The atmosphere in the dueling arena crackled with anticipation as Arthur and Emma took their positions. Both of them wielded a sword, the metal glinting in the sunlight, a symbol of the clash about to unfold.
"Aren't these two childhood friends?"
"Yeah… They are…"
"I heard the relationship between the Augustrides and Nightlances pretty good."
"Then why are they fighting?"
"I don't know…. It seems something happened between them…."????????????????????????????????.????????????
"But that Arthur guy really looks quite guilty…."
"He is…"
The onlookers watched in silence, their eyes darting between the two combatants. There was a mixture of curiosity, excitement, and tension in the air. After all, this duel wasn't just about physical prowess; it was a battle fueled by emotions and past grievances.
Emma's fiery determination was evident as she glared at Arthur, her yellow eyes burning with intensity. She gripped her sword tightly, her stance firm and unwavering.
The memory of her friend's suffering at Arthur's hands only fueled her desire for justice. The sleepless nights Celia had was something she would not forget.
Arthur, on the other hand, maintained his composed demeanor, though a hint of nervousness flickered in his eyes.
'She said I can't afford to make more mistakes…..I really shouldn't. With that thought, he slowly gulped a potion from his belongings.
He took a deep breath, trying to steady his emotions and focus on the duel ahead. He knew he couldn't afford to let his guard down, not with Emma's anger driving her every move.
'With this, it shouldn't hurt as much as at that time.' The potion he had just drunk was given to him by Alicia, saying it would reduce the pain.
The instructor stepped forward, his authoritative voice echoing through the arena. "This is a Challenge Duel between Emma and Arthur Nightlance. Remember, the duel will continue until one of them admits defeat. Now, let the duel begin!"
*SWOOSH*
With the instructor's signal, the duel commenced. Emma wasted no time, charging at Arthur with fierce determination.
*SWISH*
Her strikes were quick and aggressive, the fire in her heart manifesting in the way she wielded her sword.
Her fiery personality showed itself with her affinity, her red hair glowing crimson.
*CLANK*
Arthur was on the defensive, skillfully parrying Emma's attacks, but he made no moves to counterattack.
He wanted to show Emma that he was serious about facing his past, not just trying to win the duel. Each strike she aimed at him was met with a careful defense, a testament to his newfound resolve.
At least, that was what he wanted to show. Inside his head, everything was different.
'Wow….Thanks to the potion Alicia gave me, now I can see her movements more clearly….I feel like I can beat her if I want…
'Should I show her her place?' His thoughts were dangerous as he felt power surging through his body.
'No….I should listen to Alicia for now…'
*CLANK* *CLANK* *CLANK*
'This guy is better than before.' Emma thought to herself. It had been quite a while since she hadn't sparred with Arthur, but he was nowhere close to this level at that time. Arthur was able to fend off her attacks with quick and fast responses.
'But, do you think you can just sit there and act like you are guilty, now?' But that made Emma annoyed more. Seeing him not attacking even though he had the opportunity to do so made him angry.
"Fight back, you bastard. I am not here to beat a dummy who stands still…." She said, fury evident in her eyes.
"I won't…. I have no right to do so…" Arthur answered, acting guilty….
"Fuck! Do you think this will calm me?" But Emma was tired of it, seeing this guy accepting his attacks. "Then, take THIS!"
*SWISH*
As she moved the fire mana in her core, her sword was enhanced and filled by the fire mana all around, swirling around her.
*SWOOSH*
Her sword moved at a rapid speed, with her body enhanced with her aura and her sword enhanced by fire.
*CLANK*
And soon, the hot sword reached Arthur, and he blocked the strike with his sword.
"Grr…."
But this time, the force behind Emma's attack was a lot stronger than before….Thus he gritted his teeth and funneled more mana into his sword as well.
At least that was how it looked, though inside, he was just smiling.
'I really can fight with her head on….'
As the duel continued, the audience's reactions varied. Some were captivated by the intensity of the clash, marveling at the skill and determination of both duelists. Others couldn't help but feel sympathetic towards Emma, understanding the pain she must be carrying from the past.
"He's actually not fighting back..."
"Look at her, she's so angry, and he's just defending himself."
"I wonder if he's really trying to change or if this is just an act."
"He must have done something really terrible to make her this angry."
The crowd's whispers and murmurs added to the charged atmosphere, but both Emma and Arthur remained focused on the duel. Emma's attacks intensified, her emotions driving her forward, while Arthur's defense showed no signs of faltering.
Even though there were times Emma's attacks were connected and Arthur was injured, it was apparently not to the extent where Arthur needed to stop the duel and retreat.
He was still standing there and facing her attacks head-on.
*CLANK* CLANK* *CLANK*I think you should take a look at
"Fuck! Fuck! Fuck!"
Emma was cursing Arthur with her each strike as she swung her sword at a rapid speed.
'First Callius, and now this guy? Why can't I just beat them?' She was questioning her skills, as she was not able to land any strike on him.
'And, if he was this strong, why did he leave Celia at that moment?'
Questions and questions…. They were the only thoughts in her mind.
"Emma….I am terribly sorry, okay? But, I just want you to listen to me once…. Then, you can do whatever you want…"
Arthur, with his clothes tattered and blood flowing from his wounds, spoke with a sad expression. There were some burn marks on his chest, and he looked like he was in a lot of pain.
Seeing him like that, Emma weirdly remembered the times of her childhood. A memory of the past she had forgotten that it existed….
'Cough- Are you happy now?'
It was the same wounded chest… The same chest filled with burn marks… The same chest filled with wounds…
'Why am I remembering him now?' She couldn't help but think. 'Why is this now reminding me of that time?'
Though there were some differences there and there.
The first difference was that his chest was smaller and whiter than the one before her… And it looked weak…
The Second one was the attitude.
'Are you happy now that you have listened to your mother? Do you feel thrilled now? Beating me under the guise of training? Does that thought make you happy?'
It was not the attitude of a person that received a beating… Even though that chest was filled with burn marks, he never once looked guilty.
'Is your ego satisfied now?'
Third, it was the eyes. Eyes that were glaring red with pride… with anger… with sadness….But even then, there was something that always made Emma doubt herself in those eyes…
Comparing those crimson eyes to these blue eyes, Emma noticed one simple thing….
These blue eyes did not contain one simple thing….
It was sincerity….
Yes…
Sincerity…
Comparing those pair of eyes, Emma noticed one thing…
Even though that young kid was beaten…. Was hated…. He had never once stopped speaking the things he didn't want to…
Even under the pain, in the face of strong people, he always spoke with sincerity… Even if those words annoyed her….. Even if those words were the words she did not want to hear…
But, now it was different…. The person before her was actually speaking the words she had wanted to hear… He was asking for forgiveness…. He was asking for understanding… He was receiving her beating…
But that didn't make her satisfied at all….
Because she understood….
Those words did not contain any sincerity…..
At that moment, everything fell into place…
'He doesn't even feel the pain like he was supposed to.' Looking at this bastard with tattered clothes, Emma noticed one thing… He was still breathing fine like he was not even tired….
Even though she was not smart, even she could notice something was amiss.
"Just listen to me once…There are things you don't know…." In the midst of her thoughts, Arthur's pleading voice reached her ears…
"Heh…."
Emma couldn't help but laugh bitterly at Arthur's words. Her laughter was tinged with sadness and frustration, a reflection of her conflicted emotions. She saw through his facade, understanding that his words lacked sincerity.
"There are things I don't know, huh?" She said with a tone containing sadness.
"Yes….Just listen to me once…You will understand and forgive me if you just listen once…" Arthur nodded his head, his blue eyes looking at her yellow.
But Emma just lowered her head.
"Forgive me? Understand me? Is that all you have to say?" Emma's voice was laced with disappointment and anger. "Do you really think a few words will make up for what you did to Celia? You don't even believe your own words, don't you?"
"Huh?" Hearing her mocking tone, Arthur was surprised…. "What do you mean?"
"Let me see if you can really continue your façade when you receive the pain."
With those words, Emma closed her eyes…
------------------------A/N-----------------------------
Hope you liked the chapter and the small growth of Emma.
I was normally going to make Emma fall for Arthur's and Alicia's tricks, but I thought it would devalue her too much, so I didn't.
You can check my discord if you want. You will be able to see the illustrations here and engage in a conversation with me if I am available.
https://discord.gg/XJEgBRM3C
Check out my new book if you are interested.
This time it will have a modern hunter theme, where MC will be driven by the feeling of vengeance.
The name is; Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest
