BattleGround [3]

"Why do ya look so irritated seeing me? What did I do now?" 

Ray sighed, "Nothing Lexis...I'm so happy to see you here right now..." 

Lexis rolled her eyes, unimpressed. "Your words don't match your face ya know. But, I'll forgive ya. Whatchu doing anyway?" 

Ray returned to the match and answered, "Remember how I mentioned a new employee working as an Adventurer two days ago? Well, he's having his first duel today." 

"Oh? Lemme see! Lemme see!" Lexis jumped on Ray's shoulders as she watched the duel causing him to grumble a bit. 

Artis and Sienna continued their battle with Artis dodging all the attacks Sienna launched and keeping up a distance not letting her attack be successful while attacking relentlessly himself. 

"Hmm? That pretty face is quite good. Keeping Siri Siri in check. What do you think about it Ray?" asked Lexis keeping her eye on the battle. 

"No way. This duel forced you to correct your speech!" Ray, "Jokes aside. I have to say Artis knows how to fight. He has been in many fights and his movements are sharp and precise. Sure, there are some mistakes here and there but..." 

"But he makes up for his mistakes at the very next move. He has a good Battle IQ if I have to say. Keeping Siri Siri in check even though she is a Journeyman is nothing to be scoffed at!" 

"Well...I would argue that Artis himself is a Journeyman so that's why he is able to keep up but I bet Sierra would be more experienced than him in mock duels."

"Well..." Lexis pouted, "All we can do is wait and see. My bet is on Siri Siri tho. 50 Grands!" 

"Bet!" 

...

Artis and Sienna continued their duel with intensity. Artis continued to use his [Telepathist] to read Sienna's moves ahead on but still had trouble dodging them. 

Artis faked a low attack, prompting Sienna to block, but then quickly pivoted to strike high. Sienna barely managed to deflect the blow, her eyes widening from surprise. 

'...This guy knows his moves. I have to end it fast...' 

The crowd around the ring was growing as cheers and grasps were heard all over the arena. 

 'I can do this. A few more moves before this battle is over! Perhaps I can win if I do that move!' 

Artis charged forward with high speed and jumped up readying his fist. A white light started surrounding his right fist and twisted his body to throw the punch. With high speed, the white light flickered a bit and aimed at Sienna's head. 

Wham!

Sienna, sensing the attack raised blocked the attack with her daggers which she diverted it to the other side and delivered a front kick at Artis's stomach. 

The kick landed solidly, knocking the wind out of Artis and sending him stumbling backward. He clutched his stomach, gasping for air, but quickly regained his composure.

"Unique Skill: Dash!" mumbled Sienna, her voice barely audible over the noise of the crowd.

In an instant, she vanished from her position, reappearing in front of Artis not giving him any time to react. She aimed rapid strikes at him, her daggers flashing through the air.

Artis struggled to dodge and quickly took a step back but to no avail, as Sienna was already behind him and struck his head with her limbs as Artis flew to the side of the ring. 

Artis landed hard on the ground, feeling the impact radiate through his body. 'Sh-She is way too fast...What was that again? Was it her Unique Skill? Dammit! She got me...I let my guard down because my attacks were working while she hid her trump card and waited for the perfect moment to use it. What a wonderful strategy...' 

As Artis struggled to get up, he staggered on his feet thinking for his next move. He shook his head, trying to clear the dizziness that had overtaken him.

"Huff Huff..." Summoning his strength, Artis pushed himself up, his body protesting with every movement. 'With the way I am right now...I cannot win...I need more Skills and experience...I have to get stronger...level up faster so that I can strangle those bastards who messed with me!' 

Gritting his teeth in anger, he stood up and enveloped his fists with flames. With his last remaining strength, he used [Flash Step] to match Sienna's speed and got behind her, surprising her. Not giving her a moment to react, he charged and aimed for her back but was not able to land a hit as she jumped up, and her heels charged with sparks was aimed at Artis's head. 

Wham! 

The crowd went silent, smoke enveloping the arena as the crowd remained tense to see the result of this duel. As the smoke cleared, Artis lay motionless on the ground as Sienna was struggling to properly stand up. 

"The winner is: Sienna!" announced the machine. 

The announcement echoed through the arena, and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause. 

"Well fought newcomer!" 

"GO, Sienna! You did well!" 

The medics came to check up on Artis as he lay down on the ground and Sienna approached him, extending a hand. Artis, still panting and battered, looked up at her, surprise flickering in his eyes. He took her hand, and she pulled him up.

"You fought well." Sienna said, her voice carrying respect for Artis, "I hope we can duel again. I had fun." 

Artis managed a weak smile "...Thanks. I learned a lot from our duel. I'll win next time." 

As he left the ring, Ray approached him slapping his back, "Well fought Artis. You did great out there. Don't let this loss get you, you were pretty close y'know!" 

"...Thanks, Ray. But...that wasn't close at all for me. I need to grow even stronger..." Artis paused, thinking for his next words, "I might just come to BattleGrounds every day starting from now. This place is good to earn experience." 

Ray cheered up listening to Artis, "That's the spirit! I was worried for nothing...Well, I did lose 50 Grands to an annoying woman but hey you win some, you lose some!" 

"Come again?" 

"Don't worry about it. So, wanna have another duel?" 

Artis chuckled despite his soreness. "Another duel? Right now? I think I'd rather rest a bit first. But thanks, Ray."

Ray nodded, understanding, "Yeah, it's understandable. It's best if you rest. You have a mission at night too, remember?" 

"Yeah, I do...Thanks for reminding me..." 

...

Emerald Apartments, 7:30 PM

Artis, now healed from the fight got ready and left his apartment. Right now, checking his X-transceiver, he checked the location of the lighthouse and made his way there. The evening was cool and quiet as Artis made his way through the city, the events of the day still playing in his mind. 

The location wasn't that far away. It was just south of Krystrasium Hotel as he made his way there. As he made his way to the lighthouse, the first thing Artis saw was about 15 to 20 people all over the place as they were talking amongst themselves.

People of various heights and sizes were there, some were muscular while some were bald. Artis also observed that Sienna and Ash were also there talking to different people. 

"You made it!" came a voice from behind grabbing Artis. 

It was Sarina! The leader of the patrol team tonight! 

"Obviously I made it! I signed up for this!" grumbled Artis. 

"And that makes you the last person to enter. Good job! If you were 10 minutes late, I would've kicked you out of this mission..." said Sarina with a chuckle, "Now go wait there. I'll tell you the details of your mission and postings now!"