Chapter 04

Girl Fight Festival

The grand arena of the Girl Fight Festival buzzed with energy, the air thick with anticipation and charged with excitement. Rows upon rows of spectators filled the vast stands, their collective cheers creating a symphony that reverberated across the expansive space. The arena floor shimmered under the bright lights, polished to a gleam that reflected the tension simmering in the air.

Massive holographic screens floated above, displaying close-ups of fighters showcasing their prowess. The scent of adrenaline and faint traces of concession food wafted through the air, mingling with the palpable energy of the crowd. Vibrant banners bearing the symbols of participating fighters flapped gently from elevated stands.

Every clash of fists, every strategic manoeuvre drew gasps and roars from the audience. The electric atmosphere pulsated with a mix of admiration and suspense, holding everyone in thrall as the matches continued to unfold with breathtaking intensity.

Ave sat in the front row; clutching the ticket Einhard had given him. The roar of the crowd was almost deafening, a blend of cheers and excited chatter that reverberated through the vast arena. The heat from the overhead lights bore down relentlessly, creating a shimmering glow on the polished floor. His heart swelled with admiration and pride as he watched his beloved girlfriend step confidently into the ring.

Einhard's silver-green hair gleamed brilliantly under the intense lights, each strand seeming to catch the radiance above. Her mismatched purple and blue eyes burned with an unyielding determination that made Ave's breath hitch. The graceful lines of her Barrier Jacket clung elegantly to her frame, fluttering slightly with each movement, as though imbued with her resolve.

Despite the sheen of sweat on her brow, she radiated strength and grace, her entire being a testament to the countless hours of relentless training. Ave's chest tightened, caught between awe and worry. She's incredible... but I can't help worrying, he thought, feeling the weight of his helplessness. His hands clenched reflexively on the armrests of his seat as he steeled himself to watch every moment of her fight, no matter how nerve-wracking it became.

She's truly amazing, Ave thought, his chest tightening with emotion. But that admiration was accompanied by a gnawing worry. No matter how skilled Einhard was, the sight of her trading blows with powerful opponents made his heart race with anxiety.

The memory of her past injuries haunted him, vivid and unrelenting. Even though the Crash Simulation and Safety Device would protect Einhard from real harm, the simulated pain etched itself into her expressions—every wince, every staggered breath visible even from the stands. Each blow she absorbed sent a pang through Ave's chest, as if he could feel it himself. His knuckles turned white as he gripped the edge of his seat, struggling to suppress the instinct to rush into the ring and shield her.

The idea of watching his beloved endure relentless pummelling without being able to help was a sharp knife slicing through his resolve. Sweat dampened his palms, and he forced himself to stay rooted. This is her fight, he reminded himself, though it didn't ease the weight pressing on his heart. Still, he had promised Einhard to be there for her—to witness every moment of her journey, no matter how difficult it was for him. And he would keep that promise, even if it meant bearing the agony of helplessness.

Yumina, Vivio, Fūka, Rio, Corona, and Ixveria gathered near the ring, their faces filled with concern and determination. They quickly handed Einhard refreshments and towels between rounds, their encouraging words blending with the echoes of the cheering crowd. Nove and Mikaya stood close by, their sharp eyes analyzing every detail of the previous match, offering Einhard tactical advice to adjust her strategy.

Einhard, despite being drenched in sweat and bearing light bruises along her arms and shoulders, maintained an unyielding composure. Her chest rose and fell with each labored breath, but her expression remained firm. She gave everyone an affirmative nod, silently conveying her gratitude and readiness to continue.

As the echoes of her coaches' voices faded, her gaze flickered to the audience, scanning the sea of faces—until she found him. Ave. Sitting rigid in the front row, his intense eyes locked onto her, radiating pride and concern. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the noise of the arena faded into the background.

A warm smile curved her lips, reassuring him despite the physical toll of the fight. Her confidence shone through, a beacon of determination that seemed to bridge the distance between them. Ave's breath caught in his throat, his heart swelling with admiration. She's incredible—I need to stay strong for her, he resolved, his grip tightening on the edge of his seat.

As the next round began, Einhard returned to the ring with renewed determination. The roaring crowd faded into a distant hum in her mind, replaced by the rhythmic pounding of her heartbeat. Her Barrier Jacket clung to her form, drenched in sweat but still radiating elegance with every purposeful step she took. The arena lights gleamed off the shimmering fabric, casting a subtle glow that accentuated her graceful movements.

The heat from the overhead lights pressed down heavily, mixing with the faint metallic scent of the ring floor. Each step echoed slightly against the polished surface, grounding her resolve further. Ave couldn't take his eyes off her, his heart pounding with a mix of pride and worry. Her silver-green hair, damp but gleaming, framed her face perfectly. Despite the physical toll the match had taken, there was a fierce brilliance in her mismatched purple and blue eyes that made his breath hitch.

She's incredible—absolutely stunning, he thought, awe mingling with concern. His fingers clenched on the edge of his seat as he fought the urge to call out words of encouragement, knowing that this was her moment. You've got this, Haru.

The matches leading up to the final were fierce, each battle pushing Einhard to the limits of her strength and skill. First was Fie, a silver-haired mercenary turned Bracer renowned for her incredible speed and precision. The two fighters became a blur of motion, fists and feet colliding with breathtaking ferocity. Einhard gritted her teeth as she narrowly dodged a rapid series of strikes, countering with a sweeping kick that forced Fie to retreat. Sweat dripped from Einhard's brow, but she pressed on, relentless in her pursuit of victory. With a well-timed uppercut, she broke through Fie's defenses, securing a hard-fought win.

Next came Hibiki, a bubbly girl who fought with fists of iron, her voice rising in cheerful song even as she launched devastating punches. Her futuristic armor, adorned with shimmering patterns reminiscent of ancient relics, glowed with energy as she moved. Each of her strikes reverberated through the arena, a testament to her raw power and indomitable spirit. The infectious positivity she radiated made her a crowd favourite, but Einhard's discipline and razor-sharp focus proved to be the deciding factor.

Einhard ducked under a powerful swing, feeling the rush of air as Hibiki's gauntlet narrowly missed her. Seizing the opportunity, Einhard drove a precise punch into Hibiki's side, forcing her to stagger. Sweat beaded on both their brows as the clash intensified, each refusing to back down. Einhard's heart pounded, her breath coming in quick bursts, but she remained resolute.

She's strong—but I can't lose here, Einhard reminded herself.

Summoning her strength, Einhard unleashed a flurry of calculated strikes, each one chipping away at Hibiki's defenses. Hibiki's song faltered for just a moment, enough for Einhard to deliver a decisive blow that sent her opponent skidding across the ring. As the dust settled, the audience erupted into cheers.

Hibiki pushed herself up, grinning despite the loss. "You're amazing," she said breathlessly, extending a hand.

Einhard smiled and shook it firmly. "You too. That was an incredible fight."

Then there was Yuna, a seemingly ordinary girl dressed in a whimsical bear costume, her fluffy outfit concealing a surprising ferocity. Each punch she threw reverberated through the arena, sending shockwaves that made the audience gasp in disbelief. Her powerful strikes left visible cracks on the protective energy shields surrounding the ring.

Einhard quickly realized that Yuna's playful appearance was a deceptive facade for her immense strength. The bear-themed fighter's relentless onslaught pushed Einhard to the defensive, forcing her to rely on calculated dodges and precise counters. Beads of sweat trickled down Einhard's face as she analyzed Yuna's movements, looking for an opening.

Her strength is overwhelming, but she lacks focus, Einhard noted, her breath steadying as she found her rhythm.

Timing her counter perfectly, Einhard slipped past a wide, heavy punch and delivered a sharp blow to Yuna's side, forcing her opponent to stumble. The crowd erupted in cheers, sensing a turning point. Refusing to relent, Einhard followed up with a rapid combination of strikes that shattered Yuna's defense.

Yuna grinned despite the loss, her enthusiasm undiminished. "That was fun!" she declared, extending a hand.

Einhard smiled back, shaking it firmly. "It really was. You're amazing."

Each match left the crowd speechless before erupting into cheers. Einhard's journey to the final was a testament to her unwavering dedication and skill.

When the final round arrived, Ave's hands clenched into fists. His breath quickened as he saw Einhard's final opponent step into the ring—Shizuna, the young silver-haired princess of Ikaruga, the strongest Private Security Firm across the multiverse. Her presence alone commanded respect, but it was the ebon Ōdachi she wielded that made Ave's heart pound with fear.

She's the one who sliced the original Astraea's Proto GN Sword in half, Ave recalled grimly. The memory was etched into his mind.

As the match began, the tension in the arena became suffocating. Einhard and Shizuna met in the center of the ring, their eyes locked in a fierce stare. The first clash of their attacks sent shockwaves through the air, a testament to the sheer power behind each blow. Einhard's fists gleamed with energy, while Shizuna's ebon Ōdachi shimmered ominously.

The two fighters moved at lightning speed, their strikes and counters blending into a whirlwind of motion. The audience held their breath, captivated by the sheer intensity of the battle. Einhard ducked under a sweeping arc of Shizuna's blade, retaliating with a swift uppercut that grazed Shizuna's jaw. Shizuna barely flinched, her expression remaining icy as she twisted mid-air, bringing her blade down in a devastating slash.

Einhard crossed her arms, summoning a defensive barrier. The shimmering shield absorbed the impact but cracked under the force. Gritting her teeth, Einhard pushed forward, launching a series of rapid punches that forced Shizuna to retreat.

She's relentless, Einhard thought, her heart pounding. But I won't back down.

Shizuna's voice cut through the tension. "You're strong," she admitted, her tone devoid of malice. "But strength alone won't be enough."

Einhard's lips curled into a determined smile. "We'll see about that."

The next exchange was brutal. Shizuna's Ōdachi danced through the air, each slash precise and deadly. Einhard weaved through the onslaught, her movement fluid yet calculated. She felt the sting of a blade grazing her side but pushed through the pain.

Focus. Stay calm, she reminded herself. Find an opening.

Suddenly, Shizuna leaped high into the air, her blade glowing with ominous energy. "Duality!" she roared, descending with a technique that bypassed the Crash Simulation and Safety Device.

The force of the attack sent Einhard flying to the edge of the ring. Gasps echoed through the arena as she hit the ground hard, blood trickling from a gash on her shoulder.

Ave's heart stopped. No... Haru! His instinct screamed to throw in the towel, but he clenched his fists, willing himself to stay seated. She wouldn't forgive me if I did.

Einhard staggered to her feet, her breath ragged. Her mismatched eyes blazed with determination. I can do this. I have to.

Shizuna advanced again, her blade a blur of motion. Einhard requested Asteion to disable its injury recovery feature and focus solely on defense. "Panzerschild!" she commanded, raising her left hand to summon the Belkan Triangle-shaped shield-type spell.

The shimmering barrier absorbed most of Shizuna's onslaught, though a few strikes grazed Einhard's shoulder. Gritting her teeth, Einhard twisted her body backward, channelling all her remaining strength.

Her thoughts drifted briefly to Ave. He's watching. I can't let him see me give up. I want to make him proud.

With a surge of energy, she roared, "True Hegemon Sky-severing Knuckle!"

Her fist glowed with raw energy, the impact thunderous as it collided with Shizuna. The shockwave shattered the Ōdachi, fragments scattering across the ring. Shizuna's eyes widened in disbelief as she was knocked out cold.

A stunned silence fell over the arena.

Einhard collapsed onto the ring floor, her body trembling from exhaustion. The crash of emotions hit Ave like a tidal wave. Without thinking, he surged to his feet, ready to rush to her side.

Ixveria was already casting a healing spell, while Yumina, Vivio, and the others assessed Einhard's condition. Einhard's lips curved into a faint smile as she clenched her fist triumphantly.

I did it... she thought, her chest swelling with pride. For Ave-kun, for myself.

She turned her gaze to the audience, who remained frozen in shock. The thundering silence seemed to stretch endlessly until her eyes found Ave's familiar figure, standing tall amidst the stunned crowd. His proud smile cut through the chaos, filling her heart with warmth so profound it made her knees weak. Memories of their shared journey flashed through her mind—the struggles, the victories, and every tender moment in between.

Tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks, not from weakness, but from overwhelming joy and gratitude. This is for you too, Ave-kun, she thought, her heart swelling with love. Thank you for always believing in me.

The silence shattered as the audience erupted into uproarious cheers, their voices blending into a chorus of admiration and support.

With heartfelt gratitude and pride, Einhard Stratos raised her fist high, declaring her victory to the world.

To Be Continued.