Parallel Memory

"I think you should stop playing these little games and come with full strength!"

Zero provoked once again with a smirk. He made sure that Elrond felt lesser than him. 

The spectator was surprised that Zero was provoking Elrond more. They were sure that Zero must be regretting for mocking Elrond earlier but rather than regretting, he was taunting Rank-S Elrond.

Princess Elenia and King Trnaduil were also surprised. The Rank-S genius Elrond which they knew was powerful was being treated like a weakling by a Rank-A human.

It was so bizarre that even Princess Elenia couldn't think of it. Even if she was arrogant, she wasn't stupid. She never fought with Rank-S geniuses when she was Rank-A and had never underestimated them as well because she knew that they were stronger than her.

However, Zero was doing that! He, a Rank-A person was provoking and mocking Rank-S - Elrond who is also a genius.

Moreover, it doesn't seem like Zero was struggling against Elrond either. Not only did he manage to land a solid hit on Elrond's stomach but also flawlessly blocked all of Elrond's attacks.

Zero's taunting words managed to further enrage Elrond, who was determined to prove his superiority. He was going to beat Zero even if it cost him his life.

With a deep breath, Elrond summoned his full power, channeling his mana into his bow and arrows. The very air around him seemed to crackle with energy as his eyes blazed with determination.

"You are going to regret underestimating me!"

Elronmd bellowed in anger.

[ "Sunbeam Strike" ]

Elrond unleashed a devastating attack called "Sunbeam Strike." His bow glowed with a blinding, radiant light as he fired a single arrow imbued with the power of the sun itself. The arrow streaked toward Zero with incredible speed, leaving a blazing trail in its wake.

Zero stood firm in the face of Elrond's blazing Sunbeam Strike. As the arrow of scorching light streaked toward him, Zero's eyes shimmered with confidence.

[ "Dual Art: Dark Ice Embodiment" ]

[ "Dual Art: Glacier Shadow Slash" ]

Zero also decided to respond to Elrond's attack with his own. 

-BOOM!

The impact of Elrond's Sunbeam Strike meeting Zero's Glacier Shadow Slash created a blinding explosion of elemental forces. A shockwave rippled through the arena, sending dust and debris flying in all directions. 

Fortunately, the arena was protected by an artifact that protected the spectators from any possible debris or energy from the attack.

For a moment, it seemed as if the two opposing energies were evenly matched, the blinding light of the sun's power battling against the Ice Cold Slash. The arena was bathed in a surreal blend of radiant light and eerie darkness, casting a mystical atmosphere over the battle.

The attacks eventually cancel each other out!

Elrond, who was fueled by anger, was now confused and surprised. He didn't know how a Rank-A person could possibly match the power of a Rank-S attack such as himself.

However, Zero wasn't going to wait for Elrond to come up with an answer.

[ "Dark Icy Surface" ]

Zero immediately went to further increase his advantage. He covered the whole arena with Dark Ice. 

Elrond did manage to dodge the attack and wasn't frozen but Zero's intention was never to freeze Zero. It was just to allow him to move freely while restricting Elrond's movement.

With the arena covered in the sinister embrace of Zero's "Dark Icy Surface," Elrond found himself in a precarious situation. 

His agility, which was already his weakness, was severely increased by the slippery, freezing ground. He struggled to maintain his footing as he attempted to regain control of the battle.

Zero, on the other hand, glided effortlessly across the ice, his movements graceful and calculated. He continued to taunt Elrond with a smirk on his face, clearly reveling in his advantage.

"Is this all you've got, Elrond?" Zero teased as he dodged another one of Elrond's arrows. 

"I expected more from a Rank-S genius like you. Didn't you want to kill me? Teach me a lesson? I am still waiting!"

Zero spared no chance to mock Elrond and used every comment that he gave to humiliate him. 

Elrond, who was already suffering at the hands of Zero, had to also deal with his venomous tongue which continued to insult him.

Elrond wanted to take revenge for the humiliation but couldn't do so.

His attacks were easily dodged or blocked by Zero. Even his strongest skills were canceled out by Zero's powerful attack.

[ "Frozen Shadow Dance" ]

Elrond attacks were all useless and Zero was able to sneak on Elrond. Elrond being Rank-S was able to sense Zero's presence behind him and defended against Zero's attack.

Elrond was able to defend against the attack but he wasn't without any injuries as he couldn't completely block off the attack.

However, he didn't have time to worry about his little injuries as Zero had reached right before him.

"Damn you!"

Elrond tried to hit Zero as he released his arrow but Zero easily dodged it by shifting his head to the right.

-SLASH!

On the other hand, Elrond being close and defenseless after he attacked, Zero was easily able to injure him with his sword.

"AAAAAAAH!"

Elrond's anguished cry echoed through the arena as Zero's sword slashed across his arm, leaving a deep, bleeding gash. The pain surged through him, intensifying his frustration and humiliation.

The spectators watched in shock as the once-proud Elven genius now found himself wounded and cornered by Zero, a Rank-A human. It was a sight that none of them had expected to witness.

Zero stood before the wounded Elrond, his expression was stern and unyielding. He had no intention of letting up on his assault.

"How does it feel to get beaten by someone lower ranked than yourself, Elrond?" Zero taunted once more. 

"Not a very good feeling, isn't it? Though I would never know!"

Elrond seethed with anger and frustration. He couldn't understand how he was in this situation even when he was giving his all against Rank-A.

Gritting his teeth, Elrond summoned all his remaining strength and determination. He refused to go down without a fight, even if it meant facing the humiliation of defeat.

[ "Arrow Barra-" ]

-SLASH!

Before Elrond could complete his incantation for another powerful attack, Zero attacked his other arm with a sudden burst of speed. 

Elrond staggered backward, now defenseless and wounded. His pride had taken a severe blow, and he knew that he was on the verge of defeat.

He was even thinking about surrendering even though it might become the most shameful thing that he had ever done.

However, it seems like he doesn't have the liberty of contemplating Zero being so close by.

-BANG!

Zero didn't use his sword but instead used his hand to punch Elrond's face. 

Zero's fist connected with Elrond's face with brutal force. The sound of the impact reverberated through the arena, and blood spurted from Elrond's nose as he stumbled backward, collapsing to the icy ground. 

-BANG! -BANG! -BANG!

Zero, his face devoid of any mercy, continued his relentless assault. He rained down blow after blow, each punch landing with precise and calculated force. Elrond's once-proud visage was now marred by swelling and bruises, and his strength waned with every hit.

The spectators couldn't continue watching this, especially the Elves. They thought that Elrond would win and teach Zero a lesson. But now, Elrond was being beaten mercilessly by that human.

"Elrond, you can do it!"

"Get up, Elrond!"

"Teach that ba*tard a lesson!" …

The spectators cheered for Elrond. They believe that Elrond will be able to turn this around. They all cheered for Elrond.

However, unbeknownst to them, Elrond Had already given up. All he wants now is to stop being a punching bag. He couldn't even hear the cheers from his fellow Elves.

"I Surr- "

-BANG!

"Please, I -"

-BANG!

Zero continued hitting on his face, especially his mouth. Zero didn't let Elrond surrender even though Elrond wanted to. 

Moreover, Zero precisely controlled his punch, so that it didn't knock out Elrond but was able to hit him painfully. 

The spectators watched in horrified disbelief as the Rank-A human, Zero, continued to pummel the Rank-S genius, Elrond, without giving him a moment to even catch his breath, let alone surrender. 

The Elven's cheer continued dwelling as more and more people realized that Elrond was getting beaten up and there was no way for him to retaliate. 

It was a gruesome and one-sided battle that defied all expectations.

Elrond's vision blurred as pain engulfed him. He tried to raise his arms to defend himself, but they felt heavy and unresponsive. He was trapped in a nightmare, unable to escape the relentless assault.

Zero's taunts continued unabated, each word a cruel reminder of Elrond's helplessness. 

"Is this what a Rank-S genius like you amounts to, Elrond? Pathetic. I expected more from you."

The arena seemed to hold its breath as the beating continued, and the once-proud Elrond's face became an unrecognizable mess of blood and bruises. 

He had no way to retaliate or escape, and surrender seemed like a distant and impossible option.

Finally, Zero decided that it was time to stop and said, "Remember! There are some people that you can't mess with, particularly those who are dear to me!"