The words fell from Klaus's lips and, as they did, Keira found herself drawn to the beast cores nestled in his grasp. Her head dipped in a slow nod, her eyes never wavering from the spectral glow of the cores.
The change they were causing within Klaus was evident - their energy seeping into him, altering him in a manner both fascinating and terrifying. If these were the effects of C-Rank cores, she couldn't help but ponder the transformations a B-Rank could instigate.
"I will assist you," she pledged, her voice soft as the murmur of a summer breeze.
At the sound of Keira's affirmation, Klaus's face broke into a wide smile, his anticipation written as plainly as a book. Eagerly, he turned his attention back to the beast core, ready to continue his examination.
But before he could take a step, the voice of Valeria rang out, clear and commanding.
"Wait, Klaus," she intoned.
Her gaze flicked between Keira and Klaus, a thoughtful pause hanging in the air. Finally, her eyes rested on Klaus, a knowing smirk playing on her lips as she made her proposition.
"I have a proposition you won't be able to resist."
Keira's face darkened at Valeria's words, a sense of foreboding flooding her senses. She didn't need to hear the proposition to know that Valeria's offer would only spell out trouble.
Undeterred by the stormy look on Keira's face, Valeria dove into the depths of her proposal. "A duel. You against Keira. Win, and I'll give you an A-Rank beast core."
The words hung heavy in the silence that followed, a pallor of shock washing over the faces of those present.
Keira's gaze locked with Valeria's, her face a mirror of disbelief. Her eyes widened, her mouth fell open, the shock etched on her face deepening with every passing second.
It was as if she was grappling with the reality of Valeria's proposal, struggling to comprehend the audacious wager. But the truth was irrefutable. Valeria had just staked an A-Rank beast core on a duel between her and Klaus.
Though Klaus was yet to grasp the true worth of an A-Rank beast core, the shock that had etched itself onto Keira's face told him all he needed to know. Lured by the pulsating energy radiating from the cores in his hand, he could barely contemplate the existence of an object of even greater power and value.
A manic glee spread across his features, his heart pounding with exhilaration.
Keira, on the other hand, moved swiftly through her shock, her expression settling into a neutral mask.
Her gaze sharpened, locking onto Valeria as she spoke. "I'm not sure how you managed to obtain an A-Rank beast core, but I'm certain you have more practical uses for it."
Her voice was frosty, her face severe as she continued, "Perhaps enhancing your own cultivation. Considering you're the weakest among all of us here, it seems the most logical use." Keira didn't hold back, her words biting and harsh.
Each word was a knife, cutting into Valeria's pride and leaving her with a sour taste in her mouth. She bit her lower lip, attempting to keep her rising anger in check.
"But if you're set on squandering a treasure like an A-Rank beast core, by all means, cast it away. Who am I to stop you?" Keira challenged, the mockery apparent in her tone and mirrored on her face.
Valeria's hand curled into a tight fist. No matter how harsh the truth of Keira's words, it was the sting of them that fuelled her rage. Keira's expression, full of smug satisfaction, only served to fan the flames.
"Keira, you know me," she began, her voice steady despite the venom in her words. "I've always been one to gamble, even on the reckless side. In this case, I don't mind tossing an A-Rank beast core into the pot." Her words hung in the air, leaving Keira visibly taken aback.
Valeria's defiance caught Keira off guard, her surprise evident in the widening of her eyes.
The tension between the two women crackled in the air, a potent mix of surprise, defiance, and brewing conflict.
"Despite the cost and potential uses, I believe there's no greater joy than seeing you brought down," Valeria suddenly said, her voice laced with venom. Her gaze, filled with undisguised hatred, was locked onto Keira.
Keira's face flared with a sudden anger, but she soon quelled it, her features smoothing into a calm mask. "Very well," she replied, her voice icy, "I'll indulge you."
Throughout the verbal duel, Klaus had remained silent, a grin perched on his lips. Watching the fiery exchange between Keira and Valeria, his smile only broadened as Keira accepted the challenge.
As Valeria climbed onto the podium, Klaus and Keira turned to face each other.
"Allow me to keep the cores safe for you, Klaus," Margaret offered, her voice barely above a whisper.
Without a moment's hesitation, Klaus tossed the cores to her. She caught them with ease, her hands closing securely around them. Klaus then turned to face Keira, his battle stance firm, the jovial smile gone. In its place was a stony determination.
Keira mirrored him, her fists clenched and her face set in a stern mask.
Suddenly, Klaus sprung into action. His steps were quick, a blur as he closed the distance between them. His knee jerked up, aiming for Keira's midsection in a swift strike.
Reacting just as quickly, Keira parried the knee strike, pushing it downward. Her hand shot out, palm open, and slammed into Klaus's chest.
Bang!
The force of her strike sent Klaus stumbling backwards. His expression remained impassive, even as he steadied himself. No sooner had he regained his footing than he was lunging forward again, ready to attack.
Klaus's onslaught was relentless, a storm of punches and kicks that were as fast as they were fierce. Each strike carried a brutal force, demanding Keira to be alert at all times, not affording her a moment's respite.
In a sudden burst of movement, Klaus launched himself skyward, unfurling a kick in midair at Keira. However, Keira's reflexes were sharp, and she sidestepped just in time, his attack slicing through nothing but air.
Valeria watched the fight, her brows furrowing as she turned to Margaret. "Did you train him in secret? Is that why he's fighting so well?" she asked, her gaze never leaving the duel.
Klaus's every move seemed calculated, his attacks precise and swift. If not for Keira's agility and quick reaction, the fight would have been over by now. Valeria was convinced that Margaret must have had a hand in this surprising display.
Margaret shook her head, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "No, Valeria. I didn't train him. This is your doing," she said, her voice carrying a note of amusement.
Valeria's face registered her confusion. "My doing? How can that be possible?"
Margaret extended her hand, gesturing towards the battlefield. "Observe closely. His attacks...they mirror yours. It seems he's learned this from fighting with you," she concluded.