The wind gently blew between the two figures in the distance. The smell of lush green and the setting of a post-apocalyptic scene unfolded. Yasu's bright green eyes bore into her challenger's stance. Soujiro Seta stood a couple of yards away from her, his two Japanese style katana held in his relaxed position. He merely smiled innocently in her direction when she narrowed her eyes at him. Yasu tightened her grip on her staff, extending her right arm in front of her defensively. The Sorceress felt the eyes of all of the male's subordinates drilling into the back of her skull. Surely they were interested in the person who would have their prized guild leader ask for a challenge from. Yasu pointed her staff forward.

I guess I'll start with using this distance to my advantage.

"Mudslide."

The terrain between the two high level Adventurers immediately became slick with mud almost as though the ground was beginning to sweat. A series of panicked cries erupted from the audience watching them but Soujirou merely adjusted his footing, his sharp sea green eyes never leaving his target; once content with the extent of her spell, Yasu repositioned her, pointing it upward.

"Frost Spear."

Particles of water in the ambient atmosphere began freezing, accumulating above her, forming into a sharp, rugged spear like shape- it's construction was slow and purposeful. Yasu bent her knees in preparation for the attack she knew would come- she'd left a blatantly obvious opening. Soujirou flew at her akin to a bullet leaving a gun at high speeds, forcing Yasu to bring her staff up in front of her to guard. The impact of his two weapons clashing onto hers created a vicious circle of wind whipping around them. The Samurai stared into emerald green eyes, a spark of excitement evident in his. He pushed back against her weapon, his keen eyes noting that the spear was still growing in size- her spell was continuing. He gracefully landed several feet in front of her

"Frigid Wind."

Cold wind drifted in like a mini blizzard, following the direction of Yasu's staff. She guided the attack at the Samurai, who loosely dodged and weaved through the icy assault. The Sorceress simply smiled.

I guess it's going according to plan.

Her green orbs scanned the uneven, rugged, slippery battlefield she had created. She was sure Soujirou had noticed it too as he glanced around his surroundings. The Samurai charged at her once more in an offensive position. Yasu steeled her position- this attack pushing her back much more than she had anticipated. She returned the favor, using the momentum to crouch and propel herself forward at the warrior. Holding her staff much like a spear, she sent a flurry of jabbing attacks at him. Soujirou gracefully back flipped, blocking or dodging all of her strikes. As he took another defensive step back, the Samurai's eyes widened, his footing lost. Yasu's eyes glimmered in anticipation, seizing the opportunity to slam her staff down onto him. In a split second, he used his left palm to catch his fall and his right blade to defend her attack, several cracks in the frozen Earth appeared from the impact. Yasu's eyes narrowed as she cautiously jumped back several feet, unsure of what just happened.

I was sure I had him just then. There should have been no way he could defend or avoid that so quickly…unless…

The Ice Spear that hovered over her twitched, almost as though displaying her confusion. The Samurai didn't give her much time to think before he launched himself at her, unleashing his series of sharp attacks at her. Yasu made a similar maneuver as Soujirou, flipping backwards but in the process, she made sure to kick one of his blades out of his hand, straight into the air. It sailed over the pair, landing some distance behind them. Staggered by her audacity, the Samurai went back on the defensive.

"That was very impressive! I've never met a Sorcerer that could do anything other than just use strong spells." Soujirou complimented.

Just strong spells, huh?

Yasu smiled in return, pressing her advantage. She swung her staff down onto him and to the side. Instead of taking a step back to dodge her second attack like she assumed he would, he ducked, snatching his opportunity to land a hefty blow on her. His katana hastily approached her lower right lower ribcage. Unable to conceal it anymore, Yasu pulled out her parry sword to defend. At first glance, it almost looked like Soujirou struck her but under her short outer cloak layer, her left hand barely drew her sword out of its sheathe, her blade defending his very narrow attack. With his only weapon locked down with her own, Yasu twirled around to slam the head of her staff into his stomach, sending the unsuspecting Samurai flying backward. He still landed on his feet but his unbladed right hand was clutched over his core. He straightened himself out, his armor clanking as he did. Yasu scanned him.

That probably didn't do that much damage. He has high level gear. I guess I'll have to deal my attacks through spells.

She ran at him, staff in her right hand and sword in the other. Swinging her staved arm forward, she summoned an Orb of Lava, keeping it at the very brink of discharging it. Soujirou defended the attack, counterattacking by pushing her staff away and in a graceful motion, jabbing forward at her. Yasu used her parry sword to redirect his attack upward, pointing her staff toward the ground to send her fiery attack towards his feet.

"Orb of Lava!"

The explosion went off with a loud 'BOOM,' smoking clouding the area in a thick gray mess. She jumped out of the dark smoke, covering her nose and mouth with her forearm, landing just outside of the explosion range. Soujirou followed soon after, landing on the opposite side. Yasu narrowed her eyes once more, scanning over the battle field.

How is he still unscathed? That attack should have at least grazed him to some extent. It has to be his Teaching. There is no other explanation.

Almost on cue, the Samurai spoke up.

"It appears you don't have one yet so I'll tell you about mine- my Teaching."

Soujirou stood up right, cautiously walking over to where his second blade was kicked. Yasu took a stance, carefully observing his movements for a surprise attack.

"My Teaching is Clairvoyance; it's a defensive Teaching that lets me parry or nullify a skill even if I can't see the attack of my enemy."

He wiggled his second sword out of the frozen dirt, swinging it experimentally.

"I wasn't intending on using it but, man, you're tough, Sayu-san!" Soujiou smiled at her bashfully.

An amused look formed on Yasu's face.

"I'm glad I am a challenge to you."

The Samurai resumed his position, his eyes locked on his opponent. Yasu examined the area thoughtfully.

Bending her knees, she assessed her situation.

If larger area of effect attacks won't work, I guess I'll have to use that. Tch...I hate that attack.

A warm breeze brushed her hair sideways, gently caressing her face as the Sorceress lifted her staff towards the spear of ice hovering above her head. With the slight twist of her wrist, Yasu willed the large spear to break apart into many smaller needle-like shards. The amount of ice particles floating behind her left off an eerie ice blue color as the sun passed through them. Grinning at her ability to control her attacks so well, she rushed into her opponent's space, thrusting her spear forward in an uppercut.

He'll want to counterattack now…

Soujirou defended with one sword before being forced to backflip into safety from a line of icy shards being propelled into the spot he was standing. He narrowed his eyes at the floating needle army behind Yasu. Without missing a beat, the Sorceress continued with her string of violent attacks, not allowing the Samurai a chance to recover.

If I can attack fast enough, he shouldn't be able to defend!

As she sent another flurry of sharp attacks at him, Yasu drew her staff back, the rounded end of her staff crackling with electricity. By the time she bounded forward the light had already subsided into the ground. Striking her staff forward once more, she sent another whirlwind of attacks towards Soujirou, this time deliberately angling it slightly more upward. Seeing this chance, the Samurai ducked under the attack to rush at her with a series of complicated swings and difficult to avoid attacks forcing Yasu to backflip and twisted her body in ways she didn't know was possible to dodge his attacks.

He's quite good in skill…

Taking a final large leap back, the Sorceress found her footing, her toes digging into the earth to bring her body to a stop. She could sense another full frontal attack from the Samurai approaching. Yasu took two steps backward, her arms by her sides, completely at rest.

About here, I think...

At first glanced it appeared as though the Sorceress had given up as Soujirou approached with his attack. Almost on cue, his eyes widened as he took his first step into her trap. A purple pentagram on the ground glowed to life, sensing its prey enter it. It hissed angrily as sparks began to form around the markings. Instinctively jumping back, he fell ungracefully to the ground, the purple electricity already bound to his ankle.

"Lightning Chamber."

Crackles of blue emitted from the ends of the purple electricity before running over his entire body. Soujirou's gasped cries rang through the air loud and clear; his HP bar was nearly at the yellow stage. Yasu could immediately feel tension rising in the air from the spectators behind them. Stepping into the circle of her attack, she cancelled it before holding the end of her staff to his neck where he laid on the ground. Soujirou sighed, letting his head loll backwards onto the grass as he dropped his two swords in defeat.

"I lose!"


"Man, Sayu-san! You sure are tough!" Soujirou sat under the shade, a glowing neon red bottle in hand.

"I suppose so." Yasu sat beside him, wrapping up his more severe injuries.

"Don't be modest now!" Nazuna slapped her back, giving a very cat-like grin.

"It didn't even seem like you were serious! I wish I knew how you got so good!"

Yasu smiled uncertainly. Her raven hair was tied back in a large bun to keep it out of his wounds while she was treating him. Her deep purple dress was dusty with dirt and mud.

"It will come with time and practice. It took me a while too."

Soujirou's armor was resting next to the Samurai with several dents and scratches. He traced his fingers over the nick on his breastplate, his left arm being bandaged by the attacker. Yasu could keenly feel the laser glares of angry guild members drilling into her back.

"Soujirou-san…your guild members are making me nervous…" She mumbled uncomfortably.

Several of his guild members were glaring at the Sorceress as she continued to tend to his wounds. He glanced over the hoard of glaring women. He clapped his hands together to get their attention.

"Now, now, guys! It was just a friendly practice match! If Sayu-san were serious, I'd be waking up in the Cathedral right about now!"

Many of their glares softened but their wary gazes were kept on her. Yasu sighed, half in relief.

Maybe next time, he won't bring his posy…

Nazuna peered over the bandaging on Soujirou's arm before she whistled.

"You're good at this! You don't have any healer skills, do you?"

"I was studying in the medical field before I wound up here. I should hope I can still remember how to apply these." Yasu gave a wry smile. "They'll help bring up Soujirou-san's health faster."

Yasu gave a very loud inward sigh.

Dodging direct questions are quite difficult…

"I see you aren't in a guild. Why don't you join ours?" Nazuna offered her hand to Yasu.

"Ah, I'm sorry. I already told Shiroe-san I'd join Log Horizon when the time was right." The Sorceress gave a quick polite bow.

"Ah, shoot. That Villain is always getting the good ones."

Yasu smiled at her response. He certainly was good at getting what he wanted.

"I should get going. Thank you for the spar, it was very fun." The Sorceress stood up to collect her things, dusting her skirt off.

"Ah, wait, Sayu-san! Would you like to stay with us for dinner? We were supposed to go by the ramen shack near here!" Soujirou gave her a beaming smile.

"Thank you for the offer but I have other matters to attend to; until next time, Soujirou-san, Nazuna-san."

Yasu gave another polite bow before taking off towards the trail, a ghost of a smile ebbing its way onto her lips. Yamoto was getting some more recognition. If a sizeable number of people from the West Wind Brigade went to eat dinner, he'd make a decent sum of money. The sun was setting on the horizon and the busy chattering of the citizens of Akihabara was becoming more audible as she reached the street. The Sorceress scurried home, eager to get clean. Unfamiliar faces wore happy, anxious and loud masks as she slid through the crowd. Many people were bumping into each other, leading to the constant readjusting of her bag. A control panel appeared before her as she approached the door to her apartment. Swiping it aside, she let herself in, dropping her bag in the middle of the hallway before taking her heels off. She neatly laid her equipment next to each other before tossing her panties and bra aside. Yasu could almost hear the shower calling for her; even though Adventurers have an auto-clean function, showering was a habit she couldn't beat. After her shower ritual, the sorceress laid in her bed in nothing but a towel, staring up at her ceiling.

I lied to Soujirou-san.

Truthfully, she wanted to be alone. It was weird suddenly socializing and having people take an interest in her. The abrupt onset made her extremely uncomfortable. She gave a deep sigh, covering her eyes with her forearm. The sun had long set and the moonlight shown through her glass balcony door, illuminating just enough of her apartment to walk through. The fluttering of her long lashes signified her eyes were closing as the land of sleep claimed her.


"Jizen? Kenko? Seikatsu?! Where are you guys!?" The Sorcerer yelled through the cave that had crumbled them in.

A systematic sequence of events was to occur as soon as the cave had trapped a group of Adventurers inside: separate them. The Sorcerer struggled to push rocks out of the way to clear her only path. Yasu couldn't risk using magic as she was unable to solo at her current level of 47- Goblin Tamers and Dire wolves were common to this area. A trap of this caliber had to have monsters her character couldn't handle so she continued to proceed with caution. She reached into her new Magic Bag to retrieve the eye drops that would enhance her vision. Her sleek new bag was black with gold trimmings. It was complete with 4 smaller pockets on the outside, 2 on the sides underneath the first flap and two on either side of the bag itself. She also pulled out a black cloak to further hide herself from unwanted fights and enemies. Her bright green Sorcerer gear was bound to grab enemy attention. The cave was dark and damp and the sound of smaller monsters scurrying around was barely audible. The rocky misshaped walls and ceiling were a surefire way to quickly lose HP if you touched any of it. She glanced around her surroundings before making a dash for the next path. The character's short hair made it easy to look around from under the hood of the cloak but his large frame was an issue. It was difficult to hide in smaller areas. The loud sound of clashing and a familiar voice let the Sorcerer track her teammate. Jizen stood in the middle of two Goblin Tamers on their Dire Wolves. His HP was nearly at 30% and his MP was depleted. He stood panting, obviously in bad shape.

Jizen!

Yasu tore off her cloak, reaching for her wooden staff.

"Thunderbolt Crash!"

The loud explosion shook the walls as she finished one of the enemies off. The other turned toward her, the wolf snarling ferociously.

"Like I'd let you guys touch her! Anchor Howl!"

A bright green light enveloped the Guardian before he let out a loud howl that emanated through the walls of the cavern. His skill itself most likely rattled the entire mountain side area they were on.

"Now, come and get it you ugly ass goblin!"

The enemies once again faced the blonde before the wolf bent his hind legs for a quick attack.

"Sheesh, we sure could have used Seikatsu for that one!" Jizen slouched in a safe area, sinking down into the floor.

"I agree. We should look for them after we're done recovering our HP and MP."

Yasu sat down next to him, cross legged. The two stared down the dark, jagged cooridors.

"Hey, Yasu."

"Mm?"

"How come you made your character into a dude?"

Yasu blinked at the suddenly forward question, processing it in her brain for a second.

"Well…I guess I didn't want any special treatment. I want to be great at this game without the amount of help other females get from other male players. It seems to be that the prettier and helpless you look, the more free things you'll get from higher levelled suckers." She shrugged. "It's not like any of you guys have an issue with me playing as a guy."

"No, we certainly don't." Jizen smiled at her.

"And thanks for drawing agro back there. I probably would have died from the amount of defense I have."

Jizen gave an honest laugh.

"I should be the one thanking you! I wouldn't have lasted much longer if you didn't arrive. Besides, I'm your Guardian; I will always protect you!"