Reverse All-Kill Achieved
Pink hair fluttered through the air.
With it, its owner slumped to the ground.
"Ah......"
Robed let out a low sigh.
So close... just one move away.
When she unleashed the Flame Capture Stance from the Flower Thief Style.
She was certain Takwin couldn't escape the net woven from her phantom sword and transformation blade.
She thought it was a perfect pincer.
But Takwin tore through the net and broke free.
"Huff, huff."
Takwin was sweating profusely from his forehead for the first time, breathing heavily.
He had nearly lost.
If his sword had been just a fraction slower at the end.
Or if Robed's had been a bit tighter.
Winner and loser would have swapped places.
"You... you're something else."
Takwin, clutching victory, eyed Robed with even greedier lust.
This was the first woman he craved so badly since sprouting his antennae.
"Heh."
Robed felt chills crawl up her arms under his predatory gaze.
He's not right in the head.
She shook her head and descended from the arena.
Her steps toward the athlete lounge felt as heavy as waterlogged cotton.
Behind her, the crowd's cheers erupted.
But most were chanting for Takwin, who had racked up consecutive wins.
"Sorry, guys. I lost too."
Robed muttered weakly, shoulders slumped.
"It's okay, Robed. You fought great even in defeat."
"Yeah... you did amazing. So close. Good job, really."
"It was just a bad matchup. You fought brilliantly, so don't beat yourself up."
"Thanks... everyone."
Robed's voice cracked slightly at our comfort.
"My turn now."
I gripped my sword and stood.
"Aleck! From what I saw, his sword is fast. It feels different seeing it versus experiencing it. Like it's half a beat quicker."
Even as she struggled to compose herself, Robed offered advice out of worry for me.
"Right. His sword accelerates subtly in bursts, getting faster bit by bit. By the time you notice, you're caught in his rhythm. So Aleck, don't get swept up in his speed."
Ruslan added gravely, his eyes serious.
"Got it. Thanks for the tips. Rest easy and watch. I'll bring back the trophy."
"......Yeah. We'll cheer you on."
Ruslan replied a beat late.
The guy. Did my trophy claim sound like empty talk?
But I meant it.
In my mind, I was already hoisting the cup.
Along with the Chung Hak Gwan dispatch privilege.
"Not empty words."
I curled my lips into a smirk.
"Pfft! Yeah, if it's you, Aleck, you can do it."
"Right! Lord Aleck! This is Kind. I believe without a doubt you'll lift that trophy!"
"I think you can do it too, Aleck."
"Yeah, you might actually pull it off."
Robed, Kind, Bishier, Ruslan.
Infected by my grin, they smiled back, cheering me on.
I thrust out my right fist.
They followed suit, bumping theirs against mine.
"Go, Aleck! Show 'em the reverse all-kill!"
"You got this, Lord Aleck!"
"Azarazar, fighting!"
Their pumped-up cheers softened the tense lounge atmosphere.
But one thing we didn't know.
The whole scene was broadcasting live on the jumbotron.
Huh.
I realized my grin was on the jumbotron only after stepping into the arena.
Did it look cute to the crowd?
Their gazes toward me felt a tad warmer than before.
"Hmm. No matter how I look, you don't seem better than Robed. Why'd you come out as captain?"
Takwin muttered, scanning me up and down.
He couldn't fathom why I was captain.
Makes sense.
Visually, I looked like any ordinary Juvenile Stage lesser mantis.
"......"
I didn't bother replying.
Shing.
Just drew my sword quietly.
Why I was captain? No need to explain.
He'd feel it with his body soon enough.
"Match start!"
The referee's call kicked it off.
"Hmph. Swords will tell."
Same thought as me, huh?
Takwin thrust at me with blinding speed.
Clang!
I casually swung, deflecting it.
Looked sloppy, but my sword force was no joke.
Takwin's hand must be numb from the shock.
"......!"
As expected, Takwin flinched.
He backstepped frantically, shaking out his hand.
"You're no ordinary guy."
His eyes flashed.
One exchange, and he sensed my edge.
"Hoo."
Exhaling deeply, he charged at full power.
Shwaaaaa!
His sword trailed like a meteor shower.
Boom, boom boom boom boom boom!
Instant flurry of offense and defense.
He held his breath, unleashing a storm of strikes.
But.
I didn't retreat an inch, swatting them away like flies.
"Kgh."
He exhaled, stepping back.
His face a mix of agitation, panic, shock.
Swish.
No more chances for him.
I stepped forward first.
My sword shot like lightning at Takwin.
Kaboom!
"Gah!"
One strike.
Explosion, and Takwin flew back.
He tumbled, face-planting.
"Ugh......"
Anyone could see he couldn't fight anymore.
"......"
Silence blanketed the arena.
The referee shattered it.
"A-Aleck wins!"
Aleck Defeats Takwin!
"Wooooah!"
"Insane... that guy's really lesser mantis clan?"
"Epic! Takwin got wrecked without a fight!"
"Whoa! Captain's no joke!"
Shouts of shock and cheers poured from the stands.
Casters hyped me up excitedly.
Usually fluff, but this time it felt genuine.
Don't get too excited yet.
I chuckled inwardly.
Feeling extra light today.
Can I take them all without removing the weights?
I eyed the iron weights on my wrists and ankles.
Curious if I'd need to today.
Their captain Zadan might be tough with them on...
Guess I'd find out.
"Impressive."
As I pondered, Conveni, their vice-captain, climbed up.
Cold-faced girl with short brown hair swaying.
Shield clan mark under her ear too.
"Was annoyed by Takwin's solo streak, but seeing him slip right in front of me feels weird."
She rambled unprompted.
Then flashed a grin.
"Don't think catching a 'tired' Takwin means you can take me too."
She drew two sickles from her waist.
Not swords—sickles.
Weapons mimicking primal mantis forelimbs.
"Let's play!"
With a manic laugh, she charged.
* * *
Aleck Team's athlete lounge.
"M-My... god."
Kind gaped, muttering.
It voiced everyone's awe.
"F-Four... four wins in a row......"
"Insane, for real."
"Whoa, Aleck's the man!"
"Epic. Like, wow! Words fail. Aleck clinched the four-peat!"
The moment he sealed four straight wins, everyone trembled with excitement.
They figured he'd snag a couple.
But four? Unimaginable.
The Overlord Club name carried that much weight.
"One more win and......!"
"Championship!"
Kind yelled; Bishier echoed.
Faces flushed at the near-trophy.
"But the last one's the toughest."
Ruslan spoke calmly.
All eyes turned to him.
"Their captain Zadan... I'd heard of him before entering Mantis Hall."
Ruslan was same shield clan as Zadan, from nearby regions pre-Hall.
Zadan, a few years older, was already famous before Ruslan's genius shone.
Rumors everywhere.
After Ruslan awakened, Zadan faded a bit.
But his talent was undeniable.
Overlord Club member, leading their team here.
Lowest league, Infant-Juvenile.
But top in Juvenile—no one topped Zadan.
"So Aleck's likely to lose?"
Kind asked.
Ruslan grew graver.
"Objectively, yes. But......"
He recalled Aleck's sword that snapped him from his trance recently.
The sword intent within...
Beyond his grasp. Supreme sword principles.
If not illusion.
Aleck could win.
He watched Aleck and Zadan with deeper eyes.