Meanwhile, far behind the Hortensia team, Ayaka was making a magic circle using a stick on the ground. It wasn't a fairly large one, but it was big enough for her to stand in, not that she did.
"I'm done,"
She said, tossing the stick away. The girl got five stones out of the belt on her waist. They were magic stones.
Ayaka sighed, putting them on each point of the magic circle's star.
"It's a complete stretch to reveal our trump card on the first match. Sakura-senpai did ask me to but... Oh well, besides, it comes down to luck."
Saying that she had an evil smile on her face. Ayaka took something out of her pocket. It had a wheel and an 'X' on it.
"The Wheel of Fortune: Activate."
The card disappeared—a golden glow veiled Ayaka, bestowing her with enhanced luck. This was the use of tarots; the Major Arcana.
It was only a replica. Any of the original 20 would bestow a godly effect on the user.
"Now, I call upon you, the fire spirit, Prometheus!"
As she laid her hand out, a blue crest appeared on the back of her hand and the magic circle shone blue. Water came out of the ground, creating a small fairy in blue, floating in front of the girl.
⟨Hm? Who's summoned the great Undine?!⟩
"This is my first time summoning a spirit and you just had to be so arrogant."
Ayaka loathed that she summoned Undine, the water spirit. She intended for the fire spirit, Prometheus, but luck doesn't mean that you'll get what you want.
Elemental Spirits were spirits of each element of magic. There were five spirits, fire, water, earth, wind and lightning. They were free-use spirits who would summon calls if they wanted. Of course, it wasn't easy to summon them.
The spirit puffed her cheek.
⟨Hah?! You summoned an Elemental Spirit and you're ungrateful!⟩
"Shut up and just abide by the temporary contract, please. I don't have for your bickering."
⟨Hey, do you know who you're talking to?! I am Undine, the most benevolent, most beautiful, most charming, water spirit! If you act all sassy, I won't help you!⟩
Ayaka felt annoyed having to deal with an Elemental Spirit that was acting like a kid.
'Aren't Elemental Spirits supposed to be hundreds of years old?'
She questioned.
"Well, then, the great Undine, will you allow me to borrow your omnipotent abilities?"
The fairy looked surprised but smirked.
⟨Yes, I shall! I'm not a heartless monster! Let's get this started, shall we? Water Arc!⟩
Both spirit and user were in sync. Ayaka did the same hand motions as Undine. Her hand cut through the air, sending a large crescent water blade towards the direction of the flag.
·———·
Sakura and Mami were fighting while Yoru and Isamu were watching. Sakura dodged an attack from Mami and went for an opening.
"Shit...!"
Mami put her arms up to block but it didn't work.
"Huh?!"
Sakura grabbed Mami from under her arms and put her in a hold.
"What are you doing?!"
"Can you block this?"
Isamu ran over to Mami in an attempt to save her but Yoru stopped him, pushing him back into a tree.
A large blade of water rushed toward Mami. She had no defence against it.
[Oh! This attack must be from Ayaka Satsuki! It has reached here! It's the end of Mami Yumi! With Sakura Chibana holding her down, she has no way to defend herself!]
"Crescent Moon, Fourth Blade..."
A boy jumped in front of the water blade. Both Mami's and Sakura's eyes widened in surprise. The boy unsheathed his sword.
"Moon Pillar!"
He cut down in a straight line, destroying the ground in front of him.
The water blade fell to the ground, exploding into steam.
[Oh, Ayato Kyouya stopped the water blade with swordsmanship! What isn't he good at?!]
"What the hell...?"
Sakura muttered.
Ayato walked toward the two of them. The boy raised his leg.
'He's going to kick me?!'
Sakura backed away instinctively, regrouping with Yoru. Isamu regrouped with the other two.
"Why did you back away? You had the upper hand there."
Yoru told her.
"He was going to kick—!"
Then she realised. Ayato smiled.
He used his display from yesterday to his advantage. People tend to forget things when focused. The only impression that the others had of him was a monster with overwhelming power.
It wasn't strange that she retreated due to fear.
"You tricked me!"
"Hey, I wouldn't have kicked you anyway."
He said, sheathing his black blade with his left hand still on the sheath.
Any prey knew that they didn't stand a chance against an apex predator.
"Isamu-senpai, can you deal with the attacks from our rear? Diverting them will be enough. If your Magic Seal isn't enough, then destroy the ground or call for my help. Don't hesitate."
Ayato told him. Isamu moved behind their backs, ready for another attack.
The black-haired boy made eye contact with Mami. She looked at his eyes before clicking her tongue, irritated.
"Fine, we'll go with Plan B. You better be prepared."
She said to him.
"Don't worry, I always am."
Sakura was prepped for battle but she was nervous. Ayato Kyouya made her feel this way.
'He's two years younger than me and yet he has me this frightened... This'll come down to who can knock out the others faster. We have around 5 minutes before the match ends. Sudden death will be a disadvantage for us.'
Sakura focused on Ayato. She couldn't get over his overwhelming presence. It felt like she was going to cave in. Yoru felt the same.
Ayato dashed toward them. Yoru jumped in front of Sakura. As Ayato unsheathed his blade, he flipped it.
"Starless Night."
He hit Yoru with the flat side of his blade. Yoru was pushed back slightly.
There was no need to switch his blade. Without mana, Asteria couldn't cut through the uniforms but could deal sufficient blunt damage.
This action that Ayato took was to confuse Yoru. Even if he could see the future, he wouldn't know what would come directly after the future he saw.
Ayato sheathed his blade, barely a metre away from Sakura.
'Oh shit... But...'
"Crescent Moon, Third Blade: Star Cross."
Sakura was hit by the blade. She took the two hits and rewarded Ayato's efforts with a punch. She hit him directly in the face.
"Damn!"
He shouted.
He was thinking, 'Damn, that hurt,' since he always fought with mana. Excluding his magician body and mind, he was like a master swordsman fighting superhumans.
However, that didn't matter. Ayato Kyouya would do his job either way.
[What?! In this situation?!]
"You're struggling, are you okay there, junior?"
Mami asked in a smug tone.
"I'm fine, you just focus on your job."
Mami Yumi stood behind Ayato with the flag in her hand.
[Auralia took the flag amid this chaos?! They're totally at a disadvantage! I guess they don't care! With only 4 minutes left, it's literally the countdown to disaster!]