Crimsonic Maiden

Chapter 3

He started marching towards the center, where will held our duel. I followed him through as well and faced each other at the center. My partner followed me to the center and him? He walked solo; well, he didn’t name anyone to help him.

“You don’t want a partner? It’s okay that we’ll be having a one on one.” I said.

“I’m fine. I can take you on both. This is good, so our audience won’t see a boring match.” He replied.

“You’re as proud as hell.” I said.

“Let’s cut all this chitchat and get started.”

I could only clench my fists. This man was really as annoying as hell.

“If both parties agree in this set up, then we shall now proceed on the practice match.” Mr. Ramirez walked in between us and gave us glances before raising his hand. “Let the practice match, BEGIN!” he announced.

I kicked-off the first move and dashed towards him. I threw my fist towards him that he just masterfully dodged and backed off.

I won’t give you a breathing space!

Before he can reestablish his stance, I fired volleys of arrows towards his direction. In which he kept on hopping and backflipping to dodge all of them. Every arrow and every attack I did, he just dodged it.

“So, that’s all you’ll do whole day? Just dodge?” I scoffed.

“You’re not worth it…” He dryly replied.

I sat on my stance and brought my bow forward, loaded it with bows I had in my back, I aimed towards our nemesis. Even with me ready to shoot him with my valleys of arrows, he remained standing there not moving an inch and still had that dull glint in his eyes.

“Seems like you’re still not convinced about taking this match seriously. Let me show you this!” I roared.

I let go of the arrow aimed straight towards the guy in front of us. But it only pierced through empty space as he just easily dodged it.

“I’ll charge and support me long range. Let’s corner him with our concentrated attack Mira!” Torry said, charging towards our enemy with her dagger.

She swiftly dashed straight to him, closely grazing him with her dagger. Yeah, that’s all he’s planning to do this day, just dodging our attacks. Torry initiated a series of swing combos with her dagger, and I fired valleys of arrows towards his direction. Of course, all my aims were careful and dead-on only to hit our enemy not include my partner.

I will just exhaust my bow reserves with this attack pattern and were still hoping to graze him a bit. He was almost dancing seeing him dodge all our concentrated attacks to him.

Closely watching the two, I charged closer to them looking for fresh angles to hit him on his blind spots. Torry continued to unleash her increasingly fast combo of swings with her dagger. She’s really doing a good job with her attacks; it’ll be just a matter of time now before we can hit him if he still insists on not drawing his sword.

Torry slashed her dagger diagonally downward, but of course Deven only dodged that by stepping back a bit. With the built-up momentum she spun and drew a round trajectory with her dagger trying to hit him this time around. It was close but Deven masterfully dodged it again by stepping backwards again. Torry caught on this pattern, she longed with her dagger towards him. He stepped sideward to dodge the attack again. But it’s all on Torry’s plan, she ceased moving forward and initiated to s***h her target horizontally.

Deven drew a lopsided smile on his face. He drew his sword slightly, blocking Torry’s dagger with only the hilt of his sword. Sparks went flying upon the impact of the two weapons, metallic ear-rending sound reverberated the area. I couldn’t believe it, he pulled something like that instantaneously all while he was off balance a bit. You could see it obviously in Torry’s face as well that she couldn’t believe it as well.

Taking advantage of that instant reaction, Deven spun and delivered a blow towards Torry’s back using only his hands. Torry went crashing to the ground and laid unconscious.

“Torry!” I exclaimed.

As fast as I could, I dashed towards Deven now with his back turned towards me. Upon getting close enough I extended my arms and throw my fist towards him. But at that very instant, he suddenly vanished in front of me. I felt he spun again quickly and now he’s behind me. I immediately ducked and slid forward to avoid his blow.

“Is that what you all plan? Dodge and dodge?”

“Your attacks were too slow and weak.” he replied coldly.

“Then, let’s get the pace faster!” I roared.

I charged again towards him as quick and snappy as possible. Charging then, trying to corner him with my volleys of arrows when he’s still out of balance upon dodging my initial strikes. I need to be more creative now if I really want to hit him. Riding with the momentum, I can now read his next move, where he plans to evade, and his habits all while the pace was increasing.

What’s really frustrating was, I couldn’t seem to use my weapon as much as I’d like! How could this be happening?

“Your weapon doesn’t suit you…” he said.

“What?”

“You're not really worth it. I’ll now finish the duel.” he declared.

At breakneck speed, he suddenly charged towards me. I couldn’t even react or blink when he dashed towards me. He was just ridiculously too fast. In with that split second, my bow flew towards the air. I was utterly surprised and just watched him getting closer and just fell silent. I could hear my bow crashing to the floor, as he moved closer to me.

“Winner! Deven Night Wilson.” Mr. Ramirez declared.

He just stared towards me for a moment before turning his back and walked towards the side. He just returned the weapon he used on the shelf and went out of the room.

“Are you okay Mira? You seem really pale.” Torry tapped on my shoulder.

I could only bit on my lip. As my chest felt really tight. This frustration eating me again. Am I really that weak? To be actually told that I am not a worthy opponent? I clenched my fist and trembled in anger.

“Mira?” Torry whispered.

“I’m fine. It’s good to see that you’re fine as well.” I sighed. And went out as well.

I heard Mr. Ramirez announced that as an end of our class and we could all go home now. This was our last subject for today. I only changed clothes on the changing room and got all the stuff I left in our locker. I walked straight along the lobby until I could reach the gate and went outside of the school.

I kept on walking ahead and a car stopped by on the side. I ceased on walking and looked at the car. I scanned the area first if anyone’s around before getting inside the car. The engines started and revved, and I could only look outside the window as the car began moving again.

Months Later…

“Okay guys, now that you have each of your own weapons. We will now group you for the missions.” Our instructor said.

After that mock battle ended, our instructors helped us in choosing and figuring out the weapons that’s best for us and would fit to us. After finding out the right weapons for each of us, we started to learn to cultivate our soul energies so we can use that to make our weapons. Well, it’s just pretty easy for us now since we were told how to do that since when we were kids. We’re just here to improve things on how to do that.

This school teaches us students how to harness our soul energy efficiently and make it to weapons. They’ll first make us understand what’s a soul energy. Well, we’re all told that all humans in this world have that soul energy. By using that as a weapon to defend ourselves. Soul energy weapons were far more formidable and stronger than any weapon crafted by humans so far.

Everybody learned all this and used this now every day. All that weapons made of metal or wood were made to be practice weapons now.

“Are we doing big missions right off the bat?” one of our classmates asked.

“Not yet. You’re not still ready. The level of missions you will receive will be decided by us, your instructors, who will also handle you.” our instructor replied.

The class started to form groups. Our classmates going and forming their groups with their friends. Then, we realized that our group only consisted of two. Me and Torry of course, while the other groups had at least five in them. I wandered my eyes around looking for anyone who hadn’t formed their groups yet. And I saw on the corner those three people whom I the last people on earth I would group with.

“Awwww, it’s only the two of us Mira!” Torry held my arms.

“What’s the use of having a lot in the crew if the others won’t be so useful.” I replied.

“Wait! I think I saw Kova. Yes, there’s Kova and the rest! Why don’t we join them instead, since there’s only the two of us, while there’s three of them. It’ll be perfect for us and we’ll be five now.”

“I think, that’s not a good idea Torry.” I scoffed.

“Why not?”

Well, I am not saying that Torry’s pushing the teaming up because of Deven. Because, Kova and Torry already know each other since they were kids. They’re really close childhood friends.

I locked my eyes to her. Torry I don’t really want to team up with that guy. That guy’s really full of air around him and he’s a hypocrite brat. I feel like my blood will boil when I see that guy really. But yeah, of course, I cannot tell her all of that. So, I could only sigh.

“Mira?” Torry stared at me as well.

“Can’t you see all that crowd blocking the way to them?” I asked.

“Why would they care? Is it our fault now that Deven don’t want to group with them?” she scoffed.

Well, I couldn’t say anything. I give up. I surrender. Seems like there’s no changing her mind now. Right in this stupid moment, where we’re cornered. She won’t stop persuading me anyway, If I ever decline her suggestion.

“Kova!” Torry called her childhood friend and approached them.

I could only watch them talking to each other. And after a minute, they looked towards my direction. Kova waved his hand to me and smiled. I did the same. Of course, he’s my friend as well and we know each other well, since we’re all classmates.

Torry gestured, inviting me to come to their side. And so, even if I still don’t like this situation I walked towards their side. I took a glance to Deven and wondered what would his reaction be. And what would I expect to him? He’s just leaning on the wall and didn’t even cared at all.