Everyone gathered around the disguised Ace and Aria holding out their weapons and taking a stance. Aria held out Olivia's former scarlet spear while Ace held out his shield and sword. Ace bent his knees, took a lower view and held his sword behind his back like a thief waiting to backstab. This stance emitted a wave of uneasiness to everyone watching the fight.
"What kind of stance is that?" Owain asked.
"Who knows? It looks like I'm losing my bet." Falkes replied.
The Holy Knights in Ace's squad had never seen such an unorthodox stance for a Holy Knight. Usually, they hold a higher posture standing tall and overpowering their opponent with their posture. But Ace's seemed much more cautious. He bent his knees and crouched down, holding his shield high and his sword low. His pose alone had made Aria much wearier of his actions.
'Huh? I can't find an opening.' Aria took her stance, ready to duel against the disguised Ace.
'What a terrifying stance, I wonder if I can beat her again.'
Aria held a much more aggressive stance. Even if she wore her helmet, Ace could feel a paralysing gaze aiming right for him.
"Alright, you guys can begin fighting once this rock hits the ground," Alan says, holding the pebble in his hand.
"Go Aria! You've got this!" Hilda cheered.
Alan threw the rock in the air waiting for it to land.
CLANG!
After a split second of the rock's landing, Aria was the first to make the first strike. Using a [Quick Strike] to begin the duel. Even with all her strength, the disguised Ace stood firm by her attack. Aria jumped back and twirled her spear, making her next attack unpredictable. Her weapon began to glow, and she was ready to deliver an offensive art, forcing Ace to circle around her.
'I'll modify my [Feinting Edge] like Freya's.'
Ace pictured Freya's offensive art in his mind and then motioned his body to do the art similarly to hers. His body blurred to the right and had disappeared for a second. Aria didn't know if Ace had disappeared to the left or right, putting her in a quick state of caution.
Freya's eyes widened, recognising her modified art.
Without giving any moment for Aria to read his movements, Ace suddenly appeared to her left, striking her weapon. Aria was taken back, barely blocking in time. Her body had been pushed two metres away, leaving a trail from her feet.
'This knight is strong...'
Aria spun her spear and activated her [Overdrive] and [Quick Step] utility arts. She let out a flurry of blows, not giving Ace space for a counterattack.
Noticing her enhanced abilities, Ace didn't bother activating the same skills. Instead, he only used one art to enhance his performance.
'[Draconic Art: Dragon's Might]'
Ace still went on the defensive with increased strength, blocking every blow quickly. Aria had made a quick gasp behind her helmet. She was surprised at how well Ace kept up with her and became more impatient. She spun her spear, gathering momentum for one of her newly unlocked Arts.
'[Offensive Art: Surging Strike]'
'That's an art I've never seen before. But I think it's time for me to be on the offensive.'
Ace challenged Aria's new art. Instead of using his shield to continue guarding, he used his blade to stop the momentum. He locked his sword onto Aria's spear, holding a contest of strength. The two of them exchanged blows before Aria quickly jumped back soon after. She understood Ace's plan, not wanting to fight in his domain, keeping herself just a spear's reach from Ace.
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Student To King: The Transportation To A New World
FantasyMany disappearance cases have been happening around the world, with no answers to how and why. These cases were commonly found to target high school classes, with few rare exceptions to offices, military personnel and other workplaces. These people...
