The Strongest Porter

Magnus and Violet stood at the entrance of the dojo, the massive stone pillars casting long shadows over them. The air was thick with tension, and the anticipation of the upcoming tournament weighed heavily on Magnus's mind. Despite the pressure, he felt a strange sense of calm, though that calm was beginning to fray as he noticed the change in Violet's demeanor.

Violet broke the silence, her voice cold and sharp. "You know, Magnus, we've made it this far together, but this is where our paths diverge."

Magnus turned to her, confusion and suspicion flashing in his eyes. "What are you talking about, Violet?"

She smirked, a dangerous glint in her eyes as she began to summon vines from the ground. "The fewer competitors, the better my chances. Sorry, Magnus, but I'm not here to make friends."

Betrayal twisted in Magnus's gut. "I thought you hated liars," he said, his voice edged with bitterness.

Violet's expression darkened as the vines grew, thick and menacing. "I do. But betrayal? That's just survival."

Without warning, Violet lashed out, her vines whipping toward Magnus with deadly speed. Reacting instinctively, Magnus activated his Mana Eyes, the ethereal glow enhancing his vision as he dodged to the side. The vines struck the ground where he had been standing, leaving deep gouges in the earth.

Magnus responded with a swift Wind Blade, sending a sharp current of air slicing through the vines. The attack severed several of them, but more sprouted in their place, thickening and advancing toward him like a living wall.

Violet's laugh echoed through the tunnel. "Is that all you've got? A few gusts of wind?"

Magnus gritted his teeth, sending another Wind Blade her way. The blade of air cut through the approaching vines, but Violet was relentless. She summoned more and more, surrounding Magnus from all sides. The vines were thicker now, their thorny surfaces glinting menacingly in the dim light.

One of the vines lashed out and struck Magnus's arm, the thorns digging into his flesh. He hissed in pain, feeling the sting of the puncture wounds. Blood seeped from the cuts, staining his sleeve. His initial anger was now mixed with frustration—Violet wasn't just an opponent; she was a threat he hadn't anticipated.

"You're going to regret this," Magnus muttered under his breath, his mind racing as he calculated his next move. The Wind Blades weren't enough. He could see through her attacks with his Mana Eyes, but he needed something more powerful to counter her relentless assault.

He focused on her movements, watching how she directed the vines. With his enhanced vision, he noticed a slight delay whenever she summoned a new batch of vines—a small opening he could exploit. Magnus sent out another Wind Blade, this time aiming directly at her, hoping to force her onto the defensive.

Violet easily sidestepped the attack, sending a wave of vines in retaliation. They wrapped around Magnus's legs, pulling him off balance and dragging him toward her. He struggled, using his Wind Blades to cut through the bindings, but they reformed almost instantly, stronger and tighter than before.

As the vines coiled around his arms and legs, Magnus realized he was being overwhelmed. The thorns dug deeper into his skin, their sharp points drawing more blood. The pain was intense, and his movements were becoming restricted. He could feel the pressure building, the vines squeezing the breath from his lungs. The air around him grew colder as Violet tightened her grip, her eyes gleaming with triumph.

Magnus grunted in pain, his vision blurring slightly as the vines constricted further. He knew he had to act fast—he couldn't let himself be subdued like this.

"I might have to use my portals to fight her," Magnus thought, the realization hitting him like a cold splash of water.

He clenched his fists, summoning his mana as he prepared to open a portal. The familiar blue rifts began to form, but something was off. The portals weren't the usual blue—they were darker, tinged with a crimson hue. The energy felt different, more intense and raw.

Before Magnus could fully manifest the portal, Violet's voice cut through the air. "You're finished, Magnus. Just give up!"

She poured more power into her vines, channeling energy through them to strengthen their hold on him. The thorns twisted deeper into his flesh, causing him to wince in pain. He could feel his strength waning, the relentless pressure making it harder to breathe.

With no other options, Magnus finally activated his portals. Portals opened around him, intercepting the vines as they closed in. The portals slashed through the vines, severing them with a sharpness that surprised even Magnus. The severed vines fell limp to the ground, releasing their hold on him.

Violet's eyes widened in shock as she saw her vines being countered so effectively. "What… what is that?" she demanded, her voice tinged with fear and anger.

Magnus didn't answer, too focused on the battle. He directed a series of mana daggers through the portals, aiming for Violet's vital points. She barely dodged them, her movements growing more frantic as she realized she was losing control.

"You think you can beat me with those tricks?!" Violet shrieked, her composure cracking. In a desperate move, she unleashed her ultimate skill. The ground trembled as massive, thorn-covered vines erupted from the earth, wrapping around her body and fusing with her muscles. Her entire form began to shift, the vines melding with her skin and turning her into a monstrous hybrid of plant and human.

Her strength and speed were now far beyond anything Magnus had faced before. She charged at him, her movements a blur of power and fury. Magnus opened more portals, trying to deflect her attacks, but Violet was relentless. Each strike she delivered shook the very air around them, and Magnus could feel the strain on his portals as they struggled to keep up.

The pressure was mounting, and Magnus felt the overwhelming power of Violet's transformed state. He knew he was running out of options. If he didn't do something drastic, he would be overwhelmed.

"Is this really how it ends?" Magnus thought, a bitter taste in his mouth. "No… I won't let it."

He considered using Spatial Disruption, the most powerful ability he had. It would end the fight, but the cost would be immense. Just as he was about to unleash it, a commanding voice echoed through the air, halting both combatants.

"Enough!"

Magnus and Violet froze, turning to see a tall, imposing figure stepping out of the shadows. The guard, dressed in the traditional garb of the dojo, exuded an aura of authority and control. His presence was enough to stop the fight instantly.

"You will stop this immediately," the guard ordered, his voice brokering no argument. "This dojo is a place of discipline and honor. You will settle your disputes in the tournament, not like undisciplined children."

Violet, still seething with rage, reluctantly retracted her vines, her body returning to its normal state. Magnus, breathing heavily, allowed his darkened portals to close.

The guard's eyes flicked between them, his expression stern. "You both have power, but power without control is meaningless. If you wish to fight, do so in the ring."

Magnus's heart was still pounding from the intensity of the battle, but he nodded, his mind racing. He had been pushed to his limits and almost resorted to using his most dangerous ability. But now, he had a clear understanding—Violet was no ally, and the tournament would be far more challenging than he had anticipated.

As the guard led them into the dojo, Magnus and Violet were immediately struck by how large it was. The dojo was huge, with Ascenders training everywhere, each area filled with focused energy. It was clear this was where the strongest prepared for the tournament.

The guard's stern voice broke their thoughts. "Names?"

"Violet. Violet Moses," she said confidently.

The guard paused, a hint of recognition crossing his face. "Violet Moses? That name sounds familiar… Are you related to someone important?" His tone was curious, almost suspicious.

Violet's eyes narrowed, her voice sharp. "That's none of your business."

The guard raised an eyebrow but didn't push further. He turned to Magnus. "And you?"

"Magnus Lynton," Magnus said, still looking around, taking in every detail of the dojo.

"Alright," the guard nodded, his gaze shifting between them. "Show me your tickets."

Magnus smoothly handed over his ticket, while Violet hesitated, quickly searching her pockets. Her eyes widened in panic as she realized she couldn't find her ticket. "It was right here... I swear! I was invited by the master himself!" she exclaimed, her voice shaky with worry.

The guard's expression turned stern. "No ticket, no entry. Rules are rules."

Magnus walked past Violet, a small smirk on his lips. The truth was, during their fight, when he used his Wind Blades, he had secretly directed the wind to blow her ticket out of her pocket. With a quick portal, he had snatched it without her noticing.

As he walked past the guard, leaving Violet behind, Magnus felt a sense of satisfaction. One less competitor meant one less problem in the tournament. He knew he couldn't let his guard down again—Violet had shown him just how tough this competition would be.

***

Violet Moses

As Magnus disappeared into the dojo, I felt my blood boil with a rage I could barely contain. Could I have lost it somewhere? Did I drop it while fighting him? Or did he steal it? My fists clenched at my sides, nails digging into my palms. The thought of being tricked and left behind by that smug bastard made my skin crawl.

I couldn't just stand there and accept it. No, I had to get in—ticket or not.

Without a second thought, I charged at the entrance, ready to force my way through. My vines burst from the ground, whipping toward the guard. But before I could even react, the guard moved with lightning speed. His hand struck out, meeting my vines with a precise, fluid motion. A shockwave of energy pulsed through the air as he pushed back against my attack, sending me flying.

My body slammed into the stone wall behind me, the impact knocking the breath from my lungs. Pain shot through me, but it wasn't enough to dull the anger coursing through my veins. How could this happen? How could I be stopped so easily?

As I struggled to catch my breath, I heard a familiar voice, calm yet firm. It cut through the haze of my anger like a knife.

"What are you doing Violet."

I turned toward the voice, my heart skipping a beat. There, standing with the same confident posture, was a woman with green hair just like mine. Her eyes met mine, filled with a mixture of disappointment and concern.

It was her—my older sister, the one person I never expected to see here.