Clang!
The sound of metal shrieking against stone cracked through the gymnasium as Carlamaine's gleaming blade carved through the air. Koneko dodged effortlessly, flipping back with the agility of a true martial artist. Her feet landed soundlessly, and her cold golden eyes narrowed.
Carlamaine—Raiser's [Knight]—smirked. "Good reflexes. But can you last much longer, little girl?"
Koneko didn't answer. Her silence was the calm before the storm.
Across the court, I stared down my own opponent—Isabella, Raiser's [Rook]. The woman towered over me, all muscle and menace, with thick arms and a sneer plastered on her lips.
"You're Rias Gremory's [Pawn]?" she scoffed, cracking her knuckles. "You don't look like much. Let's see how well you scream when I break you."
I raised my left arm, and the familiar crimson glow of the Boosted Gear lit up the gym like a flare.
[Boost!]
Ddraig's growl echoed through my soul. Power surged into me like a tide breaking through a dam.
"Heh. Don't worry," I smirked. "I'll scream… but only when you beg for mercy."
Isabella's boots thundered against the wooden floor as she rushed in. She led with a wide haymaker, her fist nearly the size of my head. I ducked just in time, and her punch shattered a piece of the pillar behind me.
She was fast for a [Rook]. And strong.
But I'd trained for this.
[Boost!]
I twisted and drove my elbow into her ribs, enhanced by the force of the second boost. She staggered slightly, but her grin widened.
"Oho? That tickled."
"Then let's crank it up."
Meanwhile—
Carlamaine's blade met Koneko's fists with relentless clangs. Koneko had no weapon. She didn't need one. Her fists, reinforced by devil strength and ki, collided with steel again and again. But even so, the duel was going poorly.
"You're surprisingly durable," Carlamaine sneered, her sword swinging in elegant arcs. "But you're still just a child pretending to fight."
One thrust grazed Koneko's side. Blood painted her white jersey.
Koneko didn't flinch. She wiped the blood with the back of her glove and leapt forward again.
Their exchange was fast—almost too fast for normal eyes to follow. Koneko's palms struck Carlamaine's armor repeatedly, but the knight's blade managed to keep her at bay, slicing air just inches from Koneko's face again and again.
Above us, flashes of thunder and arcs of purple lightning lit up the gym ceiling. The battle between Akeno and Yubelluna was fierce—two queens clashing in mid-air like gods of destruction. The wind from their clash rattled the windows and made the floor rumble.
Koneko threw a spinning back kick that connected with Carlamaine's thigh, but the knight grunted and pushed forward, slamming the hilt of her sword into Koneko's shoulder. The girl flew back, tumbling across the court.
Carlamaine raised her blade overhead.
"This ends—"
CRACK!
A massive bolt of lightning exploded between Carlamaine and Koneko.
The [Knight] stumbled back, crying out in shock, her sword sparking violently from the sudden interference.
"Wha—! That's not fair!"
From above, Akeno hovered like a dark angel, her hair flowing in the storm she summoned, her eyes glowing violet.
"Ara ara," she said sweetly. "Was that unfair? My apologies. I must've slipped."
Carlamaine gritted her teeth, glaring skyward.
Akeno smiled, then turned back toward Yubelluna without another word, returning to her aerial duel as if nothing happened.
The distraction was all Koneko needed. She was already back on her feet.
"You talk too much," Koneko muttered.
She charged in low, ducked Carlamaine's wide slash, and slammed a rising uppercut into her opponent's jaw.
Carlamaine's mask cracked.
She hit the floor hard, stunned. Koneko stood over her, breathing heavily but composed. Her golden eyes watched silently, ready for more if needed.
—
Meanwhile, Isabella and I were in a full-blown slugfest.
She'd grabbed a chunk of broken flooring and hurled it at me. I smashed through it with my boosted fist, splinters flying like confetti.
"[Boost!]"
My power climbed again. That's four times now.
I charged her. My fist hit her gut like a battering ram.
Isabella grunted and stumbled back, the armor over her stomach dented.
"Not bad!" she spat, raising her fists again.
She lunged, aiming a heavy overhead punch. I sidestepped and caught her wrist, pivoting and slamming her into the floor.
BOOM!
The whole gym shook from the impact.
She groaned, coughing blood.
But then—she grinned.
Suddenly, she swung her leg and kicked me in the ribs, sending me flying into the bleachers.
Damn, she's tough. Even half-broken, she doesn't quit.
But I'm not done either.
[Boost!]
My aura flared.
She charged again, screaming.
"Time to finish this!"
"Agreed."
I ducked, spun around, and launched an uppercut with everything I had.
"DRAGON UPPERCUT!!"
My fist hit her chin clean. Her feet left the ground. She flew up—then crashed down, unconscious.
[Knight of the House of Phoenix—retired.]
[Rook of the House of Phoenix—retired.]
I stumbled back, panting. That took a lot more out of me than I wanted to admit.
Across the court, Koneko stood tall, her opponent unconscious at her feet.
I met her gaze.
We nodded.
Two fights. Two wins.
The mid-game had started in full force—and we were still standing.
We didn't lose.
~~~
I have posted 70+ advance chapter on my Patreon. If you are interested, join my Patreon.
Support me:
patreon.com/BlackBolt517