Second fight

After the duel with Alric, I was guided to an enormous room where the next immediate fixtures were projected on a cinema-like screen. There, all the participants took a small break before heading to the next round.

Same octagon, same guide. Only this time, my opponent was a brown-haired girl with a constant frown on her face, like this was all very boring and unpleasant for her. 

Judging by her rather expensive-looking bow, she might've been from a rich or important family. Paired with the way she carried herself when she addressed the judge and her guide, she must be quite arrogant. Perhaps she hasn't experienced any hardships or was spoiled rotten by her family.

Either way, I was going to get that bow mastery art, one way or another. I was seriously considering just pissing her off until she mentions her family, then seeing just how much this adds to the catalogue. Man, I feel like a piece of work, going on and antagonizing every person I met. But if it's the most effective way to obtain information out of them, I have no choice. People are more likely to let out excessive information when they are venting, after all.

After the match had started, the girl, whose name was Ava, immediately pulled out one arrow from the quiver and loaded it. Unfortunately for her, my mouth was way faster than her bow.

"That's an expensive-looking bow. Makes me wonder if items are all you've got."

Unsurprisingly, she lost her focus and missed by a very low margin. 

[BOW ART DETECTED. CONCRETE INFORMATION ACQUIERED. CATALOGUE UPDATED.]

"Letting yourself be affected by my cheap taunts? You haven't experienced hardships on your own, haven't you? Holed up in your nice house, not having to do anything dangerous... That sounds like a very nice life."

"You don't know what you're talking about. Is that sword of yours only for decoration? How about fighting with your actions, not words?"

"Honestly? I don't think I need to; My words have beaten your actions. If you want proof, look at where your first arrow went. I don't think I will need that sword at all!"

Having said that, I dropped my sword. Needless to say, the reaction was immediate.

"Bastard, are you really underestimating me? We live on different planes of existence. You are less than an ant to me!"

That, to me, looked like a superiority complex. Although this could also very well be an inferiority one, my first assumption has more sense, as her family had, most likely, somewhat instilled in her that she is better than others, if not because of her power than just because of their status.

What is peculiar though, is that a superiority complex does not normally look like this. If she was actually believing what she just said to me, she wouldn't get so worked up when an ant challenged her authority. Worst case scenario, there would be some disdain in her eyes, which isn't visible right now. Makes me wonder if these beliefs are some sort of coping mechanism for her insecurity and fear that she won't be able to uphold her responsibilities forced upon her by her parents.

[CATALOGUE UPDATED IN CONCORDANCE WITH VESSEL'S THOUGHTS OVERLAPPING REALITY]

[Catalogue[Oliver], [Alrick Blackwood], [Ava Greyhinge]]

[Ava Greyhinge

Philosophy:

Self-mask:

1. I am above them

2. I have nothing to prove

3. I am part of the elites of the elites

Reality:

1. Meet their expectations, avoid disappointment

2. Get their approval, at any cost

Tendency: Chaotic neutral 

Impression of you: Pissed off by your arrogance.

Stats: 

Rank: G

Skills: ???

Traits: ???

Arts: Basic bowmanship(bow art, grade 1, proficiency:???), ???

Abilities: ???

Strength: ???(???)

Agility: ???(???)

Stamina: ???(???)

Mana: ???/???

Mana core: ???

Intelligence: ???

Familiarity:36%

[CERTAIN MILESTONES REACHED; YOU HAVE RECEIVED 2 STT]

[CHOOSE BETWEEN 1STT AND 1ATT]

As always, I used the art transfer token to get the Basic bowmanship art. I found it hilarious how, beyond the mask, Alric and Ava's philosophies were an exact match. It seems that in this world, the parents' influence on the children is way bigger. Even their impression of me was the same!

Of course, now that I have achieved my purpose, I should end the duel. I wasn't lying about not needing the sword. Her arrows can get so much speed, and, judging by the direction of her bow, their trajectories can be predicted quite easily. 

Therefore, I immediately started running in her direction, evading any arrows that were headed in my direction. Once I was in close proximity, things became extremely easy for me, as that huge bow was severely limiting her movements.

Once again, I exited victorious. Then, looking at the spectators, I saw Oliver, having a very strange expression on his face. Right now, he must be very surprised by my actions. When I found out about this tournament, I pondered on my course of action quite carefully, and concluded that he suspecting me is less significant than the advantage I can get out of these fights: that would be these arts I keep collecting. Also, I can benefit from this, as it makes things easier in my relationship with him if we are not constantly trying to keep a facade, and it makes him think that we are somewhat alike, thus making him feel closer to me. I don't think that it's a bad thing at all. 

Anyway, that was how the second match came to an end. I have 3 more left. Until now, things weren't that hard, and my only difficulties were the ones I created for myself to obtain those arts, but things will going to change eventually. I was in the top 25 percentile of all the participants. Sooner or later, I may need to choose between learning and advancing in this tournament.