I’ve waited for you. Ch. 32

*An hour before the match, John's POV*

"Oh John, you're heading to the field?" Cercis asked.

John was making his way to the match, while heading pass the student's council room.

"Good afternoon your highness, and yes I was heading to the field. By chance, would you be attending?" John replied.

"I'd be glad to. Unfortunately, I have some business to deal with, so I bid you luck, my friend. That's the least I could do." Cercis said and proceeded to walk away, but John stopped him.

"Your highness, would you think I will win?" John asked Cercis.

Cercis turned around with a confused look on his face.

"What type of question is that, John? I have no doubt you'll win."

"Irene Briar. She's my opponent." John said, with a dead serious look in his eyes.

"Oh." Cercis said in suprised. After hearing it, Cercis covered his mouth and turned his gaze to look into the distance.

"..well, what I can say.. she is strong.., but John you're not inexperienced either. In honesty, you're both incredible, so I don't dare concluding it..Truly, if I could, I would immediately ditched this meeting and go to observe your match."Cercis was trying to cover his expression with his palm, but his eyes were outrightly exposing his excitement and interest about the upcoming event.

"You sound awfully excited, your highness." John said with a disappointed look on his face.

"Hmph! Anyway.." Cercis regained back his composure and continued- " like I said, John. I don't doubt your abilities, but don't underestimate her. After all, she will be my bride and my bride will be of equal to me." Cercis declared proudly.

*Now*

John thought to the moment he was conversing with Cercis as John's casting his ultimate spell on Irene, the sun drops where hundreds of golden arrows, made up of light magic fall onto the targeted enemy.

Is this person really that great? She might be on par with Amon, but even he nor his highness would have a hard time withstanding my sun drops. This technique is made specifically to entrapped monster, and for a mage like her… she is definitely the same kind of one.- John thought.

After a short while of the battle ground turning into a plain of pristine rainfall, there seemed to be no movement from Irene's side. Around the stage was dust up and suddenly someone ran down from their seat and to the railing.

Sh*ts! I can't see anything! Where is Irene?! Should I just jump in?-Kannavis thought to herself while leaning over the railing, watching with restlessness.

Why am I acting like this? It's Irene after all, she'll be fine… right?

"… I think that will be enough." John spoke while lifting his spell off.

..Maybe I was being too conscious.. at this rate I might actually kill her- John thought to himself.

The battle was looking to favor John's victor, but as the fogged cleared up the stage.. the spot where Irene was supposed to stand at was replaced with condensed mana, forming into a large blue rose bud.

"What…" John said with a baffled look on his face.

There were silence as the flower bud's petals slowly inter-woven into a tear drop shape and then-

*BOOMMM!*

The rose bud grew denser and suddenly bloomed out or more like exploded into a large rose, sending a shockwave across the arena that came with little whimsical petals flying out throughout the field. At the center of the bud, was Irene, her flawless silver hair was untied and let down into a beautiful spread and all her previous wounds was healed up. The aura around her felt different.. It was like she has reborn again.

Her appearance has left the whole stadium into a shock, enchanted by her beauty and grace… some even questioned themselves- Is this a birth of yet, another goddess?

Nonetheless, John was not in trance, and immediately striked at Irene. He wasn't going to let her get away with it this time.

"Hey!! Watch out!-" Kannavis yelled out in hoping to warn her, but the words weren't able to travel faster than the speed of the arrow. John aimed for her head and it hit her. But to everyone's suprise, the Irene's infront of them evaporated into small petals of roses, floating out into the air the moment the arrow got to her.

"Wait- where is she-" John said anxiously. Then-

*Shink!*

There was a blade on John's neck, his very own dagger was used against him by none other than his opponent who was locked on behind his back, any movement will be the end of it.

"Hah..Seriously? Illusion magic?" John said sarcastically as he dropped his bow to the ground and raised both his hands up.

"I'd like to request you yield please, sir Tendere." Irene muttered out slowly and all her wounds were still there.

All along, she created a dome of flower to hide from John. As soon as he focused on the fake Irene, she immediately ran to grabbed the thrown away dagger and seized him down.

"Alright alright, I'll surrender. It was your victory, alright." John spoke as he was forced down to his knees, but surely his expression was that of utter satisfaction.

"And The WINNER OF YOURS TRULY VISCUM'S CHAMPION IS IRENE BRIARRRR" The commentator enthusiastically yelled out, and so was the audience.

*RRAAAAHHHHH*

*Boom! Boom!*

The match has finally come to an end and fireworks were flared out through the sky of the academy, signaling the great celebrations of the autumn's end. Confetti and flower petals filled in the air, running along with a sweet scents through the capital.

"IRENE, IRENE, IRENE.." The crowd yelled out in Unison and simultaneously clapping, congratulating her mighty victory.

At this very moment, she is a champion candidate, the one who acknowledged by all, not by any scheme of means, but for her very own strength, The blooming witch, Irene Briar.

Irene was ecstatic, even in her glorious moment, she only tried to scanned around the crowd looking for one person.

"…Where did she go?" Irene muttered to herself. Her face turned from hopelessly waiting then to a bit of frowned when she couldn't find her.

Soon, Irene left the battle stage and prowled around to look for a particular bird, but instead would find herself stumbled upon a lingering snake.

"Congratulations to you, Irene. It was truly a fantastic battle." Hedera said proudly with a huge smile on his face, and one arm behind his back.

"Oh. Greetings, professor." Irene greeted him, her expression was a bit disappointed, but still let out a smile. "I am glad you'd enjoy the match." Irene continued.

"Oh how could I not? With a genius mage like you on the playground, even the devils would be entertained!" Hedera said.

"Oh.. you've thought too highly of me, professor. I was just lucky." Irene said nervously, while anxiously tip toeing, seemingly embarrassed or might she be in a hurry?

In a moment of weakness, Hedera reached his hand out to tucked Irene's hair behind her ear which startled her back to her senses.

She looked at him and he was smiling softly at her.

"You're wondrous, Briar… inside and out." Hedera spoke.

"Oh." Irene was a bit flustered and didn't know how to react, but among the crowd, she saw a familiar figure walking by, so she snapped out of trying to figure out what Hedera was trying to convey at the moment.

"Mmm.. I sincerely appreciate your regards, professor, but may I have your excused sir since-" Irene let out a small yawn and continued- " huahh.. I'm a bit worn out.. I'm sorry that I am not able to entertain you for a while longer.."

"Ah.. I see. Right, you need to rest. You don't have to worry about this. It is I who shouldn't be stalling you much longer then-" Hedera said then pulled out small piece of item, wrapped up like a gift and handed to her.

"My present to you, dear student.. for being the greatest." Hedera said.

"…Thank you, professor." Irene let out a big smile and nodded to Hedera, signaling her exit.

"Ah- would you like me to accompany you-" Hedera asked, but was immediately brushed off as Irene bolted away. Still, Hedera couldn't care less as he was still bewitched by her expressions earlier.

People were flocking through the gateway after the show, and among them, Irene was desperate to squeeze in and looked for a timid crow.

Out of all the gifts, praises, and victories she received throughout the day, Irene was sought only to find the one who shouldn't be there and the one she was longing for.

You came for me, so why not stay a little longer? Please.. let me hold onto you just a tiny bit more. That will be enough.- Irene thought while wondering through the crowd, hoping to catch a glimpse of her again.

Not long enough, her prayer was answered. In a sea of unfamiliar faces, she recognized immediately. Followed along the crowd, there was a single thread, slithered out, leading her in. Irene took a deep breath in and wedged her way through.

Come on.. come on.. please wait.. right there- in her final stretch, Irene reached out her hand and grabbed a hold of the one she was following.

" ! …Ah.. Irene." Kannavis turned around while she's wearing a hood above her head. Even under it, it was easy to tell that her cheeks were awfully red.

"…sniff* miss Kannavis." Irene spoke heavily while grasping from air, with the overwhelming thoughts earlier.

The two have met yet again, what could happen?