Chapter 39
It was a day before the start of Iron Wall Cup, which is a prestigious tournament. Held between academies, it is Sanctuary and the other being Einvalla itself. The participating students were given days off for the preparations for the cup.
Lugh who was one of them along with Riley, he was walking through the marketplace when he saw something which widened his eyes with surprise. The both stopped to ponder at the sight of Aria holding hands with Alexi the hero. Lugh froze. Riley stood observing.
Lugh clenched his fist before turning around and started walking. Riley, flabbergasted at his actions, followed after, questioning.
"Lugh what the heck. He is holding your fiancée hand. Where's your self respect?"
Lugh stopped walking at his words.
Meanwhile
Aria tore free from his grip and slapped him. The voice echoed louder than the murmur of the marketplace.
"I have no interest in you nor having lunch with you," said Aria as she hurried after them.
Hero Alexi looked after her shrinking back profile. Gritting his jaw he murmured,
"IM GONNA MAKE YOU SUFFER IN THE CUP!"
Lugh and Riley remained unaware of the hero's intentions.
Back to Lugh and Riley
"Fiancée? We've been separated for far too long to be considered that," said Lugh with a serious tone.
"So you can tolerate him near her?" asked Riley, speaking with a serious tone.
Silence fell over Lugh as people kept on with their stuff in the market. Footstep of people, cries of children, gossips of women. A voice through it all as it fell on ear.
"I too want to know the answer to that…"
Riley turned clearly not surprised to see Aria standing there.
Lugh who didn't share the sentiment turned.
"I want you to not participate in the cup," Aria stated her demand.
Riley's eyes widened as he remained dumbfounded.
Lugh narrowed his gaze observing.
"I'm on the church's side right now and I won't betray them by telling why. But just remember this before giving your answer. All the odds are against you in the cup," said Aria. Her tone soft but serious.
"Aria although we were not together in our crucial years. I believe you know the kind of person I am," said Lugh stating his intention.
She clicked her tongue and closed her eyes. A drop of sweat runs down her face and drops.
She slowly opened her eyes. Her gaze decisive.
"Then let's have a duel."
The words were small but impact silenced the chirping of the marketplace for the two.
Riley stood there as the sun raised above his head he remained struck by jolt of lightning.
"Duel!?"
Confused voices snapped him back as he turned around to see Sreya standing with Merlin and Lisa who were out shopping.
Their confusion had no effect on tense atmosphere between the two.
His lips slowly separated.
"I accept the duel."
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They now stood beneath the grey clouds that seemed like they could burst any moment. Their feet stopping the waving grass of the open field. The sun had left no trace and vanished dampening the atmosphere between them as they remained on the opposite sides.
Witnessing it all with perplexed expression were Riley and the girls.
Riley bend down to grab a stone.
"The moment this stone touch the ground will mark the start of this duel," said Riley juggling the stone in his palms.
He drew his arm back and sent the stone flying in a clean throw.
While the stone flew to the sky. He looked in Aria's eyes. Asserting his presence.
The ball touched the clouds and slowed down before falling.
The girls on standby as audience were nervous.
The falling ball caught speed.
Riley began taking steps back.
ball touched the ground....
Black-glitch like lightning surrounded Aria forming multiple glistening black iron spears that started rotating at extreme speed like a drill.
"IRON HORN SPEAR!"
The spear launched at Lugh at high speed like a rocket.
His expression remained unchanged as he dodged the first drilling spear and reflected the others with the sword he drew right after.
Deflected drilling spears obliterated the open field behind Lugh and shook up the ground causing a quake.
Lugh gaze remain fixated on Aria's next move.
Riley's expression got pale as realization struck. (The stakes of this battle are getting high)
Merlin stood shocked as if she was struck by the spear.
(Those spears almost matched the Piercera's Crash move of the Dark Emperor)
Lisa too was reminded of the destruction of Dark Emperor.
Sreya kept admiring Aria's elegance like a fan girl.
They exchanged glances. Lugh took position, ready to rush Aria. Noticing something he jumped as the grassy ground beneath him erupted into thick and large black vines made of metal.
Lugh landed safely. But the expression on his face was of surprise. His eyes focused trying to understand these flexible whipping iron vines. His mouth agape as he realized just how crazy it was.
Meanwhile
"It can't be…" exclaimed Merlin. Grabbing attention of the others.
"What happened Sreya. Are you ok?" asked Lisa.
"Okay? You are asking if I'm okay. Just look at that," added Sreya. Serious.
"That?" asked Merlin.
Riley listened quietly.
"Have you ever heard of an iron mage capable of applying elasticity property to a solid like iron? Is that even possible!?" questioned Sreya
As realization struck like lightning they glanced at Aria in amazement.
"She truly is a Genius."