It is the start of the third day, my turn this time. This also marks the first time I use the 'present' that Farris gave me yesterday. Farris is now currently tending to my bone injury, putting salve on it and renewing the bandages.
"The good news is, your injury begins to heal completely," he tells me, "Don't force yourself, take it slow and easy just like the first round,"
"If it was as easy as the first, then I will," I reply while putting on my shirt after he tends to it, "Thank you, though, but It is very unlikely for you to worry,"
"Your injury is caused by me to begin with, so I feel responsible for it," he replies solemnly, "So you prepare for the worst? You would surrender if the injury sets you out for good?"
"No, I just.. No, I think giving in is not a good option. For now, the only people here who knows about this injury of mine is only you. We cannot afford the others to know, especially my opponent. So it is best that I pretend that this injury doesn't exist or it will be the greatest weakness,"
"Well, if you say so.. You just need to hold up for two more battles. But nothing can guarantee that it will be as easy as before,"
"Yep, I know... I'll try my best," I tell him, hoping it will give him some confidence.
"Okay, no need to be so gloomy now. You need to be focus for today's battle," he pats my shoulder for encouragement.
We make our way to the stadium, to our reserved room. The instructor is already waiting there for both of us. He seems annoyed.
"You two are almost late," Without allowing us to explain, he cast the cloak spell to both of us, and create a portal, "Hope you already finished your preparations. Your opponents are already there. Team 34, consists of Anto Karakas as the fighter with Connor Teodric in the support,"
"Connor!" I shout softly in a surprise.
"I guess you're familiar with them. That's a relief," Farris says, relieved by the news, "Then, what are you waiting for?" he pats on my shoulder and gently pushes me into the portal.
The place for the third battle is a dessert, with a scorching sun up in the sky. Even before the battle, we have started to sweat.
"Look. There's your opponent," Farris points to a figure sitting on the sand across the dessert. Anto Karakas, with Connor stand beside him.
"You're late!" Connor shouts across the dessert, "Too bad, you're not facing me this time!" He must be referring to me who is the fighter for today.
"I know I have said this before... Be careful," Farris whispers to me, as I walk forward to call my sword, "I know.. " I whispered him back.
I face Anto who stands before me, separated by half a mile in distance. The surface is sand today, it might be difficult to stay standing firmly. I take my form, ready to intercept his attacks. I see that he's dual-wielding machetes, allowing fast attacks. "Nice glasses you got there," he shouted to me. Seems both Connor and Anto are now aware of my new gear.
There's a slight sandstorm blowing in this arena. Thanks to this gift, my sight is protected from the sands and might give me some benefits in this arena. I charge first at him, which is quickly repelled by him. Although there is a sandstorm, his sight doesn't seem to be impaired. This won't be good.
"Wind-imbued movements? I should've known," he whispers during the fight. Looks like my secret of quick movements have been known already.
His dual-wielding of machetes making his defense twice stronger, as my attacks aren't able to penetrate it. Instead, during the clash, he manages to make some counterattacks which create a scratch on my left arm.
"Keep your distance!" Farris yells, I take a step backwards to find a better way to pass his defenses.
As an opponent will do, he rushes towards me, not wanting me to give me chance to defend myself. He spins with his machetes in high speed, which creates many cuts on me in the process. No blood is spilled, yet the pain from the cuts are felt.
This is bad. His attacks are as good as his defenses. He then proceeds to have the same spinning attack on me from behind before I have the chance to turn around. Surprisingly, he loses his footing in the sand and the second attack can be prevented before it hits me.
"You're lucky that didn't hit you," he smirks and steady his stance.
Leaping into thin air like the previous battle with Dane will not work in unsteady footing. I summon the exact copy of Silver Gust in my left hand. Better to try repelling dual-wielding with the same technique, rather than being hit by one.
As he moves formward to form a spinning attack, I also happen to move around and making the same rotary form, which creates a two mini cyclone on the arena. It clashes with each other and turns into a stalemate.
He has a surprised look in his face, as I successfully copied his attack in the same manner. Knowing spinning attack won't work the second time. He dual-wields his machetes and make continuous slashing towards me. By having a sword in both hands, blocking against his attack is much easier than before.
"Physical attacks won't work. Try using spells!" Farris telephatically yells.
Following his advice, I cast a wind razor spell, now with two swords at hand, making a big X-shaped razor that's moving towards him. He barely evaded it though, as it makes a big cut on one of his legs. With that cut, his stance will be less effective and properly standing will be a difficult thing.
"I yield!" he yells. Whew, it's finally over.
I move to approach him to help him stand. It is a part of the knight's code that we adopt to accept an opponent's yield and therefore, ends the duel.
"By the time you successfully copied my technique, I already accept my loss," he whispers slowly while still enduring pain from his leg, "You're prodigy, aren't you? Being able to copy a technique so quickly."
"I don't know, it just happens," I shugs, "Great duel, by the way,"
Connor then comes to us, "Copying other's technique is not fair, you know," he scolds me as he lending his shoulder as support to Anto.
"No rule says that copying technique is forbidden," Farris turns to scold Connor in a friendly manner and face toward me, "You did a great job by doing that,"
I'm just chuckling there, witnessing they scold each other. I forgot that this is the first time they met, so they introduce themselves before returning to each other portal and into the changing room.
"You're lucky that Anto doesn't notice that," he points to a section of my ripped clothes from the previous attacks, which reveals a small bandaged section, "Or that duel will turn badly, in favor of him,"
"To be honest, me too," I reply. The ache from previous battle starts to fade and I share my opinion on this, "Somehow, the battle is becoming more difficult after each battle, you agree?"
"Yeah, I agree," he replies in a serious tone, "Two more, and it will be harder and more harder. We have to use our wits more rather than raw strength,"
"The next one is your turn, ready?"
"Just focus and support me from behind," he smiles lightly, "Don't worry about me. You should be worrying for the final battle, perhaps it will be the hardest,"
