Academy Tournament Part 8

Chapter 81 - Academy Tournament Part 8

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As the two repositions themselves into a defensive, the sudden intense fight had come back into a square one. Visibly surprised, Davis begins to open his mouth to voice out his awe.

"You're one clever girl, aren't you?" Davis said as he wipes his sweat on his face. "And a beauty at that—no wonder the boys were drooling over you. Sadly, it looks like you're only devoted to your Master. Nice Maid Clothes by the way."

"Nonsense." Luna curtly replies and plunge towards Davis as a first move.

(Damn it, I really need to end this quick... Jasmine...)

"I know you're a girl and all but." Davis started to release a ferocious surge of Mana all over the surroundings, cladding himself with an intense violet aura. "I'll be fighting you not as a woman but as a fighter."

⟨⟨Greater Bloodlust⟩⟩

Luna was forced to stop due to the pressure emitted by Davis. Even if she experienced it before, it sure is hell that's overwhelming her. And the worse of that...

"!! Guh—?!"

She was openly stabbed by Davis who didn't waste any second as he begins his move. The pain and bewilderment leave Luna's mind in complete shambles. Not only that, but it's also depleting her health—gradually losing a percentage of it as second pass.

But it didn't end there, suddenly, Luna was stabbed by a falling ice that's in a form of a blade. That's right, it was the skill of Davis sword—the 『Blizzard Strayer』.

It's a passive skill of that sword that forms an icicle blade that shoots to where the wielder wanted it. This leaves Luna getting stabs by an icicle blade continuously as time passes.

(Damn it! It hurts...! Perhaps the pressure is one thing, but even with a simulation, the continuous stabs is making my head in shambles...!)

Thankfully, despite her thoughts that's in shambles, Luna had only one goal in mind. Moreover, compared into the current top dogs with a status that's twice as them, Sai's group also has other things that's twice the amount than them.

"You...!!" Davis widened his eyes in surprise. "D-don't tell me, you can still move—Ugh!"

Looks like Davis was left dumbfounded which is why Luna took this opportunity and stabbed him back with her sword.

(She can still move?! H-how...! Any person would have been already depleted with their health! Then, I need to...!)

⟨⟨Kin-Geri⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Voiding⟩⟩

With the face of desperation, Davis flicked a frontal kick to Luna. No room to dodge, Luna was openly struck with a solid kick, combined with ⟨⟨Voiding⟩⟩ which Davis instantly get out of Luna's attack range.

⟨⟨Iaijutsu⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨6-Cuts Begi⟩⟩

And it didn't end there, Davis who didn't waste any second unleashed another 6-cut strike to Luna who staggered.

⟨⟨Quick Decision⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Parry⟩⟩

A loud clang reverberates the Arena. Luna manages to ⟨⟨Parry⟩⟩ Davis's ⟨⟨6-Cuts Begi⟩⟩ which made Davis staggered instead. But...

"Ugh!!"

Luna gritted her teeth in pain when something stabbed her. Apparently, because of Davis's sword attack, his sword activated his skill.

(He got me...!) With her resolve, Luna force herself to keep on her feet. (But!)

Steadily and with her resolution, Luna took the stance that everyone here used as the finisher. As for Luna, it is a skill which she always sees but never used before.

⟨⟨Battōjutsu⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Multiple⟩⟩

"Haa—!!"

"Match Ended!!" Just as Luna was about to unleash it, the announcer had interrupted the match which shifted everyone's attention to they're voice. "Luna had surpassed the simulation HP!! The winner of this match is Davis Blackraven!!"

Thunderous sound of the audience mixed with satisfaction and disappointment bustled the whole Arena. Looks like they would enjoy it if the fight continued for a while.

As for the two, Luna might look like a composed girl who openly accepted her defeat, but for what I can see, she is probably devastated inside.

"That was a good fight, Luna." Davis said as he casually heads towards the exit. "I would like to fight you more but unfortunately; I have important things I need to accomplish."

Davis's word might be a sound of a compliment, but for Luna, it was really devastating. At first, she really didn't mind it. But right now...

(It was not that I look like I have the advantage... I can see... I can see that he's just playing with me.)

With her mind in shambles and her heart in pain, Luna blankly took her sword and heads into the exit with a slump look. Luna took a glance at the exit and to her surprise, her Master was there.

"Hey Luna," I wave at her with a serene smile. "It was a great fight, I'm really proud of you."

"Ah..." With a timid voice, Luna looked at me tiredly. "Master... You're here..."

With a curt reply, continued to walk aimlessly—until she bumped me into my chest, burying her face in the process. After a moment and she started tugging my clothes in frustration.

"I said that I only plan on giving you his information on fighting him." Luna exclaimed. "But what is this... I didnt think losing like this would be so frustrating."

I started caressing her head gently. I didnt feel any sobbing so I guess she really was just frustrated.

"Tell me, Luna." I asked. "What do you really want?"

"I..." Luna paused for a moment. As if resolving herself on something. "I want to win, I want to defeat anything I came across into, I hate this feeling of losing."

"Remember that feeling." I gently replied. "Use that as a motivation to get stronger. But first, from now on, you should be honest with yourself more." I continued, still caressing her. "You're not the old you who was bound by someone, you are free now. Of course, if anything happens, I'll take responsibility."

"Nh..."

"You are my Personal Maid after all." I said, which Luna raised her head and looked at me dumbfoundedly. "The Master got to take responsibility to his own members, right?"

"Mhm!" Luna meekly nodded.

"Alright," I cheerfully said. "Shall we head back?"

* * *

When we head back, Luna got a ton of support from the audiences (Especially the boys) as we walk to our respective seat. And of course...

"Welcome back, Luna." Akari greeted. "That was a nice fight, I'm impressed."

"It's okay, Luna." Lily added. "That guy was just too much for us right now."

"I-is that so..." Luna replied with a strained smile. "Anyways, I won't lose the next time we fight."

"I like that motivation, Luna. Keep it up." I said, then sternly looked at the projector. "It's time huh... Hey, Astra."

"Yeah, I know." Astra who was quiet for the whole time replied. "Shall we go, then?"

I nodded in response to her words—then both of us went at the same time into the hallway towards the centerstage.

It's finally time to see what Astra is currently capable of. In the game, she was as strong as the Protagonist as the story progress. Her stats might be on it's base right now but I'm sure she'll pack a punch in a fight.

While I'm pondering so, Astra, who was walking beside me starts to say something.

"You know, I've started to think something about this one." Astra said with a serene expression. "On our circle of friends, I often feel like I don't belong there."

"Hm?" I shot a look at her then ask. "Why do you feel so?"

"You know, I'm pretty sure I'm working hard... But for some reason, you all come back several stronger than me..." Astra paused briefly, then continued. "It made me doubt myself if I'm actually working hard or not... It's... Infuriating."

"..."

I felt silence I to Astra's statement. Morally, we're cheating our strength by using those Essence. That's why, we looked like a superhuman.

"I already know." Astra suddenly added while I ponder. "I already know that I'm gonna lose this... But I at least got to try, right?"

She's strong. I already know the problems she's currently facing herself—her family. But even so, she's still trying to think positive to anything by herself. Her remarks earlier was probably her venting herself out.

"I guess it's not enough huh..."

Astra started to mumble something. But I wonder though, has she ever told this to Sora?

"Astra," I called, which shifted her attention to me. "If you ever felt like you've hit a wall, you can always come and ask us. There will always be a time where an individual will need the help of something."

Astra didn't respond for a while until the moment we arrived at the centerstage.

"I'll keep that in mind..." Astra replied and separated herself from me.

Both of us went to the opposite edge of the centerstage—facing each other.

"For the 3rd Match of the Quarterfinals, this fight will be held by the two competitors known for their overwhelming sword skills! Introducing! Sai Crimsonheart and Astra Redwillow!!"

A mix of cheers and booing reverberates from the audiences—especially the boys who were staring daggers at me as they booed me in unison.

"They really hated you huh." Astra mentioned with a laugh. "Don't worry about it. It was pretty obvious they're just jealous of you." Then, after a pause, Astra called me again. "Hey, Sai."

"Hm, Yeah?"

"No hard feelings..."

"Sai Crimson heart versus Astra Redwillow! Match Begin!!"

And thus, our fight had started.