Arc 1 Chapter 30 : I Want to Win

[Ariel's PoV]

Raul was asleep, sitting with his back against a large rock. It seemed like it was already night. It's hard to tell time in a closed place like this.

I looked at his sleeping face. He looked like an innocent and kind man when he was quiet and still like this.

I guess he was exhausted after being hunted by three Clans non-stop for the past three days.

I don't know why he did this. Wouldn't it be better to go through this exam smoothly without antagonizing everyone competing?

Lately, I've found it hard to understand Raul's behavior. He seems different from his usual self.

When he was injured and closed his eyes back then, for some reason, I felt like he was carrying a heavy burden. And without thinking, my body moved on its own to touch his cheek, healing his wound.

Considering what he's done recently, I shouldn't have helped him.

But when I saw his expression at that moment, for some reason, I wanted to help him. I don't understand this feeling.

Not long after, he suddenly cried when asking about Brian. It was strange because the Raul I knew never showed weakness in front of me. He always wanted me to see him as a real man.

I moved closer to Raul's sleeping body. For some reason, ever since I started interacting with him recently, Raul has felt like a stranger to me.

"What are you doing?"

Suddenly, he woke up. Why is he so sensitive to movement around him? Is this normal, even for a knight?

"N-no, nothing," I replied, quickly moving back to where I had been sitting.

"How long have I been asleep?" Raul asked.

"I don't know. I think quite a while."

Hearing my response, Raul stood up and walked over to the roasted rabbit he had previously cooked.

"Hmm... so you ate it," Raul said, looking at the roasted rabbit.

I turned away at his words. Earlier, I had refused to eat anything Raul cooked and even declined the water stored in the coconut shell.

"Well... I'm going out for a bit to scout," Raul said as he walked out of the area.

Is he going to fight again? With his hand in that condition? Why does he push himself like this?

---

[Raul's PoV]

I was now standing near a gap where I could see the area below. I could see some students sleeping while others kept watch.

This mine had three levels. The first level was the bottommost area, where miners worked to extract materials. It was like a maze, and it would be hard to find the way out without being familiar with the area.

Above that was the second level, where miners temporarily stored the materials they had mined and took breaks.

The third level, where Ariel and I were hiding, was just above the second. It wasn't very large and served as a storage area for equipment and a workspace for the supervisors.

I was currently on the third level, spying on a group that seemed to be led by Valeria. It looked like they came from the southern tunnel. That meant Geralt's group must be near the northern mining area.

I had to hurry and take them out before they crossed the bridge connecting this area to the northern mining section. It would be much harder for me if their groups joined up before the final fight.

When I got there, I saw no sign that Geralt's group had crossed the bridge. I guessed they decided to rest for the night.

I then found a place to hide and waited for them to arrive.

---

[Geralt's PoV]

After we had rested for a while, I ordered the others to get moving again. We had entered this mine through the northern tunnel, but we hadn't encountered any traps from that filthy noble.

Afterward, we slept to recover our strength, ready to face that man. We took turns standing guard. Judging by the dim sunlight seeping through, it seemed to be morning. It was difficult to tell time in such an enclosed space.

"Move quickly! We're going to meet up with the others on the other side!" I ordered my men.

"Ouhhhh!"

"Ouuhhh!"

We started walking through the mine. It was very dark, with only a little sunlight reaching in. Only two of us could use light magic, and they couldn't keep it up for long.

After some time, we came across a wooden bridge connecting this area to the next. But I had to be careful not to fall into that filthy noble's trap.

"Two of you! Check the bridge!" I commanded.

Two of my men approached the bridge, checking the planks, the rails, and even under the bridge. They didn't find any issues.

"Geralt! The bridge seems safe to cross!" one of them reported.

Feeling confident, the remaining 13 of us began crossing, with me leading. However, just as I was about to reach the other side, the bridge suddenly shook.

-Brak!

I turned to see something had fallen onto the bridge.

A man with black hair stood in the middle of the bridge, surrounded by my men.

"Where did he come from!?"

"He jumped from above!"

Yes… that damn noble—Raul de Garcia—had suddenly appeared before us.

"Attack him!" I ordered.

My men started attacking the filthy noble. But the limited space on the bridge made our numbers less effective.

I wanted to shoot magic at him, but the risk of friendly fire was too great. Still, to defeat someone like him, sacrifices had to be made.

I focused my mana in my right hand. My men were struggling despite their numbers.

"Fire Rain!" Seven fireballs shot toward them.

Raul, in the middle of the fight, noticed my magic and turned. He pulled one of my men to use as a shield to protect himself from the flames.

"Captain! Why are you using such wide-area magic when we're still here!?" one of my men complained.

I didn't care about their complaints. The man was now leaping toward me with Axio magic, aiming a high kick at my head.

-Bam!

I blocked his Axe Kick. He spun quickly and kicked me right in the head.

Ughhh… My brain rattled, and his kick sent me tumbling.

"Stop standing around! Attack him!" I shouted at my men, who were stunned after seeing me get kicked.

The remaining eight men surrounded Raul again. Now that the fight was off the bridge, we could take advantage of our numbers.

That filthy noble dodged attack after attack and countered effectively.

"Corner him! Don't give him space to run or dodge!"

I was about to cast my magic again…

My men leaped one after the other, trying to grab him. Finally, two of them managed to grab his legs, stopping his movement.

Good! My magic would hit him this time!

But just when I thought my plan would work, the black-haired man muttered something.

"Sartaxio..."

He shot up into the air, lifting my two men with him to a height of seven meters. They crashed to the ground, knocking them unconscious as they hit the ground headfirst.

His jump was stronger than before… Was that Axio level two, like Accel with Acceleration?

How could he use magic only available to official Knights of the Empire?

The remaining six men attacked him again.

After observing him, I noticed that his left hand was limp, and he hadn't used it at all to defend or attack.

What's his plan?

I didn't care… My goal was simple: to get revenge for his dirty interference in my duel with Brian.

"Flame Panthera!"

Both my hands were engulfed in flames… This was my first time using this magic, even though it wasn't fully mastered.

Raul kicked one of my men in the head and turned to face me, noticing my magic. He… smiled.

I shot toward him with great speed.

-Bam!

I punched him, but he managed to block it with his hand.

His body flew back, crashing into the cave wall.

"Feel my new power!"

Flame Panthera boosted my speed with flames, increasing my destructive power through Speed.

Raul stood up again, his face neither angry nor happy. What was this man thinking?

This time, he ran toward me.

I reactivated Flame Panthera and rushed toward him as well.

He seemed ready to punch with his right hand, but I had learned his attack patterns after fighting him yesterday.

-Bam!

I blocked his fast left kick with my right hand.

Yes… He always used feints to mislead his opponents.

He smiled again when he saw me read his move. I countered with a left jab to his face, which he dodged easily.

-Bam!

Once again, he launched a powerful kick. I blocked it, but the impact pushed me back.

"Flame Pant—"

-Bam!

Damn it! He wasn't giving me a chance to activate my magic, attacking me with relentless kicks.

The man shot forward again, ready to strike.

"Hey! Let me acti—"

-Bam!

Ughhh… My arm shook violently from blocking his kick.

Why was his kick so strong?

I saw an unfamiliar stance he was using. What kind of martial arts was this?

But I had no time to think. He was coming at me again. I focused on his legs. This next attack seemed even stronger than before.

-Bam!

Ughhh… My head spun. The man suddenly punched me in the temple.

-Bam!

I blocked another kick aimed at my head.

I tried to counter with a left punch, but it hit nothing but air.

-Bam!

Gughhhh... My solar plexus... He ducked to avoid my attack then threw a quick punch towards my solar plexus...

-Bam!

He kicked me again, making me roll on the ground.

Damn...

Why is he always able to counter my magic and attacks with the right timing?

I tried to get up...

-Bam!

My head shook, it seemed like he had kicked it again.

My vision started to blur...

I almost lost consciousness....

Damn...

Why...?

-Bam!

Ughhh... Why am I this weak...?

I want to win... I want to win against this man...

-Tap...Tap...Tap...

I heard the sound of footsteps. The man walked slowly towards me.

His black eyes and flat expression were like a lion who was bored with his prey.

I want to win....

The man's leg was raised, it looked like he was about to crush my head.

Closing my eyes, I prepared to fail this test.

Damn!

"Wind Blow..."

I felt a strong gust of wind coming this way. Opening my eyes slowly and turning to the side, I saw Valeria and the members she was leading appear.

"Follow that perverted man slowly but try to keep your distance!" said Valeria giving orders to her members.

Apparently, that man ran away after reinforcements arrived.

"You okay, Geralt?" Valeria asked as she walked over to me.

Hearing his words, I just clenched and bit my own lips.

I lose ... Badly.

This really frustrates me...