Chapter 143

"What a shame. Leona lacks the battle experience and flexibility that Alvera has. I think as long as Alvera didn't use her spirit power, they are actually around the same when we compare their magic power." Ludger examines the battle objectively. 

"Well both of them are known as genius as they were able to use their attribute much better even when you compare to the people from the Magic Tower. But the last attack seems to be unexpected for Leona because it happened too fast." Darius added his opinion. 

"But is it all right for them to mess and half destroy the ring? And why do I feel that I really regret for knowing what they are talking about because I feel like as if some strayed bullets hit me when I hear it." Ludger feels a headache as he knows what they are talking about is related to him.

"Haha. That's why I warned you before. But you are really popular and loved by everyone. I even feel that I will lose if we do a popularity voting in this city now." Darius teased.

"Haa! I don't think I will beat you, after all, you're the beloved Duke who oversees and protects this city. So, who is the next pair?" Ludger change the topic and return it to what they are talking about before. 

"The next one is your friend's battle," Darius said and took another recording magic tool and showed it.

***

After they repaired the ring, the next contestants came up to the ring.

Both of them are two best friends who just come to this city to become an adventurer. Right, it was Edgar and Rainold. Both of them looked serious.

"Ed, how about we bet something like what Leo just did with that senior?" Rainold asked. 

"I don't mind about it because it sounds interesting. But what do you want to bet for?" Edgar seems interested in Rainold suggestion.

"How about telling your secrets to the winner?" Rainold said while starting to put a stance.

"Hmm, but I thought I knew most of your secrets so won't I be disadvantaged in this bet?" Edgar also put his stance.

Both of them seem to be relaxed because they are used to sparring with each other. They looked at each other and spoke leisurely like that but for the people who understand what they're doing, the battle is already started. Both of them slightly move as they attack and defend from the other move. But it caused the people who didn't understand what they were doing started to booing.

"Then how about the loser should do something embarrassing like make a love confession to people of the same gender?" Rainold suggests. 

"Will the winner choose the person the loser will made that love confession to?" Edgar asked. 

"Oh! That's a good idea. Then if I win I will make you make a love confession to Ludy. I think it will be interesting and Leo will also agree to my idea and it will be really funny." Rainold grin.

Whoosh. Whoosh. 

"We should stop this warming up and begin to get serious!" Edgar suddenly started to send a consecutive quick attack at Rainold with serious attacks.

"Woah! Hey, why are you suddenly sheeting with such killing intent! Are you crazy, that attack just now will give me serious injuries!" Rainold was surprised but maybe because he knew his attack style, he was able to dodge his attacks. 

"What a shame my attacks didn't reach your body. Don't worry if you are not dead, I will be able to heal you. Well, at least I will be able to avoid your death with the help of the healers and priests. That's why just let me at least stab you once." Edgar makes a dark smile as he keeps attacking with his quick and sharp attacks. 

"Wa-Wait...Why have you suddenly become a psychopath? Woah! Hey, are you really trying to kill me?! Aahhh!" Rainold got pressured by Edgar's consecutive quick attacks and he decided to seriously fight back.

Bang.

Rainold swung his great sword with his full power and deflected Edgar's attacks. The swing was causing gale and shock waves when it touched anything. Because of this attack, he could get some distance from Edgar and make a counterattack. 

"I was just wondering...why do you seem to hate Ludy? Did he do something wrong about him before or because of the one he showed us before or maybe because you're such an unsociable person?" Rainold who is able to breathe after making distance asks the question that bugging him.

As Edgar's best friend, he had known him for years. That's why he knows that Edgar who hates getting close to others is acting strange every time he meets Ludger. While his other best friend, Leona said he was shy. But it was just too strange for someone like Edgar who was always composed even when he was attacked by assassins to lose his composure every time he met Ludger and act strangely cold.

But...

Edgar frowned as he heard Rainold's question. "I never thought that you would feel like that from my actions. But it's not like what you're imagining. While both of us know that he also has a secret, but I also don't care about it. I will tell you the reason if you are able to defeat me."

Whoosh.

Edgar quickens his attack and his movements become more complicated. As it was a quick and powerful attack clad with aura, it caused some sharp whirlwind that was able to cut a person. 

"Damn! What a cheating bastard! You seriously want to kill me, your only male best friend like this!" Rainold cursed at Edgar's attack but he was calm and swung his great sword downward with his full power. 

"Stop your bullshits! Have you ever thought that your power was the real cheat? How could you do something like this with only raw power?!" Edgar feels bitter as Edgar is able to nullify his attack with his powerful swing without using his aura.

"You know that I can't use my aura when facing you, my best friend as my opponent. Just say that I will forfeit if you want it. I think I will just go and make a confession to Ludy, he will understand that it was just a punishment game." Rainold honestly said.

Both Rainold and Leona had vowed to never hurt their best friend, especially Edgar. While Edgar didn't care about it, but they knew that Edgar was someone who would become the greatest person in the future. It's not because of their blind faith as his best friends but because Edgar is the most talented person they ever met who has a charisma that makes him able to trust him from the first time they met. Someone like Edgar is needed for the better future of this country. 

They know that Edgar will become a great person in the future ever since the first time they met him at the age of seven. He always knows what kind of trouble and problems they will be facing. Even when they fight with the assassins that want to kill them when they want to go to the Labyrinth City. They could only feel safe after meeting the current Duke Kadaklan who promised to protect them.

"I don't really care if you want to use aura. Don't you think it will become a much more interesting fight?" Edgar suggested with a fearless attitude. 

"You know that I am the only person who will get into trouble for whatever happened to you. Haaa...You and Leo were always making a lot of problems and I was the only one who had to take care of all of it." Rainold remembers all of the problems he had to face because of his best friends. 

"Look at you! You dare to blame all of it as our fault and act high and mighty as if you have never done something crazy before. Our trip to this city got worse because you accidentally cut the roof of our carriage when you were training. What kind of muscle brain who uses all of his power for training and having a hard time when a group of monsters attack us?" Edgar seems quite angry from hearing Rainold complaints. 

"Hey, that's just an accident because it was my first time travelling with my best friends. Didn't you also have a hard time because you have no experience interacting with people, you anti-social bastard!" Rainold also gets angry as Edgar describes his embarrassing moments. 

As their battle gets intense, their quarrelling also becomes more childish but somehow funny. In the end, Rainold still forfeits the fight as he accidentally uses his aura. The people who watched their match became angry because the ending of their battle was an unsatisfactory end for them.But there are also some people who squeal because of that result. 

***

"Hahaha! I really wish that I could watch their match directly. As expected of my friends, they are always so funny." Ludger laughed loudly as he watched it and listened to what they were talking about while fighting. 

"Haa..., both of them are crazy as always. So, how will you react when the loser comes and makes a love confession to you?" Darius teased him.

"Hmm..., I feel a bit complicated about it. Do you think it will be a good prank if I accept the love confession for one day only?" Ludger tilts his head wondering what will happen.

"...Uh...I think you should stop it because he will definitely lose his life if you do that." Darius seriously answers.