Spar

Suzune stood on the training ground, the air heavy with anticipation. The morning sun cast long shadows across the manicured lawn, creating an almost serene backdrop to the upcoming battle. Roswaal's mansion loomed in the background, its grandeur contrasted by the tension brewing in the air. On the balcony above, Roswaal and Emilia watched intently, while Beatrice peered from a nearby window, her small form barely visible.

The deal struck the night before echoed in Suzune's mind. If she impressed Roswaal with her combat skills, she would earn the position of Emilia's bodyguard. It was a daunting task, but one she had accepted with determination.

Rem stood before her, looking calm and composed, her morningstar—a weapon that had ended Subaru's life in previous timelines—dangling menacingly at her side. Ram, her twin, was equally stoic, her wand-like weapon ready to unleash its power.

"I hooope you will not hold back, dear guest," Roswaal said, raising his hand theatrically to the heavens. Suzune nodded, steeling herself.

"Let the battle... beeeegin!"

Rem moved first, her weapon's chains clinking ominously as she charged. She swung her morningstar with lethal precision, but Suzune's reflexes were honed. She bent her body at a perfect ninety-degree angle, narrowly avoiding the deadly spikes. Before she could straighten up, Rem was already closing in, her eyes gleaming with concealed bloodlust.

In that split second, Suzune cursed herself internally. Sure, she was more flexible, stronger, and faster in this new form. But against the Oni twins? She gulped, knowing that facing Rem and Ram simultaneously was a near-impossible challenge.

Rem landed a solid blow on Suzune's abdomen, the girl was sent flying away. But before she could hot the ground, Ram used her wand to throw some slices in the air, cutting her everywhere.

Emilia gasped from the balcony. "Roswaal! Stop this. It is too much now!"

Roswaal chuckled, his voice dripping with amusement. "I am suuuure that our guest has some tricks up her sleeeves!"

Ram, ever the opportunist, unleashed her wind magic, sending razor-sharp slashes through the air. The blades of wind could slice a mabeast in half. Rem, unpredictable and relentless, swung her morningstar with unerring accuracy. Suzune found herself dodging the wind slashes while trying to fend off Rem's attacks, a perilous dance that left her no room to breathe.

Suzune closed her eyes, bracing herself for the inevitable. The wind slashes were closing in, and there was no way to dodge both attacks at once. It was too late to surrender. Maybe, she thought bitterly, if she died here, she could do better in the next timeline.

Then, a whisper, soft and haunting, echoed in her mind. It felt like Emilia's voice, but different... darker. "D-don't... die... please."

Suzune froze. Satella…

"Authority Of The Witches: Heavenly Restriction."

In an instant, she vanished from her spot, reappearing above Rem in a flash. Rem looked up, eyes wide with shock, but it was too late. Suzune delivered a roundhouse kick to her neck, sending Rem flying. But before Rem could hit the ground, she twisted in mid-air, landing on her feet with cat-like grace.

"Rem!" Ram shouted, alarmed. She launched a flurry of air slashes at Suzune, who zigzagged to dodge them. A mana-powered shield appeared before Ram, but Suzune's fist shattered it like hot glass, sending Ram crashing into the mansion wall.

Suzune marveled at her newfound strength, feeling invincible. "How did I get so strong?" she wondered aloud. "I feel like I can take on Elsa easily. What is this power?"

"Onee-sama..." Rem's voice was a low growl. Her horn had appeared, glowing like a malevolent beacon. She was enraged, her oni blood boiling.

Rem charged with renewed fury, her attacks wild and frenzied. "Die! Die! Die!"

Suzune dodged and parried, her body moving with a fluidity she hadn't known before. Despite the chaos, she was in awe of her own abilities. "This is crazy! I'm finally getting my protagonist power-up. Although, it's not too soon—"

Rem's morningstar swung wildly, but Suzune refused to retaliate with lethal force. She couldn't risk hurting Rem badly. Then, an idea struck her. She aimed for Rem's horn, just as she had in the forest. Her fist connected, and Rem collapsed instantly, her body going limp.

Suzune caught her before she hit the ground, breathing heavily but barely sweating. She looked at Rem, feeling a mixture of relief and triumph.

Roswaal clapped his hands, his grin broad and satisfied. "Well, well, well. Looks like we have a winner."

Suzune smiled slightly, the weight of her victory settling in. Now, she could protect everyone precious to her.

Rosewall smirked. 'With Suzune… the Great Sage under my control, sensei will be with me very soon!'

TBC