As the conversations went on an hour past and their Host eventually left her room, "ah, that's better, I feel much more refreshed now" she said to herself. Everyone looked over from where they were talking together, "welcome back, you look very refreshed Miss Yuki" Licht said with a smile. The young woman smiled back, "yes, I am, thank you. That rest was very good. Now, before we start with the next viewing, I have a question for you. As we were watching the last session, one of my children became very excited, and when I went in to rest, he was very insistent that when I returned that I ask you something for him" Bethany began. Licht blinked in confusion, "and what would that be?" he asked. "He would like to have a duel against you and your Sword Magic, one-on-one. That was his request" Bethany replied.
All the Elves perked up at that. The Card Mage against Licht? Looking over at their Leader, they wondered how he would respond. Eventually he smiled, "alright, I accept your, and his, request. A on-on-one duel. However, I am worried about the others, I can control my magic, but I wouldn't want anyone to get hurt accidentally" Licht replied. Bethany smiled, "don't worry about them, my child's sibling can handle that" she said, activating her Staff and taking out one of her Cards, "SHEILD, please protect the humans and Elves over their for the duration of this duel" she asked, tapping the Staff to the Card, which glowed and changed into a strangely shaped shield. The SHEILD bowed to it's Mother before floating over to the spectators and turning into a translucent dome-like shield. Then Bethany drew out another Card, "SWORD, come to my aid!" she called, tapping the Card with her Staff. The Card turned into a smoke-like substance and swirled around the Staff.
Everyone watched this new kind of Magic in interest, but no-one moreso than Patry. The young Elf was ecstatic to see his Idol fight. When the smoke was all drawn into the staff, it had changed into a much shorter rapier with a crescent moon-shaped handle and a cross-guard. Bethany wielded it like a professional fencer, no, even better than that, since The SWORD Card made it's wielder a master swordsman. Licht seemed impressed with this magic, because his Grimoire began to glow and floated up in front of him. Opening on it's own, it flipped a few pages, before a fairly small sword handle appeared from the book, which Licht drew out. "Hey, uh, are you sure about this Bethany? Licht is really strong" Patry asked. The young Sorcerous smiled and turned to the wall they were in front of, before she spoke, "cut" and slashed the wall rapidly. It suddenly fell apart into tiny perfectly cut cubes. Everyone's jaws dropped, "I think we'll be fine, right SWORD?" she replied, speaking to her child. Those present could hear nothing, but the human Mage smiled and took her stance, "yes, right, let's begin" she said, turning serious in an instant.
Licht also readied himself, as, aside from being able to cut through solid stone like it was paper, he had no idea of the Tsukuyomi Card's abilities. Seeing that her Elven opponent wasn't going to make the first move, Bethany decided to. Using perfect Fencing technique and surprising speed, the woman lunged towards the Sword Magic user. Licht was forced to block the first strike, 'she's fast' he thought, slightly surprised. The force of the block created a small shockwave. The Elf pushed back, but the human wouldn't budge, "you're strong too" he said out loud, a smile forming on his face, "this will be interesting" he said, before disengaging and moving back to observe his opponent. The spectators, however were shocked, "she blocked Licht's strike!" Vetto said in awe, "I didn't know a human could do that" he said. "Wow, this is so cool! She's actually matching him blow for blow!" Patry exclaimed, even more excited now, "go Licht!" he cheered.
This time Licht was the one to initiate the first strike. He moved forward as if to attack from the front, before spinning around and striking from the side. Bethany blocked that strike as well, both of them gradually getting faster in their movements. Trying for a swift diagonal cut, the human woman stepped forwards, but the Elf Leader was ready for that, moving to the side and attacking first. The young woman quickly blocked again, sparks flashing from the contact of the two magical blades as they scrapped against each other. The stalemate went on for a moment, before Bethany twisted her grip and forced Licht's sword to the ground where it cut a furrow due to the strength the Elf was putting behind his blade. Showing incredible strength, Licht pulled his blade free so hard and swiftly, that it knocked the Tsukuyomi Spirit up above his Mother's head. Then he went in for a glancing blow to the woman's neck, ready to end the duel.
However, Bethany did something unexpected in that moment. She expertly bent backwards through the air to avoid the strike, before flipping back upright and knocking Licht's sword out of the way. Said Elf quickly moved back to avoid the girl's attack. Standing upright again, he grinned, actually grinned, "where did that move come from?" he asked curiously. "I spent two years, or two half-years capturing my children when I accidentally released them in the beginning. It involved a lot of exercise, and sometimes even acrobatics to stay alive and catch them. It was either become fitter and learn acrobatics or get shot by arrows, and I kind of like living" Bethany replied with a grin as wide as her sparing partners. He nodded in understanding before moving in to attack again. Bethany spun around, blocking and countering strikes, speed increasing with each blow. 'Her speed is increasing the longer the fight goes on. She must be reading my moves, finding ways to counter them, all in a split-second!' Licht thought, reading the humans moves as well.
"This is incredible! To bring that human up to such a level, that Tsukuyomi Card is really something!" Raya exclaimed, impressed by the girl. The two went in to attack again, clangs sounding as each strike hit home. Those observing could only watch in awe as the fight continued. Licht and Bethany ended up crossing Swords again, before the human twisted her grip and forced the others blade down so that it cut into the ground again, or it would have, if Licht hadn't twisted his Sword out of the way and moved back. "Ah, I have to say, this is the best Sword fight I've had in years" Licht said with a beaming grin. "Me too, being the most powerful Sorcerous in my world can get pretty boring after a while without any challenges" Bethany replied, also smiling. They both knew what the other was thinking at this point- this was fun. Then Licht, with impressive strength, pushed upwards so fast, putting so much strength into it, that The SWORD was knocked out of his Mother's hand for a moment. The spectators gasped, thinking that this would be when Licht won the match.
But Bethany wasn't done yet, spinning around and grabbing her child out of the air. Everyone gasped when, fasted than they could see, the Adult Elf lunged in for a strike, and his opponent reacted just as fast, blocking the strike with a diagonal downwards block, behind her back that once again caused sparks to fly. Twisting her grip, Bethany spun back around and this time knocked Lichts Sword upwards. 'This is my chance!' she thought, lunging towards the Elf in a forwards thrust. But she had forgotten to watch Licht's legs, which proved to be a mistake as he leg-swiped her feet out from under her, knocking the human to the ground, and pointing his sword at her head. The two stared at each other seriously for a moment, before grins once again broke out on their faces, "oh man, that was the best Sword fight I've ever had! I guess magical prowess can't beat out an experienced sword fighter. I yield" Bethany said, holding up her hands.
Licht allowed his sword to sink back into his Grimoire, before offering his hand to the young woman, "I was hard-pressed to find a way around your attacks as well, I haven't had a challenge like that since I got my Grimoire!" he said happily. The Card Master chuckled, "well, I think SWORD has finally met his match, wouldn't you say?" she asked, looking down at the Card Spirit as she was helped up. The Card floated up into the air and began talking, though no one else could hear anything, "agreed. I don't think I've ever lost before, but the Young Lord was a worthy opponent indeed. I shall have to find some way to get stronger, will you train with me at some point Mother?" SWORD asked. Bethany smiled, "of course I will" she replied. "Also, please convey a message to the Young Lord for me" he asked. "SWORD would like to tell you that your form was impeccable and your prowess was excellent. He also said that he would like a rematch at some point while you're here if that is alright with you?" Bethany translated, since all anyone else could see was SWORD floating there.
"I would very much like that, I quite enjoyed sparing with your child, and would very much look forward to it again should the opportunity present itself" Licht replied, turning and bowing to the Tsukuyomi Spirit. SWORD bowed back, before returning to Card form and settling into Bethany's hand. As her Staff returned to normal, the Sorcerous recalled The SHEILD as well, and suddenly found herself surrounded by awed Elves. "That was so awesome! That SWORD Card of yours is so powerful, I've never seen anyone stand up to Licht in a one-on-one sword fight before!" Patry exclaimed, eyes shining. Similarly, Lemiel's eyes were wide and sparkling too, "that was incredible! Please let me examine your Child later! Only if he doesn't mind of course" he began excitedly, only to calm slightly when he realised that he might be being too pushy. "I have to say, that was really something their kid, I'm impressed!" Raya exclaimed with a smile. Bethany frowned, "kid? How old are you Raya?" she asked. "25, why?" he asked in confusion. She sagged, "I'm only 20, I am younger than you! Damn it!" she muttered.
Licht blinked in surprise, "you're only 5 years younger than us? I knew you were a young woman, but I was sure you were younger- ah! No offense intended" he said, only to backtrack a little when he realised that his words might have been considered rude. Bethany perked up then and shook her head, "don't worry about it, I'm fine. Anyway, is everyone ready to move on to the next viewing?" she asked. Several stomachs rumbled, "actually, I think my appetite just came back, where did you say the food was?' Raya asked. "Through the other door their" Bethany replied, pointing to it, as several Elves seemed to realise their hunger and moved towards the room. After they had left, Bethany sank into the nearest seat, "master swordswoman or not, some of those attacks were really strong!" she muttered as she massaged her shoulders, "phew, the impacts really did a number on my arm joints and muscles". "Excuse me?" a voice asked from behind her, causing the woman to turn her head to look behind herself. Lemiel stood there with a smile, "are you in any pain? I have a healing spell" he offered.
The Card Mage smiled, "thank you, I would greatly appreciate that" she replied. "Light Recovery Magic: Healing Ray" the young man said as he cast the spell. As the Light Magic washed over her, Bethany sighed in relief, "that feels much better, thank you" she said gratefully. The Prince smiled, "any time" he replied. When everyone was seated again the young woman walked up to the front, "okay, I know that last viewing wasn't great, but this next one will be the beginning of the explanation that everyone has been waiting for" she began. Everyone began to become, not excited exactly, but anxious to find out the truth. "Now, some things in this will be hard to watch, but please bear with it. So," she sighed the last word out, "let's get on with it, shall we?" Bethany asked, as she returned to her own seat and the recording began.
To Be Continued