Ranking Match (4)

As I reach closer to edge of boundary, his swings become stronger and faster. His sword suddenly moves extraordinary faster and mana fluctuates in the air uniformly. My eyes widen slightly but I can tell he is using his Art that boost his attack speed. It's not like I was not prepared for it though. I already figured out when he start pushing me backward. Now I have no choice but to take the attack and launch out of the stage.

Quick Draw.

My vision slow down and I swing my sword furiously but keep my grip loose. My swing didn't complete but his sword already strikes my sword and it went flying. My hand was almost dislocated! I suppressed the pain and went forward, gripped his wrist and threw him forward with everything.

His balance was off due to last strike and he has caught off guard. He crashes forward but stop just before the barrier. Barrier is only able to stop energy attacks but physical things can pass through it easily.

"Tch."

Quick Draw.

There is no way I will give him time to collect himself. I dashes forward and kick toward his back. He swing his sword as he turn around and I bend my foot to dodge his attack and land a clean hit on his chest and pull it back furiously.

He threw his hand to grab my leg but it didn't work as he falls down the stage.

"Winner: Ethan."

My opponent was clearly dissatisfied. The way he looked before the match is already enough to guess that he was thinking of this match as a formality. He just needed to climb the stage and swing the sword and world will split and I will lose but reality doesn't seems to agree with him.

It is not like I win overwhelmingly. I just use my speed and strength carefully and just last trick that give me a winning stamp.

As Ranks increases, different between ranks also become distinguishable. Even though I was able to defeat him this time; I know that I won't be able to fight someone a sub-rank above in F-Rank. He is just a new F-Rank, with time he will be able to kill me with one strike but today is not the day.

He left the stage and stands sidewise; It seems he want to watch my rest of the match. I don't really think he can do a shit standing at sideline so I ignore him.

Referee looked at me for some time and asked.

"Did you piss off someone?"

I turn my head in shock. How the hell he figured it out?

"Your expression is telling me that how do I know?"

My mouth hung opened. Is he a mind reader?

"I am not a mind reader. This kind of thing comes with experience. All opponents of yours today are newly ranked up and that loser over there was more interested in injuring you than defeating you."

Now that I think about it, He didn't aim for my vitals but was aiming for my limbs and muscles. It's good thing I didn't exchange blows with him and focus on dodging or else God knows what he might have done to me!

I calmly digest everything he said. It's really scary how he deduces everything with just handful of information. Is that what is means to be professor of best academy?

I went ahead and pick up my sword. It is chipped slightly at the exact spot where his sword hit. I put it in parallel of my vision and can tell it is also bended slightly.

Sigh.

Should I have just conceded? Whatever, If I fall back now, I would be the one who will lose. I just shake my head and wait for my next opponent.

It didn't take for long for my last opponent to come out. He was Rank 492 Kilan. He is a bow user. There is nothing more I can ask for. Arrow cutting is my favorite time pass. There is no way I will lose here!

He looked at my last opponent and shakes his head. It seems he was disappointed at him and he should be; how can he bring himself to bully a weak person like me?

He climbs the stage and referee looked at him and repeats the rules. Both of us give him a nod and he starts the battle.

"Start."

I was confident here, there is no way-

Whoosh.

My head suddenly tilted slightly and an arrow cut through my ear.

"Aggh."

A numb feeling spread in left side of ear. I put my hand on ear but all it felt was a rough skin like my skin was ripped away!

I raise my head and saw him nocking an arrow on his bow.

Quick Draw.

My vision slow down and spotted an arrow less than a meter away from it. From the trajectory, I can tell its aim that is my other ear. I roll away and again look at him only to found him nocking an arrow on his bow.

Quick Draw.

Again I barely dodge it. I bit my lips to suppress the pain on left of my head. I can't let this continue I need to do something!

Whoosh.

Quick Draw.

I dodge it again but it is only matter of time when mana will be empty. I took a deep breath and empty my mind and focus only on the arrow.

Whoosh.

I instinctively pull my foot back. An arrow pierced through the ground in front of my foot. I dodge it but it's not enough. I need to see the trajectory of arrows if I want to make a comeback.

My opponent was not in the least as he nocks another arrow. There was a bad feeling from this time.

Woosh

Quick Draw.

An arrow was moving toward me with clear trajectory. It was just a meter away from me. A sweat formed on my forehead, one had to know I use my quick draw earlier than before but arrow is already in front of me! A little late and it would have pierced my shoulder!!

I have a feeling that today might be my first lose but for some reason it didn't feel bitter.