Stories of Acoptia

Ch. 14 Leodore Crownstone #5 - The fights continue

The crowd went into hushed whispers, waiting for the second match to begin.

"Z? Must be a pseudonym of some sort. Interesting, people usually don't do that when it comes to fighting," Emerick said, stroking his chin.

"Introducing the first fighter! A mysterious individual only calling themselves Z. They don't have any record of duels and were only accepted because they beat the try-out opponent!" the announcer's voice boomed.

From the right gate walked out the mysterious participant. They were short, standing at around 164 centimetres tall. Wearing heavy silver plate armour that looked easily two sizes too big for them.

They took awkward steps forward. Z's face was obstructed by a silver helmet, covering their entire head so it was impossible to make out any other features.

"Very interesting..." Emerick added.

"Mhm..." Leodore agreed, squinting his eyes.

"And now introducing their opponent! Knight Roven Triald! With an impressive record of 27-2! Give it up for him!"

From the left side emerged a tall, bulky shape. Standing at 182 centimetres along with the sturdy build. Roven was fitted with heavy bronze armour.

His weapon choice unorthodox - a flail with a giant spiked ball on the end. An intimidating weapon as the spiked ball was bigger than Z's upper body. Z cumbersomely walked forward, pulling out two daggers.

"Get ready! 3...2...1! Go!" the announcer called out.

Roven Triald immediately made towards Z, spinning his flail. Z slowly back-pedalled as the giant man closed the distance, bringing down the flail. Z jumping back, narrowly avoiding the weapon as the giant ball hit the ground with a loud thud. Cracking the ground slightly.

Falling on their back because of the unfit armour, Z scrambled back to feet. But Triald was quicker. Kicking Z in the stomach region, launching them rolling on the ground. Yet Z was back on their feet in no time, this time sprinting back all the way next to the walls of the arena.

"What are they doing?" Leodore quizically looked on.

The mysterious fighter stopped. Lifting the left leg first, they removed the straps of the heavy-plated armor boots. Hitting the ground with a clunk. After doing the same with the other foot as well. Now barefoot and with only skin-tight leather pants.

It was obvious that the armour was way too large as the feet looked three times smaller than the armoured boots they just escaped. Tapping each of their feet on the ground Z stretched. And then in a split second, with blitzing speed, started sprinting towards Roven.

The latter had no time to react as Z quickly cut his chest twice, once with each dagger, before quickly jumping away.

"Aha! That's a woman." Emerick chuckled.

"And how do you know that?" Leodore asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Let's just say I'm well versed in these things," Emerick responded with a smile.

Roven stumbled, almost losing his footing, taken aback by the sudden speed and clean technique by his opponent.

"What in the!? You're gonna pay for this!" he shouted out lifting his flail and swinging it around.

Z calmly started walking towards the raging man. The daggers in her hands now had a vibrant pulsating violet colour.

"She must be at the 3rd stage of Mana focus," Leodore asserted. Now slightly worried because that could end up being his next opponent.