“You’ve gotten tougher, Frannie. That was a close fight, but I guess I’m still stronger.”
“Hm.”
“I had to give up my whip, though…”
It was in tatters. The move was so powerful that even Amanda’s weapon couldn’t sustain it for long. I guess that’s what happened when your attacks left craters in the arena. I would probably break, too, if Fran attempted anything like that. Amanda’s whip didn’t look like it was coming back from this. Cradle of Time had only activated for Fran, leaving Amanda without its benefits.
The loser was consoled by being brought back from the dead, while the winner had to carry the burden of victory.
“I knew you were the better swordsman when I watched your quarterfinals. You’re faster and stronger than I am, too. I had to come up with a special tactic to beat you.”
She’d figured all that out from that one fight.
“And you’ve gotten hold of Physical Immunity, or something like it.”
“Well—”
“You don’t have to tell me. I had a hunch when you beat Colbert. You can’t use that kind of defense forever, though. I just needed to hit it enough to break through.”
We’d played right into her hands. She kept her distance and kept pressure on us to drain our mana. We weren’t outclassed in strength—Amanda had outmaneuvered us through her superior knowledge. No wonder she made it to A-Rank.
“I lost…”
“Don’t be so down on yourself.”
“I didn’t train hard enough.”
“Frannie…” Amanda looked flustered. She tried to cheer Fran up, but if she thought Fran was moping, she was mistaken. Fran wasn’t that sort of girl.
“But I’m definitely taking third place!”
She was sad and she had regrets, but she would learn from this defeat and apply it to the next fight. It was a strange kind of optimism that made her an excellent fighter. I felt her enjoyment, too. While Fran didn’t think of Amanda as her teacher or master, she clearly appreciated being stopped by this insurmountable wall.
“Good luck!” Fran said. Amanda looked relieved, and Fran shot her a smile. “You better win the final, Amanda.”
There was only one way to answer that statement.
“You can count on it!” Amanda clapped Fran’s shoulder and nodded. “By the way, are you busy after this? I would love to have dinner together. I think I can win if you pep me up…”
“I’m watching the next fight and going to bed after that.”
“Oh…well, I suppose it can’t be helped.”
They were both sad about it, but Fran needed her rest. She might be restored physically, but her mind still needed to recover.
We watched the next match from our private room. Amanda was roped in by the tournament officials in preparation for tomorrow. She wouldn’t have had time for dinner, regardless. I’m so sorry, Amanda. At least we had a clear view of the arena from here.
“I can see everything.”
Yeah.
Fran fidgeted in her seat, waiting for Forlund and Phelms. I was looking forward to this battle of the giants, too. The crowd burst open with applause. I think Forlund was slightly more popular, if we were measuring it in decibels. As the crowd’s shouting reached its peak, the match began.
It lasted a lot longer than I expected. Phelms evaded Forlund’s multitude of swords, and even managed to cut some down with his threads. With his rapid attacks, Phelms looked like he had the upper hand in the storm of spool and swords.
But Forlund turned it around in a second. He summoned about a hundred swords in an instant, and sent them flying about in the arena. Phelms struggled to find a way out of the sword hell. In the end, they proved too formidable. The swords chased the old gentleman down and ran right through his body.
I guess we’re up against Phelms for third place.
I breathed easy. They were both strong, but Forlund had the power to copy any magic sword he touched. I didn’t want to think about what would happen if he got his hands on me.
We’re in for a tough fight.
“Powerful strings.”
That was all we could say, really. We knew he was strong, but we’d never fought anyone who used wires before.
“We’ll still beat him.”
We got some hints from watching him just now. We’ll damn well try.
“Hm!”
***
Night fell over the alleys of Ulmutt. A woman screamed as if she was being pursued.
“No, no, no! This is all that girl’s fault!” the young woman shrieked.
She was dressed in mage’s robes, her cheeks were sunken, and her eyes had bags under them. A shame. She used to be beautiful. She moved like a wraith as she shuffled through the darkness.
“What now… What should I do…?! My master would never forgive me…” the woman muttered, turning her head now and then to check for pursuers. “No…! I won’t let it end like this…!”
The woman made her decision. A dark decision, specific only to those who set their sights on hell.
“I need that girl’s sword!”
***
“It’s a lovely day for a fight to the death! We open our festivities today with a match for third place!”
This was the last time I would get to hear the commentator’s excited voice.
What’s wrong, Teacher?
Today’s the last day of the tournament.
More reason to give it our all.
You’re right.
Hm!
Fran nodded enthusiastically. She was having none of my premature nostalgia. Her only concern was the immediate match against Phelms. Very reassuring.
“Coming in from the West Gate: C-Threat Adventurer, the Princess of Black Lightning, Fran! She is without a doubt this year’s breakout combatant! And it’s not about her looks, either! Beneath her cute appearance are fangs that took down an A-Rank! Will she show us her Black Lightning again today?!”
The crowd roared again. It was familiar by now. They received Fran with feverish enthusiasm. And here I thought they were just here for the finals.
What about Phelms? He’d said he only wanted to reach the semifinals the last time we talked. I hoped he hadn’t lost his motivation.
“There he is.” Fran directed her gaze towards the lean gentleman at the other end of the
