magic that pressed the opponent with such descending wind pressure, they felt like they were assailed by gravity at least tenfold.
Of course, the effectiveness and range depended on the Skill of the caster as well as the Mana expended, but it was still a pretty amazing Spell.
Jerry knew all this, which was why cold sweat began appearing on his face.
Why hadn't he realized it earlier? Perhaps it was because he didn't expect Richard to have such an ace up his sleeve.
But, it was too late already. Now that he had been caught in the spell, he was at his opponent's mercy. No matter how skilled he was at using Mana and expertly engaging in combat, his actual capabilities were too inferior to Richard Novo's that he couldn't possibly resist a Spell of this magnitude.
'I should just give u…'
Before he completed the thought, Jerry's mind rang and his eyes widened like a mad man.
'NEVER!'
Grating his teeth as though he was sharpening a weapon, Jerry pumped all the strength he had into his body and pushed as hard as he could.
"AHHHHHHHH!!!!" His screamed filled the hall.
"It's no use. You can't…"
Before Richard could finish his jeering remarks, his eyes widened in surprise and watched the unbelievable happen.
'N—no way…' He wanted to say, but withheld speech from his quivering lips.
Jerry was standing on his feet… even with the pressure pushing him down!
The boy now wore a defiant set of eyes and glared at Richard from where he was. The fire of determination had not died out yet, and even though his body barely moved as a result of the overwhelming force, it was enough to agitate Richard.
'Is it because I haven't completely mastered this Spell? Is that why he could resist?' Jerry's actions were already making Richard question the level of his skill.
'No… I was simply holding back, that's why!'
A gleam of hate appeared in the entitled boy's eyes and his mouth opened wide to fully disply his dissatisfaction.
"You inferior worm!!!"
>BOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!!!<
The pressure increased at a drastic rate, sending Jerry back to the ground while shattering his bones and ripping his muscles at the same time.
'GAHHHHHHH!!!!' The boy screamed internally, being in too much pain to translate his agony into words.
The ground cracked!
Yes, the enchanted surface had marks that signified that its durability had sharply declined… all thanks to the sharp increase of Richard's Spell!
At this point, it was clear to everyone that this was no longer a joke.
If care wasn't taken, then… Jerry Keller could obtain permanently impairing injuries… or even die!
