THWACK!
The two siblings moved in a blur, the sounds of their assault reverberating through the isolated space.
Leona's fist connected to Si-eun's jaw causing his head to snap back as he staggered.
He recovered his focus but only for a brief moment, by then Leona was already upon him.
He didn't waste time, he spun out of the way then regained his footing using the momentum of his roll.
Without lingering, his body shot forward, Leona on the other hand prepared a counter attack, slightly adjusting her stance.
Noticing this, Si-eun activated one of the Astavores'chaos abilities.
"Inversion."
As soon as he did, Leona let out a mocking huff, her lips parting just enough to utter the word.
"Distortion."
The space around them bent horribly in ways that shouldn't have been possible, but that was exactly what the Astavore family's ability was, to defy laws of reality at the cost of a price depending on the usage.
The result was immediate.
Both skills repelled each other, sending the both of them flying in opposite directions.
Though that didn't keep them down for too long, a second later they were on each other's throats.
Since their abilities could cancel out each other, they resorted to finishing the battle with their good ol' fist.
Thwack!
Bam!
Crack!
Hands flew like they were both in a heated underground arena, like wild animals they vented their frustration on each other.
The worst part? Si-eun didn't actually hold anything against her, since his beef was with the world, he decided to use his eldest sister as a convenient punching bag, even though her hits struck harder than his.
In the long run, Si-eun had more injuries than Leona.
He wasn't even certain what tier he was, but holding his own against someone like his sister was something capable of stunning the entire kingdom.
She was at least an entire rank above him.
He was merely an awakened resonator while his sister was an ascended resonator, and to anyone one who witnessed their little squabble it was clear that she was holding back by a whole lot else Si-eun would've broken all the bones in his body at least twice.
The most infuriating thing was that they were just too smart for their own good.
They adapted to each other's pattern with frightening ease.
Where Si-eun struck, Leona was already aware and where she counterattacked Si-eun was already prepared.
Si-eun moved a few steps back, then spat out a mouthful of blood.
His gaze observed Leona's form who staggered slightly, her eyes were wild with disbelief.
She stared at him.
"You… have a corrosion item? Witcher's hex? That item can only be utilized by a demonic marksman class, a dark mage or a cursed brawler."
Si-eun's brows knit in confusion but he pushed whatever thoughts he was having aside.
He clearly recalled his class was the jester class, a unique one exclusive to him alone so he suspected or rather knew that whatever blessing he'd gotten was responsible for the power up he was using.
He still didn't understand it but that was a thought he pushed aside, at least until the fight was over.
Leona frowned, then she straightened herself.
"It seems I've underestimated you, from now on I'll fight you seriously without holding back."
Her words snapped Si-eun back to reality as he hastily raised his hands.
"W-Wait, I yield… don't—"
He couldn't finish his words as a crimson glow ignited within Leona's hands.
A second later a fire arrow manifested within her palm, she outstretched her arms aiming directly for Si-eun who'd already started running.
The arrow let loose yet the impact never came, instead he heard the sweet voice of his sister uttering words which caused his spine to shiver.
"Distortion"
The space in front of the arrow bent strangely then the next second the arrow disappeared.
Si-eun sensed the incoming danger as the flame arrow materialized behind him, he sidestepped but then paled when his sister spoke again.
"Influence." Her voice sounded honey-sweet, like she was enjoying herself while he ran around like a desperate mouse in a cat house.
"F-Fuck!" Si-eun cursed loudly.
The flames were moving as though they had a mind of their own, a dark purplish hue outlined the silhouette of the flame arrow.
By using influence Leona was able to control the flame arrow exactly as she wanted.
Think of it as a higher form of telekinesis, but unlike distortion which broke the laws of reality or inversion which reversed existing laws, influence allowed its user to directly impose their will on the world.
Leona had imposed her will on the flame arrow and that was why she could control the flames as she wished.
Si-eun ran like his life depended on it, because… it actually did.
"Wait Leona…let's talk about this."
She didn't listen, the arrow kept on chasing him and then a second later, it multiplied.
"..."
"Oh fuck… I'm screwed."
The first arrow met the floor.
The second one exploded above him, while the third exploded directly behind his leg, knocking him off his feet.
The last one came towards him with startling speed.
He had no time to react, desperation written on his face or so he wanted her to think because at the very last moment, he smiled subtly.
"Inversion."
One second the flame arrow was close enough to heat his skin and the next second, he was standing where Leona had once been.
Leona took the full brunt of the attack, smoke clouded the surrounding area with a hiss.
Si-eun almost let out a breath of relief, well… almost.
Because the attack did nothing to Leona, absolutely nothing.
She looked like she just finished a light round of exercise, her gaze, nonchalant.
'What the actual fuck?'
Leona brushed off some dirt from her uniform.
She allowed her eyes to linger on Si-eun with mild curiosity.
"Azazel, tell me— how are you using inversion like that without consequences?"
Si-eun raised a brow, clearly expecting her to continue her onslaught of attacks but instead her curiosity got the best of her.
He shrugged.
"Perks of being a late bloomer I guess."
Her brows twitched in annoyance.
"You're not taking this seriously."
Si-eun sighed, with exhaustion clearly written on his face.
"Look Leona, you've had your fun, let's call it a day y'know, when you're calm we'll talk yeah?"
Leona didn't answer, instead she took a battle stance then her gaze hardened.
"I'm not done yet."
Si-eun groaned in exasperation.
"Fine then, I didn't want to use this move but you leave me no choice."
Leona tensed.
Her form shifted slightly, preparing to counter whatever move Si-eun was going to make.
However, to her surprise he started running.
She readied herself to chase after him but then he did something unexpected.
His lips parted slightly, voice urgent with terror.
"Mother help mee!"