The Black Swan

Chapter 18: A Dark Horse?

Months later.

Donning her cleanest set of white robes, Yoonie walked out from the shadows of the central dome to meet her competitor in the middle. Where they were, in the central assembly place of the faction, had been named <The Queen's Gambit>. When Iz*Land was under the colonial rule of a foreign power, certain historical moments that decided the fate of the Kingdom had been made in this very room. Arbiters of warfare and declarations of settlement had been crafted where Yoonie stood, bestowing it the name it now possessed.

"Challengers, are you ready?"

Yoonie sucked in a breath of air to steady herself. Moments prior, she could not have believed that she was going to do this. Have the many months of training and preparation been helpful? I certainly hope so... Unknowingly, her eyes glossed over the spectators looking down at them from a floor above. This battle was well-received - graced by hundred or so onlookers. As intended of her opponent, word had reached every single member of the faction, calling upon them to witness this unique contest of strength and magical prowess.

Yoonie returned to regard the empire facilitating the match. Ranked third in the faction, Daniel had been automatically assigned as the referee of the match - as Sakura, second in the faction, was not suitable due to her mentoring relationship with Yoonie. Owing to his rare Lava Magic abilities and wisdom, Daniel had proven to be a formidable advisor of the faction - and to the leader. Steering herself, Yoonie nods at him. Her opponent does the same in return - completely unphased by the match and confident, as she had always been.

"I hope you're ready, Yoonie."

Daniel raises his hands and holds them for a moment, ready to signal the commencement of the fight. "Challengers, get set,"

The opposition grabs her thin blade by the hilt, drawing it forward as she points it at Yoonie. Despite its slender edge, the rapier was sharpened skillfully, now in the hands of an expert. Its fervent red colour complemented the wielder's desire to win this fight, though knowing that Yoonie's combat skill was much lower than her own. She was known to be strict and demanded high standards of those below her - yet expecting no less of herself.

She will definitely want to close the distance between us - seeing that she is a fighter, not a magic user.

Alright Yoonie, you can do this.

"...Fight!"

Yoonie shot her opponent a smug look, feigning courage in an attempt to rid her own thoughts of self-doubt. She changes her stance in anticipation of her opponent's attacks.

"I am always ready...

....High Lady Eunbi."

-------

"She wants me to do what?" Yoonie exclaimed in disbelief, jaw agape as she could not believe what her mentor had conveyed.

"She wants to fight, and you can't disobey her. That's an order." Sakura stressed their leader's intention with a deadpan expression, focusing on hurling a tiny crystal on the water body ahead of them. The little gemstone skipped across the surface of the water several times, before plunging into the water as soon as it lost its momentum.