Twenty-six

Eloise stood in the bustling hallway, scanning the crowd for any sign of her friend, Jade. She had heard whispers among the students about a forthcoming fight between Jade and Yugo, and her curiosity piqued. It didn't take long before she spotted Jade making her way through the throng of students, determination evident on her face.

A nearby student noticed Eloise's interest and leaned towards her. "Did you hear that Yugo and Jade are going to fight soon?" the student asked, excitement evident in their voice.

Eloise, unable to contain her curiosity any longer, replied with a hint of anticipation in her thoughts. "Where can Jade be?"

Alice, finally noticing Eloise's presence, smiled and beckoned her over. "Come next to me, Eloise. There's a place for you," she said, gesturing to the empty seat beside her.

Eloise eagerly joined Alice, settling into the seat next to her. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric, filled with a sea of people who had gathered to witness the highly anticipated match. Eloise couldn't help but be amazed by the sheer number of spectators.

"Wow! What's with all the people?" Eloise thought, her eyes scanning the crowd in awe.

Alice, leaned towards Eloise. "This game is going to be very interesting," she said, her voice brimming with excitement.

Curious, Eloise asked, "Why is that?"

Alice replied, her voice filled with anticipation, "I feel like Jade has become very powerful. It's really a fight not to be missed."

As the moment of the match's commencement approached, Yugo and Jade found themselves standing on the field, preparing themselves for the impending showdown. The atmosphere was charged with anticipation and tension. Yugo couldn't help but feel a sense of respect for his opponent, acknowledging her skill and determination. "I wish you good luck, even if you are my opponent," Yugo sincerely expressed, his words laced with a touch of sportsmanship.

Jade nodded, her eyes gleaming with determination. She appreciated Yugo's gesture and responded confidently, "Thanks to you too. Good luck, and may the best man win." Her words conveyed her self-assuredness and readiness to give her all in the forthcoming match.

As the competitors prepared themselves mentally, the referee stepped forward, capturing the attention of everyone present. His commanding voice reverberated throughout the stadium, ensuring that all ears were tuned to his words. "The match is about to start, but before we begin, I would like to remind you of the rules," the referee announced, his tone firm and authoritative. The crowd hushed, eager to hear the regulations that would govern the imminent contest. "You are not allowed to kill your opponent, or you will be sent back. On the field, weapons are accepted. Of course, the match ends when one of you is knocked out," the referee clarified, emphasizing the boundaries within which the combatants must operate.

Jade's mind raced with strategies, her thoughts filled with various scenarios and possibilities. The mention of weapons being permitted triggered a surge of excitement within her. She couldn't help but anticipate the moment she could wield her sword, a weapon she was proficient with. A flicker of determination flashed in her eyes, as she silently acknowledged the advantage she held with her chosen armament. *(Excellent, I can finally utilize my sword in this battle)* she thought, her anticipation growing with each passing second.

With the referee's signal, the match commenced, marking the beginning of the long-awaited clash between Yugo and Jade. Displaying a swift and aggressive approach, Yugo wasted no time and launched an immediate assault, his movements showcasing his agility and speed. His intention was to catch Jade off guard and secure an early advantage. However, Jade proved to be a formidable opponent, effortlessly thwarting Yugo's attack with a mere flick of her wrist.

"That's all you can do, Yugo? I expected more from you," Jade taunted, her voice laced with confidence and a hint of playful mockery.

Undeterred by Jade's taunting, Yugo remained composed and responded calmly, his voice betraying no trace of frustration, "Don't worry, Jade. The match is just beginning, and there is more to come."

Yugo's determination became evident as he concentrated, channeling his magical power. In a dazzling display of his prowess, he summoned six clones that perfectly mirrored his appearance, flooding the field with identical versions of himself. The sudden proliferation of Yugos made it incredibly challenging for Jade to discern the real one amidst the sea of copies.

*(How can I distinguish the real Yugo from his clones? Blindly attacking would be foolish and potentially costly)* Jade thought, her mind rapidly assessing the situation and strategizing her next move.

Yugo's clones launched an unrelenting barrage of attacks on Jade, their movements synchronized and devoid of hesitation. Jade found herself increasingly challenged, constantly evading their relentless onslaught. The pressure mounted as she struggled to maintain her composure and find a way to overcome this overwhelming predicament.

However, Jade's mastery of magic allowed her to create a protective barrier, a shield woven with her innate powers. The magical barrier provided her with a momentary respite, blocking the clones' assault and granting her a brief window to gather

herself and devise a countermeasure.

Alice, a keen observer of the intense battle, turned to her friend Eloise, sharing her concern, "Jade seems to be in a rather complicated situation. These clones are proving to be quite the challenge."

Eloise, ever steadfast in her belief in Jade's abilities, replied with unwavering confidence, "Don't worry about her, Alice. I have complete faith in Jade's skills. She'll find a way to prevail."

Driven by her unwavering belief in her friend, Eloise couldn't help but let her voice ring out loudly, echoing throughout the stadium, "Come on, Jade! You can do it!"

Yugo, noticing Jade's enthusiastic supporter, sported a smirk, taking the opportunity to taunt her, "It seems you have quite a fan, Jade. I didn't know you were so popular." His words were intended to distract and unnerve his opponent.

Jade's gaze momentarily shifted towards Eloise, a brief smile gracing her lips, appreciating the unwavering support. But her focus quickly returned to the task at hand, her determination burning brighter than ever. "I intend to beat you, Yugo. Your place on the council is mine," she declared, her voice resolute and filled with unwavering determination.

Without wasting another moment, Jade unsheathed her sword, the glimmering blade reflecting her unwavering resolve. In a split second, she swiftly struck, her sword slicing through two of Yugo's clones with precision. The crowd erupted in a mix of cheers and gasps, astounded by her exceptional swordsmanship and precision.

Yugo, genuinely impressed by Jade's display of skill, couldn't help but acknowledge her prowess. "Impressive swordplay, Jade," he admitted, a hint of admiration tinging his voice, as he assessed the remnants of his defeated clones.

Jade's focus remained unwavering as she continued to dispatch the remaining clones, one by one, her movements fluid and graceful. With each strike, she moved closer to Yugo, determined to deliver the final blow. Meanwhile, Yugo, unyielding in the face of defeat, refused to back down, summoning every ounce of his remaining strength.

"What power! All this time, you were so strong," Yugo exclaimed, a mix of exhaustion and determination evident in his voice. "But I won't give up. I will fight until I am exhausted."

Yugo launched a desperate barrage of attacks at Jade, his strikes coming in rapid succession. However, Jade's agility proved unmatched as she gracefully evaded each of his moves, her evasive maneuvers bordering on artistry. With a swift and calculated motion, she seized an opening and countered Yugo's assault, striking him decisively with her sword. The force of the blow sent Yugo sprawling to the ground, completely knocked out.

The referee, who had been closely monitoring the intense battle, hurried over to assess Yugo's condition. Confirming his defeat, he raised his voice and declared, "This match is over. The winner is Jade!" Jade walked off the field, basking in the resounding cheers and applause of the crowd, her victory well-earned. Eloise rushed towards her, her face filled with pride and uncontainable excitement, unable to contain her joy and admiration for her friend's triumph.