I gripped my plastic dagger with the thin blood still dripping down my arm and legs. I had already wasted a bit of my energy, meaning I must end this quick before I actually faint under the pressure!
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(Let's see... Who should I start with next?)
My eyes initially darted towards Raizo. He was the closest to my place, and probably a bit of an easier target than the rest. My mind was made up.
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I instantly raced towards Raizo as he readied his scythe.
"Why are you after me?! Give me a break!"
Raizo really looked frustrated as he either blocked my attacks or dodged them. I wasn't even able to touch him! I should be the one annoyed here! A while later, Nikki joined in with her spear. I knew she had Raizo's back like a glue, which now averted half my attention on her instead.
With a simple strategy in mind, I waited for them both to sprint towards me and when I knew was the perfect time, I ducked right on the spot. The two of them ended up bumping each other.
I then happily poked them with the dagger as I teased, "*giggle* Gotcha both!"
With a dragged sigh, Raizo whispered, "I guess I let down my guard a bit there..."
Nikki also added, "Same! I totally thought I had you for a moment..."
With that, they transformed back as Sadashige sensei ordered them to leave the 'battlefield'. I then fixed my gaze on Mizore and the other two.
(I can't go after Natsuno since he's flying from his produced wind... I have to find a way to lure him without looking suspicious. But, how?)
Without much time to think, I just went for Mizore first though I knew she would be difficult to deal with, but in my opinion, Yuichi sounds like a worse option. He is way too experienced for me. And it's not like I had any other choice - those two were really on a whole other level than any of us.
I clenched my dagger after heaving a deep breath as I sprinted towards Mizore who was wide open. In a fluster, she produced an icy sphere around her body, almost as if it was a reflex.
I was easily repelled.
"Ugh...!"
With a rapt-up groan, I leapt upwards and tried to slash the shard like sphere although I knew a plastic dagger won't work, but...
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*swisshhh*
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Of course, Yuichi came in my way as he shot some small spirit flames with a somewhat bad aim. I knew he didn't want to hurt me. That newfound fact could turn the battle in my favor though...
I smiled slightly as I dropped my defense and went for the attack directly. I risked everything in this final blow as I sprinted towards Yuichi face to face, pushing back big piles of mud every now and then. As expected, he couldn't shoot me head on. I then tried poking him with the dagger, but owing to my speed, I ended up bumping Yuichi's abdomen area as he blocked with his arms.
Yuichi staggered backwards, losing his balance and ultimately falling. I managed to get myself up from the ground, tottered towards him and finally poked him on the forehead with an exhausted smile.
"Ha... ha... ha... I got you too..."
Yuichi was as expressionless as always as he answered, "...Oh."
With that single word, he stood up and walked towards Sadashige sensei after transforming back into his human self like Nikki and Raizo.
I wondered if Yuichi was angry or irritated or if he just didn't mind.
(Just what were his feelings when he lost like that...?)
One light arrow brought me back on earth as it 'swoosh' passed me and struck a tree close by. I faced the source with seriousness in my eyes.
"Natsuno... Hey, why don't you come down now? It is not fair you know."
"No way sis! I am really vulnerable on grounds...! It won't be fair for me then!"
I sighed at his refusal.
"Asuna. Let's make a deal. If you can get me first then Natsuno will come down, I promise." Mizore stated.
"Wha-?! H-H-H-How could you say that?!" Natsuno stammered in his surprise, sounding really against it. However, Mizore didn't back down.
"Will you keep your promise?" I asked.
Mizore nodded deeply.
I held my dagger in front of my face as I slid my right foot backwards before rushing towards Mizore and kicking back a handful of muddy grass.
That moment, I felt a serge of power welling up and flowing through me. It was an unusual feeling, but I felt more excited than worried.
"Yaaaarghhh!!!"
With a loud, determined scream, I lifted my dagger in the air as I avoided all of Mizore's attacks. I could hear Raizo and the others cheering for me which, I must say, boosted my spirits.
Natsuno, slowly and steadily, joined the party as well. He tried striking me with light arrows, but all of it flushed down the drain. I was as quick as ever in neatly avoiding his strikes.
"Whoa... all of a sudden, Asuna seems to be on a whole new level!" Raizo whispered.
"...She's impressive." Yuichi added.
"Yeah! She never ceases to surprise me!" Nikki squeaked with excitement.
"This is the end!" I yelled one last time before breaking Mizore's icy barrier with my power blast.
"Woahh! She managed to level her energy ball up! She actually did the power blast!" Natsuno raised his voice in surprise.
I am sure the rest also had their jaws dropped at my achievement.
"Hohoho! Now that's what I am talking about!" Sadashige sensei boomed with wide, open arms.
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Perhaps I went a bit too far.
The intensity of my blast bursted Mizore's shield and sent her flying a few feet away from me.
"Oh no! Mizore!" I called as I ran towards her.
"Mizore! Are you okay? I am so sorry! F-Forgive me please-"
Mizore sat up slowly as she smiled and spoke, "Asuna it's okay. I have fought way harder opponents so that was nothing for me. It just felt like a slight tickle actually. Believe me, I am alright."
Her reassuring face and soothing voice did put my heart at ease. I smiled in return as I gave her a hand.
"Well, in that case..." With a smirk, I poked Mizore with my dagger, almost jokingly.
"Goodness, you got me, huh? Well, a deal's a deal."
Mizore chuckled as she set her gaze upon Natsuno.
"Awww! You did that on purpose! You lost only to get my butt beaten up! It's not fair, it's not fair, it's not fair!" Natsuno complained as he flailed his arms and legs in the air.
Reluctantly, he descended down as he sulked miserably. With that done, Mizore too, left the-so-called battlefield.
Natsuno was too annoyed to even move. He kept on complaining and stomping his feet that he didn't even notice me poking him on his head.
"Um... Natsuno? You're out already..." I informed awkwardly.
For a second, Natsuno's eyes widened as he yelled, "No no no! I wasn't ready! I call a Do-over! One more time!"
I don't even know what has gotten into him! I never knew he was this moody considering how he was on the day he got a fever!
"Natsu! You lost! Accept it already!" Nikki scolded.
"Uggghhhh!!!! I could have done better y'know...." With that, he transformed back and stomped his way towards the others.
"Seriously Natsu... You made such a big scene out there!" Nikki scolded sternly which somehow calmed him down later.
Perhaps because of realizing who's the oldest, Natsuno let this incident slide. All the pain suddenly struck me as I faltered to the ground, panting heavily. I was exhausted. Really exhausted.
All of them rushed towards my side, congratulating me and at the same time, calling out to me in worry.
I gave a wry smile as I started, "Don't worry guys, I'm OK. I just need to rest a little..."
This time, it was Mizore who helped me stand up slowly.
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"Well Sadashige sensei? Is she good to go?" Raizo asked as he turned to the walking Sadashige sensei.
"Ahem. Well, I don't know exactly..."
"SADASHIGE SENSEI!" Everyone shot back in displeasure.
"Fine fine. She can join. But, not right now."
"...What? ...But, you said so!" Yuichi sounded pretty irritated.
"I did say that, but I didn't specify when, right? So, Asuna may graduate when she's actually graduated from this academy."
"T-That's not right! I did all this... all this, for nothing?! What was the purpose then?!"
I couldn't hold back my rage and anger which was slowly boiling inside of me.
"Hah! At least be thankful that I am still allowing you! This doesn't normally happen so I suggest you take my condition in a more respectful manner."
With those last words, he walked off towards the academy building and soon after, the chime of the bell rang out loud and clear. We, however, stood there hanging our heads.
***