Midterms (3): Aeshy Emberline
To me, she didn't really resonate much, but Aeshy Emberline was this generation's Hero.
Being a Hero is a pretty heavy title. There are tons of responsibilities and duties to shoulder. But that comes with fame. So it was only natural that Heroes ended up with hordes of fans.
...Still, during something important like midterms? Can't you put the fangirling aside for a bit? This is kinda not cool.
"Um, excuse me! Professor Aeshy Emberline!"
"What is it?"
Aeshy Emberline turned at the voice calling her, responding curtly.
"Nothing at all. Please just carry on with what you were doing."
"Wh-what do you mean?! We're here to request a duel!"
"Oh...?"
Our wicked professor's voice carried a hint of delight.
...Trouble brewing.
"A duel request, then."
"...Yes."
"That's right!"
Please drop the glee from your tone, ma'am.
"Names of the two duelists?"
"P-Pell Grain, ma'am!"
"Shin Iheon."
So his name was Pell. Pell, buddy, why are you talking like that all of a sudden? It doesn't suit your build at all.
I get the idol-meeting vibe, sure... but getting this hyped just makes the other guy uncomfortable...
"Cadet Pell Grain, do you have any fan merch or paper on you right now?"
"Y-yes? N-no, ma'am! I don't!"
"I see. Then we'll save the autograph for later."
...Nope, not even a little uncomfortable.
She's got top-tier fan service, that's for sure.
"Hey, Professor, Pell—cut the clown show and let's get to the duel already."
"Cl-clown show?!"
"Fine."
Pell Grain looked kinda wronged by my words. But hey, wronged or not, what can you do about it?
With that, no more chit-chat. The three of us just headed to the Training Room.
Usually, this was where I got my ass handed to me by the Hero. The Academy's huge, but the buildings are packed tight, so we got there quick.
"Before we start, a quick rundown of the rules."
The professor spoke once we'd entered the Training Room and taken our positions.
"First off, this is a spar, not a bloodbath."
"If there's any risk of serious injury to one side, I'll step in."
"Duel ends immediately. Victory to the other side."
"As I said, this is a spar."
"No killing intent in your attacks."
"Break that rule, and you're expelled on the spot. That's all."
Hmm... Fancy words, but the rules boil down to simple: beat the crap out of each other till one retires.
That's it. Super straightforward.
"Ready? Then we'll begin."
Aeshy Emberline said that and zipped to the edge of the room, the spectator area.
"Pell Grain's ready, ma'am!"
"I'm ready too."
We signaled our prep.
"Counting down from three."
"3."
"2."
"1."
"Begin."
The countdown ended, and the duel kicked off. At the same instant, Pell Grain's form blurred.
Fast.
Pell Grain was a pure physical fighter—no weapons, just his body. He had to close distance for attacks.
The thought barely finished when his silhouette closed in right to my face.
Thanks to my improved stats, I could at least track his moves now.
Pell Grain, who'd rushed in first, threw a right hook. An uppercut straight at my gut.
I twisted right to dodge.
Dodged the attack? My turn to strike. He was still mid-motion, wide open.
A split-second vulnerability—no big swings. Aim for the legs if possible, but...
This scythe's a problematic weapon; overcommitting leaves me defenseless.
So, target the guarding left arm. The shoulder gap where his body and arm spread for the guard. A downward slice into that opening.
Pell Grain's face twisted in surprise at my attack.
Told ya—leave me alone. Why'd you pick a fight with me?
The scythe blade met Pell Grain's armpit.
No flesh torn off, obviously. My scythe's blunt anyway, and this is a spar.
Though in a real fight, an arm or two might not matter...
Anyway, Pell Grain's expression sharpened, sensing something off in my strike.
Academy cadet for a reason—quick situational awareness.
Whatever. My scythe's more hook than blade right now.
Time to use that. Pell Grain was perfectly snagged.
His stance crumbled, at least temporarily. No solid footing for power.
Scythe attacks draw arcs. His body, hooked on the blade, used it as a pivot and launched into the air.
Whoa, it actually worked.
Wouldn't have before... but the professor's body mods are paying off big time.
Hurt like hell, though.
"Hoo..."
I twisted my body back a bit, carrying the horizontal slash's momentum through.
Even airborne, centrifugal force slammed Pell Grain headfirst into the floor.
I mounted and rained down punches.
My fists are weak, so max power per hit, straight to the head.
Stuff in as many as possible while he can't react.
My punching hands went numb. Blood on them—mine or his? No clue.
Pell Grain didn't defend at all.
Still, make it certain.
Finish it clean.
"Enough."
Someone blocked my ongoing strikes. Callused, rough hands all over.
My professor. The Hero's hands.
"...Yes."
I answered, catching my breath and taking stock.
Pell Grain, head-slammed into the floor, was gushing blood from his scalp.
My fists too—skin split, blood streaming.
"You really... have no sense of limits."
Nothing to say to that.
"...Sorry."
No regrets, though.
Not an easy win, but he's top-tier Academy material. With my lacking physical specs, I had to exploit that one lapse in his guard and end it decisively.
"Anyway, one thing I'm curious about."
"...Yes?"
Curious? What now?
"Why didn't you slice the arm?"
Cuz it's blunt.
"You could've made a blade with mana."
True, possible. Been meditating hard lately.
Coat the body right, and some mana spares over.
But why not?
"It's a spar..."
Spraying blood felt wrong for one.
"...After making this mess?"
...Yeah.
"...Sorry."
"Tch... Never mind. Can't be helped from your position."
Right—as I said, the weak fight like this.
When an opening appears, don't hesitate. Go all the way.
That's survival.
"So... what do I do with this bloody pulp I made?"
"...Dump him in the infirmary."
"...Got it."
"Yeah. Get yourself treated too and prep for the next duel."
"Yes, ma'am."
God, please let the remaining two today be this easy.
Pell Grain.
Guy was starstruck by the Hero, got overexcited from the jump.
Or just underestimated me hard?
Even ambushing, he ignored counters completely.
His speed suggested he wasn't the usual ambush type either...
Probably preferred straight-up brawls fitting his bulk.
Just wanted to flatten me in one shot and impress the Hero... something like that.
Meant he lowballed me bad.
I figure the others will too.
The way I fight now? Just traces of experience etched into my body from memories I lost.
That's my edge.
Strip that, and I'm a bottom-feeder beggar with Academy basement-tier skills.
Nothing more, nothing less.
Cadets who don't know my "experience" stockpile? Bound to slack off.
Well... tomorrow's opponents might differ.
But today? They'll underestimate.
So today's the easiest duel day.
Having to fight even more annoying ones after...
"Tch..."
What a pain in the ass.