Heroes [V]

Seven minutes.

That's how long Jake lasted against Michael.

Just seven fucking minutes!

Don't get me wrong — seven minutes is pretty impressive for a minor comedic relief to stand his ground against the main protagonist. 

Applaudable, even.

But it wasn't nearly enough for me!

I mean, it took me twenty minutes just to find Jake. Then another five to convince him that the slender, extremely good-looking guy over there was actually the same pathetic Michael he used to bully a few days ago!

The investment-to-return ratio was totally not worth it here.

Well, it's my fault. I shouldn't have expected much from him, to begin with.

The only good thing about Jake was his Origin Card. His innate power was perfect for combat. It allowed him to summon a silvery metal that could morph into weapons or wrap around him as armor.

The metal's durability was on par with the highest-quality Common-grade items. So, it was tough as well.

But once Michael figured that out, he copied the ability and turned Jake's own power against him.

Jake tried to fight back, but Michael was faster, smarter, and just overall better at fighting.

After a few clashes, Jake gave up on offense entirely and made his ability wrap around him in silver armor like a turtle hiding in its shell.

Unfortunately for him, Michael broke through his shell and eliminated him with ease, since he was using the exact same power.

All under seven minutes.

Oh, and yes, Michael's Origin Card lets him copy any other Origin Card within his sight.

I know, I know. It's an overused ability in fiction, and I hate it myself. Because on a battlefield like this, Michael can copy any power he sees.

Combine that with his unreasonably large Essence pool, fighting a monster like him is just unfair!

"Haa…" I sighed. "If I had to be reborn in a game, why couldn't I have been reincarnated as the main character instead? Why, God? Why do you hate me so much? Is it because you see me as a threat to your divine throne?"

Shaking my head, I looked ahead.

Juliana was currently locked in a fierce battle with Michael. Her dual-wielding was as lethal as it was beautiful.

Too bad for her, she wasn't going to last much longer.

She had managed to recover some of her stamina during the seven minutes of respite Jake bought her, but she'd still exhaust herself soon.

Her minions were already eliminated by the protagonist.

I had no more pawns left.

"Okay, this is a problem," I sighed again.

I don't like problems. I like money and liquor and beautiful women. Not problems!

"Argh!" I groaned. "Calm down. Let's think!"

Yeah, right. Let's think it through.

I wasn't in terrible shape. One of my arms was injured, but I could still move it. My legs felt weak and shaky, but I could still run.

Glancing down at my bracelet, I checked my score. I had [312pts].

I was in a good spot. Even if I lost an orb right now, I was confident I could still make it into the Top Ten.

Maybe even the Top Five.

But I didn't want that. I wanted more. I wanted first place. I wanted to start this term as the Ace of the First Years.

If I remembered correctly, Michael had become the Ace with [621pts].

I doubted he had racked up that many already — there was still more than an hour left in the exam. But knowing him, I couldn't take any chances.

So, I had two options now.

One: ignore Michael and hunt the remaining Cadets, hoping he'd forget about me and not come after me like the petty maniac he is.

Or two: do the unthinkable. Eliminate the protagonist.

Well, if not eliminate him, then at least break two of his orbs so fifty percent of his total points gets deducted.

"Is it even doable?" I mused.

It seemed possible.

Jake had been a disappointment, but he had managed to crack one of Michael's orbs.

With a bit of luck, a lot of planning, and enough determination… I could definitely break two of his orbs.

After that, I'd just need to stall him for the rest of the exam. An hour. Stall the strongest Awakened in our year for a full hour.

Difficult? Yes.

But definitely possible.

"Fuuu…" I exhaled slowly, steadying my breath. Sword in hand, I dashed toward Michael, who was still engaged with Juliana.

He was about to deliver her a decisive blow when I aimed a kick at his side. But the bastard must've sensed me coming — he moved just in time, blocking my leg with his blade.

Damn, even sneaking up on him wasn't easy!

The force of my kick still made him stumble, though. Juliana seized the moment, rushing in to unleash a perfect horizontal slash.

Once again, Michael blocked it, but it sent him skidding back a few steps.

I moved beside my white-haired Shadow, gripping my miao dao tightly.

"So nice of you to finally assist this lowly servant of yours, Young Master," Juliana said in a hoarse voice, a strained smile barely touching her lips.

I shrugged. "I sent reinforcements to help you."

"Your reinforcements didn't last long," she retorted, jerking her chin toward Michael. "What kind of monster is he? Why isn't he slowing down? And what was that strange Origin Card?"

"It lets him copy any other Origin Card in his sight," I muttered, watching as Michael casually dusted off his clothes. He wasn't even hurt despite tanking the full force of our attacks. "As for what kind of monster he is… the kind I really don't want to deal with."

"Then why are you here?" Juliana shrugged, her voice edged with sarcasm. "Just run."

"Run where?" I shot back, glancing around. "There aren't even two hundred Cadets left in the arena. He'll find me easily after dealing with you. Besides, I don't run from a fight."

"You ran before," she said flatly.

"I-It was a tactical retreat!" I argued, my pride bruised. "And I'm here now, aren't I?"

"You screamed my name like a damsel in distress," she quipped, smirking as if she was enjoying this.

"I didn't scream!" I gasped in disbelief. "It was a tactical cry for assistance! Anyway, do you have a plan of attack?"

She sighed with exasperation. "We have the number advantage. One of us counters his attacks and knocks him off balance, the other moves in to strike. Rinse and repeat. Victory. You go first, I'll follow."

"No, fuck you! I'm not countering him! You go first, I'll attack after!" I protested.

Juliana gaped at me, incredulous. "Young Master, I'm wielding two swords! I'm better at attacking!"

"You're better at countering, too! You go!" I shot back, refusing to budge.

Michael, clearly done with our banter, clenched his jaw.

"Are you two finished planning?" His sharp gaze landed on Juliana. "I'll give you another chance. I have nothing against you. You can leave."

Juliana glanced at me. "Can I take his offer, please?"

"No," I scoffed at her. "Try running and see what happens."

Michael turned his attention back to me. "And you. I always knew you were a coward. All bullies are. Still I thought you were at least somewhat honorable. But forcing your Shadow to fight me, using your supposed 'best friend' as a meat shield? I see you're not even that. Are you all out of tricks?"

I rolled my shoulders with nonchalance. "I've recently come to the conclusion that honor is overrated. And yes, I'm out of tricks."

"Then prepare yourself," Michael declared, his voice low and dangerous, before he charged at me with terrifying speed.

His sword came down like the blade of a guillotine, inescapable and alarmingly fast. I was too slow to block it.

But I didn't have to.

Juliana's wakizashi intercepted the blow, her blade clashing against his with a sharp metallic ring.

The instant she parried, I lunged forward, aiming a slash at Michael's midsection.

He ducked beneath my swing, but Juliana's katana was already speeding toward him in a deadly arc.

Michael had no choice but to jump back and disengage from the flurry of attacks.

But I wasn't done. By the time his feet hit the ground, I had already conjured a fire arrow and hurled it toward him.

Michael barely managed to raise his sword to deflect the flaming projectile with an upward slash before it could explode in his face, sending embers scattering around him.

Juliana didn't waste the opportunity. She activated one of her Skill Cards and appeared beside Michael with a burst of speed.

She then swung both her swords in a vicious cross slash aimed at his torso.

Michael, however, had enough of our back-and-forth.

He vaulted over Juliana's attack, and whipped  his leg through the air in a spinning kick, striking her square in the jaw.

The impact sent her sprawling across the ground, crashing with a dull thud.

By the time he landed, I was already on him. But Michael was prepared. Using the momentum of his fall, he dropped low, almost hitting the ground.

From that crouched position, he shot upward, smashing the pommel of his sword into my chin.

The blow was savage, like being struck by a menacing uppercut. My head snapped back and vision blurred for a second.

A second too long.

In that brief moment of disorientation, Michael lunged forward and drove a powerful kick straight into my sternum.

"Ahhh!" The air rushed from my lungs as I tumbled backward.

Pain shot through my chest, but I forced my legs to hold steady. I couldn't afford to fall – not here, not now.

I knew if I hit the ground, it was over.

"What's the matter, Young Master Theosbane?" Michael taunted with a dark grin. "Not going to use that Origin Card of yours that you're so proud of? Or are you afraid I'll copy it?"

"Yes, actually." I nodded, still panting, my chest heaving from the kick. "That's the problem with fighting you. For some reason, you don't seem to be running low on Essence, and if you copy my Origin Card, you'll use it more boldly than I can, since my Essence pool is mostly depleted. If that happens, I lose."

For a split second, Michael's smug expression faltered, clearly surprised by my blunt honesty. He hadn't expected me to set aside my pride and assess the situation logically.

But then, he shrugged, his confidence quickly returning.

"You'll still lose," he said, looking around as a glowing red Card appeared over his shoulder. "Because if not yours, then I'll copy someone else's powers."