76TH GEAR - USELESS PREZ VS PINK IDIOT, THE REMATCH
76TH GEAR - USELESS PREZ VS PINK IDIOT, THE REMATCH
"Fluonessia Asahime, I challenge you to a Speed Battle!"
It was a bright peaceful Saturday morning with no classes. The weather is fine and perfect for practice. We just came to the Merry Knights Guild Building via Fluonessia Express, and I have low blood pressure, especially since it's still seven AM. I would understand it if Flu was the one executing the challenge, but for some reason, it was the Useless President who is full of energy.
Ericka was already in her Speedmage Suit when she asked for a Speed Battle out of the blue. Her index finger is even pointed at the pink-haired idiot, and her other hand is holding her waist.
"E-Eh?" Flu's eyes widened in shock. "P-Prez?"
"It's been one month since you discovered Stardust Magic, isn't that right? There is only one more month before you face Vincent Shadowseek, and I am here to oversee if you improved!" Ericka said with a determined smile.
"Wait, wait, wait. How is this Speed Battle different from our normal practice?" I joined the conversation. "I mean, she always does Speed Battle with you on a daily basis."
"That was for the training, Coach. This is different." Ericka waved her index finger at me. "And this time, you should be out of the game. I want to test out if Flu is a formidable Speedmage to fight Vincent. And I shall see to it that she is ready to face Lilith once the National Speedmage Tournament begins."
"Huh?" I uttered. "This doesn't make any sense!"
Almost all of a sudden, Flu pumped her fists and smiled. "I accept your challenge, Prez!"
"Are you sure about that?" I asked Flu. "Can you fight a Speed Battle without my support?"
"It's okay, Coach!" Flu said with a smile as she gently caressed the winged hairpin on her hair. "Even if you are not my navigator for this fight, I can still feel your support."
Seeing Flu hold those hairpins dearly makes my heart beat a lot faster. I can feel my cheeks getting beet red too, so I tried turning away. But then I saw Ericka's smug face.
"What makes you smug, Useless Prez?"
"Nothing~" Ericka shook her head. "I just think you two both look cute together."
Flu and I blushed upon hearing those remarks. To avoid the awkwardness of the atmosphere, Flu raised her arms and shouted out loud.
"I-I'm going to get changed! Stardust Accel!"
Fwooom! Flu disappeared almost instantly as she went to the dressing room. Now, Ericka and I are just alone in the lobby.
I scratched my head and averted the Useless Prez's teasing smile and gaze.
"Let's just go set up the Checkpoint Towers," I said.
Just before I could exit the building, Ericka called my attention.
"Oh, Coach! I will not need your insults for this fight too. I want to gauge myself how long I can hold the pressure and fear. I bet I can now finish a single Speed Battle without vomiting my breakfast!" Ericka pumped her fist.
"And what if you can't hold it?" I coldly asked.
"Then I will swallow it and endure it until the end~," Ericka said with a peaceful and adorable smile.
"Don't go smiling like that when talking about gross things!" I cried.
<>
I have finished setting up the Checkpoint Towers and fixing our other miscellaneous equipment. I had the latecomer Cruzo be the referee for this match, and now he is positioned near the 1st Checkpoint Tower.
Flu and Ericka are ready to go too. They are doing some stretching at the 1st Checkpoint Tower, and I saw them chatting for a while. When I put on the headset, I talked through the mic.
"Listen, girls. For this match, I will never give any advice or insults. I will only relay the position of your opponents if you ask me. The rules for this battle are the same as in the tournament. 12 minutes of Speed Battle, and we will go sudden death if it ends up in a draw after the initial 12 minutes. Are you girls ready?"
"Ready!" Flu and Ericka made their starting positions when they answered.
Unlike most Speedmage that do a standard running-ready position, Flu is set on a bent-over position with her fingertips touching the ground. This position is similar to those of swimmers in the Olympics before they jump into the water. Flu has been mimicking Professor Azure's style ever since she discovered Stardust Accel.
Cruzo the referee raised his hand and readied his whistle.
"On your marks… Get set… Go!"
Fweeeeeet!
"Stardust Accel!" Glittery pink wind contrails followed Flu as she gained the jumpstart advantage and the lead! Her running posture is the same as a ninja, using her hands to control the Stardust Accel with her wind magic!
"Ice Accel!" Ericka's sky-blue streak lines followed as she rushed towards the 2nd Checkpoint Tower!
Flu is a Counter Speedmage so she has an edge in overall speed compared to a Striker like Ericka. But Flu's Stardust Accel is a huge leap of improvement compared to back when she was only using Wind Accel!
"She's fast!" Ericka muttered as she was left in the dust.
After a few seconds, Flu managed to hit the 2nd Checkpoint Tower!
Beep!
Point for Fluonessia, at 1:0!
Flu drifted around the 2nd Checkpoint Tower and then she circled it! She did not use her speed to her advantage and instead waited for Ericka to reach the 2nd Checkpoint Tower!
"What the hell is she doing?" I muttered. I had my mic covered so that nobody heard my remark.
Ericka boosted forward with her ice skating race, aiming for the 2nd Checkpoint Tower, but then-
Bzzzt!
Flu blocked Ericka's path and their magical barriers collided! Due to the repelling force of the magical barriers, both Speedmages were launched in opposite directions, away from the 2nd Checkpoint Tower!
Ericka did not falter after that block. She boosted forward again, aiming to reach the 2nd Checkpoint Tower, but-
Bzzzt!
Flu blocked her path yet again, and they launched away in opposite directions!
This tactic feels way familiar to me. Is that-
"Oh…" Ericka stopped skating when she saw Flu blocking her path with a smile. "Isn't this the Deadlock tactic Lilith did to win most of her Speed Battles back in the tournament?"
"Yes!" Flu smiled with a glint in her blue eyes. "I've been wanting to try it ever since I lost my battle against Lilith, and I thought it would be effective against Speedmages who are slow to touch the 2nd Checkpoint Tower!"
I am amazed at Flu's explanation. I've been treating her as an idiot since forever, but now I think she has matured enough to decide on her tactics. Flu's reasoning for using Lilith's Deadlock strategy is on point too.
Ericka smiled. She looks like a proud big sister when she heard Flu's words. Flu is no longer the naive airhead that needs guidance and protection. She is now a Speedmage who can take on opponents from the National Speedmage Tournament.
However, there seems to be one more reason why Ericka is smiling. She took a step forward, and the ground below her became frozen solid.
"That won't work, Flu." Ericka confidently said.
"Eh?" Flu titled her head.
"Lilith's Deadlock strategy may work on most Speedmages, but not for me. You see, I am the perfect counter against Lilith's tactics."
"Huh?" Flu is puzzled, but she held her ground and braces for whatever Ericka is planning inside her head.
Ericka held her chest and took a deep breath. The moment she exhaled, snow dust scattered all around the air.
"Time Freeze."
Everything became black and white. Time has completely stopped its flow, and Fluonessia looks frozen solid.
Ericka took this opportunity to dash past Flu and reached the 2nd Checkpoint Tower! The moment she touched it, time resumed its flow!
Beep!
Point for Ericka, now tied at 1:1!
"E-Eh? Eeeeh?" Flu looked around, trying to locate her opponent. "W-Where is she?"
"Right behind you!" I immediately shouted at the mic.
The moment Flu tried to look, Ericka was already surging towards her back! She did not even have the time to turn around or spin! It was an open strike!
Beep! A blue magical circle point indicator manifested!
Point for Ericka, at 1:2!
"Kyaah!" Flu cried as she was launched by the repelling effect!
"Let's have a tag fight, Flu!" Ericka shouted with a smile.
Flu immediately retracted her cries and returned to the Prez with the same determined smile. "Yes, Prez!"
Flu spread out her arms on the back and then she channeled stardust energy in midair. She jumped towards the glittery magical circle she just made in a swipe of a finger, then shouted out loud the name of this spell!
"Stardust Trampoline!"
Swoosh!
Flu's jump was unbelievably fast as she used the repel effect's force to triple her jump speed! With such quickness, she was able to reach Ericka and clashed her face to face!
Bzzzt!
"Guah!" Ericka cried as she was launched away. She tried looking left and right to locate her opponent! "W-Where is she!?"
"On your left!" I cried to Ericka.
Ericka had no time to react. She only saw on her peripherals the glittery glowing pink magical circle that Flu has jumped to!
"Yaaaaaaah!" Flu cried as she extended her hand and struck Prez's back!
Beep! A pink magical circle point indicator was created!
Point for Fluonessia, at 2:2!
They are going toe-to-toe against each other, and at this rate, I do not know who will win!