All heads turned to see a man with chiseled face. That well defined jaw, straight nose, and sharp bottomless eyes giving him a profound look.
He seemed to approach the stage slowly but with his long legs it really just took a few seconds.
Shanna was stunned when she saw the man. She was always surrounded by impressive men but they were older than her and in her peers they always seem to be lacking. But she can feel this man was different. Unfortunately, his care doesn't cover her.
She gave a piercing gaze to Naria.
Ember was also stunned but on a different reason. She didn't know if it was his hobby to act chivalrous but he's just really messing things up.
"I don't think we can allow substitution. It would be unfair" Renald commented on the side. In the first place, they have already set the rules and everybody agreed on it.
"Your side can also make a substitution" Darian tried to even out the condition
.
"Well-" Renald fell into contemplation.
"I won't allow it!" Shanna interrupted.
"She's right. Thank you cousin for your consideration but I was also involved in suggesting the stake. This is my fight and I have the confidence to win over this" Ember who has been keeping mum the whole time, spoke. She brought out an assuring smile.
Darian stared at her for quite sometime, then nod.
In his head he can actually see the shadow of Eos in Naria but he knew it's impossible since she's a completely different person. However, the moment he saw her smile he just somehow felt he can trust her words. But just in case, he didn't stray far from the stage.
In no time, they started the exchange.
Shanna smirked before pushing herself forward while gathering the power to her punch aiming to land on Ember's face.
Vicious.
In their eyes, Ember is a lost case. She didn't try to dodge and just stood still in the trajectory of the punch. It seems that the girl was scared out of her wits. Other people closed their eyes while other shook their head in disappointment
.
But against everyone's expectation, the girl who they thought was struck scared made a simple fluid movement, redirecting the punch away from her body. She made it so effortless and elegant that the action of Shanna gathering a powerful punch looks exaggerated.
Are they playing out a comical skit?
Shanna was flabbergasted. She instantly maneuvered herself and decided to rain blast to the girl, to give her no time to retaliate. To her and everyone's surprise, the girl managed to deflect all incoming punch as if just patting away some dust.
To the people of Dewe who capitalize on strength, it doesn't make a single sense how Ember managed to avoid the punches without exerting much effort.
Even the teachers who are originally nonchalant about the activity was awed by the movement of the girl.
Unlike the students, they could somehow recognize the technique used by the girl.
It was using softness to defeat hardness. Utilizing the power of the opponent and channeling it away from the body requires minimal amount of energy and movement, however, as simple as it sounds, one would need high calculation ability, keen observation, and agile body. It was mentally taxing.
Ember moved like a dancing fairy. They can almost hear a music on the background. Valiance and grace are her partners and she floats away with the wind.
They said that the origin of martial arts was taken from dancing. That's why martial artists are bound to be good dancers, however, a dancer may not necessarily be a good martial artist.
The audience almost forgot that this was a martial exchange 'til such time that Ember caught Shanna's arm and gave her a shoulder throw just at the border of the stage and nudged her to the ground.
It took some time to them to register what happened.
Ember chuckled.
"Thank you for letting me win" she gave a little bow and started to walk at the opposite side of the stage towards her teammate.
Then she suddenly heard some gasp and at the last moment felt an impending danger but it was too late. She didn't expect Shanna will make a desperate move when she already laid down her vigilance.
She tried to twist her body to the side and try to avoid Shanna but in that complicated angle her foot slipped at the corner of the stage. Just as she was about to do an air flip, she was caught by two strong arms.
Ember wanted to roll her eyes. Clearly, she can handle herself but this prince just keeps on meddling with her business. Who was the one who wanted to keep from each other's space? And now he just can't keep his feet from muddling her waters.
Ember was still cursing but her surroundings were bursting with pink bubbles.
They thought they saw a movie scene live action where the hero saves the heroine from hurting herself. Especially with a beautiful girl and a handsome guy, so pleasing to the eyes.
Too much for their brawny minds and romantic bones.
Without placing her down, Darian faced Shanna and the latter felt a chilling sensation gripping her flesh.
"I hope you will stick to your agreement and never look again for trouble" although Darian was facing Shanna, he's also talking to Renald and the rest of the students.
Darian walked away from the scene. The moment they stepped out of the gym, he felt some resistance in his arms.
The girl he's holding is looking at him aggrieved.
His mind blanked out facing her at a close distance.
Her perfectly arched brows are slightly crumpled with her big eyes accusing him. Her lips are tightly sealed and with her arms crossed against her chest; he unconsciously chuckled by her amusingly cute appearance.
Seeing Darian making fun of her, Ember swiftly removed herself in his embrace.
She had been itching to do so even while they're still in the gym but she kindly preserved his face. She thought he would immediately put her down once outside but he just have to make fun of her instead!!
This lady is so pissed. So pissed.
She harrumphed, then stomped her feet away from the evil man.
She's just like a willful princess and Darian just helplessly followed her with his eyes with his lips unconsciously curving into a gleeful smile.