That bastard, Weissmann, really pulled one over me, huh?
What's his goal?
I thought to myself bitterly as I finished putting my uniform on. If this match ends in a tie, it'll stay a tie. What's the point? I don't get that principal.
More importantly...
I turned to look at Qin.
He had a disgustingly delighted look on his face as he looked up at the monitor.
("The only reason I'll participate is if the Chinese team are in trouble, or... If Shoya participates. Though, I know you will. Trust me.")
I remembered his words.
He predicted this would happen. How could he though?
I shook my head.
No, I should get rid of those thoughts.
I hope Kuro's alright. She held out nicely. I'm worried that she pushed herself though. I mean, she fainted while she was still standing. Her injuries looked bad too.
It's fine, Kuro. I'll win it.
"Guess my wish came true."
Qin said, smiling, as he walked over to me.
I thought he was a more quiet, prodigy type but I guess he can get excited openly too. I never would've imagined him smiling like this ever.
"Fuck off."
"My, why are you so hostile?"
"The fact that you were able to predict something like this happening. What strings did you pull?"
"Nothing."
He stopped smiling.
"I did nothing."
[We got the Metal Landscape!]
I heard Ravi's voice.
I looked at the monitor. The arena was metal. There were some deformed parts which branched out of the floor and wall, but, other than that, it looked like the default arena stage.
[Now, let us introduce the contestants!]
"Good luck. You'll need it."
He said, before stepping on the magic circle, which would teleport him to his gate. I stepped on mine and got teleported to my gate.
That's pretty handy.
The gate opened and I walked out.
Similar to Kuro, I was insulted and people threw stuff at me. I didn't pay them any mind. It was understandable that they didn't like me. An unknown student fought in place of others. So that I don't embarrass myself, I guess I have to win.
We stopped short of each other.
"Been a while."
Qin joked with a stomach-churning smirk.
He's so fucking annoying when he gets what he wants. Like a spoiled child.
[Now, the countdown to the true final showdown!]
I'll try and end this quickly. He doesn't have any weapons and I don't know how he is in close-range combat. I'll dive in and thrust at his side, that will be a feint and I'll go for an uppercut.
["3!"]
["2!"]
["1!"]
There was a beep and I started immediately.
I kicked off the ground and punched at his side. Qin tried escaping by dodging his right but I burst upwards with my other fist. Though that should've been a sure hit, he was able to dodge it. And it wasn't a close shave.
Qin predicted it.
I was still in the process of retracting my arm from the uppercut as Qin fell to the ground and swiped at my feet, causing me to lose my balance.
Swiftly, he then spun and prepared his fist and launched it at me. I pushed myself off the ground and flipped over and behind Qin.
That was a good analysis.
He knew that I'd go with an uppercut. Ai-nee told me that if I don't know my opponent too well, I should always start with a feint. I did the same when I sparred with Hikari.
"I guess you don't disappoint."
He licked his lips.
Is it just me or is Qin completely out of character right now?
"You're pretty calm."
I told him.
"Could say the same to you."
I'll tease him a bit with my quick casting.
I held out my hand and shot three Fireballs from it toward Qin. He ran right at them. I prepared myself.
It was like he was playing hopscotch. The boy hopped over the first one, skipped over the second one and flipped over the last one, coming down with an axe kick, a kick that I blocked with my right arm.
That instant, I saw his right leg come swinging at me. I couldn't do anything. Qin hit me straight in the head.
Before he could come and continue his assault, I fired a Fireball at him, causing him to put some distance between us slightly.
I held my head.
I didn't notice it until I saw Qin's right leg come right at my head. He purposely kicked me with his left leg, as if he knew that I'd block with my right. Since I couldn't block with anything else, he kicked me with his right leg.
Qin gambled that my dominant arm was my right one. That was the purpose of that flip axe kick. I'd expect it to be strong and so I don't suffer too much damage, I'd block with my dominant arm. My stronger arm.
This bastard, Qin, has predicted all of this so far!
This could be the work of a Singularity but I highly doubt it. Behind his selfish and lazy demeanour is someone who analyses human behaviour on a daily. He predicted and believed that I would act as I did. Qin isn't simple.
"You know, I could've won there if I wanted but that'd be boring."
"What do you mean?"
I sought answers.
"You'll see later on. I'll give you a warning though, as long as you use mana to defend yourself or enhance your attacks then you're done. Well, actually, it wouldn't matter if you did or not."
Qin warned me. He seemed to scoff at himself when saying the last part.
Saying not to strengthen my body with mana is like telling me to lose. Especially against someone like Qin. Whatever he has in store will be bad. Though--
I assumed a fighting pose and breathed in and out before solely focusing on the opponent in front of me.
(Shadow Gauntlet.)
Shadows shrouded my hands and formed jet-black mechanical gauntlets. Qin gaped his eyes.
--he's not the only one with a trump card.