18 1-A (3)

Isabelle and Juliet were childhood friends.

Both of their dads had worked together many times and had a good relationship. This led their daughters to be acquaint with each other. At first, Juliet tried to avoid Isabelle but it didn't work.

She eventually accepted Isabelle as her first and only friend and since then, they got closer little by little.

They walked up to the arena and took their places. Isabelle was using a bow while Juliet was using a sword. The matchup was in favor of Juliet.

Both of them were (E-)-rank and were close to breaking through (E)-rank. But a swordsman is advantageous against an archer when they are in close combat. On top of that, Juliet had a relatively high mastery over swords.

As a matter of fact, she would become the second best swordsman after Leon towards the end of the novel.

"Juliet, I'll win this time! So you better be ready!"

Isabelle said with determination. She had never been able to win against Juliet in a duel since her childhood. She wanted to win at least for once.

There was a friendly rivalry between them.

Being used to Isabelle's speeches, Juliet just nodded without saying anything back.

"Begin!"

Isabelle grabbed an arrow from her quiver and shot it at Juliet. Juliet effortlessly blocked it by her sword. Following this, three more arrows came towards Juliet simultaneously. She knew she wouldn't be able to block them all.

So she tried to dodge them but an arrow grazed her fine waist. She felt a burning sensation. Blood seeped out of the shallow slit.

She gazed at Isabelle, who was smiling playfully. Isabelle raised her bow and channeled her mana into it. Slowly a semi-transparent blue arrow materialized in front of her eyes. It was a mana arrow made of water element.

Isabelle had 3 attributes: Water, Fire and lighting.

Sensing the attack power of the arrow, Juliet immediately channeled her mana and a wall of water formed before Juliet.

Juliet had also 3 attributes: Wind, Water, Light.

She was one of the few ones who could control light element in the novel. Light attribute was precious because demons were weak against light element. Unfortunately, not many had light attribute.

The mana arrow pierced through air, creating a subtle sound. As soon as it clashed with the water shield, a small shock wave was released. The arrow was gradually penetrating the water wall.

But it soon stopped halfway through the wall. Seeing her strongest attack was blocked by Juliet, Isabelle was disappointed. She had used a part of her mana reserve to pull off that shot.

Juliet raised her hand and wind blades appeared above her. They shot towards Isabelle in a great speed. Isabelle counteracted the wind blades with her arrows.

Juliet took the opportunity and dashed towards Isabelle.

But Isabelle knew Juliet would do this. They had fought so many duels that they had memorized each other's moves. Isabelle moved back to dodge the incoming sword slash. Yet she couldn't dodge it completely and the sword slightly cut her shoulder.

"Now we are even."

Juliet once again attacked her. Now that Isabelle was in her sword range, she threw slashes continuously. Isabelle couldn't do anything but try to avoid her sword. She was, after all, an archer, what she could do in a close combat was limited.

Isabelle's stamina started to reach its limit and she eventually got cornered and fell to the ground.

She raised her hands and, indicating she surrendered.

"Alright, Alright! I surrender!"

"You lost again."

Juliet extended her hand to help Isabelle stand up. Isabelle pouted and grabbed her Juliet's hand to get up.

"I am aware. You don't have to say it out loud."

They walked out of the arena together as Ember announced the winner.

"Juliet Walter has won the second duel!"

---------------------------------------------------

I was bored waiting for my turn. After the fight of the main characters, duels had become unexciting and I lost my interest. It was just extras fighting and nothing big.

'I am also an extra though...'

"Theodore Miller and Gordon Ronald! Come to the arena!"

'Finally.'

I leisurely entered the arena. The boy I was going to fight had a smug smirk on his face for some reason. I didn't know what was going on in his mind but it was obvious that he was having the time of his life.

"Theodore, Gordon asked if he could be your duel partner. I didn't find any reason to reject his offer since he was rank 1536 and you hadn't chosen a partner. So your opponent will be him."

"Sure. I have no objections."

As I took my stance, Gordon shouted at me.

"I will let you have a taste of my fist, you low-born."

I frowned hearing this.

Now everything started to make sense. Most probably, he had deliberately chosen me to give me a beating. His arrogant attitude was the proof of it. But as far as I remembered, I hadn't even provoked anyone...

'Right... I guess I slightly did anger someone.'

I kneaded my nose and sighed out of annoyance. He was most probably a lackey of Ralph. Did he think he could win Ralph's favor by beating me?

If so, I will gladly wipe that smirk off his face.

'I can try my new skill on him too. Such a good training dummy!'

I put my hand around my ear and shouted back.

"Hmm? What did you say? I couldn't hear it clearly."

Gordon's smile turned into a grin.

"You bastard... I was going to give you a last chance to kneel and beg for forgiveness but it seems you really want to get beaten so badly."

I tilted my head and gave him confused look as if I was really clueless about what he was talking about.

Gordon said with a tiny bit of doubt in his voice.

"Can't you hear me? Are you really deaf or something?"

But he met with a response he wasn't expecting. I laughed out loud. I really laughed so hard.

"HAHAHA... I just can't... I just really can't! How can you guys spout so much bullshit with just a few words."

Gordon's expression darkened as my laughs became louder. The students too started to doubt wether I was okay. But I didn't care. Gordon's speech was so cliche that I couldn't believe my ears. It was such a ridiculous sight.

While I was laughing, I felt some of that built-up stress leaving my mind. Although I could keep my composure, it was still very hard to assimilate myself into this new world with a new society.

In fact, I was still not very familiar with this new world. Knowing something was not the same as experiencing it. It was impossible to alter my mindset right away.

After a while, my laughs ceased. I wiped the tiny teardrop off the side of my eyes.

I took my stance again and got serious. It wouldn't be great to lose after laughing like there was no tomorrow.

Seeing both of us were ready, Ember shouted.

"Begin!"

Gordon rushed at me. He was probably at (F)-rank, considering he was rank 1536 and his speed was close to mine. He was wearing brass knuckles, he was a brawler.

He soon appeared before me and swung his right fist towards my face. But I paired it with my palm. He then threw his left punch to hit me with an uppercut. I leaned my head backwards to dodge it. But it still grazed my chin a bit.

I grasped the tilt of my daggers and pulled them out of their sheath. I slashed horizontally but he was able to step back at the right time and avoid it.

I rubbed my chin and stared at him intently.

I channeled my mana into my legs and added lighting element to it. Electric currents enveloped my legs, creating cracking sounds. I noticed Gordon was also trying to use <Body enhancement>. But I had no intention to let him finish what he was doing. I once again slashed at him before he could apply mana onto his body.

He lost his concentration while he was trying to block my stroke and he failed to channel his mana properly. Thanks to my <Body Enhancement> and lighting element, Gordon was barely able to react to my consecutive slashes.

After a while, I realized the duel would be over if I kept pressuring him. So I retreated to give him some room. But Gordon misjudged my intentions and thought I retreated because my mana reserve was about to run out.

He was once again filled with confidence. He used <Body Enhancement> with earth attribute and attacked me with all he has got. Yet I easily dodged or paired them. Gordon got frustrated seeing none of his punches hit me.

The duel had lasted longer than necessary. I decided to try my new skill and end the duel before something unexpected happened.

I mumbled under my breath.

"Eyes of Providence..."

At that instant, my circular black pupils twisted into vertical slit pupils. My vision turned grey and everything around me became white and black. The only color was the glowing blood-red spots on the Gordon's body. His neck, his heart, his forehead, and many other areas of his body were releasing a blood-red glow.

I guessed the red spots were the weak spots. But...

'Why the hell are there so many weak spots on his body? Was his defense always this bad?'

But I realized why this was the case. Gordon was running towards me without a care in the world. He had left his whole body vulnerable while he was only focusing on offense. His only purpose was to give me a good blow. He looked really angry.

He sent a punch towards my chest. It had the strength to break my ribs. I dodged to the left and thrusted my dagger into one of the red spots, his forehead. Gordon could only watch with a dumb look as the dagger came closer to his head. However, I stopped before the dagger plunged in.

After a moment Ember announced the winner.

"The winner of the 15th duel is Theodore Miller!"

My mana was at a critical level. The effects of the skill wore off and my pupils turned back to their original shape.

I didn't waste any time and just left the arena. I could hear the cheers of the student as the fight had become too intense towards the end.

Everyone was surprised by the outcome of the duel. They hadn't even given a thought to the possibility of Theodore winning. They were sure Theodore would lose since Gordon was approximately 500 rank higher than him.

The last move was quite precise and aimed at the weakest point of his opponent. It seemed strange that this boy called Theodore was only rank 2154.