Hello again...so soon. Anyway, I'm just gonna go to the sword fight so...enjoy! And I'm sorry if I'm pissing y'all off with how Ruby's acting as of late so...yeah.

I sighed, leaving the classroom. Did I want Ruby and Saber to catch up? Well, honestly, yes. Did I want to leave them? I had no choice but to trust Ruby. She told me that I could trust them being alone. But seriously, I didn't feel comfortable. There was just something about Saber that…I couldn't let him be alone with her.

"Delta?"

I turned around, seeing Sierra with an eyebrow raised in confusion.

"Aren't you supposed to be with Ruby and Saber?"

"I am?"

What?

Sierra sighed, then said, "He's not someone I would trust to leave alone with Ruby…."

"I know," I replied, "I know…."

"Now then, since Saber Steelcore has won the last few duels, why don't we have him select his opponent this time?"

Said member of team SWRD made his way down to the arena, shooting a smile at Ruby. I glared, taking a glance at her as she smiled back. I could feel a throb in my chest as he immediately turned his attention to me. He shot his sly smirk at me as I narrowed my gaze, only to see him point up to me and say, "Delta."

"Wait a sec," Sierra said, standing up, "Delta's weapon is damaged, not to mention he was just sick-!"

"It's fine."

Everyone glanced at me as I picked up what remained of Alternate Echo and said, "I'll go…since he's so intent on it."

With that, I made my way down. I don't know what I was thinking though; I half expected Ruby to stop me. She didn't. Which left me wondering.

Shaking it out of my mind, I glanced at him across the arena as he drew his sword. I could hear my one sword handle click in place, drawing it and throwing the sheath to the side. Saber raised an eyebrow as I explained, "I don't need it."

He grinned and replied, "This isn't going to be too easy, don't you think?"

I took my stance as did he. I could feel his aura swirling around him as Ms. Goodwitch shouted, "Begin!"

We both took off, our swords clashing as we reached a standstill. Immediately, I took notice of the runes on his sword beginning to glow a faint blue as I disengaged. I glanced down at my sword, then back at Saber, who was twirling his sword in his hand.

To have that much strength…wielding a two handed sword with one hand….

Suddenly, he charged. I widened my eyes in surprise as he closed the distance between us with astounding speed. I raised my sword again, feeling the clash of his sword against mine as I felt myself get blown backwards by the force he had put behind his charge. I could hear my aura bar drop slightly as I regained my footing, jumping back as he continued his barrage. My sword met his every strike of the way as I suddenly found myself backed against a wall, our swords meeting again as he got up in my face. I grimaced as he asked, "Is this really the swordsman who's been protecting Ruby?"

My eyes widened as he said, "Give up; you can't protect her, Delta."

I pushed him back, charging him. Our swords met again as he continued.

"You aren't strong enough, Ordance; give up. I can protect her."

"Shut-UP!"

I blew him backwards, throwing my sword after him. I could hear a "CLANG," as well as the crowd gasp as I grimaced, sticking my hand out.

Now!

I teleported straight to it, only to find that I had my back facing my opponent. I turned around, seeing Saber's sword heading straight for my head. I could see my life flash before me as the blade came ever closer.

Think!

My mind went blank as I could faintly hear the crowd gasp in fear. Instinct suddenly kicked in as adrenaline raced through my system. Raising my hand, I could only think of doing one thing.

With a flash of light, I summoned my second sword, hearing a loud "CLANG" fill the air. The crowd gasped again as I deflected Saber's weapon with my first sword. I quickly swung with my second, followed up with the first, and so one with a flurry of horizontal slashes. Saber grimaced as he jumped backwards, keeping his sword between me and him.

I glanced down, giving my second sword a light kick on the side with my heel.

About…50% strength…maybe less give or take….

Whatever the case, I swung my body around, throwing my undamaged sword at his direction. However, just as Saber deflected it, I teleported straight to it, my sword meeting his as my feet hit solid ground again. We stared each other down as I raised my second sword, swinging it, only to feel his hand grip my wrist as we got into another standoff. I shot a quick glance at his runes, seeing them glow an angry deep blue. I glanced back at him, seeing him smirking as he suddenly swung me around with the hand that gripped my wrist. I rotated my body around as I caught glimpses of him getting ready to let loose one of his shockwave slashes. I landed, looking around, spotting my sheath. Closing my eyes, I teleported to it, quickly sheathing my weapons as he yelled, "Play time's over!"

I could hear a rush of aura heading straight for me.

I hope this works…!

I pointed my sheath at him, firing one of my swords at him as I took an estimated risk. Drawing my sword, I channeled my aura into the blade of my weapon, taking an estimated guess at the distance of the shockwave, closing my eyes.

3….

I could feel the shockwave coming closer

2….

Edging ever closer.

1….

Just feet in front of me.

NOW!

I opened my eyes, cutting through the shockwave as I quickly teleported to where my other sword was. Only to see Saber was holding my sword.

He grinned as he swung his sword at me. Reflexively, I swung my sword as well.

A loud "CLANG" filled the air again. The class gasped as I could hear something stick itself into the ground several feet in front of me. I glanced at the direction of the noise, seeing the top half of my sword's blade sticking out of the ground. I sighed as I said, "I resign."

"Delta Ordance has forfeited," I heard Ms. Goodwitch announce, "Saber Steelcore is the winner."

The class cheered as he said, "I told you; you aren't strong enough to protect her."

I couldn't help but feel a pang of heat in my chest. I grimaced, gritting my teeth as he walked away. I could feel my eyes begin to water as I walked over to the broken half of my sword, picking it up. I stared at it for a good minute as Ms. Goodwitch said, "Delta? Is something wrong?"

"No, Ms. Goodwitch," I replied, walking over to my sheath.

Nothing's wrong…at all….

I could instantly hear Ruby's voice in the background as Saber began his idle talk with her. I glanced upwards, seeing the smile she used to have with me. I fought back the tears as something along the lines of lead filled my chest.

And yet…I can't help but…feel that…he's right….