Chapter 25: Aren vs Emma [3]

Aren stood across from me, his face etched with a mask of forced calm.

I didn't know much about him, but the rumors surrounding him were truly horrific.

It made one wonder how anyone could let him do as he pleased.

But everyone knew—it was his family name, the Blackstars, one of the most powerful houses of nobles among them all.

Even the military, which doesn't associate with the royal family and nobles, bent to them.

I still would have kept my distance because, well, rumors were rumors, and I didn't know what type of person he truly was.

But as if desperately wanting to prove everything about him right, on his very first day, he decided not only to terrorize a poor student but even went after my friend Ayla.

I never saw him go after the top guys; he talks big—just like a dog, all bark and no bite.

In a way, I was grateful for this opportunity. It was a chance to get revenge for my friend and put him in his place.

"Looks like fate," I said, my voice cool. "It's a pleasure to be matched with you, Lord Aren. Even if it was by the system's choice."

His reaction surprised me.

A flicker of surprise crossed his features before he replied with a flat, "Likewise."

It wasn't the reaction I expected from the infamous Aren Blackstar.

But regardless, I was here to win, to dethrone the highest rated cadet of Class A in terms of CRI.

As soon as the digital timer on the arena wall counted down to zero, I immediately dashed toward Aren.

I was sure he couldn't match my speed, thanks to Sophia, who kept reports on every student, and Aren's stats were the worst.

In other words, he should be the easiest to deal with.

As soon as he saw me approaching, he immediately pulled out a gun and fired straight at me.

'How laughable,'

I thought to myself.

There were rumors of him using a sword before, which changed to a stick and now a gun.

With a casual flick, I easily deflected the incoming bullet, which seemed to take Aren aback.

'Really?'

Did he not know that guns are practically useless against anyone above rank F?

Well, not that it mattered to and I pursued him,

I pressed my attack, a rapier singing through the air.

He dodged at the last second, then threw a small green vial that exploded in a puff of choking smoke.

What is this?

Blinking back tears, I searched for him, wary of inhaling the fumes.

-!

Suddenly turning back, I used my rapier to deflect the incoming projectile which was only semi-successful. 

"Ack.."

What was that? 

Whatever that was I barely managed to block it.

This... 

I realized that this was dragging on longer than I thought. 

Swooooosh!

With a slash in the air, the smoke immediately dissipated and Aren was standing there with smoke coming out of his gun. 

"You're dead." I said and

with that, I launched at him again, I slashed and poked, but to no avail. 

He somehow managed to dodge, or block all my attempts to get at him, this was turning into a game of stamina. 

'Be careful, Emma. He might not seem like much, but keep in mind he got into Class A. Not only that, but the way he got in wasn't by simply flaunting his family's name.'

I suddenly remembered Sophia's words.

'Right.'

He's not completely stupid; he definitely has something up his sleeves.

Now that I thought about it, wasn't I the one at a disadvantage here?

My attacks were being read like an open book, which I was sure was some kind of skill.

He was dodging me before I even struck, and not to mention the use of a gun and smoke bombs—it was my first time facing an opponent with this kind of fighting style. 

But...

Still slashing away at Aren, we seemed to be in a stalemate.

I felt like I was close, this close to getting the win, but I couldn't.

And this was the issue for me.

If not for this, I could easily be ranked in the 30s—no, maybe even the top 20.

I didn't have anything powerful enough to annihilate my opponents like the other high-ranked cadets.

So, needless to say I was surprised when I found out I was ranked 47th somehow.

"Hufff.. Hufff.."

It wasn't my ragged breaths but Aren's.

He seemed to be reaching his limits.

I just had to push a little more, and victory would be mine.

Despite that, Aren... He appeared calm.

Way too calm.

'Am I missing something?'

No, did I inhale the smoke earlier?

Also, no. Then why are you so calm?

'Ah.'

Maybe he already accepted his defeat... In that case...

I thrusted my rapier at him with full force.

Exhaustion evident, his arm faltered, failing to block the attack.

The rapier's point pierced the fabric of his shirt, grazing his skin.

"Urgg.."

A yelp escaped his lips as he stumbled back, his grip on the gun loosening.

"Looks like you're all out of tricks, Aren,"

I said, as he already looked half-dead, and I wasn't going to let him off the hook easily this time.

He was scrambling to get his gun, which made him look pathetic.

It's over now. As I was ready to slash down on him...

"!"

A subtle shift occurred beneath my feet.

A faint shimmer on the arena floor activated with a silent click.

My instincts screamed to get away from whatever I stepped on.

The ground beneath me exploded, debris flying toward me.

Not only that, but Aren was back on his feet.

He held his gun, pointing directly at me.

He closed one eye, which began to glow slightly. With a click, the world seemed to slow down.