"This really fucking sucks. I've a good mind to find and kill whoever's responsible for this turn of events, as brutally as I possibly can," I grumbled as I munched on a sandwich.
"Yeah, I'm definitely with you there, this is a load of bullshit," Nodded Aura in agreement, an annoyed look on her face.
The quarter final round was over, there's only four competitors left now, and next up is the semi final round...or at least, that's how it was supposed to go.
But about halfway through the break between the quarter and semi final rounds, one of the organizers showed up and informed us that the semi final round would be delayed for a bit longer, and then left without elaborating any further.
Initially, I didn't have any problem with that, none whatsoever. After all, the more time I have between matches to rest and recover my strength, the better. But while I took no issue with the delay itself, the reason for the delay, on the other hand...
Half an hour after informing us of the delay, the organizer returned, and told us that we'd each have to participate in one more match before moving on to the semi final round. In other words, we're effectively going to have to fight in a second quarter final round.
We were then each given a Healing Potion, I guess that was supposed to be some kind of compensation or something?
What a steaming pile of shit.
Four more competitors, none of whom were in the original batch of sixty-four, have been added to the tournament bracket, and the four including me who'd actually earned our spots in the semi finals will each fight one of them and have to win if we want to reach the semis.
I'll admit, I kinda lost my cool and took it out on the organizer. I knocked the guy down, took out a gun, put it to his head and demanded a proper explanation. Yeah, that might have been a bit of a overreaction, but I think I was quite justifiably pissed.
I mean, I've got no margin for error here, I have to win this tournament to ensure myself a spot in the Guild, and adding another fight into the mix lowers my chances.
Anyway, after I snapped, the organizer was quick to admit that the four additions to the tournament had only been approved entry because they were backed by an influential person in the Capital, Valefar City, someone who works for the Royal family or something like that.
They were actually supposed to arrive yesterday, they had a letter from their backer to give the Guildmaster of the Astaroth Guild, and would possibly have replaced four of the already-registered contestants.
But they got the date wrong and ended up arriving a day late.
They're apparently Knights in training, they've only come here to test their abilities. According to the organizer I questioned, the Guildmaster owes their backer a debt, so he couldn't refuse. That's why they were sent here instead of any of the other Guilds in the country, like, you know, the Guild that's in the Capital itself.
I then calmed myself down and let the organizer go, apologizing as well. I almost literally shot the messenger, which would've been a dick move on my part.
It wasn't his fault, after all.
He was surprisingly understanding and accepted my apology without a fuss, it probably helped my case that Aura and the other two who'd made it this far were absolutely furious at this development too.
Before he left, I advised him not to send the four new additions to the tournament into this waiting room with us, for obvious reasons.
Anyway, I'll be the first to fight one of these unwelcome guests. That'll be in about ten minutes, it's been almost a full hour's delay from the time the semi finals were supposed to start.
"Whoever my next opponent is, they're dead, they're fucking dead...if they really think they can just jump right into the tournament without having earned their spots and suffer no consequences, they're dead wrong. Emphasis on dead," Muttered Aura venomously, her voice laced with bloodlust.
"Couldn't have said it better myself," I chuckled with a nod of approval, my irritation subsiding a bit.
"Hi, there. How's it going?" Came a voice from behind me, as I glanced back to see a guy approaching me.
He's the one I would've fought in the semi final round if it wasn't for this delay. I watched his previous matches, and I gotta say, he seems to be pretty skilled..
His Magic isn't the most powerful, but it's pretty versatile in the way he utilizes it, and his physical combat skills are quite good, at least for this world.
His fighting style is one I can appreciate as well, he uses dual blades and wields his Magic creatively, he won most of his previous matches using attacks that most would label as dirty tricks.
He's a Felinoid, so his agility and senses are naturally sharp, he probably would've presented my toughest challenge in the tournament yet. And now, it's possible that I won't get to fight him at all.
"What do you want?" I inquired suspiciously, as I met his gaze with a frown.
"Hey, easy now, I'm not here to pick a fight, far from it. Actually, I kind of admire you, watching your fights was both inspiring and entertaining," He replied with a smile.
He was tall with an agile build, he had dark skin, medium-length black hair that framed his face, with dark brown eyes and short, thick eyebrows. And, of course, he had cat ears and a tail.
"Uh...thanks, I guess?" I responded uncertainly.
"Is this, like, a confession thing? Am I in getting the way of some dick-docking right now?" Chimed in Aura with an amused look on her face.
God, I hope not. Also, I don't think I've ever heard the term 'dick-docking' before, that's a new one...
"I, uh...I'm flattered and stuff, I guess? But I don't swing that way. No judgement, you do you, but I'm afraid I can't reciprocate," I remarked awkwardly, a bemused look on the cat guy's face, before he let out a slight laugh...
"Oh, no, it's nothing like that. It's just, we were supposed to fight each other next, but unfortunately, politics reared its ugly head. As you may have noticed if you watched my previous fights, I possess an Ordinary Support Class, and since most people say I fight dirty, I've often been ridiculed too, just like you-..."
"Ahem. I'm sorry, but I'm really not interested in hearing your sob story. If there's a point to this, just cut right to it," I interrupted dryly.
"Right, my apologies...like I said, you've really impressed me, I found the audience's reactions to the way you kept taking down opponents whom everyone expected to easily defeat you pretty amusing.
But I'll admit, I'm kinda salty...because I wanted to invoke those reactions myself, since I, someone with an Ordinary Magic Class, have also defeated several Advanced Magic users to get to this point.
That's why, now, I intend on defeating you. If I, an Ordinary Magic user, defeats you, the enigma who's been taking down Advanced Magic users one after the other so one-sidedly, it should provoke some pretty amusing reactions," He remarked with a grin.
Hm...okay, I can certainly respect that.
"Yeah, good luck with that. So, you done?"
"You're quite blunt, aren't you? Well, that's certainly not a trait I dislike. There's one thing I'm curious about, your weapons. Where did you get weapons like that? I've never seen anything like them," He said in fascination.
"Oh, yeah, I've actually been wondering about that too," Spoke up Aura curiously.
"Hm...I'd prefer to decline to answer that question," I responded with a shrug.
"Oh, well that's disappointing, but understandable. Alright, then, how about a friendly wager? If we both make it to the semi finals and I defeat you, I'd like one of your weapons. I'm happy to wager my blades in return-..."
"Thanks, but no thanks. There's nothing in it for me to accept a wager like that. No offense, but I'm not interested in your swords," I turned down the suggestion, before adding with a wry smile, "But if you really want my weapons that bad, then all you gotta do is kill me and take them for yourself."
"Hahaha, it's not everyday someone so casually dares me to try and kill them! But no, I don't think I'll do that...you're a pretty intriguing and unusual person, it'd be a waste to kill you. Alright, I think I've said all I wanted to say, so I'll get out of your hair," He replied with a chuckle as he turned around and began to walk away with a wave, before pausing and adding as he glanced back, "Oh, how rude of me, I never introduced myself, did I? My name's Declaque Snare, it's nice to meet you."
"Jaedfern Meraled, and I suppose this wasn't the most unbearable conversation I've ever had."
"Wow, that was such a tsundere line. If you had a foot fetish, I'd call you Rin Toe-Sucker," Chuckled Arkiela as she popped her head out of my collar.
That's...actually kinda funny. But since she's making fun of me, I'm so gonna swat her and flick her boobs a whole lot after the tournament.
And speaking of the tournament, it's almost time for my next match. Time to make my way down to the arena...
...
"So, you're my opponent, eh? I saw you fight earlier today...and I've never seen anyone fight so dishonorably, you disgust me. It'll be my pleasure to put you in your place," Declared my opponent, as we stepped onto the arena.
Excuse me? I literally didn't even say anything, and that's how he greets me? Yeah, imma kill this bastard.
"Hah, you've gotta be kidding me, you pretentious, hypocritical asshole...after the way you lot wormed your way into the middle of this tournament without actually earning your spot, don't talk to me about being dishonorable. Try repeating what you said to me while looking in the mirror, dipshit," I scoffed tauntingly as I flipped him off.
"Wha-...!? How vulgar...perhaps I ought to simply just cut you down instead. I will not be insulted by the likes of you," He shot back icily.
What a prick, he insulted me first and then gets all pissy because I insulted him back?
"This guy used Lightning Magic, his Mana Pool is on the smaller side, so it's unlikely that he'll use too many large scale Spells, if any at all. And unless that fancy sword on his hip is just for decoration, he's probably a swordsman," Arkiela informed me.
Hm, let's find out.
"Cut me down, huh? Quit acting like you actually know how to use that gaudy, decorative sword of yours," I laughed with a condescending look on my face.
"You bastard, how dare you? This sword has been passed down in my family for generations, I have been trained to wield it since I was but a child! Very well, then, the first thing that I shall cut...is that arrogant tongue of yours," He declared, drawing out his blade and pointing it at me.
"Hm, that so?" I responded indifferently, before glancing at the ref with a raised eyebrow as I gestured to my opponent.
"Huh? Oh, right...excuse me, but you're not allowed to draw a weapon or charge up a Spell before the fight begins," The ref informed him.
"Ah, my apologies, I was not aware," Came the response, as he sheathed his blade.
Yeah, of course he doesn't know all the tournament rules. I mean, why would he?
Alright, this guy has given me even more reason to kill him. He's clearly very prideful, and before I kill him, I want to shatter that pride. And the best way to do so, would be to beat him at his own game.
I put up my guard as the ref began the countdown, my opponent getting into his stance, his hand hovering over the handle of his sword as he glared at me fiercely.
Ohh, I'm gonna enjoy this...
"Three! Two! One! Begin!"
"Now, you die!" Exclaimed my opponent, drawing out his sword and charging at me.
He's full of openings...this might be easier than I thought. I opened my Item Box and took out a katana, latching the sheathe onto my belt before drawing the blade out as he began to close in on me.
From what I've seen over the previous rounds, the swordsmanship techniques in this world is pretty unrefined. Or rather, it's too straightforward and easy to predict.
And of the few exceptions that I've seen, it's either people who fight using instinct, or with techniques that they've likely developed on their own.
Like that cat boy who approached me earlier, he uses his dual blades very instinctively. His technique is very rough around the edges, but it has the potential to surpass the rigid, overly orthodox sword techniques that are established in this world.
Now, I'm no master swordsman, far from it, but I did spent a fair chunk of my free time in my previous world messing around with swords. I mean, swords are cool, and I liked the feeling of swinging one around.
And I've been training relentlessly with my various bladed weapons for the last eight years since reincarnating into this world, and I'm quite confident with my current level of swordplay...
As my opponent closed in on me and slashed at my throat, I ducked under his slash before parrying his blade off to the side with mine as he swung it straight down at me while coating the blade in lightning, causing him to overbalance slightly as I parried the sword, before I swiftly slammed my foot onto his stomach and sent him stumbling back with a winded grimace.
He let out an enraged snarl as he shot towards me again, his eyes burning with anger...the way he's holding his sword, he likely intends to unleash an upward slash at me this time, and with how tight his grip is, the chance of this being a feint is slim to none.
How boringly predictable.
As he began to close in on me, I swiftly stepped forward and closed the gap myself, his eyes widening slightly before he gritted his teeth and began to swing his blade up at me, before I used the back of my blade's handle to strike the base of his handle before he could exert any momentum into his swing, a pained look on his face as the impact jarred his hands.
I then grabbed the top of my sheathe and swung it up with a flick of my wrist, striking his chin with the bottom of the sheath before he even noticed it swinging up towards him, eliciting a sharp, startled cry from him.
He began to try and back away in alarm, before I swiftly grabbed his collar and yanked him back, striking his forehead with mine and sending him stumbling back with a dazed groan.
Despite being disoriented, he quickly took several steps back to try and regain his bearings. I started to chase after him, before pausing and instead smirking at him condescendingly to taunt him to attack me again, letting out a disdainful scoff at him as he met my gaze with a glare.
Aw, he looks so confused and frustrated, bet he didn't expect someone he deemed to be 'dishonorable' to be a better swordsman than he is.
Swords were kinda irrelevant in the era I used to live in since guns were a thing, but I'm glad I spent so much of my free time messing around with swordplay.
I casually trained in Olympic fencing, rapier wielding in the HEMA style-...which stands for Historical European Martial Arts...-as well as Kendo and Iaido, plus I also dabbled in a few other obscure styles.
Well, I gave up on Iaido pretty early, it's basically quick-draw techniques, and was way too difficult to master while only training casually. Plus, quick-draw attacks aren't nearly as effective in real life as they are in anime.
That said, I'm a hell of a lot better at fighting with a sword now than I was in my previous life...like I said before, I've been training with my bladed weapons a lot over the past eight years, I used my knowledge of the various sword techniques I'd acquired in my previous world to sharpen, pun intended, my sword skills.
I only bought katanas in my previous world, I never bought fencing swords or rapiers, or any of the other types of swords that the techniques I studied were based on.
I mean, I was just doing it as a hobby because I thought it'd be a fun and cool way to occupy myself, thanks to watching a whole lot of anime, so yeah.
Anyway, since I only had katanas, I had to adjust the techniques of the other styles I dabbled in to suit the blade of a katana, and over the last eight years, I've combined various elements of those many styles into my own, unique style, with Kendo at its core.
"D-damn it, I...I refuse to lose to the likes of you!" Snapped my opponent, raising his hand in my direction as he exclaimed, "Take this, [Branched Lightning]!"
I swiftly shot forward, getting low to evade his Spell before taking out a throwing knife and flinging it at him.
His Spell abruptly cut off as he froze for a moment before swinging his sword across, deflecting and batting away my knife, before his eyes widened in alarm as I closed in on him, just about a meter away.
I can tell that he's trained hard with his swordsmanship, but...he has little to no real combat experience. That was made very clear by his delayed reaction just now.
"D-damn, you...!" He yelled as he slashed at my neck, which I easily evaded by abruptly halting, the tip of his blade missing my neck by a couple of inches as I stopped short of the range of his blade before he channeled lightning along the blade, raising it up high with both arms and swinging it down.
His swordplay is getting sloppier. This fight is over.
I unleashed a swift slash of my blade up and across, striking his blade before his swing could gather much momentum and knocking it back, his arms getting pulled back by the weight of his sword and causing his balance to waver and shift backwards, a look of desperation appearing in his eyes.
"Hm, you know what, I changed my mind...I won't kill you, after all," I remarked with a sadistic smirk, flipping my grip on the handle of my blade and swinging it back in the opposite direction as I took a half-step forward.
My blade whizzed through the air, before hitting the side of his right wrist...and slicing right through, severing his hand before continuing on and slashing off his left hand as well.
As blood sprayed out of his wrists violently and he stumbled back with a horrified scream of pain, I shot forward and unleashed a few rapid thrusts of my blade, striking and piercing his chest and shoulders, being careful not to stab the blade in too deeply.
My strikes left shallow puncture wounds across those spots, before I slammed my foot onto his stomach...and kicked him right off the arena, his back hitting the ground below with a thud, as he continued to wail in excruciation, staring at the stumps around his wrists with a look of horror, as I took out a flamethrower from my Item Box and set his severed hands ablaze with a quick burst of flames, making sure there was no chance he'll get his hands back.
Hm, looking at his expression right now, his pride broken to pieces and his fighting days over for good, the sheer horror and despair in his eyes...yeah, I made the right call on letting him live.
It was tempting, so damn tempting to kill him...but this is better. Because now he's going to have to live with this. And I don't just mean the injuries.
No, that's just a bonus...he'll have to live with his pride being crushed so brutally, he's gonna have nightmares about this day. And that's so much better than simply killing him and putting him out of his misery.
It's what he deserves after forcing his way into the tournament, not to mention insulting me unprovoked, bet he'll think twice about doing something like this again.
Heh, not that he can even if he wanted to. Not with those hands, or lack thereof...
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