"I won my bet. Don't you think so, Vorne?"
And so Alex and Vorne face each other once again. Vorne lifts his bruised face and says in a low voice:
"Do you seriously think you can do anything? Don't make me laugh. I'll finish you off before you can even blink!"
Alex, looking utterly indifferent, replies:
"Go ahead and try. Oh—unless you're scared, of course."
Vorne: "Grrrr…"
Alex watches him and thinks:
(Good, the provocations worked. Now let's just see if I can back them up. Heh… Why am I panicking? Of course I can take this guy down. It's just a matter of mindset.)
Suddenly, without warning, Vorne draws his sword and charges. Despite his quick reflexes, Alex can't fully evade, and the two of them are sent crashing outside. They land on the balcony of the building opposite.
Both hit the ground, but Alex rises first, twirling a dagger in his hand. Vorne stands as well, fury blazing in his eyes.
(This boy is far more cautious than I thought. I believed he barely had time to react, yet he drew that dagger at the perfect moment to protect himself. He really gets on my nerves!)
Vorne raises his sword with both hands. Alex smiles.
"Looks like we won't be talking for centuries. Fine by me—I'll make this quick."
He lunges forward. Before Vorne can properly react, Alex is already in close range. Startled, Vorne swings upward, but Alex neutralizes the strike perfectly. Alex steps back to create distance, yet Vorne closes in and slashes horizontally. Alex ducks under it. Another blow comes from above; he deflects it with his dagger. As he rises, Vorne is already too close. Alex is forced to dodge a flurry of close-range strikes.
The tension rises. Alex is reacting nonstop, with no time to seize the initiative—yet he wears a wide grin as he knocks Vorne's blade aside. He steps in so close their gazes lock. Alex's eyes radiate superiority; Vorne's burn with rage.
Vorne steps back, and the two unleash powerful blows to push each other away.
Sweat drips down Vorne's face. His hand trembles.
(It didn't take long to realize how monstrously strong this guy is. It's subtle—you have to see it to believe it. I may be leading the fight, but he's the one controlling it. Not once has he felt threatened. His senses, reflexes, strength—they're insane. Even using mana changes nothing. I need to find something.)
As for Alex, he remains standing, thinking:
(This is annoying—he's really strong. I need to deal with him quickly. But how?)
Suddenly, on the opposite balcony, Alex notices Violetta watching nervously.
(What should I do? I can't risk using magic—I might miss. But then what?) she wonders.
Alex suddenly smiles and shouts:
"Violetta!!! Bring me the stick I brought! Don't throw it—it might fall! Hurry!!!"
Violetta freezes for a moment.
(His stick? What stick? Wait… I think I remember.)
She rushes into her room and picks it up.
(It must be this one!)
She runs back to the balcony and calls out:
"I think I've got it!!!"
Alex looks and smiles.
"Yes, that's it!!! Now hurry!!!"
Violetta dashes off, puzzled.
(A wooden stick? What for? What is he planning now?)
Meanwhile, Vorne has already resumed his assault. Alex pushes him back flawlessly and asks:
"Why so aggressive?"
This time, Vorne is too focused to answer. He shifts his stance, gripping his sword with both hands, pointing it forward while raising it above his shoulder. He concentrates his mana.
Seeing this, Alex smiles.
"I like that attitude."
He spins the dagger in his hand.
"Come on—show me!"
"No need to tell me," Vorne replies.
Instantly, their blades clash, sparks flying. Vorne takes the initiative with a fencing technique built on close-range control and precise movements. But Alex parries every strike. Better yet, he stays so close that Vorne can't fully wield his sword. He makes his life miserable, that predator's gaze never fading.
Vorne persists, but each attack is dodged by a hair's breadth or countered. Sparks dance in the air.
Clang! Boom! Clish! Cling!
The sounds echo as their movements blur.
Seizing an opening, Vorne attempts to stab Alex. The move is anticipated. Alex leaps behind him—but Vorne saw it coming and turns to meet him. That's where he misjudges Alex, who narrowly avoids a horizontal slash before slipping past another rapid combination.
This time, Vorne believes he has his chance. The distance is minimal, Alex's guard is open. Charging his sword with mana, Vorne strikes with all his strength.
Yet Alex plants his dagger, a wide grin on his face, and repels the attack with such force that Vorne is hurled to the ground.
Alex approaches as Vorne regains his footing.
"Vorne, don't you think this is getting old? You can surrender, you know."
Vorne rises, seething with frustration.
"I'd rather die!"
"Pff… predictable line. But I won't complain. We still have time. So go on—own it."
At that moment, Violetta bursts through a door and throws the stick.
"Alex!!!"
He catches it midair.
"Much appreciated! Now, Violetta—watch closely."
Vorne immediately takes his stance. Alex mirrors it exactly—this time holding only the wooden stick.
"I'm coming!" Alex shouts.
He charges. Vorne attacks, but Alex deflects every blow and exploits each opening to strike back. Vorne refuses to give up, but what follows overwhelms him: Alex counters using Vorne's own technique.
In just a few movements, Vorne is on the ground, his face battered, under Violetta's shocked gaze.
END OF CHAPTER
NEXT CHAPTER: Royal Academy, Act 2 — Monster Hunt