Aqua slowly strolled inside the arena, her eyes drifting from one side to the other. Only two people were present.
One was Golden Fang, who didn't seem to even have a bead of sweat on his brow, and on other was Azure, who seemed as if she was about to collapse.
"You are doing much better, champion. However, there is a long road ahead for you!" Fang's form dispersed into mists and rushed behind Azure.
The sand shifted and rose before her, shielding her from a heavy hit.
Moments after, the sandy shell fell, and the shadows surrounded Azure.
However, just before she could disperse like Fang did, a powerful punch in her stomach sent her reeling in pain and the shadows disappeared.
Fang raised his hand above her head, and just before he landed a lethal strike, "I yield!" Azure shouted while panting.
Golden Fang stretched his hand toward the champion. "Impressive, perhaps a couple more days, and you will be able to disperse yourself. "
The champion gripped his hand and squeezed it tightly. "It's hard to outspeed a monk like you."
"I do not expect you to get on my level anytime soon, perhaps in two to three years of hard work, which frankly is basically nothing for your kin."
Azure gave a salute. "I will be in your care."
"Good, I will now take my leave as your friend has just made her entrance." Fang grinned and pointed his thumb toward Aqua.
Azure's face lit up as soon as her gaze met Aqua's. "Aqua!"
"I wish you good fortune, may Lady Len smile upon you." His form melted into a puddle of shadows before quickly disappearing, leaving no trace of Fang's presence.
She is working so hard. Aqua smiled, and her hand gripped the sheathed blade on her hip.
Her friend strutted over to her. Azure stared for a moment, gazing into Aqua's eyes. "I missed you."
"We were together all day yesterday." Aqua tried to avert her gaze from Azure's bruised face. She is so cute.
"Doesn't change a thing!" She grinned, her gaze wandered to Aqua's sword, and nodded. "Ready to spar? Just give me a moment to take a breather."
This… will be harder to do than I expected. It was hard to resist blushing like a maiden when around her 'friend', much less to attempt distancing herself. Losing you would be terrible. It was a feeling as powerful as it was with Umbra.
She gathered little will she had and pushed Azure away from herself. "Please drink this." A void tore open above Aqua's hand, and from it fell a healing potion, quickly followed by a bright green potion.
Without a word, Azure picked up the potions and chugged them down. Even if Aqua gave her the poison, she would have gladly taken it. It was what someone who truly trusted their comrade would do.
"Phaw! Thanks, Aqua!" The strength surged back into her like a tidal wave.
"It's really nothing." She smiled softly.
"Let's do this! I was looking forward to crossing blades with you… even if you are a caster."Azure turned away and put distance between Aqua. "Please don't be too rough with me!"
I couldn't even if you suddenly turned into an enemy. There was a zero chance that she could ever truly hurt Azure. Her mind would not have let her live it down.
Her grin widened, "It's my first time~"
"Did she…" Aqua stared in disbelief. She had not expected Azure of all people to pick up on Sheira's teasing attitude. It's so cute!
Her head moved left and right quickly. There was no time to admire her friend; she gripped her blade, still sheathed.
No unsheating.
Her sheathed blade swung through the air as she took an open stance. "I will be gentle."
Azure's ears and face reddened, her hand wrapped around Mortal's Hope and pointed toward her heroine. "I will show you that I am useful to you!"
A small chuckle escaped her lips, "Azu."
"Yes?"
"I want you to strike me as hard as you can. Use as powerful a move as you are capable."
The words sent Azure reeling. Her voice stuttered and her body shook. "W…why?!" Her blade fell to her side.
I don't want to cut you in half by accident, dummy.
She shook her head, "Just do it, do not question me."
Aqua placed the blade back at her hip and spread her arms wide. She would embrace Azure's strongest hit and use it as a measure of just how much she would need to restrict herself.
She plunged into her thoughts and ignored Azure's protests.
Slap
"I will not swing my blade at you until you tell me why!" She grabbed Aqua's shoulders and brought her face close to hers. "I know I won't hurt you, but there is principle to these things, you know?!"
Aqua slid her hand on her slapped cheek. That's a first.
There was no point in hiding her reasons from Azure.
"I need to make sure not to use too much power. I do not want to break your bones or split you in two."
Azure slowly blinked, her lips quivering.
"Aqua…" She reached forward and grabbed her hand. "You care about me so much… Ok, I understand the reason, I will hit you with the best strike I can muster."
"Thank you," Aqua opened her arms, once again ready to embrace the strike of her friend.
The [Temporal Barrier]'s bronze glow shattered, and Aqua was left defenseless. She had let go of the protection of the frozen time she had kept upon her ever since meeting Laura.
Aqua's lips stretched into a thin line, her gaze washing over Azure's form. She was not fully on board about launching a strike on Aqua, yet it was the heroine's request that made her do so.
"Here I go!" The earth moved around her, forming large spikes; the shadows coalesced and overtook her body, while the sword was engulfed in crimson flame. She had been asked to use everything she had, and thus she would.
She was not worried about Aqua, yet it was difficult to even move. Aqua was the last person she would ever strike with her blade. She gritted her teeth and raised her blade.
The spikes spun.
Azure leaped to the side, and in that moment, the earthen weapons flew toward Aqua.
However, she would not wait; instead, she swung her blade and launched a wave of crimson flame toward Aqua.
The temperature of the fire melted the sand. It advanced faster than the eye could perceive.
Then, shadows wrapped around her hands, a technique that would empower her physical strength using Golden Fang's own unique skill.
She jumped into the air and launched a fatal strike toward Aqua, still making sure she would not hit her head.
If she were to somehow hurt Aqua, it would have been preferable for it to be somewhere a healing spell could work fast enough. Her gaze aimed at her chest.
The earthen spears crashed into Aqua, quickly followed by powerful crimson flame.
Good! She smiled.
A cloud of dust rose around her, blinding her to Azure's airborne strike.
The sword struck her clothing, but it was unable to cut through the powerful material.
She felt herself being pushed and then launched backward.
Aqua rolled back and hit the rafters.
Crash
Azure widened her eyes before rushing toward where Aqua was launched. "Aqua!"
As the dust settled, Aqua rose to her feet and clapped. "I am impressed. You came a long way."
She stalled in her steps. Relief washed over her face. "I should have known you would be fine."
A small blush appeared on her face.
"I wouldn't have told you to strike me if I were unsure of myself."
Azure pouted, "Just means I am that weak."
"Not at all, Azu. That strike now was at least four times as strong as anything you could throw when we met. I can tell Fang is training you well when it comes to the blade." Aqua smiled while patting down her clothes.
"T…. thanks." Her ears twitched, and her eyes wandered down. "It means a lot coming from you." Her hand slid on the back of her neck and awkwardly rubbed.
"Alright, I believe it's time to start our proper duel. Of course, I will not put on [Temporal Barrier] as I want to see and feel the full extent of your training."
Azure nodded enthusiastically. She had been looking forward to showing off to her heroine. It was on her mind for a while, yet the opportunities were rare. However, she had a chance to truly show off the newly found power.
Too cute! Aqua suppressed a blush while turning her back to Azure. She walked some distance away and faced the champion again. "Let's do this. Your win condition is to break this barrier."
A thin veil of flame enveloped Aqua. It was thin and seemed to shimmer with each passing moment.
Azure nodded, her eyes scrutinizing the weak barrier. "I understand!"