Whoosh
"Shit, that was a close one." Laura cursed inwardly as her Cockatrice ran around the arena in a bid to escape from Cedric's pursuit.
He was still standing in the same place that he stood when the match started, a calm expression on his visage as he manipulated his chain knife to chase after Laura, ensuring that she did not have a single moment of rest.
This was one of the perks of having a Magic artifact with high affinity to the user.
Cedric's chain knife, also known as the Scorpion tail, was a magic artifact gifted to him by his master at the magic academy in the capital.
A dangerous weapon that allowed Cedric to manipulate it like as though it were his limbs with the capability to extend its length.
It was a troublesome artifact through and through.
Watching as Laura tried to gain distance between herself and Scorpion tail, Cedric cracked a smirk.
It was amusing watching Laura try to outrun his weapon, especially as she was hoping for her Cockatrice to help her.
But Cedric was well aware that this was only build-up. Build up to a much more grandiose affair and he would be damned if he moved things too quickly.
Sometimes it was best to savor the moment before the main dish arrived.
Taking a glance toward Max's seating position, he saw the unpleasant expression on his face. "Oh brother, you really should try not to worry so much about others."
Meanwhile, in the audience, Max frowned deeply. "Cedric… he is toying with her."
"I agree. Do you know why he would want to challenge my daughter?" Lloyd chipped in at that moment. So far he had kept quiet but seeing how disadvantaged Laura was, he could not help but feel slightly agitated.
Seeing her get hurt wasn't something he had on his agenda for her to take part in the tournament and a part of him was screaming, yelling that Cedric did not have good intentions whatsoever.
Swallowing his pride, Lloyd remarked. "Max, I don't know if this is too much to ask but if Cedric tries to cross the line… please stop him."
Max clenched his fist as random thoughts crossed his mind.
Just then, He felt a warm hand on his fist. He turned to find Lara looking at him with a loving gaze. "Don't worry, help Cedric as a senior brother. He is not an enemy."
With those words, Max calmed down. He didn't want to take Cedric as an enemy as he understood his circumstances but he also couldn't allow Laura to suffer any longer because of him.
Thus he came to a decision.
In a solemn tone, he muttered. "Please Cedric, I don't want to have to fight you. Don't cross that line."
Down in the arena…
"I wish I can smack that annoying smirk off your stupid face!" Laura said as she urged the Cockatrice to move faster. She was also aware that Cedric was toying with her.
She had already attempted to summon Steel four times thus far and each time she was almost done, Cedric's chain would immediately pick up speed and cause her to break off the summoning.
She was unwilling to take a risk but seeing as there was no other option, Laura made her choice.
The Cockatrice stopped in its tracks and turned its chicken head to stare at Cedric.
"Stop looking at me you stupid bird." Cedric manipulated Scorpion tail to attack, of course, this was just to scare Laura into moving once again.
Unfortunately, his action did not have the desired effect as Laura snorted.
Staring daggers at him, she began to weave hand signs in quick succession.
Cedric sneered. "Think I won't attack because I'm playing with you?... Stupid."
He was not exactly afraid of Laura's other summon. The reason he kept on stopping her whenever she tried to summon him was to cause her to fall deeper into desperation so when it was time, he would allow her to summon the dimensional being as a last-ditch effort to win.
That would be when he would crush her completely, humiliating the poor girl in the presence of her father.
After that, all he would have to do would be to blame his actions on Max. That way, Max would have no choice but to fight against him to regain Laura's lost honor.
Unfortunately, Laura was acting a bit too daring. She had to pay the price!
Scorpion tail zipped toward Laura with its pointed end moving toward her right shoulder.
Laura did not stop though as she continued her hand seals. This time her summoning was taking longer since it hadn't been too long since Steel died.
But she had resolved to summon him once again and no matter what, she won't back down now!
Then the weapon hit!
Bang
Gritting her teeth, Laura powered through the pain as Scorpion tail pushed heavily on the barrier created by Invisible Tower.
Cedric would not give up so easily as he exerted more force, causing the barrier to begin to show web-like cracks.
"Monster," Laura said through gritted teeth as she saw the cracks in her last line of defense. This was the first time Invisible Tower was breached like this.
What's more, this was at the hands of a teenager much younger than her.
It was somewhat demeaning but she held her ground.
Unfortunately with each passing moment, the crack kept on spreading until…
Shatter
Laura's Invisible Tower broke like glass, sending her skidding back a few meters away.
Receiving the backlash, Laura gritted her teeth but stood strong as she held herself back from vomiting the blood that welled up his throat.
Cedric chuckled. "Now that the shield you take so much pride in is gone, how about you go back to running like the disappointment you are."
Laura did not respond and instead clasped her palms together. "Please heed my call once again, I demand you heed the call of your Sire, join me and entangle my enemies in a web of fate. Come forth, Steel!"
Excessive magic burst out from Laura as she infused it into her summoning.
Cedric clicked his tongue. "Tsk, troublesome girl!"
He swung his chain and it whizzed through the air. Just as it finished crossing the distance, eager to impale Laura through her chest, a large silver furred arm reached out from behind Laura and grabbed the chain, holding it firmly in place.
"I haven't been gone for long and yet you already find yourself in a mess. Hah, what would I do with you." A casual voice said.
Looking at the newcomer, Cedric furrowed his brows. "This would be troublesome."