161 I'm Somewhat Of A Gambler Myself

This time, I was serious.

("No more games, Solace. Do it like you mean it.") [Solace]

I then summoned my trusty gauntlets, Vermillion Eclipse.

"So you will resort to relying on tools?" [Leon]

"You use knives. Why shouldn't I use this?" [Solace]

Leon stole a peek at my gauntlets.

"That's more dangerous than a knife." [Leon]

"You can tell?" [Solace]

"I can sense the cursed energy." [Leon]

I did not know that was something you can sense. The more you know, huh.

"Knives won't do any good here." [Leon]

Reaching under her skirt, Leon unclipped some kind of belt holding a crap ton of hidden daggers and cast it aside.

("I kind of want to ask how she even got so many knives.") [Solace]

She then crossed her arms.

"Deliver unto my victims divine retribution, Scika." [Leon]

The sky rumbled and dark clouds formed overhead. As I stole a glance upwards, a bolt of lightning struck the ground near Leon, revealing a small purple humanoid spirit.

("Oh… Oh damn. That was a cool entrance.") [Solace]

I took mental notes on how I should appear when Fina calls me. I can only hope that I will be cool as well.

"|Invoke Exto|." [Leon]

("Huh?") [Solace]

Leon's purple spirit suddenly jumped into her hand, molding itself into a different shape. My eyes widened as I saw it expand to the point that it became twice Leon's size.

("A… greatsword?") [Solace]

Calling it a greatsword felt like an understatement. The handle itself was probably around 4 feet and the blade itself was taller than me. Not to mention, Leon was shorter than I am so I was torn between laughing at the drastic difference between her and the weapon or being afraid of how hard that thing could hit.

"That's quite the uh… design.") [Solace]

The swordhead was a thick double sided blade, with a cracked pattern converging to the handle. Within the seams was a hue of purple, pulsating as if it was alive. The blade itself was purely black. The weapon itself almost felt like a painting of a stormy night.

"Keh… hehehe…" [Leon]

Suddenly, she started giggling to herself. The usual indifference was replaced with a grin that was practically plastered all over her face.

"...Leon?" [Solace]

My hairs stood on end as I saw a bloodthirsty hint in her eyes. Either that or it was the static electricity I was feeling on my skin.

"Oh, I didn't expect her to use that…" [Vincent]

"Is there something you've noticed?" [Wilharrow]

There goes the teachers again, yapping it up over there.

"It appears that Leon has used a variant of the unique class skill |Berserk|. It's a surprising role choice considering her small stature." [Vincent]

"She's a |Berserker|?!" [Urth]

Wilharrow squinted his eyes and shook his head.

"No. That's a |Bloodthirster|. A class with similar traits, but allows the user to regain health from damage dealt." [Wilharrow]

Hearing that was terrifying.

("Ain't no way she's got lifesteal.") [Solace]

At this point I knew I wasn't the main character. Anyways, I was definitely more on guard after that. So much so that I flinched when Leon shifted her foot forward.

("She's coming!") [Solace]

Leon lunged forward at astonishing speeds. It was impressive. Almost as impressive as how fast she swung that massive sword at me.

("Oh god that's fast!") [Solace]

I ducked under a horizontal swing. I could hear the wind itself splitting as the blade flew overhead.

("That was close! I definitely don't want to get hit by that!") [Solace]

I stood to launch a counter attack, only to get smacked in the chin by the passing sword handle.

"Ack!" [Solace]

I used the momentum to spin and hit her with a backhand. Contrary to my expectations, she tanked it and smiled smugly.

"HAHAHA!!!" [Leon]

Leon was having a blast. I wasn't.

("Did that really do nothing?") [Solace]

Not to brag, but I'm pretty damn strong. It was hard to believe that Leon would eat one of my hits and ask for seconds.

"|Piercing Blow|!" [Solace]

Though it was a bit repetitive to use that skill, I hoped she didn't know the principles behind it. My fist was thrown, and Leon jumped into it.

"Ah." [Solace]

Was all I could say as all the force passed through her. I stood there stunned as we locked eyes.

"...Shit.") [Solace]

So yeah, she knew. I saw a hint of the massive sword beginning to move so I panicked and stomped on it in an attempt to keep it at bay.

("Hey, it worked!") [Solace]

The addition of my weight made Leon unable to lift the sword. Well… is what I thought until Leon started letting out a warcry.

"RAHH!!!" [Leon]

The sword started to lift, even when I was putting my all into pushing it down.

"Bro?! Can you not?!" [Solace]

Leon went for a last spurt, lifting it up while causing me to fall over. I fell on my back and saw a large shadow loom over me. Namely, the massive sword.

"Holy shi-!" [Solace]

I rolled as Leon dropped it on me, causing the entire arena to split in two.

("Yep! I REALLY don't want to get hit by that!") [Solace]

I took advantage of being on the ground by kicking her knee, forcing Leon to kneel. Then, I lifted myself up to kick her face.

|Enchant Flame|!" [Solace]

Wrapping my foot in fire did a number on her. Also, I know it's rude to aim for a lady's face. However, I invoke the equal right equal fights rule.

"Ngh!" [Leon]

Leon staggered for a moment, allowing me a little time to slide behind her. I then latched onto her back and wrapped my arms around her neck.

"Incredible! Solace realized that a battle of strength would be an uphill battle so he's going for a different approach!" [Urth]

"I wonder if this will go well for him though." [Ross]

That truly was the question. Leon dropped the sword and started beating the crap out of me with her elbow alongside punching my face.

("Wow! She packs way more punch than calculated!") [Solace]

Leon dug her elbow into my ribs and started grabbing at my face. I tried turning my head a few times to evade her grasp, but there was nothing I could really do about her elbowing me.

"Get off!" [Leon]

She leaned forward for a second and then proceeded to drop backwards into the arena tiles.

"Urgh!" [Solace]

My vision shook instead of the usual blurring. There was also a very unnerving crunch I felt.

"Warning: Your health has dropped below the 50 percentile." [Spirit Guide]

Not gonna lie, I blacked out for a second there.

("Seriously?! Go down you brute!") [Solace]

In an effort to keep myself alive, I casted |Small Cure| several times.

"Warning: Your mana has dropped below the 20 percentile." [Spirit Guide]

("That fast?!") [Solace]

I guess it was to be expected since I was just spamming it.

("Whatever , I'll keep using it!") [Solace]

After a few more uses, I felt some form of energy leave my body.

"Warning: You do not have the required mana to cast |Small Cure|. It is highly recommended to rest." [Spirit Guide]

("Only after a few uses?!") [Solace]

There was only one option left: cling to Leon's back and hope I win.

"Get off! Get off! GET OFF!!!" [Leon]

I strengthened the lock around Leon's neck as she tried to pry me off. She let out loud growling noise as she lifted herself up and slammed me back into the pavement.

"Warning: Your health has dropped below the 35 percentile." [Spirit Guide]

My grip almost loosened on impact. Thankfully I had enough willpower to hold on.

("Is she trying to kill me?!") [Solace]

Leon began to lift again, causing me to cling onto her harder out of sheer desperation.

("Go down!") [Solace]

She did. She went down by slamming me into the same spot again.

"Warning: Your health has dropped below the 15 percentile. It is highly recommended to retreat to a safe location." [Spirit Guide]

("Do you think I don't know that?!") [Solace]

I felt sick. Or rather, I couldn't feel most of my body. Especially my back.

"Get…! Off…!" [Leon]

She lifted herself up once again.

("...I might be screwed.") [Solace]

As she leaned forward in preparation of her slam, Leon collapsed forward.

("...Huh?") [Solace]

Before I could even process what happened, Wilharrow spoke.

"The victor has been decided!" [Wilharrow]

Out of pure luck, I won.