16 Strongest Duo

Slash!

Thud!

"She's dead," Taren said after finishing off the remaining girl. He crouched down beside her disintegrating body, picking out all the items she dropped.

The VR battle is developed like a game; when we kill our opponents, they drop their items. I came to know this when I killed Efline. She dropped some potions, explosive arrows, and poison arrows.

"What did she drop?" Walking towards him, I asked while scanning the area for any threats.

"All are potions. Four healing potions, four mana potions, and six buff potions—that's all," he explained, showing me all the potions he picked up. 

"We have many potions now."

"Here is your part." He gave me the potions, splitting them equally.

"Thanks. Let's go now."

We started to walk since I don't have much energy to find monsters and hunt them down. While walking, Taren started a conversation.

"Hey, Jadel, how do you know that she won't target me?" 

I smiled at his question and started explaining. "It's simple; I just ticked her off, and all her attention is on me."

When I came to know who she was, my mind instantly lit up with an idea, and in that spur of the moment, I didn't consider whether it would work or not and decided to go with it.

"So, did she like you?" Taren asked, his tone more curious than anything.

I shook my head and forced a laugh, though it came out hollow. "She used to, but not now."

Taren raised an eyebrow, waiting for me to elaborate.

"I looked away, the memory of Efline's face flashing in my mind. 'Poor girl.' I thought as I remembered her time with Jadel. "I liked someone else at that time. Said some things I shouldn't have to her. You know how it is—when love turns hate, it burns even brighter."

Jadel was quite an idiot back then, and he doesn't want any problems within the family, and he also likes Alicia. He said some awful things to her so she wouldn't pursue him, and he was really sorry for that, but he didn't show it outside.

"If I'm right, that person you liked then would be Alicia, right?" Taren's question was almost rhetorical, and I nodded. 

"I don't really get it." He suddenly said, his face showing confusion. "Why pursue someone you can't get? I mean, I don't know why you like her, but I know one thing, you liked her from childhood.... well, I only heard rumors about it, but she would be dumb to not know you liked her." Saying that his gaze shifted to me, his eyes showing pity.

"And now, with the condition of your body, you can forget about it... I'm sorry if I offended you." Realizing he offended me, he instantly apologized. But I didn't mind his statement since I'm not the real Jadel. 

"You don't have to apologize, and I know that; that's why I stopped chasing her." 

Thump! Thump! Thump!

"Have you really stopped chasing her?" He asked, not believing my words.

"Yes," I confirmed. 'In the first place, these feelings aren't mine, so why should I pursue her?

Thump! Thump!

"Are you crying, Jadel?" He asked, surprised a little. 

"Huh, me? Why?" He pointed at my face.

I touched my face and felt wetness, realizing I was crying. 'Huh, am I crying? No... it's not me, is it Jadel?' My heart twisted, the raw pain of his feelings mixing with my own. 'Fuck, it hurts; it fucking hurts. How the hell am I experiencing his emotions in the VR world?'

"Damn, whoever created the VR, that person is a hella genius." Taren muttered, awe in voice, as he observed my tear-stained face.

"The heck, man, in a situation like this, shouldn't you console me?" 

"Ahh, that's right, it's okay, man. Life is hard, and I know with that face you will get a better girl... He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "But still, that guy is really a genius for—"

"Die, Fucker"

"Hahaha!" he laughed loudly, avoiding my hand and easing the tension.

***

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***

Elsewhere, In a dimly lit room, a group of instructors observed the fight with keen interest. The screen before them displayed the ongoing battle, their eyes observing the children who caught their interest.

"The students from the Supreme Royal Academy are really exceptional." An instructor from the Elfilial Academy said, his tone carrying a fake admiration.

"Especially the top 10 students; it's only been 30 minutes passed, and they already scored above 500 points," another instructor praised, though his words lacked sincerity.

"You're praising our kids a lot," vice principal Sebastian joined the conversation, "but aren't Elfilial Academy students topping the scoreboard?" He glanced at the hovering leaderboard.

"All the top 10 are from Elfilial Academy, holding 300 more points than our students," Sebastian said.

"Indeed." Suddenly, another voice chimed in. "They're on top, but aren't you looking down on your students too much?" Vice Principal Sebastian looked at the elf who spoke.

The elf is a nobility with silver and white hair mixed, wearing elegant clothes that speak volumes that he is not the same as the other instructors. Sebastian looked at him, showing a slight smile.

Sebastian gave him a small, knowing smile. "No, vice principal Emein, I'm not looking down on my students; I'm just stating facts."

"Stating facts?"

"Yes, for now our students don't have many points, but soon they will be in the top 10," he said as his smile widening, "or maybe our students will be at the top," Sebastian's smile widened as he looked at the screen.

Slowly, the students from the Royal Academy started catching up with the Elfilial Academy students. Seeing that, Emein's mouth twitched.

All the elf instructors looked at the screen dumbfounded, with confusion and surprise evident in their faces. 

"I told you right, vice principal." Sebastian looked at the elf students elimination screen. Seeing the number slowly increasing, a small smile bloomed on his face, clearly showing pride in them.

"I told you." Sebastian murmured, his eyes gleaming with pride. "I know my students better, and I know they will take the top 10 position, especially those two little monsters."

Sebastian's eyes focused on the screen displaying two kids fighting with a C- rank monster. Then his eyes turned to the screen, showing a kid with snow white hair and blue eyes.

***

***

***

Clank

Gooar!

In a jungle where there was no sunlight penetrated, two young men engaged in a fierce battle with a ferocious monster. Their clanking sound of weapons reverberating in the jungle. 

Gooar!

The monster's howls caused nearby monsters to flee in fear. With a fierce cry, the monster rushed to the white-haired boy, whom the monster deemed to be the most threatening. A red hue covered the bear like a monster's hand, sharpening its claws to the extreme. With another fierce cry, it attacked the boy.

「Krieger Style: Luminous Parry」

Clank!

He deflected the monster attack, but his body sent flying. He skidded across the ground, dirt and leaves scattering around him.

"Asher now!" He screamed at the other boy.

"On it"

He rushed to the monster, changing his weapon form to a spear. He jumped at the monster.

「Astro Copy: Krieger Style: Luminous Thrust」

Sllak!

Grooar!

The spear pierced the monster's hide but was shallow, barely drawing any blood. 

"It's shallow," he muttered.

Woosh!

His eyes widened at an unexpected attack by the monster, seemingly using the power generated by his attack to deliver a massive attack.

Bam!

"Kuegh!"

Bam! Thud!

Asher grunted as he was flung back, crashing into a tree. The impact shattered the trunk, sending it toppling over him.

"Shit, it has a skill that can absorb and deliver powerful attacks." Aaron stood up as realization dawned on him.

"The red hue covering it's hands increases with our attacks, making its attacks powerful. We have to attack the monster without giving it a chance to counterattack," Aaron said to him.

"I get that… now." Pushing the tree on his body, he got up. Blood dripped from his mouth and chest as the monster's attack left a big gash on his chest. Wiping the blood from his lips, he took out a potion and drank it.

"I'm ready now," Asher said as his body started to heal quickly.

Changing his weapon to a sword, Asher took his stance. Gripping his spear tightly, Aaron too took his stance.

「Astro Copy: Dream Art First Style: Double Light Slash」

「Krieger Style: Luminous Triple Thrust」

Both of them simultaneously launched at the monster and attacked.

Thurst!

Slash!

Goar!

The monster cried in pain, but even as they struck, it kept on absorbing their attack's power. The monster once again targeted Aaron.

「Krieger Style: Luminous Parry」

Clank!

Aaron deflected its attack once again, opening a gap for Asher to strike.

「Astro Copy: Dream Art First Style: Triple Light Slash」

Kacha!

「Krieger Style: Luminous Double Thrus」

「Astro Copy: Kiver Style: Piercing Sword」

「Krieger Style:....

「Astro Copy:….

The boys attacked relentlessly, never giving the monster a chance to recover. Their combined strikes and monster's pained cries echoed through the jungle, drawing the attention of nearby students.

Some students rushed to them, while others ignored them and continued to accumulate points. 

Asher and Aaron panted heavily, standing while watching the monster take its last breath.

"Huff, huff, that's a hell of a tough monster" panting, Asher said with a smile.

"Indeed," Aaron replied with a monotonous tone.

"Sigh" Asher could only sigh at his impassive tone as he got used to hearing it.

"Let's go–"

"To where" A voice interrupted. Looking in that direction, he saw two human students approaching them.

"Who... are you guys?" confused Asher asked.

"Well, what did I expect?" With an awkward smile, he started introducing himself and his teammate.

"My name is Jake Olstrov, rank 11, and he is Nemises, rank 13, from Class A1." 

"I'm sorry." Asher apologized for not knowing them.

"Nha, it's okay, since the whole A class is mixed up unlike other classes... and sorry."

"For wh–" Asher's words were cut off by a sudden, unexpected attack by Nemises.

Catching the throwing knife, he asked coldly.

"Why did you attack?"

"Oh, did you forget it's a battle? and before we start fighting, I just wanted to introduce myself."

Gripping his double sickle, Jake rushed to Asher, unleashing a barrage of slashes.

"Fuck." cursing Aaron tried to help Asher, but his attempt was stopped by Nemises.

"Your opponent is me," Nemises declared.

"Tch," 'Should I use it? No, it's not the time.' gripping his spear, he rushed to Nemises.

'A weakling like him doesn't deserve it... I will end this fight quickly.' suddenly, he exuded fierce pressure, alarming Nemises and Olstrove. Mana churned violently around him as he readied his spear.

「Krieger Style: Stardust」

A greenish-blue color enveloped Aaron's surroundings, stardust shimmering with every movement of his spear.

「Extreme Thrust」

Nemises eyes widened from the income threat, his body froze in fear, and a cold sweat dripped from his face. Knowing he could do nothing, he just stayed there, embracing his death.

Kboom!

Nemise's entire body vanished instantly; the place he stood looked mesmerizing as stardust completely enveloped the place. Even Asher and Jake looked at it and were completely mesmerized.

"What are you looking at? End your fight, idiot," the two of them jolted out at Aaron's words.

'As expected of my rival, I will end this fight quickly too.' 

Changing his weapon to sabre he took his stance. 

「Astro Copy: Kiver Style: Whirlwind」

His sabre glowed intensely.

"I won't allow you," screaming, Jake rushed him, only to meet his end.

"Too late"

「Condensed Mana Slash」

Boom!

Swoosh!

A whirlwind formed as he unleashed his sword strike. The wind blades sliced Jake into multiple pieces, killing him instantly. Its aftermath caused the nearby trees to fall down.

"Huff, huff, we need to move from here before another problem comes and finds us," Aaron said as Asher finished his fight.

Unbeknownst to them, a young man with white hair and piercing blue eyes was observing them with a malicious smile on his face.

Don't laugh like that, Jadel. It's disgusting," another young man said, feeling disgusted.

"Now let's wait for that to take effect," Jadel said.

"With this, we might stand a chance... probably," Taren said, looking at the departing figures of Aaron and Asher.