Professor Arc

Chapter 60

Yang cursed and ducked under Adam's blade, trying for a counter-attack, only to have her hand caught in the crook of his arm. He shifted his body, trying to snap the bone, but Gambol Shroud swept down and he was forced to duck back, releasing her arm.

"Thanks," Yang whispered, eyes narrowed as she watched Adam step back and prepare himself. "He's good."

"One of the best," Blake agreed. "You need to be careful."

She was trying. It wasn't like she was taking it easy on him, but he was good. Too good. It felt like she was fighting Professor Arc, except this guy would have no qualms taking her life. He dusted some discarded food off his shoulder and adjusted his mask.

"You've improved a little, my love," he said, looking only at Blake. "I'll admit, I'm impressed."

"I had a good teacher."

His face twisted into a snarl, so fast that it surprised them both. "Arc," he sneered. "I wish I could kill him myself, but she dealt with him first. How could you, Blake? To leave my side is one thing, but then to run into the arms of a filthy human? "How could you!?"

"Eh?" Blake stepped back.

Yang snorted. "Yeah, Blake. How could you?"

"Yang, shut up!" she whispered, then raised her voice to Adam. "I'm not sleeping with him. I'm his assistant." Amber eyes narrowed. "Besides, he's a better man than you are. I'd rather do that with him than you!"

"Ahem."

"Hypothetically," Blake apologised. "I know you..."

"Yeah, I get it." Yang grinned. "Still, dude... you realise you're turning into the stereotypical jealous boyfriend here, right? First sign is seeing every male in her life as a potential affair. Last step is invading your ex's school with an army and trying to kill her. Actually, never mind. Looks like you've already got it down."

"Yang..." Blake's eyes were nervous, but Yang winked back.

"Watch your mouth, human."

"And there you go again, always with the human thing. You know, if you want to insult me, you might want to use something actually considered insulting." She shrugged nonchalantly, at least on the surface. In truth her muscles were tensed, ready to dodge at the slightest movement. "Then again, I don't think bulls have ever been famed for their intelligence."

Adam's teeth ground together.

"Shouldn't you be off filling a burger?"

The red blade whistled past her as she moved. It dug deep, shattering tile and cement with ease. It tore free in a shower of rock, swinging towards her, but she kept moving and hopped over a table. It turned into sawdust a moment later.

"Oops. Did I hit a nerve? Let me guess, you're more a steak kind of guy?"

"Rarghh!" Another blow, another piece of ruined furniture as she ducked back. Adam followed like a wild animal, swinging left and right.

Damn it. He's fast. The blade flicked by her face, close enough that she almost felt it. She backpedalled, putting as much distance between them as she could. "What's the matter? Cat got your tongue? Oh wait, no. She has someone else's."

Adam roared. There were no words to it, or if there were they were lost in translation. His eyes flashed behind his mask, the blade sheathed in an instant.

Yang's eyes widened as she saw as much as she felt the power build up. "Oh crap..."

"DIE, HUMAN!" He unleashed it in a deadly attack, a coruscating wall of red light that rushed towards her.