Duels part 4

I can't believe I'm watching this shit unfold. Eamon, that proud warrior, crawling his way out of the arena while Oliver—my own twisted creation—keeps chucking potions at him like they're water balloons at a summer festival. Is it bad that a part of me is impressed by Oliver's insane talent? But another part of me feels like he's a potion-fueled monster who just escaped from a lab. No, wait, I designed him; he's definitely the monster.

"What's up with your family? You guys are crazy fuckers," I say, turning to Biana, who's clinging to her pillow as if it's the last bastion of sanity in this arena.

"Tsk, I'm nothing like that bastard. I'm a kind, gentle soul; don't compare me to that dumbass. We're nothing alike."

My eyebrows knit together. Kind? Gentle? Biana must be running on fumes to say shit like that. "Aren't you both twins?"

"That doesn't mean shit," she yawns, hugging her pillow even tighter.

Professor Ayla's voice rings out, "Isabella and Nyssa, please step on the platform."

Ah, so it's Isabella's turn now. That high and mighty noble better get a good beating. I know Nyssa can crush her easily. But she won't, of course. Not with that secret cultist identity of hers. Still, a few good hits would satisfy me.

Both of them get on the platform. Nyssa's about to be her usual pleasant self, saying, "Let's have a good—" But hell, Isabella's not waiting. An entire barrage of magic arrows flies out of her wand, filling the air like it's some sort of arcane fireworks display. Isabella carries that wand wherever she goes, it's a top-notch artifact, some professors would kill to get to use a wand with so many abilities tied to it.

Nyssa unsheathes her daggers with a fluid motion, dodging and blocking the arrows with uncanny precision. She's got that warm, polite smile plastered on her face, but I can see the glint of annoyance in her eyes. Ah, yes, she doesn't like this one bit. I can't help but chuckle.

I watch intently as Nyssa moves like water, every swipe of her dagger batting away an arrow, every step a calculated dance. She's good, really good. But not once does she counterattack. That's the most frustrating part. She's clearly superior, but she's holding back. That's exactly how I feel sometimes, I have so many toys I can overpower people with but I can't use them.

Isabella's face is flushed with exertion, her wand movements getting sloppier. I can practically see her frustration boiling over. Good. Let her sweat a bit; it's about time someone took her down a notch.

Finally, Nyssa missteps. On purpose, no doubt. One of Isabella's arrows grazes her arm. Nyssa stumbles back, dropping one of her daggers.

My grip tightens on Lysandra's shoulder as I watch Nyssa drop one of her daggers. "You can't just fight whenever you feel like it, control yourself for crying out loud," I whisper. Why does she have this incessant need to jump into battle? It's not some dragon trait; I've done my research. It might be that she just likes fighting, however, it's still a bit weird.

Lysandra clicks her tongue and clamps down on my shoulder with a grip strong enough to crush stone. "Ah, fuck, why? Damn it, stop using your freakish strength! You're gonna break my arm!"

Meanwhile, Isabella is turning up the show. She creates a magic circle in the air; arcs of lightning burst out of it, crackling and sizzling as they move towards Nyssa. "You are a low-ranking baron's child; you're no different from a commoner," Isabella says, her voice dripping with disdain.

Nyssa grins, "That hurts my feelings, Isabella~ I thought we were equal in this academy~."

She takes out a rune talisman from her pocket and activates it. A shimmering shield materializes in front of her, absorbing the bolts of lightning with ease. "I'm always prepared~ Don't be so cold-hearted, or you'll never make any friends~."

But Isabella isn't budging. She starts conjuring a bigger, more complex magic circle. Shit. I'd forgotten she'd reached this level of proficiency. She might be an insufferable snob, but she's no slouch in the magic department.

Nyssa's eyes narrow slightly, and then her lips curl into another smile. Is she going to continue playing this game or finally throw in the towel?

But just as I'm thinking that, Nyssa flips her remaining dagger in her hand and points it squarely at Isabella. The air grows thick with tension. What's she planning?

Isabella cocks her head, a sneer forming on her lips. "Friends? Who needs that?" With a flick of her wand, she unleashes a torrent of fire that circles around Nyssa, trapping her in a ring of flames.

Nyssa swipes her dagger through the fire in an attempt to disperse it, but the damn flames grow back almost instantly. "You're so amazing, Isabella~ How about—" she starts, but Isabella cuts her off, launching an even larger volley of magical arrows.

"Shit," I mumble under my breath. Nyssa can't move much, pinned down by the fire and the arrows. She deflects what she can, her dagger a blur of motion, but she's on the defense, completely reactive. "Too bad. I at least wanted her to land one hit on that high-and-mighty bitch. Come on, Nyssa, do something!"

Just when I think it's all over, the barrage stops. Nyssa seizes the moment, dashing through the ring of fire straight at Isabella. Isabella conjures a magical shield just in time, a translucent barrier that Nyssa's dagger strikes but can't penetrate. Nyssa's using mana to enhance her attacks, but it's not enough. Isabella's shield holds.

"Wow, you're so amazing~" Nyssa says, her voice tinged with a mock awe that doesn't hide her frustration. "I guess I won't be able to do anything to you. I forfeit."

Nyssa's words still hang in the air as she and Isabella step off the platform. What a bore. They both held back like they were in some kinda diplomatic dance, not a battle.

"V and Mira, please come on stage," Professor Calix announces.

Shit. Finally, it's my turn. I trudge up to the stage, already brainstorming my exit strategy. I'm not in the mood to be the center of a spectacle, especially with upperclassmen watching.

As I step on the platform, Mira sizes me up. She pushes back her hazel hair and smirks. "So you're that guy, huh? I expected you to look different."

I raise an eyebrow. Did someone gossip about me in class B? Tsk, did Sera say something?

She groans and stretches her arms. "Don't you dare attempt to forfeit. I can tell you don't want to be here, but I won't let it slide if you forfeit without a fight."

Damn. I usually wouldn't give a rat's ass about most students, but Mira's stubborn enough to make my life hell if I don't take this seriously. "Fine," I mutter. "Let's get this over with." She's the type to hold a small grudge for a couple of years.

She looks at me, almost studying me. I sigh, "Where's your weapon?"

"I don't feel like using it," she says.

Tsk. Giving me an advantage? Whatever. "Fair enough." I unbuckle my sword and stuff it into my bag. She raises an eyebrow but doesn't say anything.

Before I know it, Mira's coated herself in mana and is charging at me. Her fists are a mix of magic arts techniques and martial arts, but she's not going all out. Testing me, I guess? What's with people and their goddamn arrogance?

She aims a kick at me—easy dodge. Then comes a punch, a little faster this time, but I sidestep it, clicking my tongue. Had enough of this nonsense, I coat myself in aura just in time to block her next blow.

Mira shifts her strategy, her movements becoming more fluid, like water. She's trying to be unpredictable. Cute. Compared to Ilka's martial arts, this is child's play.

I decide it's time to throw in a hit; can't let people question why I'm in Class A. I focus my aura onto my arms. As Mira throws another kick, I catch her leg and try to twist it. She stumbles, struggling to regain balance. Using this opportunity, I shoot my leg out, hitting her waist and forcing her to step back.

I sigh and take a few steps back myself. No need to get carried away, right? But as I look at Mira, I can see that gleam in her eyes, a mix of surprise and newfound interest.

Shit. I might've just poked the bear.

Mira's grin widens as she speeds up, her body a blur. Faking a punch, she hurls a fist packed with condensed fire toward me. Tsk, I knew those bandages on her hands were artifacts, but I didn't think they could enhance casting speed that much. Heh, too bad, I'm always overgeared~

Just who the hell do you think you're fighting? My underclothes protection is a gift from Eira, an apology for 'borrowing' some of my money.

"Damn, are you trying to kill me?" I let the flaming fist connect with my shoulder. It hurts like hell, and I grit my teeth, stifling a curse.

Seizing the opportunity, I try to grab her, but she's fast, skidding back to a safe distance. Tsk. I had to take that hit; otherwise, she'd just keep fueling her hand with more magic.

"Heh, gotta give it to you, I didn't expect you to be able to keep up with my speed," she chuckles, her eyes narrowed.

"Thank you for the compliment," I sigh. She has no idea how much training I go through. Every day it's a relentless grind, Ilka never gives me a break.

As Mira charges toward me again, I reach into my bag and grab a rune talisman. It's about time I give her the Biana treatment. I slip the talisman into my palm just as her fist comes flying. My hand wraps around hers, and I activate the rune.

She stumbles back, biting her lip as a series of disruptive effects burst from the rune. For a second, I see her falter, her eyes widening in a blend of shock and pain.

Hahahaha! Feel that? I can't help but laugh. That's a special rune I bought off Biana. Full of all sorts of annoying shit. Now feel the wrath of Biana! 'Her pain' as she likes to say.

Her eyes narrow, that same gleam of interest turning into something fiercer. "You cheeky bastard," she hisses.

I see that grin on Mira's face widen, as if she's won a victory, as she tries to rip off the rune. Nice try. She attempts to incinerate it, but no dice. I chuckle, You have no idea what I paid Biana for that rune. I have to give her all the food she wants for an entire month.

She grimaces, trying to get back up. A moment later, she blinks rapidly, something getting into her eyes, then she stands and immediately gets a cramp. "It's like a bad luck charm, huh?" I taunt.

Mira clicks her tongue in annoyance but then charges at me with a speed that even the rune's disruptive effects couldn't slow. Before I can blink, she's right there, fist poised to strike.

I can't dodge it, but I can easily block it. Why? Just why the hell is the Student Body President watching me!? She only ever observes students of interest. Is it because of Mira? Tsk, whatever. I make a split-second decision: I'll let myself get hit. Given my position, it's easy to get hit in this situation so no one will question why I didn't block or dodge.

I shift my body just slightly, positioning myself so her punch won't hit a vital spot. My aura? I lower it on purpose around the point of impact, bracing myself for the hit. Mira's fist collides with my chest, and the lowered aura does its job—I get sent flying off the platform.

As I land, I can't help but catch Mira's eye. It's not a look of triumph but one of confusion mixed with frustration. Well, let her stew on that. Meanwhile, the Student Body President—that's a riddle for another day.

For now, I stand up, brushing off my clothes. "Uugh... that hurt," I say, my tone dripping with pain.

She glares, but that gleam of interest hasn't left her eyes. "This isn't over," she hisses, "Not by a long shot. Now get this annoying ass thing off me!" She says biting her tongue in the process.