Arthur took a deep breath, opened his Reserve a bit more, and circulated his magia all over his body faster.
This increased his physical attributes and he focused his magia on his eyes and ears, further enhancing his keen senses. His amethyst eyes glowed and time seemed to slow down for him.
He could see everything, the slightest movement from Alice, her breathing, the fine adjustments she made to her sword grip, and her gaze fixed on him.
He could hear everything, the steady beat of her heart, the hum of her magia, the breath and whispers of everyone around him, the soft voice of the wind, and the crunch of the grass under his shoes.
Ghost hissed as he streamed magia into the purple blade, making it glow amethyst purple like his eyes. He exhaled and in a single moment, he streaked to his sister and swung his sword at her, shifting most of his magia to his sword hand.
She was surprised but managed to parry the strike. But it was close, and she was pushed back despite her impressive parry. The strength behind the strike was tremendous and her arm throbbed.
She quickly recovered and used Radiant Needles at point-blank range. To Arthur, the needles looked like they are moving through syrup.
He shifted most of his magia to his legs in an instant, providing a huge boost as he jumped back a good distance. The light needles were still coming at him.
So he increased his focus, gripped his sword with two hands, and dashed toward the needles to everyone's surprise.
"What is he doing?", Damien narrowed his eyes. Gray's eyes became wide as she recognized the state Arthur was in. 'Is that Catharsis?', she wondered.
With his enhanced abilities, Arthur could see every light needle coming at him. He visualized a point on each of them and directed magia into his arms and sword.
'Night Style sixth form: Bladeflow.'
Magia trailed from Ghost as he hit the first light needle, using his magia to enable contact with the needle. The force was enough to break it. Without pausing and breaking the motion of his sword, he struck the second needle.
It was like connecting dots, striking each needle in a single continuous movement. The trailing magia formed an unbroken path as he destroyed all of the light needles coming at him.
Everyone except Seventeen was dumbfounded. He just smiled, 'His growth is phenomenal. Is it because he's Arthur Night?'
(Well. I was a fast learner and I found ways to improve after every fight or encounter. It looks like that is the same for every version of me in one way or another.)
Alice was grinning, "I admit. You've become stronger. But.", her grey eyes glowed and the air became heavy by her magia, "You're not the only one with good magia control."
Although her magia control is not as precise as Arthur's, it is still one of the best on the continent. Like Arthur, she used magia to enhance her senses and physical attributes.
Like Arthur, she can see and hear everything but unlike him, time hasn't slowed down for her.
She walked toward Arthur and a small magia pulse was triggered with every step. She may not have his precise control but her magia is more powerful than his. Her presence rose with each step.
"What a monster.", Seventeen muttered as her presence hit him.
(I believe that's not even half of her presence. Impressive but not as good as yours. If she is a monster, then you are a god.)
'A god huh?', he thought about those words.
Arthur remained unfazed as his sister approached.
'You wanna play with presence? So be it, sister.', he thought and he too walked to Alice, his presence rising with each step.
Soon there were only a few feet between them. Arthur suddenly released a powerful magia pulse and looked like he was about to dash for an attack. Alice got ready to counter him.
But he didn't. He stopped the magia flow through his body and his sister got confused for a moment, "Huh?"
He then quickly gathered magia into his sword arm and threw Ghost at her. The sword flew at Alice like a projectile.
"Useless.", Alice deflected the sword behind her.
'Gotcha.', Arthur smirked inside but he maintained his expression and pulled back his fingers.
Alice's enhanced ears heard a hissing behind her. It was unbelievably loud and her eyes widened. She took a quick glance back and saw Ghost coming at her.
'Of course! His magia strings!', she completely forgot about them. Arthur had already connected them to his sword and is now manipulating it.
The sword was coming at her at a tremendous speed. But she was faster, she raised her sword to deflect the purple blade but a wisp of black hair caught her eye and both of them widened.
Arthur had appeared right in front of her, his fist aiming for her exposed side. He had used the hissing nature of Ghost to cover the noise of his arrival.
He had used her enhanced senses against her.
Arthur concentrated magia into his fist and went for the strike. She won't be able to stop his attack or the incoming sword. For the first time in this duel, Alice panicked.
{Light Code: Flashbang}
"Argh!", Arthur yelled as the bright light blinded him and the force blew him back. Everyone else was also blinded for the second time in a single day.
When the light died down they saw Arthur covering his eyes and groaning. Alice stood a few feet from him, her sword in her hand, and Arthur's sword sunk into the ground.
"Arthur! Are you okay?", She put her sword in her storage ring and ran to her brother, concerned. She had instinctively used Flashbang and he was right in the middle of the light explosion. She was worried she might've fried his eyeballs.
"Holy Arkenstein! Sis. What was that for?", he spoke, still covering his eyes. "Just stay still, will you? Let me look at it.", Alice approached him, her hands reaching out for his.
Arthur then smirked, "Gotcha."
"Huh?"
He pushed Alice. It was a light one but she felt something touch her ankles. A tripwire made up of magia, "Oh you sneaky-"
"The first one to fall loses the duel.", he grinned and shrugged, his eyes closed.
'Not so fast.', she thought, and as she was losing balance, she kicked him in the stomach, hard.
Arthur got all the air knocked out of him, flew a few feet, and hit the ground. Alice on the other hand was about to fall when someone caught her.
"You were supposed to go for Arthur.", she told Seventeen. He just smiled, "Oh the ice queen is already on him. That was a good kick.", he sounded impressed.
He helped her up and announced to everyone, "Alright guys. That marks the end of the duel! I believe Minerva has whipped up some amazing snacks. Please enjoy them."
"You're one smooth man, Seventeen. I get why Ruth is smitten by you.", Jade said with a grin as she approached them.
"I dare you to say that again.", Ruth challenged with a red face as she came to them, supporting Arthur. He was groaning, "What was with that kick, Alice?"
"You deserved it, Arth.", Alice raised her eyebrows, "I almost forgot about your sneaky tricks."
Arthur chuckled, his eyes still closed, "On the plus side. I managed to see you panic."
"Pretty daring, aren't you?", Alice came over to him and placed her hands over his eyes. Her eyes glowed as she used her healing Code.
{Light Code: Healing Rays}
Her hands glowed and the light seeped into Arthur's eyes, a minute later he opened his eyes and squinted at the bright sunlight, "Man this feels softer compared to the all-white that burned my eyeballs."
"Are there any other injuries?", Alice asked. He shook his head, "Apart from the bruise from your kick? Nope. A little exhausted though. I did use a fair bit of magia."
"That's good.", Minerva said as she and Ray approached them. She handed him a sandwich which he graciously accepted.
He looked at Alice while eating, "So. Another loss for me", he asked after swallowing. She nodded with a smile, "Unfortunately. Yeah. Better luck next time."
"Damnit."
*******
Akira rubbed her throbbing arm. She was pouting and her fox ears were drooped. She is in a bad mood.
"That was a rather strong punch, you bloodsucker. It was enough to vaporize one of the Elder Mountains.", she grumbled.
Vanessa was sitting down and leaning against a tree, "Well you aren't that hurt. You are by far the most durable among the Crowns."
"Actually the monkey is the most durable. The guy got hit by a massive meteor and not a scratch."
"Speaking of the Monkey King. Will you be visiting him?", the Vampire Queen asked the Spirit Queen.
Akira nodded, "Yeah. But I don't know where he is now. Do you have any idea?"
"Well the last I've heard, he was in Arumia."
"That was 3000 years ago. Even I know that genius.", Akira rolled her eyes, "He might've moved on."
Vanessa was in thought, "I kind of doubt it. That guy loves sleeping. He's probably napping right now in some cave or under a tree. He tends to stay in one place."
"Yeah.", Akira nodded and looked at Vanessa in her training uniform, "I heard you joined Cardinal Academy. Is it because of the 'android' Eravon was talking about?"
She nodded, "He is part of the reason. Eravon told me to try having a normal life as a young lady."
"Well. As far as I can remember. You didn't have a normal upbringing and you didn't have any friends before meeting the Dragon King.", Akira recalled.
Vanessa nodded, "Life is pretty strange. Back then, I was a princess and you were a slave and he was the one who brought us together."
The Fox Goddess nodded, "He would want you to have this life. Although I am a bit jealous.", she said with a huff.
"You know. You could also join the academy if you ask the Cardinal nicely."
"Your definition of the word nicely is very different from mine. Besides, entering an academy to learn things I already know is not my style. So I'll pass."
Vanessa shrugged, "Well. Your loss."
"So. How is the android?", Akira asked, curious about this unique existence.
The Vampire of the Purple Rose smiled.
"He's pretty interesting."