“If you want to avoid losing in front of all these people, you can make an excuse and say you’re feeling sick.” I shout to Areci—she’s several dozen meters away from me.
We’re both already ready to begin our match. The announcer is giving a long description of our previous fights before starting. She must have some kind of charming ability—I can feel her voice having some sort of effect on me.
“As if that would ever happen. Don’t forget who won last time—today will be the same result.” Areci raises her voice slightly as she responds.
“You got lucky that time. There’s no way you beat me today.” I stretch my body a bit as we keep talking—I need to release some stress before starting.
She’s also doing light warm-ups—neither of us plans to start the fight cold. We’re already highly motivated, and it could cost us dearly if our bodies aren’t prepared.
“I don’t want to hear any excuses from you when you lose.” Her smile stretches from ear to ear—she’s confident in her chances of winning.
We both focus on light exercises—it’s the only way to keep our minds occupied. Several minutes that felt like hours pass. Finally, the sound of the starting bell echoes—I feel like a sprinter in the Olympics. My body reacts instantly.
I’m not the only one—Areci launches herself forward the moment the sound reaches her ears. When we’re only a few meters apart, I position my swords in a cross to intercept her powerful vertical strike. My feet sink slightly into the sand as I feel the force of the impact.
This stadium is reinforced—especially the arena floor. Under any other circumstances, I would have sunk several centimeters, and the ground would have cracked from the strength of Areci’s blow.
The heat her body emits is a bit suffocating. Her sword and the most important parts of her body are covered in mana; only smaller areas like elbows, knees, and similar joints are unprotected—it’s difficult to shape her affinity around parts that require rotation.
My ice affinity allows me to remain calm without wasting too much mana or Imra—I can stay cool without using many resources.
My left sword is the first to separate from her heavy blade—I try to strike her stomach. With great skill, Areci steps back while her sword moves instantly to block my attack.
My right arm aims directly at her face. With great agility, Areci pushes my left arm aside and uses the flat of her weapon to stop my thrust.
Areci pushes her greatsword forward with force, making me readjust my stance to stop her quick and powerful attack. Her blows are heavier than last time—her speed, which used to be her greatest weakness, has improved and is no longer an obvious flaw I can exploit.
I spend the first minute getting used to the strength of her blows, searching for some kind of pattern or habit in her movements—something I can use to catch her off guard at the right moment. It takes me another minute to find a slight habit. She doesn’t always do it, but most of the time she falls back on that movement.
My body has somewhat adapted to receiving her attacks—now I can position myself optimally. I can respond quickly; even if she pushes me back slightly during her offense, I don’t end up in a disadvantageous position.
I take a step forward to take control—I can’t lose in a swordsmanship match against her or anyone else. I only took precautions to avoid any unexpected variables.
The moment I shift to the offensive, I see a slight expression of displeasure on her face. Areci frowns slightly as she realizes the change. She’s no longer directing the fight—she’s been pushed into a defensive position almost entirely.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Areci uses the thickness of her blade to block all my attempts—she looks like a well-trained tank, her defensive movements clean and fast. However, it’s not enough. No one in this tournament can defeat me in weapon skill.
The first strike is blocked, the second as well, the third puts her in an uncomfortable position, the fourth forces her to block in the worst possible way, and finally the fifth strike lands. I feel her magma armor slow my sword slightly, but not enough to stop it—my blade pierces through, cutting her skin just a little.
Areci reacts quickly. She steps back and releases a massive amount of magma to try to trap my legs or limit my movement.
I have to retreat to avoid getting caught in the magma. I could break through her ability and free myself, but I don’t want to waste that time—she could recover, or worse, deal real damage to me.
Areci doesn’t waste the mana she used—she quickly recovers most of it and continues attacking me with rock spheres surrounded by intense fire. I use my swords to cut down as many as possible, buying enough time to move quickly to the side.
I don’t give her time—just as I land, I launch myself toward her position. My attempt to cut her abdomen is blocked by her sword—I couldn’t put enough weight into the strike, and she defends it without issue.
I create two Joyeuse at full power, not holding back anything. Both shoot forward, aiming at her face and chest. It doesn’t surprise me that I can’t deal any real damage—it was just a test attack.
It’s time to let go of the reins. I release all the gravity around me, and electric serpents begin to dance around my body. My abilities start operating at their maximum combined potential.
Areci frowns again—she has to deal with the force of gravity somehow, and she manages it. Her mana and Imra create a layer around her; now gravity affects her much less. She doesn’t worry too much about the electricity for now.
I decide to change my style a bit. Being able to fight at close, mid, and long range is a privilege I can’t waste. I keep a safe distance where my gravity still affects her and where my serpents can keep attacking any of her constructs.
Several ice swords appear above me, threaded with black and yellow from my other affinities. I’m ready to show her how much my constructs have improved.
Areci doesn’t stand still waiting to be attacked—she creates several small magma blocks and spheres similar to before. We both unleash our offensive abilities at the same time.
Most of her spheres are destroyed by my ice swords, but mine are blocked by those magma blocks orbiting around her. I don’t stop to give her time—I keep creating more and more as they are destroyed, maintaining the perfect number so my mind isn’t overstrained.
Her constructs are becoming sturdier—they’re breaking my swords. The only advantage I have right now is quantity—in that aspect, I’m still superior.
She blocks most of my ice swords; only a few manage to land. The damage is minimal, but it accumulates over time. I’m also taking her powerful magma spheres—they’re incredibly painful. It’s not just the power and speed—being burned by gravity isn’t anything to laugh about.
I look less affected for now—I’ve been able to heal every time I’ve been hit. The gravity burns are the most difficult. I’m spending much more mana than expected. The only good thing is that Areci is spending slightly more than me—she keeps reinforcing her defenses every time they’re destroyed.
In the next exchange, a fast magma sphere hits my stomach. The impact forces me to step back slightly—the heat is unbearable. She doesn’t come out unscathed—a sword of mine pierces her leg. She quickly cauterizes the wound and continues.
We both realize it—this is a waste of time. It may be exciting for the audience, but not for us. We both love facing each other head-on until one overwhelms the other.
Her gaze says everything—she’s ready to go head-to-head and decide the outcome. She doesn’t plan to end this fight from a distance. Areci’s constructs begin to decrease as we move toward the center—two massive magma golems are forming along the way.
I also stop creating so many Joyeuse. I focus more on the electric serpents to deal as much damage as possible, and of course on my physical enhancement ability—I need to concentrate on the gravity applied to each of my movements.
We meet again in the center. Her greatsword collides with one of my twin blades—I have to use my other arm to stop her first heavy strike.
“I expected nothing less from you—you haven’t disappointed me at all so far.” Areci speaks as we both hold our ground against each other’s force.
The two golems are already close to us. Both are intercepted by my Joyeuse—if I let them join the close combat, they’ll be a huge problem. They’re extremely tough and durable—I’ll keep holding them off as long as possible.
“Ready to dance, miss?” I return her smile.