Algernon Black

(Chapter 95) The Line Between Us

Lucy ran as fast as she could through the forest, feeling almost weightless as the force of her magic pushed against gravity for her. The propulsion technique meant she could cover more distance than she ever could in her regular running pace. But it was a hard thing acclimate to as she was in the air for a lot longer and landing on the bumpy and uneven forest floor was challenging. Still, Lucy pushed herself until the arches of her feet swelled and eventually, she covered enough distance she began to think that even Algernon wouldn't be able to find her.

That was of course until he found her.

Dark flashes of movement appeared between the tree breaks besides Lucy and adrenaline flooded her veins. She put everything into running faster and making sharp turns that she hoped would trick his footing, but Algernon was locked on, appearing in every break between the trees with his scythe slicing through the air as he matched her gains.

Lucy sprang forward with more force behind her magic, but every time she got somewhat ahead and lost sight of Algernon, he reappeared, keeping pace without breaking a sweat by using the technique with much more speed and accuracy.

Fear coursed through Lucy's body. It was terrifying to be chased by Algernon, especially after she had just seen him take out half of the students in the tournament with one swing of his weapon. But she had promised Luke. Lucy bit her cheeks, preparing for the longest liftoff she had attempted so far. She sent bursts of energy to her feet, feeling the acute pain it caused but it was working. She flew feet off the ground, which is when Algernon decided to end the hunt. With one swift motion, he tore Lucy out of the air by her ankle and flat onto her back.

All air ejected out of Lucy's lungs. Algernon stood above her, his scythe still in hand, as his chest rose and fell.

"I thought you were supposed to be naked," Algernon grumbled, sounding disappointed as his eyes hazy with adrenaline and something else rolled over Lucy. "Just for Luke lying to me, I'm taking this." He knelt to slide his fingers under Lucy's bracelet.

"No," Lucy weakly cried, trying to pull her hand away.

Algernon paused. A sick part of him liked to watch her struggle, and with his self-restraint already weakened from all the efforts he expended today, he didn't fight strongly against his twisted indulgences.

He stiffened his hold on the bracelet and started to draw it off. Lucy watched the commander's bracelet glowing blue color diminish, knowing it meant she was about to lose the game for her entire team.

"No!" Lucy croaked out, but Algernon just watched her with ruthless apathy, leaning in to get a closer view of her pointless struggling. "Algernon please, don't," she begged, voice strained and high pitched. Algernon hesitated, and Lucy sensed it.

"Please." Algernon completely forgot about the game and the context of her plea. He just knew that he really liked seeing her beg for him.

"Would you like to fight me for it instead?" Algernon asked his eyes lazingly moving over her.

A shudder shot down Lucy's spine as Algernon's voice came out deep and sharp like the teeth of an animal with his fangs hovered right above the artery in her neck, to which he was very close to sinking in.

Lucy knew she was being toyed with, like how a cat would release a mouse so it could hunt it down again. Still, she nodded.

Algernon set her free but stared her down. "Then I won't go easy on you."

Despite shaking knees, Lucy stood up for the first time to Algernon as his opponent and realized the overwhelming dread all felt when faced by the Algernon Black.