Chapter 82 - Academy Tournament Part 9
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The opponent in front of me who was recognize by her beautiful red hair immediately plunges at me hastily. At the same time—swinging her broadsword that looks like a sabre but incredibly thick—and hitting me with pure violence.
⟨⟨Dash⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Parry⟩⟩
I also plunge at the same time and parried Astra's attack successfully. Though, if I got to say something, Astra's attack was sure is a very solid one. If there's a possible chance that she had the same stats as us, there's a high chance that I'll fail the ⟨⟨Parry⟩⟩.
"I'm not done yet...!"
⟨⟨Remise⟩⟩
After my counterattack immediately came her downward slash in a quick manner.
⟨⟨Parry⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Brazilian Kick⟩⟩
"Wha! —Guh?!"
I manage to counter another ⟨⟨Parry⟩⟩ to her ⟨⟨Remise⟩⟩ by sliding her sword away and quickly adding a precise swift kick into her temple.
The solid fatal hit made Astra almost lose her consciousness—awfully staggering while trying to keep a firm stance through her will only.
"Ugh...!" Astra puts her palm on her face—gritting her teeth in frustration. "Not yet... I'm still not done...!"
With a tough and firm words, Asta went into another stance. That's...
⟨⟨Dash⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Iaijutsu⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Tri-slash⟩⟩
I'm a quick manner, Astra shot another quick speed of a 3 consecutive slash after a Quickdraw. But...
"...Tch!" Astra clicked her tongue in frustration.
It was sloppy unfortunately. Looks like her bare minimum stats is keeping her from using a strong skill. But surprisingly, the skill she used just now was pretty fast. Let's see...
"Astra, you're telegraphing too much. Try using your skill again without using too much unnecessary movements."
"?!?!"
From my point of view, or probably anyone who has experience in fighting, Astra makes too many large movements that makes her next move really readable. The only reason she managed to make her way into the quarterfinals is, despite her lack of strength—is her quick and nimble movements. I can't blame her though.
All her skills were only self-taught after all.
"Hm..."
After a moment of pondering, Astra nodded as if she finally thought of something—then, she once again did the usual stance.
⟨⟨Iaijutsu⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Tri-slash⟩⟩
With lightning speed, Astra quickly draws her sword to attack me. Knowing this, I use ⟨⟨Parry⟩⟩ to counter her. But...
⟨⟨Feint⟩⟩
To my surprise, I was baited into her ⟨⟨Feint⟩⟩ unfortunately. Taking the whole opportunity, Astra once again attack in a quick manner.
⟨⟨Iaijutsu⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Flick⟩⟩
"Not gonna happen—?!"
⟨⟨Faint⟩⟩
Another faint?!
Once again, Astra took a stance—and then, with unbelievable speed—
⟨⟨Iaijutsu⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Lightning Thrust⟩⟩
I, who let my guard down was stabbed by Astra who thrust her thick sword into my chest like some sort of rapier.
"Ugh..."
Not only that, but her sword—the 『Corrosive End』 has a trait that inflicts with Severe Poison when hit. Though...
"What?!" Astra was left nonplus, eyes widened. "Damn, I sure thought I hit him...!"
My skill—the ⟨⟨Passive: Dodge⟩⟩ manage to activate and successfully misses Astra's attack into me. The poison was still inflicted though, but the ⟨⟨Rapid Life Regeneration⟩⟩ will render the debuff useless.
"Alright, it's time." Blankly, I took my usual stance—the quickdraw stance. "Astra, I'm going full throttle now. Watch carefully."
"Come."
I lunge at her the same time I draws my sword and then, I briefly disappeared and appeared near Astra as if I just teleported in front of her.
⟨⟨Dash⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Iaijutsu⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Voiding⟩⟩ + ⟨⟨Flick⟩⟩
I used the ⟨⟨Iaijutsu⟩⟩ to quickdraw and ⟨⟨Flick⟩⟩ in which I swung my sword to her so fast that it bends the blade and hit her.
⟨⟨Parry⟩⟩
But even with an unbelievably quick attack that only a fraction of people can see, to my surprise, Astra managed to ⟨⟨Parry⟩⟩ at the last second. But it looks like Astra manage to hit it instinctively which is why she staggered in response.
"Guh...!" Astra gritted her teeth and strengthened her body not to fall down and hit a counter.
"A ⟨⟨Riposte⟩⟩ huh, then I...!"
Clank! By countering her ⟨⟨Riposte⟩⟩ with a ⟨⟨Remise⟩⟩, our blade clash into each other—locking in the process. Truly my favorite situation.
Wham! To everyone's surprise, Astra suddenly flew away in quite a distance. The reason is, I secretly took my 『Spore Staff』 and blow it into her stomach.
I used the ⟨⟨Voiding⟩⟩ skill just like before and use it to instantly close my distance to Astra. Surprisingly, despite her being knocked away in a distance, Astra still managed and land into her two feet.
The moment I was into her reach, I quickly grab her arms, went inside her space and violently but not hardly slams her into the ground—pinning her with my weight—the ⟨⟨Aikido⟩⟩.
"It's your loss, Astra." I stated and put the edge of my blade into her neck.
After a brief pause, Astra breathe out a sigh and raise both of her hands in capitulation. "It's my loss."
"A-Astra concede! The winner of the third match of the quarterfinals! Sai Crimsonheart!"
A loud cheer and booing were held against me by the audiences after the announcer's vigorous speech. I supported Astra and pulled her to stand up—then left the centerstage with the two of us. In any case, I guess the terrain was completely useless in this round.
While supporting Astra by putting her arms into my shoulder, I shot a look into her. Surprisingly, she was making a smile that she had accepted her loss. But I can still see the frustration inside her despite her façade. And also...
"I didn't expect you to comply earlier." I mentioned as we walk. "I was expecting you to be mad when I told you about telegraphing."
"Not really. I actually prefer it if I learned something important." Astra delightfully said, then murmured. "But then again, I guess I failed big time huh... My family might abandon me after this..."
Poor girl. Even when she is working hard, it was still not enough to escape from the albatross of the strict regulations of her family.
"Does Sora know about this?" I sternly asked.
"Eh? You heard that?!" Astra voiced out her surprise, then immediately turned into an earnest demeanor. "No, he didn't. Sora already had her own fair share of responsibilities. I don't want to add myself into her burden."
"That's some consideration you got there." I jest. "Then, in any case, you can tell us your problem. Who knows, maybe we can help you in any way. I'll do something about it if it's on my capabilities."
"Who's considerate now?" Astra quipped. "Just like the girls said, you really like to stick your butt into other's problems."
I didn't answer back to her jest which caused an awkward silence into both of us. Our footstep can only be heard as we walk into the hallway. And then, Astra opens her mouth—looking timid.
"Hey Sai," Astra called timidly. "W-will you really help me if I asked you? ...T-that was embarrassing, forget what I said. I'm just j—"
"Of course, we'll help you." I firmly replied. "Astra, we've been friends for a while now. Of course, we'll help you if you are in need of help."
You're also important on the story. Your extreme talent given by the creator of this world will be of importance for the future. Mainly, but of course, there are more important reasons of why I wanted to help her.
"Oh well," Astra showed a serene smile. "That's very reassuring..."
* * *
As Astra and me went to our seat, just as expected, we were both congratulated by our friends.
"Nice fight, Astra. " Sora cheerfully commended. "That's just how it is. You're fighting Sai after all."
"Man, you suck at complimenting." Astra jokingly complained. "But well, you're kind of right about that. Moreover, I learned something from it, so I'll take that as a win."
"It was an amazing fight though." Aedan added. "I think you're the most amazing I've ever seen. Despite not given a gifted strength, you still go toe to toe with Sai."
"Oh, that compliment made my frustrations lessened a bit." Astra replied. "Thanks Aedan."
"Congrats Master."
"Congratulations Aruji-sama."
"Nice fight, Sai."
"Welcome back, Sai."
On my way to my seat, I was flattered by the four with a sweet smile on their face—added to our mini-dryad who encircle herself into me cheerfully. As expected, it completely relieves me when they congratulate me like this.
"Thanks, you guys." I said and sat into my seat. "Looks like someone's not in the mood today."
Everyone was energetic in their own way, with the exception of our blonde half-elf who was awfully silent since I came here. Of course, everyone knows the reason why.
"Ladies and Gentlemen! we will now commence the fourth and the last match in this afternoon's tournament! This last anticipated fight will be held by the two fighters known for their complete dominance in range quarter combat! Introducing! Lily Helianthus versus Jett Midnight!"
Lily twitched at the commentator's announcement coupled with the loud vigorous noised bustled in the surrounding. Hm, perhaps I should've overly complimented Jett when I described him last day. Now what to do...
"Lily..." Rina-san can't help but look her daughter in concern.
"Lily." I sternly called Lily which everybody shifted their attention into me. "The cult who killed your dad was as strong as Jett and even someone that's currently completely out of our league."
Everyone went silence into our statement. I don't plan on sugarcoating it, as we can't do anything to the truth. With our current strength, we don't stand a candle against those crazy bastards.
"Held your head high, since this fight is just beginning." I sternly stated, then crossed my arms. "Or don't tell me, all those practices we made with everyone we're all just for naught?"
"Of course not!" Lily shot a confident look at me. "That's kind of cringe but it motivates me a bit, so I'll take that. I'm going."
"You...!" My jaw dropped and my face was all red in embarrassment into Lily's response. "Just go!"
"Alright." Lily gave me a reassuring smile and begins to walk to the hallway into the centerstage. but before she completely left—
"Lily, wait." I hurriedly called Lily which took her attention into me. "Don't be fooled by his Class. Jett is more than that."
"...I got it!" Lily firmly nodded at my statement and left.
After a minute, both the participants are on the centerstage. In this match, both we're already had their weapon open into the public—with Jett holding his 『Glaive』 in one of his hands and Lily who was holding a silver crossbow mixed with green—the 『Bane Arbalest』.
Noise of excitement and anticipation emerges from the audience's seat. Well, it was already in the different league after all. In this phase, you won't see someone still using a platinum set anymore.
"Eh?" Jett's eyebrow twitched in realization. "Aren't you one of the companions of that bastard Sai?"
"Yeah?" Lily frankly replied. "Is there a problem?"
"No, but..." Jett stared at Lily in a genuinely concerned manner. "You can tell me if he's doing no good. I'll do something about it."
"No thanks." Lily quickly answered. "Sai is not what you think he is, so your concern is unnecessary."
"Lily Helianthus versus Jett Midnight! Match begin!!"
Lily begins the match by quickly aiming at Jett who was looking at him in a composed expression. He was completely letting his guard down until...
"What the—?!" Jett was left surprise as he quickly lunges sideways to dodge— and hiding himself on one of the large rocks.
Jett won't really be concerned if it only was a single or triple arrow shot. But what left him in an extreme surprise, is that he was forced to dodge not only once but a 10 volley of arrows precisely shooting at him.
"W-wow..." Seia voiced out her astonishment. "I didn't know that weapon was that strong."
"There's actually more than that weapon of her can do." I replied. "You see..."
"Damn, it's too fast." Jett who got hit removes the arrow into his knees—until his eyes widened in realization. "These arrows—"
"—Are also poisonous." I spoke.
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『Corrosive End』
• 60 Melee Damage
• 4% Critical Strike
• Inflicts poison when hit.
————————————————————————————————————————————
『Imperfect Demon Sword』
• 80 Melee Damage
• 24% Critical Strike
• When swung, emits a black arc slash projectile that gets bigger as it accelerates.
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『Bane Arbalest』
• 24 Range Damage
• 24% Critical Strike
• Fires a volley of 10 arrows that inflicts poison when hit.