As soon as Yen had waken up, she told Kayla to dress her up.
Yen: 'I need to know her progress.'
Yen dressed up in much more comfortable clothes. Ones that were similar to what Marione had given her.
She knocked on her door.
Marione: "Come in."
Yen walked in and sat on the couch as Marione made her way to sit opposite to her.
Yen: "Now, please tell me what progress have you made so far with trying to expose Bea."
Marione: "In order for the last piece of the puzzle to fit in my plan, I have a question to ask."
Yen: "What is it?"
Marione: "When did that happen?"
Yen: "What is 'that'?"
Marione: "The day of your 'death'."
Yen: "Uhh, in about 5 days. I suppose."
Yen suddenly recalled that horrible feeling she had felt, the feeling of getting crushed and finally feeling the sense of death before her. It was uncomfortable and unsettling.
Marione: "Actually, I'm hunting a monster or what looks like to be a mythical beast right now. I figure it's connected to the black magic we're trying to figure out."
Yen jumped up from her seat and looked down on Marione with shock.
Yen: "I-is it a lion like creature with a large and sharp tail?!"
Marione: "Then I suppose I'm correct if I say that's the thing that crushed you?"
Yen: "..."
Yen sat back down.
Marione: "Anyways, if we want to avoid dying again, we might as well have to kill it earlier, but I have something to say about that."
Yen: "What is it?"
Marione: "Since it's made from black magic. It isn't a mythical beast. It's more like, a manifestation made of black magic."
Yen: "So, what should we call that?"
Marione thought for a moment, trying to find any suitable names for these creatures.
Marione: "Malum, if that's alright?"
Yen: "That's fine, but do we have any other information from these.. Malum?"
Marione: "So far, none, but I can get a lot by capturing one."
Yen: "What's your plan?"
Marione: "How much have you learned in swordsmanship?"
Yen: "Enough to kill any living being without anyone knowing it's me?"
Marione: "Then why don't we sharpen our skills first?"
She instantly knew what she meant.
Yen: 'The swordsmanship festival..'
It's a festival held every 2 years and it is the festival everyone looks forward to the most. Many men use this competition to profess their love to their lover, or to just show off their power.
Yen: "Fine.. but we must not take too long."
Marione: "Of course. Now dress up into common folk clothing, but it better be attire you can use for the competition."
Yen: "Yes, of course. I'll take my leave now."
Yen left the room, feeling a little nervous as she head back in her room.
Yen: 'I've trained simple defensive skills for years, but it became harder 5 months ago. I've been more skilled by then, but I don't intent on using this for the wrong reasons.'
Yen: "Kayla, please prepare village wear, that isn't a dress."
Kayla: "Yes, my Lady."
Kayla made her wear a simple long sleeve polo shirt with black pants and a belt. She also added a simple looking brooch as she thought it was plain, but even though Yen said there was no need to, Kayla still did it anyway.
Her hair was tied into a high ponytail in order for her hair not to get in her way.
Yen: 'But my bangs and the little strands to my side cant be tied with it. It's too short.. I'll just manage.'
As Yen opened her door to leave, she spotted Marione leaning on the wall, waiting for her. She was wearing a love sleeve polo shirt also, with a taupe colored vest on top as she wore jumper pants with it.
Yen: "Won't it be difficult to participate with jumper pants?"
Marione: "I'll manage."
Yen just sighs in reply, knowing that she'll just regret it later on.
Yen: "Just bring extra pants and then we can eat breakfast."
Marione: "..Fine."
Aquie was waiting on the dinner table, and what made Yen surprised was the fact there were documents and papers beside her as she checked it all one by one.
Yen: "I thought it was rude to do such things on the table?"
Duchess of Ceresé: "It is.. but I need to finish these."
Yen: "Alright."
Aquie dipped her pen in ink once more and started scribbling on the paper.
They sat down and ate silently. It was awfully silent, but Yen knew better than not to disturb Aquie as she did her work. It was the least she could do as to pay her respects to her.
Marione: "I don't mean to bother you, but Yen and I will go out for a while."
Unfazed, Aquie just continued what she was doing and checked documents, while trying her best to reply.
Duchess of Ceresé: "For the swordsmanship festival?"
Marione: "Yes. We plan to sharpen our skills there for a mission."
Duchess of Ceresé: "And that is?"
Marione: "To capture a Malum, or what many know as the manifestation of black magic."
Aquie flinched at the response, but she tried her best to continue on without much reaction.
Duchess of Ceresé: "Is this related to the black magic case?"
Yen: "Yes, and we plan on capturing it within 5 days."
Aquie went quiet, checking documents and signing papers while eating and drinking coffee. She put the papers down and eyed them both with a straight face.
Duchess of Ceresé: "You may go, but always proceed with caution."
Marione: "Of course."
Aquie continued to read and sign papers again.
Duchess of Ceresé: "Now, Yen, how is your swordsmanship skills so far."
Yen: "I believe it is enough for me to complete this mission."
Duchess of Ceresé: "Then do your best. You know your reputation would sink if you fail."
Yen: 'Reputation is nothing to us Ceresés, but after the current situation of black magic, we too need to keep our reputation high in order for people to believe in what we have to say and our magic capabilities.'
Yen: "Of course. I'll make sure to keep my word."
Duchess of Ceresé: "I'm finished eating. I shall excuse myself. Meanwhile, you two should have fun while you still can. I believe this will be quite a month."
Aquie stood up and held the documents in her hands, using magic to carry the other papers left behind.
Marione: "Then, let's do what she says."
They both headed in the carriage immediately after, and it didn't take that long for them to arrive at the capital.
Yen: "It's been so long since I've been here."
Marione: "Should we stop by Angel's again at lunch."
Yen: "Of course! It's been so long since I've eaten such tasty food."
They walked around the town square a little more. The streets were filled with so much people, and there were more stalls, with so much people lined up in it too.
Marione: "Now it makes me worry for the amount of people who'll participate."
Yen: "We should sign up already if there maybe so much people who plan on joining. The slots might be full if we wait longer."
Marione: "Great idea."
They headed to the central part of the capital, where the competition was said to be held. Luckily, not much people has lines up yet so they had a chance to sign and participate in it.
Marione: "Hahh.. I wonder how interesting it'll be this year."
Yen: "Who knows, we might even get to fight each other."
Marione: "Now that would most definitely be quite the headline! 'The Ceresé sisters fight for the crown, who will win?!' is what I imagine with this."
Yen: "Let's just see what might happen.."
Sei: "Yen!"
Yen and Marione looked behind to see Sei and Haru walking towards them.
Yen: "Hello! Are you here for the swordsmanship competition too?"
Haru: "Yeah. We were just about to go in line."
Marione: "Then I suggest you both hurry. We can talk after you finish."
They both nodded and lined up.
Marione: "Wait a moment, I'll be back."
Yen: "Alright."
By the time Marione returned, Haru and Sei were finished signing.
Marione: "Here, some fish balls from one of those stalls. I got some for the boys too, so don't you dare scold me."
Yen: "Haha, I won't."
Marione ate a fish ball and made a reaction that indicated that she was satisfied.
Marione: "Oh yeah, so that means we're all against each other right?"
Yen: "Yeah.. the prize was 10,000 REN and.. a bouquet of roses and gardenia, in what I remember."
Marione: "Usually, people would give the flowers to their lovers or crushes, but I'll just give it to you."
Yen: "Alright then. Thank you in advance."
Marione: 'I can already tell what these two are thinking. It's so obvious, it's slowly killing me.'
She eyes both Haru and Sei, who became embarrassed once they realized Marione knew their intention.
Marione: "Anyways, let's not go easy on each other."
Sei: "Are you sure you won't use magic? It would be cheating if you did."
Marione: "Pfft! Of course not! I may not look like it but I follow and uphold the law like it's the source of my existence!"
Haru: "We should prepare now, so we'll see you two on the stage!"
They all waved at each other as Haru and Sei left.
Yen: "I expect to be a sweating mess once we're done."
Marione: "Just try to hold on as long as possible, you can even let then out the circle if you're that tired."
They both went to the back, where all the contestants were. Most were confident, while some looked like they were about to faint.
Yen: 'Were they forced to join?'
Host: "Welcome to the Swordsmanship Competition! Where there swordmen and women prove their worth in this empire! The rules are, if your sword gets flung, you lose! And if you get out of the circle, you lose! We'll be using actual swords, but using it to hurts others on purpose is against the law! Our first contestant is.. Simone and Marione! Please come on stage!"
Yen: "Good luck. Who knows you might lose on the first round?"
Marione: "I may, I may not. But let's just see."
Simone looked like a 30 year old male of noble status. He didn't seem to recognize Marione at all despite how she is very well known in society as a Ceresé.
Simone: "Hah! Men are much more powerful than women. Who cares about women's rights?!"
Marione: 'Its just the start of the competition yet my blood is boiling. I wonder how he was even able to become a noble..'
Yen: 'Ah.. I so wanna punch him.'
Host: "Round start!"
Simone had no hesitation to charge forth towards Marione. She dodged toward the right just in time.
Simone: 'What?!'
Simone turned back to attack again, but this time, he saw Marione's sword held high, ready to take such a blow on him.
Luckily, he used his sword to block just in time, but his sword flung up into the air and into the ground.
Host: "Marione Ceresé takes the win!"
Simone's eyes widened at the announcement.
Simone: "Ceresé..?"
He mumbled.
Simone: 'Does that mean the girl in front of me is the famous magician?! Buttermilk hair and scarlet red eyes! How stupid was I to challenge her?'
Marione: "Hah.. if only I was someone who doesn't uphold the law.. Would you be dead by now?"
He shivered at the thought and she looked down upon him with a smile as he bolted away in fear of the things that would occur if he stayed longer.
Marione just went back to where Yen was and bursted out laughing.
Marione: "I can already tell that Simone guy will be in big trouble."
Yen: "You aren't even scary. What had made him run like that."
Marione: "It's cause he's afraid I might cast a spell on him or something."
Host: "Next up, Yen versus Sei!"
Marione: "Ahh.. quite the interesting duel."
Yen: "You can expect my death, you mean?"
Marione: "I'm sure you'd make it."
Yen just ignored Marione and headed up stage. Sei was just there, receiving his sword after warming up a bit.
Yen: 'Hmm, what kind of tactics should I use against him?'
Yen just took her sword and eyed it for a moment.
Yen: "Two time tactic.."
Host: "Round start!"
Sei positioned himself on a defensive position, holding his guard up high as Yen walked towards him, massaging her finger on the left and holding the sword on the right.
Sei: 'What is she planning..'
Sei moved his sword but Yen was able to dodge it. She hit him next but the sword was on her left hand. He was able to block it and use it to push her back, but the pressure put on the ground made it smoke a little.
Sei: 'She can use swords in both hands? She'll most likely change it soon..'
The sudden attack from the fog made him block with it with his sword again, but looking at it again made him realize the many cracks it has.
Sei: 'It's gonna break..!'
With one hit of a sword, Sei's sword was shattered in pieces. He had lost the round.
Host: "Yen Ceresé wins!"
Sei: "How did you get to break my sword?"
Yen: "I just tried to put force on it, but.."
Eyeing Yen's sword, he saw it was also about to reach it's limit.
Yen: "Luck was on my side for this round."
Sei: "Well, I wish you the best until the end of the round."
Sei made his way to the crowd and Yen made her way at the back.
Many rounds had come to pass and each were eliminated swiftly, yet Marione, Haru, and Yen still stood firm in their place.
Host: "Next round! Yen versus Marione!"
Yen: "Oh dear.."
Marione: "Oh my.."
Yen: "Let's do our best this round."
Marione: "Of course."
They both made their way on stage. Going against each other was what they both had expected but they had thought to would be in the finals, because they knew their fight would take too long.
Marione: "How long do you think this would last?"
Yen: "About 5-20 minutes at most."
Marione: "Then let's make this quicker."
Host: "Round start!'
Marione attacked Yen, but she was able to dodge it swiftly. Yen made her next move to hit Marione's neck area, but she was able to dodge it.
They were able to exchange different attacks and still dodge it at the same time. It was like they were both in a war.
Marione used the tip of her sword to hit Yen but she covered herself with her sword.
Marione: "How long has it been already?"
Yen: "Three minutes by now."
After a large impact of both Yen and Marione's swords hitting each other, it both started to crack.
Marione: "It seems they're not holding on too well.. I even made sure I picked out the strongest one."
Yen: "Hah, I guess these do need improvement, or is it just us who are too strong?"
Marione: "I'd prefer to choose the second one."
Sei was watching from the crowd, hearing the whispers of many villagers and townsfolk.
"They're still going at it, it's amazing."
"The Ceresés may not be using their full power even! I can just feel it."
"Just how powerful are they?"
Sei: 'It's impressive to see magic wielders not use any magic for this whole round and fight this close. How much stamina do they have?'
Yen: "7 minutes. We really should hurry this up, even though we could do this all day."
Marione: "I suppose so."
Marione swung her blade really hard, and it made Yen follow the same.
Yen: "The sword who breaks first shall be the loser!"
With one hit of both swords and the large impact caused by it, the swords both broke in unison.
The crowd was shocked, and the judges didn't know what to decide.
Marione: "Guess it broke together."
Yen: "Ah, ah, ah! You might be forgetting something."
Yen pointed to where Marione was standing, and she was shocked upon seeing the white line she had stepped on on accident.
Marione: "Oh my. I should really watch out for that."
Yen: "It's a lesson learned."
Marione: "But I do have to say I'm impressed with your skills."
Yen: "It's nothing."
Host: "Yen Ceresé wins this round!"
Marione: "Does that mean you'll go up against Haru if he wins?"
Yen: "Yep, I'll just have to be careful and make sure he won't do anything out of my sights.'
Marione: "Then I'm rooting for you!"
Marione waved at Yen and made her way into the crowd, where Sei was.
Marione: "Hah.. if only I didn't step on the line."
Sei: "It was quite entertaining to watch an 8-minute sword fight."
Marione: "Does this make you like her more?"
Sei: "What are you implying..!"
Marione: "It's no use explaining it to you. You'd never admit it."
Sei just stood silent as they all watched Haru fight his opponent with ease.
Yen: 'Now, it's the last round, and I have to fight with a Royal Guard..!'
Host: "For the finals, we have Yen Ceresé and Haru Osrine!"
Both had walked up on opposite sides of the stage, looking much more serious than ever.
Haru: 'I must win for Yen..'
Yen: 'This will be quite tiring..'
They picked out their swords. Yen picked out the best sword she could find in the pile, and Haru did the same.
They were ready in their positions and they just had to wait for the host's signal.
Host: "Round start!"
Yen charged at Haru as he was already on defensive position, expected her to attack but instead of hitting him immediately with the sword, she went swiftly behind him and then tried to hit him.
With Haru's reaction time, he was able to quickly turn around and block it but he lost a bit of his balance and almost fell. He was able to focus enough to see how Yen switched her sword to her left hand and hit his sword with the tip.
After Haru blocked it, he used his sword to hit hers with a large impact.
Haru: 'If I break her sword.. then I'll win!'
Yen: 'He's trying to break my sword..'
Yen and Haru both just kept on exchanging immense blows, but Yen also kept on hitting his sword with the tip of her sword. More cracks started to form from each attack.
With Haru always stepping back from the same attacks, he was forced into a corner.Y en smiled at her work.
Yen: 'Now I'll be able to end this.'
Haru: 'She dragged me into a corner and hit my sword with the tip to put much more damage on my sword. The end is quite pointy.. why didn't I remember that. So either way I was going to lose..'
With one last blow, Haru's sword shattered into small fragments and Yen smiled in her victory.
Host: "The winner is Yen Ceresé! Please collect your price in the back."
After Yen collected her prize, she immediately ran to where Marione, Haru, and Sei were.
Marione: "Congrats on your win!"
Haru: "You really beat us into a corner right there."
Yen: "Haha, sorry. I really had to do so in order to win."
Marione took a look at her flowers and noticed that there were 2 bouquets instead.
Marione: "Why are there 2 bouquets? I thought.."
Yen: "I asked a small favor so that I could give this half to you and the other to Aquie."
Marione: "I'm definitely preserving this for eternity."
And with a clap of her hands, the flowers were gone.
Marione: "I put them in a good place so that your hands won't be too full."
Yen: "Thanks. Now let's go eat at Angel's shall we?! I've been dying to go there!"
Marione: "Of course."
Yen: "I'll pay with the money we got."
Sei: "What are you gonna do with the leftovers?"
Yen: "Donate it to an orphanage, of course! What else."
They all laughed as they made their way into Angel's.