Excelium II: Hunting Season

Kabanata 30

"Zai," naudlot lamang ang masamang titigan ng dalawa noong may tumawag sa pangalan ng dalaga. Tumingin siya kung saan nanggaling ang boses at nakita ang seryosong ekspresyon ng dating heneral, "You better not. We're only staying here for your recovery. What's the point if you'll get injured again?"

"You better listen to him, kid. You can't win with that arm of yours. It'll only get in the way." saad ni Ero na nakasilip mula sa bintanang nasa ikalawang palapag. Nakatungkod ang siko nito sa bintana at ang pisngi ay nakapatong sa kamay. "Do you want to open up your wounds?"

Zai glanced at him, "Then should I cut it?"

Ero grimaced, "Of course not, idiot."

Asta smiled, "Just leave them to us, Zai. Your arm has to rest in order to heal. So, what do you want us to do? Kill them? Injure them to the point that they can't move for the next months? Cut a limb or two?"

Zai shook her head, "You can't. They're still chess pieces."

The anger in Caliver only worsen when he heard what the girl just said, "Chess pieces?" it felt like they've just been mocked.

Serene's expression changed, "Rin-rin, I didn't like what I just heard."

Shane sighed while they're hiding beside the door, peeking. "That's just what she calls those people who can help her. They're taking it too seriously."

Rui frowned at him, "You've been with her longer than I am but you still didn't notice that whatever comes out of Zai's mouth, she means it. That's what's good about her."

Shane grimaced, "You consider that good?"

Caliver clenched his jaw and put more strength into his arms but Trois refused to move. Caliver gritted his teeth. He knew that Trois Oxen is a skilled man but he never knew that his power can be compared to a captain's. The only problem with him is that he's a certified battle freak who knows no restraints.

"Move, Oxen." utos nito sa binata ngunit lalo lamang dumilim ang ekspresyon nito.

"Only Zai can give me orders." he said and in an instant, they were covered with electricity. Caliver winced and jumped back to create some distance. When he was still on air, Trois attacked him, landing a heavy kick on his abdomen. His body crashed in the store a few meters away.

Ero whistled because of what he just witnessed. Caliver removed the wooden planks that fell on him and stood up. He walked and stood by the other captains. "It seems that we really need to do it aggressively."

Asta and the others took their stance but before their fight continues, Zai spoke again. "Caliver, since then you've been asking for a match right? Shall we do it now?" she asked and pulled out her sword. Asta and the others sighed when they realized that Zai doesn't want them to intervene. Zai squinted her eyes as she holds the sword, "If you still lose to me while I'm in this state, you need to start doubting yourself as a captain of Excelium Academy, Caliver Riessfield."

Caliver's eyes widen when Zai immediately appeared in front of him with her blade already close to him. They all felt the strong wind that she left but Caliver can feel the intense force of her assault. He was lucky enough to block it out of reflex. Zai's body is low, as if she's really targeting his abdomen. Her left arm is only hanging on her side as if it is dead. Caliver clenched his jaw. She's only using her one arm but she's almost driving him to a corner with power.

Zai glanced at her side when she saw a sword coming at her way. She pushed Caliver and jumped away immediately. Swords appeared behind Caliver and they all headed to her direction. Instead of going to the other side to avoid it, she charged forward. As she go, she kept on deflecting the swords with her's. She moved her body to the side and a blade almost scratched her shoulder and cheek. When she was a meter away from Caliver, she threw her sword at him. Caliver dodged it by moving his head to the side. Zai used that opportunity to jump and rotate her body midair then landed a heavy blow on the corner of his neck. Caliver made a choking sound because of how powerful Zai's kick was. Zai used his shoulder as a foothold and did a backflip. She landed behind Caliver and grabbed her sword.