Chapter 34 - A Broken Spirit [Part 1]

I could see her moves as it seemed my vision was at its peak, Scratch that it was way beyond any peak I'd ever hit before, I assumed it was because of my mana circulation but am not sure, my main mana focal point is my arms and legs along with my core of acceptance

Yet even with my vision enhanced to where it is now, my reflexes were far behind my perception, she was still faster than my body could react even with my passive boosts and mana enhancements.

And everytime I'd somehow manage to block an attack she'd increase the mana output to break through my defenses with a follow-up attack.

I tried pinning her using Judo techniques, trying to put her into an arm lock but her flexibility would counter each attempt at a capture, some even backfire and she'd end up on top pinning me down instead.

"That's 6 losses do you wish to continue you look a bit exhausted." she no longer had a teasing smile on her face but a smile of pure happiness and accomplishment.

She was enjoying our bouts to the point she seemed to forget about everything else and just enjoy thrashing me.

That pure blissful smile was quite contagious as i found myself smiling.

I got up with determination removing the upper half of my yukata allowing it to hang around my hip as my chest laid bare.

"Not until i beat you at least once!" I spread my legs shoulder length apart and planted my feet into the ground reinforcing my core then slightly bending my knees while holding my hand out in front of my chest preparing for her next assault.

"Ladies love a man who never gives up, that's the spirit!" she then crouched into a sprint position and i could sense the mana she was gathering in her legs.

The smile on my face deepened and i braced myself and emptied my mind taking a deep breath and holding it making sure not to blink.

A cloud of dust erupted from where she was and in an instant, she was below me with her left palm coming full force at my chest.

My perception was already on par with her speed so I could see her every move even the rune written on her palm. I couldn't comprehend what was written nor did i have time to even try and comprehend.

Even if i took this blow I had to avoid that rune. I slapped her to my right and twisted my body in an attempt to slam my shoulder into her while avoiding her palm.

She pushed herself back in quick succession lessening the force of my blow. She landed on her feet with the same smile on her face.

I felt a chill as i realized she was getting way too excited from a fight.

"Let's keep going!" Her sweet mature voice with now laced with violence and bliss.

She charged in and grabbed my hand as i tried to pin her once again, her fighting style was weak to pinning maneuvers as she excelled in speed and evasion so straightforward attacks had a smaller chance of making contact.

Having one hand was quite a disadvantage though, it made grappling and pinning way more difficult.

She tried to pull me down to the floor which i quickly caught onto and released tension in my upper body to increase my flexibility.

I jumped back pulling her along with that force then holding her into my chest to bear hug her.

"How manly of you, trying to hug a maiden while shirtless." I saw her smile switch back to a teasing manner which made me realise i messed up.

"Don't worry this isn't enough to kill, TIER ZERO STATIC DISCHARGE." She placed her palm with the rune onto my chest and before could even retaliate, I was met with an electric current to my chest.

My body became unresponsive and the electric charge rewrote my ability to control my body.

My body from my neck down was essentially paralyzed. I grit my teeth as the electrical energy slowly disperses causing my numb body to quiver and then fall to the floor like a sack of potatoes.

…

"Is he okay granny?"

"He should be… I don't think I overdid it, but to be passed out for five hours that's quite worrying. Am happy his heart didn't stop though."

"I see." I felt a wet fabric on my face gently wiping it before the was placed on my forehead.

"You seem worried about him a lot huh…? Is there smth am not seeing going on here Ara."

." G R A N N Y!"

I had felt like opening my eyes the moment i gained consciousness but i think i lost that chance. As it'd be too embarrassing to do now.

I then realized something the one tending to me was Sara and i could feel her hands.

Wait hands… she's transformed right now.

"Anyways you're still scared, right? If so it's best you only show him when you're comfortable enough okay."

I felt her hands stop moving and the atmosphere in the room grew silent.

"Do you think he'll be disgusted?…" her voice was shakey laced with fear but also hopeful.

"I don't know but there's only one way to find out now isn't there?"

"Y-yeah." her somber tone almost broke my heart just from hearing it but my guilt from eavesdropping prevented me from reacting physically.

"Let us go change the water." i heard Madam Tsukio get up from where she sat as she pats herself down.

"Yeah let's go."

The room grew silent as they left but i was still hesitant to move.

"Thanks for pretending to still be sleeping." Madam Tsukio's voice whispered in my ear which sent a chill down my spine as i thought she had already left but i was still too afraid to move in this situation.

"Granny it's dark out you coming!?" Sara's voice entered the hut from outside.

"Yeah, yeah am coming."