6:05 pm. School Entrance
Clink! Clank! Swash! Zing!
After Ara dashed towards me, she swung diagonally down to the right and then started to circle around me as she kept swinging around her spear in odd directions. It was really hard for me to keep up. She was too fast and all of her movements were hard to read and predict. Honestly, from the outside, I bet this looks like I am just guarding randomly while she is just circling me. I really was though.
Oye partner. You're not going to get anything done if you keep on being on the defensive you know?
I know that. But what am I supposed to do if she's so fast and I can't even understand her attacks?
Take chances, make mistakes, get messy!
… What?
Fight. Dive in. Make mistakes. Adapt.
Are you crazy? I'll be killed if I make even one mistake!
Not if you can make the mistakes at the right moment!
At the ri- HOW AM I EVEN SUPPOSE TO CONTROL WHEN I MAKE A MISTAKE?
"What's wrong Elsword? You aren't being as vigorous as I thought you out to be." Ara said with a disappointed tone while still circling around, barraging a series of attacks at me.
"Tch, shut up!" I decided to try seeing what Conwell was trying to tell me and swung in an arc to try and push her back. She saw it coming from a mile away and immediately jumped back as soon as I even started preparing to swing. She was at literal distance of just the tip of my sword.
Force Spear. She thrusts her spear and an energy bolt charged at me. I couldn't dodge it.
Explosive Fist. I charge magic in my hand and tried to see if I could block it. The bolt made contact with my hand and a small explosion followed. A fume rose and it was just enough to cover my body if I crouched. I did so and quickly sprinted out from the left side of my original position.
Wait. Don't move!
What?
Listen.
I listen to Conwell and stopped right before I could exit the smoke. It was clearing up just a bit, but not enough for me to be able to see anything. I close my eyes and listened. A surge of wind was coming above me.
Shadow Press. I jump out away from the smoke and look back. A wave of black energy shot out from where I jumped and I guarded it with my sword. The smoke went away along with the wind and I see Ara kneeling down with her spear impaled into the ground.
Seeing this as a chance, I quickly dash forward. I was able to get within distance and swung down with minimal strength. Ara pulled her spear up quickly and blocked my attack.
I notice something wrong. I wasn't putting that much strength into it, so Ara should have been able to retaliate easily. I wanted to bait her into using a lot of strength so I'd have time to cast, but she isn't resisting…
Take notes Elsword. You should always be learning more about your opponent. This girl is already predicting your moves.
What? But I've just started going on the offensive!
Don't underestimate your opponents. If anything, you should always assume certain things and even overestimate them. Especially since you've already had a taste of how strong she really is.
Even so… this is ridiculous!
Ara… was matching her strength to mine. Dammit, even if she is kneeling down still, I'm still in the lower position. Well, in that case, I just have to work harder right?
Sword Enchant. I put all my strength into pushing down on Ara and try to focus putting magic onto the swing. Ara didn't react to this and instead let me push her down further. I was able to get my sword on fire, but as soon as I did Ara was able to jump out right before the flames came out.
Well then. That's not good.
Ara raises her hands.
Phantom Fox Stance 1: Savor. She slashes the air and I can see slash marks come at me. Again, I couldn't get out of the way. It lands on my chest and it felt like it was sawing through my flesh.
"Aghhh!" I scream out in pain as I land flat on my back. I look at Ara who seemed to be mumbling something to herself with her eyes casted downwards.
"Dammit…" I get up, fighting against the pain, and steady my pose. Ara raises her spear and charges at me.
"Alright. If that's how it's gonna be…" I lower my posture a little bit. I can tell Ara senses something different, but no point in pondering about it. I quickly dash towards her.
We both clash with equal strength. Ara is blatantly observing my moves. I break away and start to swing my sword in an arc shape. I make it a bit low so it seems Ara can attack from above. She points at spear directly at my head and stabs.
Roll. Glad she took the bait, I evade the attack and land behind her.
Assault Slash. Before she could react, I was able to quickly stab her abdomen and stun her a second.
I begin to deal a barrage of attacks, not letting her break free from it. I kept swinging my sword, getting faster and faster with each attack. Eventually, I felt "it" changing, so I ended my barrage.
Unlimited Blade. I swing 7 strikes against her, with my final one being a complete arc around me knocking her down.
Everyone around me is cheering in surprise.
"Whoa! He was so fast? What was that?"
"Kya~! That looked so cool!"
"Please marry me!"
Really now… What is wrong with these kids?
I don't… know?
Well… it looked like I did quite a lot. Unfortunately, partially right and wrong…
Ara slowly gets up on her feet, moving around as if it was just a few light scratches.
"A little quick on our feet, aren't we?" She smiles whole-heartedly at me, but with bloodlust.
"But it does not seem you put much strength into it?"
"Well. You have to pay a price for speed right?" I smile back at her.
"True. I do suppose you would have to, if you did not have the proper training." I got a bit irritated.
"Alright then…" I change my posture again with my sword on my back. I keep my body low still.
Ara gets in a defensive stance.
Be careful. Try to read her mind. The first step to winning this battle…
Is to understand her.
I charge in trying to maintain the speed I had before. I use a bit more energy than usual.
Ara is going to try to block my attack and break it away so she can strike right after. However, this time…
I swing downward and we both clash once again. Ara tries to fend off my attack, but she finds herself stuck as she squirms around. Slowly, my weight starts to overcome hers. Realizing what is happening, she tries to escape by jumping out, but I didn't let her. I quickly place my foot on top of her foot to trap her.
"Oh no!" Ara panicked.
Now's your chance! Your opponent is confused!
"Let's see if you can handle this!"
I push a large amount of force down on Ara and move back a bit.
Double Slash. Ara was to slow to recover from the great amount of force and I was able to finally damage her. I swung down with all of my strength and smashed her down flat on her chest. I take more time to charge up my second swing. I swing a little diagonal as Ara tried to jump out. It makes contact and I send Ara flying a distance, sliding across the ground.
The impact was great enough to completely shatter the ground along the lines of her side and create a clean, slim hole along where she slid.
Did I do it?
Don't make the same mistake as her.
Don't tell me...
Ara, once again, slowly gets up and resumes her idle posture. She does cough a little, but it almost looks as if it was the same result as before.
"You cannot be serious! How can you take that much damage without even being at the least bit tired?" I shouted out confused.
"Eheheh… well. Let's just say I'm not normal." She smiles whole-heartedly like before.
Not normal?
Ah… so she is…
What? Do you know something about her Conwell?
No time. You need to fight.
Tch.
It seems like your full power alone will not be enough to fight her. She truly is far more experienced than you.
Far more experienced?
She's completely out of your league. I think you need to surrender this duel.
Are you kidding me? Why would I surrender? Everyone is here looking! Even Rena! I can't back down!
Elsword. I understand your feelings, but continuing this battle is futile. She will drag you around like a ragdoll. She is not an opponent you can fight on equal terms, nor will she in many years.
Screw that! I'm not going down without at least trying!
You've already tried. You gave it your all. It did not work. So stop it now. Have I not already told you before? Sometimes, it is best just to watch from afar. In this case, that logic holds true. A brave warrior will take on this challenge without hesitation, but a great warrior will know when to back off without hesitation as well.
Dammit…
"I…" Ara looks at me sharply.
I can feel everyone's stares piercing me.
"I surrender." I grit my teeth.
"Elsword?" Rena calls out shocked. I look up at everyone who is just completely astonished by my withdrawal.
"I… cannot win." Ara is taken aback as well, but she smiles and nods.
"Yes… a brave warrior will fight, but a great warrior will also back down when needed."
See? Told you.
Shut up!
"Denied." I open my eyes wide along with Ara and we both look towards the voice.
"This battle does not permit a surrender call. You both must fight until the other is unable to continue fighting." Elesis says with a solid resolve.
"Eh?" I yell out in surprise.
"B-b-but. I can't even fight anymore! I can't even damage her! Come on! There's no point to this right?" I panic.
"Hey. Big sister! You'll let me right? For your little brother?" I try to sweeten her up, but she looks at me with a very very VERY scary face. I can't tell whether she was trying to hold back something or whether she was really angry.
"I'm sorry, little brother, but I cannot let you do that. The principal has already decided such rules for this duel. I have no say in the actual dictation at all."
"Old man Xerath?" I look towards him.
"Well now. Quite a surprise! Hot-headed Elsword is turning down from a fight? Not very like you. It is true that in times like these that knowing when to back down shows the vigilance of the person, but this is not a life or death battle now is it?" He smiles at me.
That old man. This is not going to end up pretty.
Well… it was the original plan anyways.
"Alright then. I understand. Let's keep going Ara!" I muster up all my energy.
"Agreed." She politely answers and resumes her position.
What do I do now though? I already used my heaviest single target move on her. But that is not enough.
From one direction.
What?
I have noticed that you only strike her around one area from one direction. You never tried attacking from multiple spots at once.
You don't mean…
Maybe she has been channeling energy towards the spot you were attacking and cushioned it?
Then… in order to really hurt her.
You'll have to completely assault her from every direction.
Alright then. Here goes…
I charge once more at Ara. I get within a certain range, not close enough to hit her, but far enough to not let her touch me.
Armageddon Blade. I form a large aura around my sword and swing at her. It was well than close enough to engulf her in the aura. She jumped away a short distance to barely dodge the attack… as expected. I chuck my sword at her. Again, she barely dodges it, but she was airborne… so like this.
Explosive Fist. I jump up and ram my fist downward. She blocked it with her spear, but we both ended up crashing downwards. I think I did it a bit too hard though… because… darkness.
We both collided with the ground and a bunch of dust formed around us. I felt heavy, so I couldn't move for a bit. After some time, it cleared up and I raised my head up.
"Dammit. I used too much strength. Are you alright Ara?"
"Kya!" Kya? Now that I think about it, I felt something really soft in my hand. I squeezed it a few times.
"Mmmfh! E-Elsword… I" Ara's voice sounded unusually sheepish. I look down to see Ara right below me… in a… erm… interesting pose?
*whistle* that fanservice though.
My leg was right under her crotch while I was completely groping her breast with one hand and my other hand on top of hers. Yep… it looked basically like what it looked like. I was raping her… unconsciously… involuntarily… not of my own will… all an accident… please don't kill me after this Elesis and Rena and possible Aisha…
"AHHHH I'M SORRY!" I quickly jump off of her. And… que the students.
"Ah! Pervert!"
"Whoa Elsword! A hero!"
"Ah… it would be nice if he attacked me like that too! Take me!"
What th- Wait, I'm pretty sure that last one was a guy.
I hear sniffling across and look at Ara. She was… crying.
Oh darn, you made her cry. You're going to have to take responsibility now Elsword.
What!
You broke taboos. You made a girl cry, and you touched her body. You're probably going to end up marrying her.
Whoa whoa wait… Okay first of all, if we follow that logic, I already have Rena to marry! Second of all, WHAT KIND OF OLD FASHIONED LOGIC IS THAT?
I don't know… I mean. I didn't live for hundreds of years now did I?
...
Also, I'm pretty sure polygamy is a thing still.
I, am not that kind of person Conwell.
Hmm. She might be though.
I look at Ara once more and see her trying to mouth some words.
"Um. Uh… Elsword?" She looks up with her watery eyes and with such a soft aura around her.
"Yes!?" I answer back alert.
"I… I'm fine. B-but… you know what this means right?"
Wait a minute… don't tell me.
"Uh. Well. I'll have you take responsibility for this. Okay?" She timidly smiles. Holy crap, her smile can cure anything can't it?
… Can I just go kill myself now?
No.
Why?
I think three other girls have it covered for it.
I look towards the three girls he was talking about.
Elesis was smiling, but obviously fuming in rage. Rena was looking down clenching her fist. Aisha was pretty much sending "you're dead" vibes at me. Everyone else is condemning me for making her cry.
"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT! CUT ME SOME SLACK ALREADY!" I yell in complete frustration.
Ara stands up slowly, still blushing and with her breasts covered.
"W-well. We should probably finish the duel now." She takes a deep breath and already gets in her position once more.
"Ah. All right." I pick up my sword and get ready as well.
This girl really has her priorities set.
Yeah. She is a scary weapon.
I know what you mean. But what are you going to do now? It seems like your plan back there won't work a second time.
I don't know. But I have to think of something quick. I'd rather not just sit down accepting my loss if I really have to keep fighting till the end.
Hm.
I stand contemplating about how to go about this. I already pulled quick moves and heavy moves on her. I don't think I can do anything else other than that. She won't fall for traps or any fast pulls like that anymore. I highly doubt she will run into any of my magic attacks. What is there to do?
"Just lose then." I look up and Ara closes in on me before I could blink.
"Don't worry. I'll make this a painless as possible."
"Oh crap!"
Roll. I try to get out of the way, but right before I roll to the side, Ara stabs my leg. I couldn't move.
Sword Wave. Trying to counter before the pain overwhelms me, I swing my sword in an arc and try to hit her with an energy wave, but she moves away.
"Now then. No more games. This is the end for now Elsword." She has a solemn expression on. It looked so peaceful somehow.
Rakshasa Stance 3: Spear Prison. A bunch of dark energy spears fall from the sky and land, creating a sort of prison around me. I felt shocks from everywhere channeling from the spears.
"Guh… dammit!" I look above at the sky and see a large spear heading towards me.
"W-wait! You can't be-" Before I could finish though, the spear collides onto my chest and then…
Ah. You lost.
Yeah… seems like it.
"I see. So this is the power of the one who wields Conwell?" She slowly looks at me with a mixture of depression and pity.
"A bit disappointing." She gives me a weak smile and lowers her spear.
Hah. You get beat up by her and now she's talking down to you. Honestly, I understand her viewpoint of things. This really is kind of pathetic.
Hey! Cut me some slack!
No. I will not. She is actually right. It is disappointing to see someone who is supposed to be the little brother of one of the most talented swordsman in this country and the wielder of a legendary sword get beat down so easily by some random girl. Look at it from a different perspective. If you saw yourself from anyone else's viewpoint, would you not think the same as well?
Well…
Ah… Well, don't let it bother you too much. You just need to train more. Then you'll be able to start winning fights.
You… what happened to just letting it go and withdrawing?
True. But you are fighting right now and it is best to assess the situation. Right now, you are losing due to the lack of training that you really needed. You may have trained hard for the past few years, but it seems that it was not efficient enough. And the one at fault is only the person himself, you.
At that point, I felt something snap inside of me. I have never felt so offended in my life. I have never felt so useless, so betrayed, so angry before. I usually always brush off everything or get temporarily crestfallen about it. This time though, it was completely different.
Elsword?
Ara's POV
"Well. I think this should be the end of the duel. It's my win I believe."
"…"
"What's wrong? It is obvious that he cannot continue fighting."
"Oh I would not be so sure about that. I think Principal Xerath agrees."
"Indeed. You would think an insightful warrior such as yourself would have already seen that."
"What do you mean? He's still…" Wait. What is this dark aura?
Elsword is still standing up tall. But something felt off. His head was hung too low so I could not see her face. But I felt bad vibes creeping out from him. Something was daunting me.
"Hey, Ara…" I flinch.
"Are you ready…?" I raise my spear up and get prepared.
"For round 2?" Elsword finally raised his head up. He was grinning widely. His face kept twitching and was contorting itself. It's finally here. I could feel it. His dark feelings. His frustration. His desire to fight. He was bloodthirsty. This, was his bloodlust.
"This time. I'll make you feel pain!"