Chapter 80 - Academy Tournament Part 7
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I head into one of the rooms exclusive to the competitors that's located on the hallways towards the centerstage. Just like you've expected, I head into the room where Seia was currently located.
The millisecond Seia, who was laying on the bed saw a glimpse of me heading inside her room, she immediately covered herself on a blanket. I'd like to tease her for that reason, but I don't want to worsen her mood. So I pretended that I didn't saw it and approached her after I locked the door.
"How are feeling, Seia?" I ask as I sat beside her. "Anything hurt or something?"
"..."
No response... Is what I thought but after a moment of silence, I started to hear the voice beside me.
"...I'm sorry." Seia's voice came out timidly.
"Nh."
"...Even though you spend most of your time to us for our improvement... I can't even do anything... I was just helplessly... utterly defeated..." A voice weaker than before came out after. "I'm sorry for being a disappointment."
That was some hard self-loathing. I never even once think of them like that. The purpose of this event beside from the jaw dropping rewards, is to see your improvements.
Then I remembered, it was of Seia's past that made her think negatively of herself. Of course, she's trying to change herself, but that doesn't mean that it will immediately change her. Right now, Seia were currently just making a front. The anxiety is of course, was still there.
"It can't be helped." I muttered. "Can you come here?"
There came a brief pause but after a moment, Seia removes the blanket on herself and meekly came close to me. Uwah...! Aside from her slumped Fox ears whom I find very adorable, her face sure is a mess.
Our position was very stiff and awkward, so I move and sat at the middle of the bed and carried her in the armpits then pulled her to me like I'm carrying a baby. Seia on the other hand begins to embrace me at my front as she buries her face into my stomach. And now, to make her feel at ease, I started to caress her head gently.
"The part of becoming stronger also comes from a part of losing." I remarked. "As long as you've learned something from that fight, then it will leave as a notable experience."
"Nh."
"I know you're still on the process of it, and I'd like to remind you that no matter what failure you may have done at the past, the present, and even the future, I would never considered you a disappointment or anything that will leave you negatively."
"Nh."
"And lastly, I'll ask you." I said in a taunting manner. "What does it feel to lose? Hopelessly and utterly defeated?"
I felt a tight grip on her embrace when I said that. A pause came for a brief moment and Seia began to tell her feelings.
"...It's infuriating." Seia paused again, then continued to let her grief. "I hated myself on losing, I hate myself from the fact that I can't even do anything about it, I..."
"That's right...!" I said, taking her full attention. "Don't ever forget that feelings. Always remember that feeling and use it to make yourself stronger."
"...Yes."
Oh, there we go. Looks like my words manage to cross her mind. I'm really glad these girls were always firm on anything they do. In any case, we're taking too much time here.
I gently rose into my bed since the next match was about to begin. In doing so, I saw a bit of dejected face of Seia who felt like she wants to do it more.
"I'm sorry Seia but we should head out now." I reminded. "I heard it was Luna's match next. You'll hate it if your friends didn't manage to watch your match, right?"
Finally realized, Seia immediately fixed herself and rushed beside me. She finally perked-up, hugging my arms as we walk out of the hallways.
* * *
"Oh! Sai, Seia, you two we're finally here." Aedan who saw us said so. "Just about time."
We managed to arrive as the next match was about to start. Luna and Davis were already on the centerstage when we saw it, but we still haven't heard the announcement so just in time.
"Yeah," I replied. "I'm glad we made it just in time."
"That was quick actually." Lily mentioned. "Well, I'm glad that to see Seia back to normal again."
We went on our respective seat and passed Sora who was looking uneasy. But after a moment, Seia stops on her track and turned her face into Sora.
"I won't lose the next time we fight." Seia firmly declared.
"Yeah, I won't lose either."
I let out a sigh of relief into their conversation. I was a bit afraid that it will start to turn downside, but it looks like that wasn't the case. In any case...
"You sure went rough on her huh." I complained. "That's not you."
He strained a smile at my remarks and didn't comment after. Are you really the protagonist of this game? I'm actually having doubts now.
"Welcome back, Aruji-sama." Akari, when I came close greeted me cheerfully.
"Thanks, Akari." I replied, then started to caress her. "Well then, how will you fare today, Davis."
Luna and Davis were facing each other in stationary. Luna is already holding her two-handed sword, the 『Gleam Sword』 in a side stance position. Davis on the other hand were standing unarmed. Does his plan on not showing his stance in order not to get read?
"You..." Davis nonchalantly begins to talk. "You're Luna, right?"
"Hm...?" Luna displayed a perplexed look. "You know me?"
"Haha, surely you jest." Davis sarcastically replies. "Almost everyone on the Academy knows about you—together with that half-elf."
"Ha...?" Luna became more confused. "So, what do you want to tell me?"
"Nothing," Davis serenely said. "I'm just saying that I won't hold back even if you're a girl. I have a reason for this so I'm sorry about this..."
"Unnecessary." Luna curtly replied.
"Ah, Aruji-sama." Akari who remembered something begins to call me. "Before the fight, Luna asked me to say this to you."
"Yeah? Tell me."
"Luna said that she won't be able to win this fight." Akari continues to explain. "I don't really want to say this, but Davis is currently stronger than us stat wise. As for his skill, Luna said that she'll have Davis show some of his skills so that everyone can think of a plan to fight him on the semifinals."
It made me more curious as to what Luna saw in Davis. Even in the game, Davis was a monster, but it was on the time when he was already affiliated on the cults. For Luna to say that, just what is he...
"Luna versus Davis Blackraven!! Match Begin!!"
"Sorry but I'll end this right away...!" Davis mused and immediately ⟨⟨Dash⟩⟩ towards Luna with lightning speed. He then took his sword—a blue broadsword that looks like it was smoking from a very low temperature.
But to his surprise, the edge of the sword was already on his face. This made Davis force to back out immediately by kicking the ground heavily.
(Did she just swing her sword the moment the match begin—expecting that I'm aiming for a finishing move?)
"Here I go!" Luna swings her sword downwards.
But since it was a two-handed sword, it wasn't fast enough which is why Davis manage to dodge her attack with ease—and unfortunately, this also leaves Luna vulnerable since she still needs to readjust her sword back.
⟨⟨Iaijutsu⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Multiple⟩⟩
A consecutive slash struck Luna in a quick manner. But for Davis, he didn't feel anything landed successfully. And the reason was—Luna used the size of the 『Gleam Sword』 to defend herself from the consecutive attacks.
Davis was already anticipating that Luna was about to readjust her sword which he can use as an opening. But it looks like it wasn't the case.
Instead, Luna jumped and kicked her word who was shoved on the ground towards Davis who didn't expect it.
Davis managed to dodge it by twirling his body sideways, but this leaves him in a very awkward position. But surprisingly, it didn't really make Davis surprise for some reason.
(She's currently unarmed. She probably gambled it, unfortunately for you, I—!!)
Is what he thought but Luna, who's in front of him for some reason, was holding a black broadsword and was about to slash him to his stomach.
(Why is she already here?! I really thought that her only weapon...!!)
Davis gritted his teeth, then—
⟨⟨Voiding⟩⟩
Suddenly, he suddenly disappeared in front of Luna. The moment Luna realized this, she canceled her attack and reposition herself. When she saw it, Davis already repositioned himself a bit far away from Luna.
In any case, it was in favor of Luna. That unbelievable reflex and speed, it can only be done if a person uses a ⟨⟨Skill⟩⟩.
"Aruji-sama! That's...!"
"Yeah," I replied, smiling. "It's a ⟨⟨Skill⟩⟩."
Way to go, Luna. She fights tactically and that's very clever of her. But unfortunately, from this point on, Davis was probably getting used to it. I wish you good luck, Luna.