[NOW]
Finally, Edward saw an opportunity. He used the earth to create a small wave that threw the enemy away, causing him to stop screaming for a few moments. Edward took the opportunity to approach and deliver a final blow, using a gust of wind that threw the enemy against the wall, leaving him unconscious.
Edward had won the fight, but he knew he would have to face many more challenges in the future. He looked around, seeing the fallen men on the ground. The party was still in full swing, but the nearby people seemed to have noticed what had happened.
Ignoring all the stares on him, Edward tried to leave the area, but suddenly something hit him on the head from his blind spot. He fell to the ground, feeling dizzy and almost losing consciousness. While struggling to stay alert, he saw a boy with brown hair and white eyes approaching him, with a sinister smile on his face. Edward tried to react, but his strength abandoned him and he remained motionless, unsure of what was happening. The boy came closer and closer, and everything went dark...
Mia watched the scene before her, shocked by what she saw. It was natural for her to feel this way, as she never even imagined in her dreams that Edward would be able to defeat thirty men alone. Upon seeing this feat, she concluded that nothing could stop him. However, Mia was mistaken. As she watched the scene, she thought to herself, "So, only one Lothbrok can defeat another Lothbrok... Isn't that right, Tatsuya?"
The man responsible for attacking Edward is Tatsuya Lothbrok. A cunning and calculating man, known for his strategic skills and sharp intelligence. As Edward Lothbrok's cousin, he grew up in a competitive environment and learned early on to think logically and analytically. Tatsuya is tall, with an imposing appearance and a penetrating gaze that reveals his confidence and determination.
His sharp brain is his main weapon, and he uses his intelligence to manipulate situations and people in his favor. Tatsuya is very observant and attentive to details, and often predicts and anticipates the movements of others before they even happen.
Although he is an extremely calculating and methodical person, Tatsuya is also very skilled in combat situations. He has rigorous training in martial arts and is able to defend himself effectively when necessary. However, he prefers to resolve conflicts using his cunning and persuasion rather than violence.
But in this situation, Tatsuya chose to use drastic methods, after all, the Lothbroks have no limits when it comes to fighting other Lothbroks.
"Hm, were you already exhausted due to the amount of mana you spent fighting my lackeys? I think so, after all, defeating you with a mere blow to the head is pathetic," Tatsuya taunted, as he watched Edward unconscious on the ground.
The people around quickly formed a circle around the two and waited to see what would happen next. The music continued to play, with neon and blue lights flashing around Tatsuya and Edward.
.
.
.
Mia gritted her teeth as she watched the scene unfold and thought, "It's my fault he was defeated. I need to help him, no matter what." Determined, Mia used the last bit of mana that kept her conscious and decided to manipulate my body, specifically my brain. Her plan was to make me regain consciousness and trick my mind into thinking I wasn't injured.
With extreme concentration, Mia channeled her mana through her fingers and delicately launched it at my forehead. She closed her eyes to try to have a stronger connection, so that the mana current she had created between us wouldn't break.
As she continued to weave the connection between us, my body began to tremble slightly. My breathing became deeper, and my eyes moved rapidly under my closed eyelids.
Mia maintained her concentration, feeling the mana flow through her as she manipulated my mind. She needed to be careful, not wanting to cause any irreparable damage that could harm my mind.
Finally, after a few seconds of manipulation, Mia felt a slight sigh escape my lips. My eyes opened slowly, and I blinked a few times, confused. But as I remembered my last memories before passing out, I quickly stood up, ready to return to the battle.
Mia let out a sigh of relief, happy that her plan had worked. "Thank goodness you woke up, or else I would have had to wake you up with a smack," she joked calmly, smiling at me.
Tatsuya and the people around were shocked by my instant recovery. My body was full of injuries, but for some reason, I seemed ready for anything. Suddenly, Tatsuya started laughing and said, "I think you have a very powerful friend, Edward."
I have a powerful friend? What is he talking about? I frowned and looked at Mia, who was kneeling on the ground, panting, and innocently asked, "Are you okay?" She became irritated hearing that stupid question and replied, "Do I look okay?"
"Uh, no..." What did I do wrong? I asked worried about her well-being.
"Ah, forget it... Anyway, I'll stay here. The rest is up to you from now on," she said as she dangerously used the mana that kept her heart beating to teleport her gun into my hands. A risky move that could easily end her life, but Mia didn't seem to care.
I felt a heavy object in my right hand, which fit perfectly, giving a comfortable sensation. When I looked at my hand, I realized it was a gun.
"This is heavy," I thought.
Suddenly, I heard Mia calling me, "Hey." I turned to her and noticed she was giving me a mysterious smile. "Don't lose it," she said, winking before fainting.
I felt a chill running down my spine. Mia had sacrificed herself to help me, and now I needed to finish it. I faced Tatsuya, who seemed unconcerned about my miraculous recovery, and pointed the gun in his direction.
"You know, Edward, I actually liked you. It was a shame I had to end you so soon," Tatsuya said with a cynical smile.
The fight that would continue the path to the Tower of the Golden Flowers would finally begin...
[...]
Author's note:
The warning "NOW" is what ended the flashback. In previous chapters, the scene of Edward's fight against the 30 men was shown.