The Ancient Genes

Arena, Ishtar Academy.

Lisa stood in the stands for Arcane team, her gaze was locked onto the live broadcast of the competition on the huge screen.

With most of the members missing, it could be said that she had been turned into the face of the team for now. Max had even begun teasing her as a mascot when they talked.

"It seems that the final battle is starting.." Rias muttered with a smile as she stood by Lisa's side.

All the remaining competitors had gathered around in one area now, and it was likely that they would end up having a decisive battle at that place.

"Everyone? I think we are still missing one," Lisa said with a little frown on her face as she turned her head towards the Orca stands.

She definitely didn't see their member getting eliminated for sure.

Kain who was standing on that side seemed to have noticed Lisa's gaze as well. He immediately waved his hand at her with a smile on his face. But, Lisa just snorted at him in anger before turning her head away.

Kain could only sigh with a helpless look on his face. It was not even his fault. Lisa had asked him earlier to not send Arnold up for this event. He obviously asked for the reason, and the answer was something he didn't expect from her.

Lisa told him that the match this time would have a lot of effect on Barnes House, and she explained to him how Arthur's loss against Arnold could potentially lead to change in power structure in Barnes House.

Kain didn't know how to react to this. First of all, he didn't think that this analysis and decision had come from his sister. She was never this smart. Secondly, he didn't believe her analysis was right. Arnold was adopted, there was no way for him to garner so much support on the basis of one win. And, lastly, this had nothing to do with them. The power struggle was something which always happened in families. It was not a good thing to interfere between them, and even more so when it was in case of a Neutral House.

So, Lisa was upset with him now.

'But, who would tell her to say something like that?' Kain was still wondering. Even in the competition, he had seen that Arcane was targeting Arnold. 'Is it Max?'

He had his reasons for thinking that. After all, only the leader could make such a decision. 'Why? I don't think he is so stupid not to realize that Anrold was never a threat to Arthur….or am I the one who doesn't know something?'

A frown appeared on his face, and he took out his phone and dialed a number before moving out of the Arena into the empty halls.

"Hello..It's me.." Kain spoke, and after a short pause, he continued, "Get me every detail on Arnold. I want to know about his recent movements and developments."

With that, he hung up, and kept the phone back into this pocket before moving out of the place.

…

Competition Ground, Ishtar.

Everyone stood in their respective places a little away from each other as they faced the raging sandstorm.

Everyone had their eyes squinted instinctively to avoid getting sand into their eyes. In the midst of this sandstorm, a figure slowly seemed to be emerging into existence.

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, a ripple of energy spread through the desert, and the raging storm immediately stopped. The grains of sand still in the air all went still, and began to fall back onto the ground.

With that, Arthur's figure became clear to all of them. He was standing right in front of them, and it seemed that he had gone through some battle not long ago.

"Rumble!"

Arthur suddenly raised his hand up into the air, and the next instant, the huge colosseum began to form around them. It immediately trapped all of the people inside, cutting off their escape route.

"Did you really think I am going to run away?" August asked with a smile. This time his main goal was to eliminate, and there was another mission too. If he managed to run into Arthur first, he could kick this guy out as well. After all, it would help them achieve their goal the same.

"If it was someplace else, I wouldn't have this confidence, but here…." Arthur smiled at August before looking at other people as well. His extreme confidence indeed made a frown appear on people's faces. They already were very surprised how strong this guy was in such a terrain.

It was not something out of ordinary for a person's ability to multiply in his elemental terrain. After all, you could literally use anything you liked to your advantage. But, things got even more dangerous when this person had a frightening knowledge on how to use one's terrain.

And, on top of that, Deserts had always been a tough place to survive.

"Crackle!"

Suddenly, a golden light flashed, and it was followed by a thunderclap. No one was prepared for this surprise.

Melan was extremely quick this time.

But, luck didn't seem to be in his favour.

Arthur's body suddenly seemed to be pulled under the sand as if he was drawn into it by some kind of monster.

It seemed Arthur was very prepared. He was obviously aware of Faryl and August's strength. And, hence was prepared. But, it actually protected him from Melan's deadly blow, the guy whom he had underestimated.

"Tsk.." Melan clicked his tongue after having missed.

"Whoosh!"

Suddenly, the ground he was standing on immediately turned soft, and the next instant, he realized that a quick sand was forming below them.

'Shit!"

Everyone's face immediately turned dark.

Quicksand was a terrifying natural phenomenon. There were stories of even Supreme Tier Mages being trapped and dying under the quicksand of Orena.

"Aaahh!!" Tia screamed as her foot got stuck. She was the slowest one to react as she was the one most injured out of them.

Others too couldn't escape, they were trapped in the Colosseum, and it was only a matter of time before the Quicksand expanded and swallowed them into it.