Chapter 508: Bet

<<Duel >>

These words triggered an ovation. Out of all the Ojou-samas, only four remained, perfect for a semifinal. Misaki, seeing this, narrowed her starry eyes and turned her head towards Yuki. It seemed so convenient that it felt unreal...

However, this also made her feel the pressure. After all, a duel is about power. If she somehow ended up trapped against Mikoto, the nemesis of her ability, there would be no need to fight...

Misaki regretted it. If she had known this event would be selected, she would never have written it. After all, she wrote it back then so that when she won, Mikoto wouldn't have any excuses for her loss.

But who would have thought it would be chosen? This depressed her.

[Misaki Shokuhou vs Ayu Mitsuari]

[Mikoto Misaka vs Junko Hokaze]

Fortunately, the match lineup didn't fail her. Ayu, as a mental ability user, didn't have much combat capability, making her the perfect opponent for Misaki. Almost everyone in the audience was also expecting the final showdown between the two level 5s of Tokiwadai.

The Queen vs. the Electric Princess...

"Every Ojou-sama must have prestige, and no one should trample on it. Please defend your honor as a lady."

This event was undoubtedly more attractive than the haunted house, so Yuki quickly smelled money and created several talking hats with hands and legs. These hats roamed the audience, promoting their tickets...

"Bets! Bets, place your bets!"

Seeing this, Kurumi and La Folia were stunned. Their beloved boyfriend was so shameless that he immediately took advantage of the situation...

However...

"A ticket for Miss Shokuhou~"

"How coincidental, I also vote for Shokuhou-san..."

Looking at each other, La Folia and Kurumi smiled. Since there was a betting house, it would be a waste not to participate and play a bit...

"The participants have 20 minutes to rest!"

Almost the moment Satori spoke, Yuki snapped his fingers, and a martial arts stage formed in front of everyone...

"..."

Misaki smiled and turned her head, and her opponent did the same. The two girls looked at each other, and invisible sparks flew between them. Misaki had no grudge against this girl, but Ayu did. A year ago, after Yuki returned to his original timeline, Ayu was very hostile towards her, causing Misaki's group to dissolve...

The 20 minutes passed quickly, and the first match was about to begin...

"Joou-sama! Joou-sama! Joou-sama!"

The audience cheered and supported their Queen, while Ayu, being a dark knight, was almost unknown, so she had nearly no supporters. Even the bets were all against her. On the stage, the two girls looked at each other again.

Ayu had a triumphant smile on her face and crossed her hands, as if she already had the match in the bag. Misaki, on the other hand, felt a bad premonition.

Ayu was a level 3 Esper, so her ability was less than Misaki's. The victory should be easy for her. However, seeing the star necklace on Ayu's neck, her expression turned grim.

That was her necklace, the one she lost a year ago. In other words, Ayu had stolen her light...

"You... Why do you have that necklace?!"

"Why? That's obvious. It's a gift from Joker-sama~"

With her cheeks blushing, Ayu touched her necklace with the longing of a girl in love.

"Liar! That necklace is mine! You stole it from me!"

"I don't know what you're talking about, miss~ This necklace was given to me by Joker-sama~"

While Misaki frowned deeply, Ayu smiled sweetly...

"After all, I am Shokuhou Misaki~"

Showing the name engraved on the back of the necklace, Ayu widened her smile. This was evidence that the necklace belonged to Misaki, but it was obvious Ayu had a problem...

"Are you ready? Begin!"

Satori's voice echoed, and the girls quickly started moving. Misaki took out her control device while Ayu gently touched her necklace, making it glow...

*Shiiii

Out of nowhere, the temperature began to drop, and dozens of ice spikes formed and were shot at great speed...

*Bam

Misaki was surprised, but before the spikes could touch her, the earrings on her ears glowed, and a golden bubble formed around her, protecting her from the attack...

*Ohhhh

The audience was excited, and so were the judges. It was well known that both Misaki and Ayu were Espers specialized in mental abilities. Seeing them perform physical attacks was a pleasant surprise...

Especially for Mikoto, who had had scuffles with Misaki...

"That woman...."

Of course, not everyone was stunned. Kurumi and La Folia quickly identified the reason behind such an attack. These belonged to the necklaces and earrings on both girls. In other words, this was Yuki's power...

"You... How?"

Recovering from the shock, Misaki asked.

Not many people knew that the necklaces or jewelry made by Yuki had special powers sealed inside. Misaki even thought she was the only one who knew. After all, when she asked Mikoto that day, Mikoto was clueless. Misaki felt proud because she thought she was the only one who could see the 'Light' of the crown. However, seeing Ayu use the necklace's power surprised her...

Misaki wasn't wrong. Ayu couldn't see the Light of the crown, but that didn't mean she couldn't use Yuki's sealed power.

"What's so surprising? This power is something that Joker-sama granted me."

It had been a year since this necklace fell into her hands. During this year, Ayu used many means to bring Joker back. Joker's disappearance hurt her a lot, and she tried various ways to bring him back. She knew there was something in that necklace, so she never gave up, and her efforts paid off. She wasn't able to bring Joker back, but thanks to her ability, she could make a 'Connection' with the necklace, faking the same brain signal as Misaki. Because of this, the necklace recognized her as 'Misaki Shokuhou,' giving her access to the power within.

At this moment, she was 'Misaki Shokuhou,' so the necklace protected her and obeyed her orders...

"..."

Misaki trembled. This was quite a revelation. After all, even she didn't know such a thing was possible. If she couldn't see the Light, maybe she would never know...

"As for those earrings~ hmm, they'll be mine very soon~"

Ayu's eyes gleamed with greed and cruelty. The necklace glowed again, and under everyone's gaze, a huge ice lion formed...

*Roaaaar

It roared like a king and stomped on the ground, cracking it.

"I will take back what belongs to me! Only I am worthy!"

Everything Joker created was rightfully hers. Ayu would prove she was worthy of being his companion...

*Bam

Charging forward, the lion attacked the defenseless Misaki, who didn't stay idle. The earrings' light shone, and a massive golden snake materialized. It twisted and launched forward, colliding with the ice lion...

Spiritual power vs. Ninjutsu

*Bom

Lion and snake tangled in a fight, both suppressing each other. But it was expected, after all, both powers came from a single source...

Yuki...

*Roar

More ice lions were created, and golden snakes formed as well. Both girls were using Yuki's powers to their fullest.

They gritted their teeth, controlling the creations' actions. In creating the Bond, both watched the battle like a chess game where the pawns fought the enemy...

*Bomm

Suddenly, one of the ice lions exploded, destroying the golden snakes. As a judge, Yuki couldn't help but blink at this...

This suicide move belonged to him. It wasn't surprising that both girls used his powers; this was his original intention in creating such artifacts. What surprised him was that Ayu knew it so well, even to the point of recreating his attacks. This changed his view of her a bit...

(She's a talent... A rare talent...)

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TN: No