The Heroines Who Have Regressed Are Obsessed Again

12 – Arena (3)

I ran into one of the heroines unexpectedly. The reason why I could identify her even with a mask was because of her movement. Even though I did not want to, I had no choice but to recognize her because of our constant sword dances.

-“Master. Are there other yanderes around here?”

‘Stop that, it’s awful.’

At the sudden spearman’s remark, goosebumps broke out on my arms. Although I tried hard to deny her words, there was no harm in checking.

‘Hmmm… I’m not sure.’

If there were any, they would certainly be amongst the audience, but the issue was I couldn’t recognize anyone because of the identity-concealing masks.

‘I have to look at them closely to figure it out.’

Anyway, I don’t know if other yanderes have come, but what’s more important is right now. Notably, because my next opponent is none other than Eve.

“It seems I won’t win if I don’t use it, Master, don’t you think?”

‘……’

It was as Chu Chang said.

Honestly, when it comes to swordsmanship alone, I am the better one.

“But aside from that, she’s better in every other way.”

Even though her physical abilities haven’t fully developed yet, it’s undeniable that she is superior to me.

Let alone, she can even create sword energy using Aura.

“Should I just give up then?”

-Master. I don’t recommend giving up.

“Huh? Why?”

-Imagine, Master. Her with the Cloak of Invisibility.

The image of her using the Cloak of Invisibility momentarily floats into my mind.

Becoming invisible every day, she would be watching me.

I would be constantly on guard, wondering if she is watching me.

And I probably won’t be able to sleep properly every day.

She would then use the opportunity to catch me unawares.

“Damn it. That can’t happen.”

The moment she gets the Cloak of Invisibility, it would be hell.

Even though that cloak needs to be charged with magic power, it shouldn’t at all costs be handed over to Eve.

“Chu Chang, we have no choice. Go all out.”

-Got it! Master!

With those words as my last, I took as much rest as possible before the next match started.

***

About an hour had passed since then.

All preliminaries have ended, and soon the quarterfinals had begun.

The first match of the quarterfinals was.

“Contestant number one and number three, please come out!”

It was no other than I and Eve’s match.

We slowly made our way to the arena.

Then, shortly after,

“Unfortunately, we can’t reveal much as the participants have chosen to remain anonymous, but you’ve seen their previous matches, right? Both are potential winners of this tournament! Dear guests, feel free to bet on who you think will prevail!”

The worker introduced us upon our arrival at the arena.

Soon, the guests started to murmur and place their bets.

-By the way, you’ve bet on yourself, right?

‘Yes, that’s right.’

-So you absolutely have to win, huh?

‘You’ve given me another reason to win. Thanks, Spear.’

While I was conversing with Spear, without realizing the betting time was up and the worker resumed the match.

“Then let’s start, please!”

At the moment the words ended, Eve pulled out her sword and aimed at me.

I retaliated by aiming my magic wand transformed Spear at her.

“…”

“…”

A moment of silence filled between us.

On the surface, it appears as if we’re standing still, but in reality, we’re in the midst of a mental battle.

At that moment, as we silently locked eyes.

-Drip.

A single drop of sweat ran down her forehead.

Droplets of sweat slowly clinging to her lips, and her feet stomping on the ground.

-Pung!

She brandishes her sword in a way that’s unlike a common criminal.

I had raised my staff to deflect it gently.

“Krok!””

Both of us let out a shallow gasp simultaneously.

Her reaction was due to the curse of the staff, but for me, it was her overpowering physique that made my hand scream in pain.

‘Indeed, even charm can have its limits.’

Thinking this, I pressed my lips into a tight smile.

-Splash!

Once again, she moves the sword carelessly, as if without a care.

I did not evade her sword but deflected it gently to the side.

However.

“Hooo·····.”

A strange sensation of touch crept over my hand.

‘What in the world is that person! Just a monster!’

Despite receiving various curses from the staff, she continued brandishing her sword.

From the previous encounter, she seemed to have become even more resilient.

“So, it is indeed you?”

At that moment, she takes a step back and flashes a manic smile.

Then, she says,

“I’ve always wanted to dance with you. I’m not sure if you’ve returned, but rather than that, I should focus on our dance, right? Yes, indeed, that’s what I should do. I wish this moment would never end.”

She speaks fast, without even taking a breath, her face flushing.

‘Insane.’

– Master, doesn’t it feel worse than last time?

‘Yes, I think so too.’

It was not to this extent before the return.

She must be quite excited to have a duel with me after a long time.

‘I must finish this quickly.’

If not, I might lose my mind for no reason.

After sorting out my thoughts, I inject magic power into the circuit.

Then, the magic power slowly flowing through the circuit.

At the same time.

– Hyaaah!

Blue magic power is emitted from the whole body.

– Master, use physical enhancement?

‘Yes. It would be better to finish this quickly.’

That seems right.

“How much I longed for this moment, I want to enjoy it as much as I can.”

In front of me, she, in real-time, is showing a blush of madness on her cheeks.

Taking advantage of a fleeting gap in her defenses.

– Whooosh!

I swung my spear diagonally without a moment of hesitation.

Then.

“Of course, even this part is the same!”

She, with the most delighted smile, blocked my attack.

But, it was no wonder.

“Kyah?!”

From her mouth, a ludicrous scream rang.

‘Of course, body reinforcement is effective.’

In a way, it was natural.

Until then, hadn’t I purely been using my body to strike?

So even my legendary spear had its limitations.

However, if I use body reinforcement to attack, the curse becomes much stronger.

I struck her once more while she was in confusion.

– Whooosh!

She somehow managed to compose herself and dodged my attack by moving sideways.

At the same time.

-Whoosh!

She rotated her body and swung a sharp sword.

However, not with the blade, but with the side of the sword.

‘She does have a conscience after all.’

And so, without any stimulation, she was living as time passed by. Then, at that moment.

– Whooong! Whooong!

The sound of a sword being swung echoed in her ears.

When she turned her head towards the noise, she saw Elic in the training field, brandishing a green wooden stick and showing his swordsmanship.

“……”

Her first impression of him was, of course, the worst.

Because, according to the rumors, he was a scoundrel with a bad character.

People would even dare to provoke him in public.

However,

‘There was a moment when he changed.’

Elic was completely different one day.

Of course, she didn’t care all that much.

To be honest, whether he changed or not did not concern her.

So, she lived without giving it a thought but…

Watching his swordsmanship now, she found herself inexplicably curious.

‘That movement… is he really a mage?’

Incredibly precise movements for a mage.

Moreover, there was no wasted power in each movement.

She had seen many swordsman so far, but this was the first time she had seen such beautiful swordsmanship.

‘It shows how hard he worked to acquire such skills.’

Until now, she, dubbed a genius, advanced ahead of anyone in the family without so much effort. Because of this, she didn’t really comprehend the concept of hard work until she saw his sword dance – it made her feel like she could learn a thing or two.

Was that why?

Before she knew it, she found herself drawn to him.

From Noble mtl dot com

“Hmm? Professor Eve? What brings you here?”

“I was wondering if perhaps you’d be open to a duel?”

“Excuse me?”

Erik was visibly taken aback at her question. Shortly, after pondering with eyes shut, he responded.

“Well, I don’t mind. No, I’d consider it an honor, if it’s with esteemed Eve.”

“Good. Let’s get started then.”

With that, their match began.

And the result…

“What is this?”

Unexpectedly, it was her defeat.

She had surely blocked every strike of his sword.

Their skills were both exceptional, but because his physical abilities weren’t significantly superior, it wasn’t difficult to block his attacks. However, despite having blocked him, she was hit with an irrational wave of agony.

It was not just simple pain, but excruciating torment that made death seem favorable.

As a result, she failed to retaliate properly, sealing her defeat.

“I’ll take my leave then, for I have a class.”

Erik left as he pleases after subduing her.

All she could do was watch him.

She could not chase after him.

From that day on, she began to understand the concept of effort for the first time, continuously challenging Erik to duels.

Until the moment before he ran away.

***

Shaking off her contemplation, Eve displayed a year’s worth of refined swordsmanship. However, Elric had grown just as much, effortlessly deflecting every one of her sword strikes. Watching Elric’s beautiful swordplay, she burst out into hearty laughter.

“Ahahahaha!”

It had been a while since they had so freely exchanged blows like this. And even longer since they had shared the pain of their sword strikes. It feels like they’re dancing, this exchange of shared pain.

Immersing herself in their dance, she thought, hoping this moment would never end.