Ashley stared at Gillian with skeptical eyes. Why is this kid matching up to Rina's skills if that's the case? One was a seasoned lancer, and the other was a child born from a prostitute! Midori had even used the sheath to block most attacks. And Rina was starting to lose ground as the fight prolonged.
The Flower Mage had enough as she stabbed her spear into the ground. The area around her began to rumble as her Aura appeared. Petunias were blooming everywhere around Rina as she prepared to dish out a Flower Dance. However, it won't be the usual stages.
Mavislin knew that the Flower Mage had been researching more about the Flower Element as Gillian gave her a book about it. Now was the best time for her to test her findings. Though, it might be dangerous to use against a child. But seeing Midori's skills, it was safe to try them out.
Midori sensed that Rina was stepping up the game, so she decided to act accordingly. First, the child backed away from the First Seat Spearman. She then placed her sheath down onto the ground, where many dried leaves engulfed the item.
Midori took in two sharp breaths before taking in an extended breath. She closed her eyes as she did so, maneuvering her footing and holding her katana in front of her in an attack stance. Now she had the freedom to use both hands, meaning that her attacks would be stronger than before.
The child's left foot was diagonally in front of her right one, and she was getting ready to lunge towards her opponent as she concentrated her blood into her limbs. Concurrently, Rina was getting ready to unleash her experimental creations. Both were putting up an exciting show.
However, it was a very different type of show the Mages were used to be seeing. Usually, both parties would have conflicting Elemental Auras at the critical point. This display would make the arena demonstrate an array of colors. Although, this fight was not the usual case.
It was a fight between a child using pure swordsmanship and a master lancer using the Element of Flower. Magecraft versus Swordplay. Rina scoffed when she detected no signs of Elemental Energy from the child.
"Why aren't you using your Elemental Powers? You know that I am going to use my Element from now onwards. So it's better that you don't be so confident in your skills," asked Rina, staring at Midori.
"Don't be so sure of yourself, Flower Mage. Unlike the rest of the kids, I do not automatically respect you because you are my senior and a First Seat. Respect is earned, not given. So don't talk me down when you've barely made a scratch on me," challenged Midori, narrowing her eyes.
"After all, you were the one who hacked off my arms and legs in the past! Out of all the kids here, I'm the only one that retains that memory! So yes, I am bearing a grudge against you! Not only do you not have my respect, but you also don't deserve my mercy either!"
"Well... Mavislin won't be happy to know this happened during training..." mumbled Ashley, looking away from the heated girls.
Rina pouted as her student talked back to her. She took out her spear from the ground and pierced the land once more. Her Aura and Power increased as she did so. Now her eyes were glowing as well. It would seem that Midori invoked Rina's wrath.
"The kid sounds like a certain someone I know... It's familiar, you know? It's as if there's a reason why the person picked her to be in the Pillars..." said Z, with a very sarcastic tone under his breath.
"I thought Circe would be the one to show attitude because of the way she fired that first shot at me, but I've mistaken. It looks like she's going to be a pain on my behind if I get under her nerves..." noted Ashley, sighing.
"You are probably ranked higher than Rina in terms of respect in her book. After all, you didn't slash her body with dulled knives from dusk 'til dawn," mentioned Gillian.
"I'll teach you what manners are, young lady!" shouted Rina, enraged.
"Come at me then! Show me what you've got and why I should be training under you when you can't even last in a normal duel!" roared Midori, finally showing some form of emotion after all this while.
"Flower Dance, Improved Stage. Hostile Petals Of Petunia!" shouted Rina, forcing all of the flowers around her to disperse with their petals flying everywhere.
The petals started simultaneously exploding all around the child. This created a perfect distraction and blockage for Rina to close the distance between her opponent.