Parallel Memory

Zero watches as Princess Elenia struggles within the icy confines of the Ice Prison. Her determination was evident as she continued to exert her magical prowess, trying to shatter the frozen cage that held her captive. But despite her efforts, the ice held firm, and Zero had no intention of letting her escape.

The audience in the grand coliseum was in awe of the battle they were witnessing. It had started with Elenia's confidence in her aerial advantage, but now, it seemed like Zero had turned the tables. "Is it possible? Will Princess Elenia lose against Zero Elea?"

"A Rank-A winning against Rank-S? This might be the first in history!"

"Damn! I can't watch it! Princess Elenia, please do something and defeat that human." …

The cheers and gasps of the spectators were deafening, and they couldn't take their eyes off the intense showdown.

Nobody thought that Zero would win but looking at the current situation, it seems like Zero had Princess Elenia cornered and only a hair's breadth away from victory.

Zero, however, was not reveling in the victory that seemed within his grasp. It was because although he seemed to be winning, he too was exhausted after all that happened. And he was barely able to contain Princess Elenia with all the mana and stamina he had. And just immobilizing Princess Elenia wasn't going to get him the victory.

( Should I use Shadow Ice Shadow Shard? Maybe Shadow Slash? )

Zero thought of ending the battle by launching a long-range attack, however, he came to the conclusion that those attacks wouldn't be able to defeat Princess Elenia.

She has a regeneration skill that she could use to easily heal all those wounds. His only option to firmly defeat Princess Elenia from this position was either using Dark Energy or Ancient Dragon's Wrath.

But neither was something that he could do at the moment.

He couldn't reveal Dark Energy and the answer is obvious. As for the Ancient Dragon's Wrath, it takes too much mana and he lacks that at the moment. Even if he did, he wouldn't easily show that skill considering that it was his biggest trump card.

As Elenia continued to struggle, Zero made a decision. He released the Ice Prison, causing the frozen bars to dissipate into mist. Elenia stumbled forward, her body bruised and battered from her efforts. But her injuries were all healed the next second, thanks to her healing skill. But more than her injuries, she was concerned about something else.

"What are you doing?" She demanded, her voice a mix of anger and confusion. She was still trying to get out of the Ice Prison but Zero had released the technique before she could.

She was still in her defensive position as she thought that Zero might be trying to do something with him releasing the skill.

"I forfeit!"

Zero raised his hands and surrendered. "Huh?" Elenia blinked in surprise. She hadn't expected Zero to surrender, especially when he had the advantage.

…

"What? Did I hear it right?"

"Zero Elea is surrendering? What is happening? Wasn't he winning?"

"Why did he surrender?" …

The spectator was also shocked and confused. They all saw Zero winning against Princess Elenia and suddenly he wants to give up.

It wasn't something that they could understand. "Winner! Princess Elenia!"

The referee announced after getting out of the shock. He also didn't expect Zero to give up at such a pivotal moment when he was on the verge of winning. But since he surrendered, then that means that he lost.

Even so, the confusion and dissatisfaction among the crowd was evident with some cursing Zero, especially human geniuses.

"Dammit! You could have won! Why are you surrendering? Even if you can't defeat her, at least fight to the end."

"Humph! I thought he was a courageous person but it turns out that he is a coward."

"He could have brought glory for the human race. Why did you just give up?" …

The human geniuses couldn't understand why Zero was giving up on such an important match which would affect their reputation.

"..."

Zero looked at the crowd who was still making noise about his forfeit. But he didn't care and just started to walk away from the stage.

As for the insult of human geniuses, he didn't care. What reputation? What Glory? This was just a small contest and even winning wouldn't make much difference to anything.

And even if he did, Zero wasn't interested in the glory of humans or anything. He wouldn't have given up if he could win but it shouldn't be at the expense of him.

Although it would be great to win he needs to work much harder to achieve that considering how determined Princess Elenia was. Ice Prison was good for restricting Princess Elenia, but not for finishing the fight. And once she gets out, it will be another intense fight.

Considering the mana and stamina he had left, Zero didn't want to continue.

Moreover, even if he won, he thought that there were other powerful opponents that he needed to fight.

He felt like he was already done with this contest. He already ranked high enough to receive rewards from King Tranduil and there wasn't anything that he needed to prove.

Although previously, he was angry at Princess Elenia and wanted to teach her a lesson but that feeling was long gone. He didn't think much of it and he didn't think continuing the fight was worth anything.

If he wants to win against Princess Elenia, it seems like he needs to make use of Ancient Dragon's Wrath or his Dark Energy which are both his trump card that he wouldn't show easily. And to be ranked just a higher place wasn't worth it for him to show his trump cards. "What is Zero thinking?"

Amelia said in confusion. She was sure that Zero was stronger than Princess Elenia. He also had the Ancient Dragon's Wrath which instantly killed Ifrit.

"He should be concealing his power. Moreover, Princess Elenia is very powerful and even though she seems to be cornered, she is still far from defeated."

Mia replied.

Although she also thinks that Zero gave up too easily like Zero, she also thought that he already ranked higher than most. Anyway, no matter what anyone says or thinks, the result has already been decided. "WAIT!"

Princess Elenia yelled, bringing the attention to herself. She seemed extremely angry and there was no shred of arrogance in her expression after having battled with Zero.

"What do you mean forfeit? How can you surrender after this?"

Princess Elenia asked Zero. She seemed dissatisfied with the result despite winning. Amongst everyone out there, maybe the one who is most dissatisfied with Zero's forfeit is Princess Elenia.

She wanted to teach Zero a lesson but failed and instead was on the verge of losing. Even though she won because of Zero's forfeit, she still felt like she was the one who lost.

Zero halts his step and turns around to face Princess Elenia. He thought that he ought to explain the reason to his opponent.

"Princess Elenia, I used my full power and have exhausted my mana. I think it is fair that I surrender after that!"

Zero replied.

"You are lying! You should still be able to fight! Don't run away and fight me again!"

Princess Elenia said, not buying Zero's explanation at all. She thought that even if what he said was true, he shouldn't have just given up like this.

*SIGH!

Zero didn't understand what the problem with Princess Elenia was. She won and still seems to have something to complain about.

Zero just decided to completely ignore her and just went back to his seat. "Hey! Come back!"

Princess Elenia yelled as she was going to chase after Zero.

"Princess, Please! Return to your seat!"

Luckily the referee stopped her from going after Zero. *TCH!

Princess Elenia watched Zero slip away and she also decided to stop pursuing Zero and went back to her seat.

But you can see from her expression that she wasn't exactly happy with that. It was the same for the other Elves. They expected a harsh beating from Princess Elenia to Zero and although Princess Elenia won, there wasn't a single serious injury to Zero.

Elrond was the one who was most angry. Zero had indeed lost but was it the same as him? No! He lost with dignity and also without any suffering. There was no satisfaction in watching Zero lose to Princess Elenia.

Even so, there was nothing he or any other person could do. The battle between Princess Eleina and Zero already concluded with Zero's surrender.