Chapter 1321: The beginning of the first match in the 2v2 format.

No one objected to the change in the format of the matches.

However, Milica’s suggestion regarding the participation of her platinum-ranked disciples was taken as a joke. Even her master Severin and his two younger disciples looked at her with disbelief.

"You’re not serious, are you?" asked Severin.

"Absolutely serious, Master," she replied with a smile, then turned to her disciples.

Idan and Arabel, noticing her gaze, rose from their seats with a slight smile.

"Come on, are you really going to participate?" asked Saelis with disbelief in her voice.

"That’s the master’s wish," Arabel said, answering for the two of them.

"Good luck," — Eulalia wished.

And under the gazes of all the elves present, Idan and Arabel jumped down into the arena, where they landed smoothly.

Idan stretched his shoulders and turned to his wife.

"Do you need a second sword?" he asked.

"Don’t you need it yourself?" asked Arabel.

"I have something else on my mind," he said with a mysterious expression.

"Well, then, give it here," she held out her hand, not refusing his offer.

Idan took off his "Vow of Light" wedding ring from his finger and placed it in her hands.

Meanwhile, they were looked down upon as buffoons. No one took them seriously. There wasn’t even anyone willing to go up against them.

Upstairs, Miliсa was expecting something similar.

She ignored the stares of her master and the juniors directed at her and turned towards the group of Heavenly Crown elves. Her gaze landed on a woman she knew. Her old rival, who she knew had a Rank 5 disciple.

Miliсa smiled and sent her a mental message through the Power of her Soul.

The elf turned around and looked at her in surprise.

"Are you serious?" she exclaimed.

"Yes," Milica replied shortly, still smiling.

Her old rival, without hesitation, agreed.

A young elf with bright purple hair and turquoise skin jumped into the arena from the side of the Elves of the Heavenly Crown. At the same time, an elf appeared from the side of the Elves of the Bottomless Waters.

"I knew it," Milica said, not showing surprise, unlike the other elves. Some of them quickly realized that Miliсa had made an agreement with them. And now they were interested in the question: what kind of bet did she offer them?

"The Elf of the Heavenly Crown and the Elf of the Bottomless Waters?"

Idan and Arabel looked at their opponents.

Unlike them, both elves were Diamond ranked.

The elves exchanged glances and nodded to each other.

"They know each other," Arabel noted.

"Does that change anything?" asked Idan, rolling up his sleeves.

"Nothing," — Arabel shook her head, and her Vow of Darkness ring transformed, and the Dark Queen Sword appeared on her left hand, decorated with seven shining runes.

Bzzz! Bzzz! Bzzz!

Lightning sparks danced around the Elf of the Heavenly Crown.

"The Lightning element?" Idan smiled and felt a spark of rivalry.

Bzzz! Bzzz! Bzzz!

Purple sparks also danced around him.

"Oh!" the elves gasped in surprise.

The lightning sparks concentrated in Idan’s right hand, and after a wave, a lightning element staff materialized in his hands.

Severin, Lavena, and Renard turned to Milica.

"After all, he’s my disciple," Milica smiled proudly.

Below, Idan’s opponent drew a spear.

"Of course it’s a spear," — thought Miliсa, glancing in the direction of her old rival. She looked at her defiantly. Now, their students were fighting below instead.

The two-on-two battle began with the simultaneous rush of Idan and the Heavenly Crown Elf.

Thanks to the active ability {Ghost Stats}, which enhanced the {Agility} stat, Idan and Arabel not only had time to follow the movements of their opponents, but also to react to them.

Whoosh!

The sharp tip of the spear, reinforced by lightning, cut through the air where Idan’s head had been.

"Huh?" The Heavenly Crown Elf froze in surprise, attacking the air. Before this strike, he thought it would be the fastest battle of his life. But he was deeply mistaken.

Idan did not miss this short chance of confusion, swinging his staff with all his might, aiming at his opponent’s head.

Bam!

The lightning staff hit its target, and the elf flew away.

"Tsch!" — Idan clicked his tongue. He could feel the force of the blow, but it wasn’t enough. Yes, he had speed. But not the power. {Ghost stats} doubled only {Agility}, not other stats. He missed such a good chance.

However, he quickly regained his composure and rushed after him.

Idan caught up with his opponent before his feet touched the floor and swung his staff.

But this time, the elf was ready.

The shaft of the spear slid along the staff, pulling it aside. At the same time, the elf turned around and struck with the opposite end of the weapon.

Idan managed to hold up his staff.

Bam!

He was thrown back.

The soles of his feet slid across the smooth floor of the arena. Pain rolled down Idan’s arms to his shoulders, and his fingers almost loosened.

Idan wanted to curse, but the elf was already advancing.

The tip of the spear, wrapped in lightning, shot towards his chest.

Idan ducked, passing him by the shoulder. The next thrust went close to the face. The third forced him to take another step back.

Now the opponent was in no hurry to put all his strength into one attack. Short movements, quick spear returns, not a single unnecessary swing.

"He’s not being framed anymore."

Idan shifted to the right, intending to bypass the tip, but the elf immediately changed his grip.

The spear described a wide arc.

Idan ducked, and lightning crackled over his head.

Kicking off with his foot, he broke the distance.

The elf did not follow. He stopped and ran his thumb over the spot where the first blow had landed. The blow was strong and painful, but not enough.

There was blood on his finger.

The elf’s gaze became colder.

"Not a bad speed."

Idan’s hands were shaking, and he tightened his grip on the lightning staff.

"You have a strong head."

Then the two rushed towards each other again.

On the other half of the arena, ice against ice came together in a duel.

A wave of ice spikes clashed with an equally powerful wave of similar spikes.

Bam! Bam! Bam!

Half of the arena was covered with ice fragments and a veil of fog.

In this haze, the corners of Arabel’s lips turned up, and she tightened her grip on the hilt of her sword.