chapter 19 – A Dance with the Scarlet Blade
Chapter 19: A Dance with a Predator
Alden Blackwood exhaled sharply, his chest rising and falling as he stood in the middle of the dense virtual forest.
The jungle was eerily silent now, the usual distant battle cries replaced by a thick, suffocating tension. His smartwatch beeped, and he spared it a quick glance.
[Time Left: 17 Minutes]
"Seventeen minutes… I just have to survive."
Easier said than done.
For the past hour, he had been dodging fights, conserving stamina, and avoiding unnecessary confrontations, only taking down just enough monsters to secure a respectable score.
His plan was simple: stay within the top 40 rankings—just enough to land in S-Class without standing out.
It had been working flawlessly.
Until fate—or rather, the game's ridiculous sense of drama—decided to drop Alicia von Rosenheim right in front of him.
---
Alicia von Rosenheim: A Problem He Didn't Need
She stood a few meters away, crimson hair flowing behind her, golden eyes locked onto him like a hawk that had just spotted its next meal.
The air around her practically crackled with excitement.
Alicia von Rosenheim.
Rank: D+ (For now.)
Status: One of the strongest sword users in the Academy.
Current Mood: Playful but dangerous.
"Why her? Of all people, why her?"
At his current level of E-, the gap between them was massive. If she wanted to, she could cut him down in seconds.
But she wasn't attacking. Not yet.
She studied him, tilting her head slightly. "You've been avoiding fights."
Alden met her gaze, keeping his expression relaxed. "Call it strategy."
Alicia smirked. "Or cowardice."
Oh, she's enjoying this.
Alden sighed dramatically, crossing his arms. "I prefer to call it 'selective engagement.'" He gestured at the jungle. "You don't always have to fight to prove a point, you know."
Her smirk widened. "Then fight me, and prove that point."
Before he could argue, she vanished.
---
A Predator Unleashed
Alden's instincts screamed at him.
Move—NOW!
He barely twisted his body in time—
SHING!
A silver blade sliced through the space where his neck had just been.
"She's fast—!"
He jumped back, raising his sword just in time to block the follow-up strike.
CLANG!
The impact rattled his arms, sending a jolt up to his shoulders.
Alicia wasted no time, pressing the attack with a relentless rhythm.
She wasn't just fast.
She was precise. Efficient. Unrelenting.
Each strike flowed seamlessly into the next, forcing him onto the defensive. He barely had time to breathe between blocks and dodges.
Damn it. I just need to hold out.
---
Buying Time
Alden focused on defense. He sidestepped, parried, deflected—anything to avoid a direct clash.
He knew he couldn't overpower her.
If he tried to fight head-on, he'd lose instantly.
"Think, think! How do I buy time?"
Alicia wasn't going all out yet. He could tell.
Her strikes were sharp but not overwhelming—like she was testing him. Watching his reactions.
She's playing with me.
Fine. He'd play along.
Alden moved with minimal effort, using the most efficient movements possible. He didn't try to counter. He didn't waste energy.
Survive.
Alicia raised an eyebrow. "You're holding back."
Alden smirked. "Or maybe I'm just making you work for it."
She chuckled softly. "Then let's work harder."
Her mana surged.
---
Now She's Serious
Alden's breath hitched as Alicia's sword blazed with crimson energy.
Oh, come on.
The next strike nearly shattered his guard. He barely managed to deflect it, but the sheer force sent him stumbling backward.
She didn't slow down.
She pressed forward, each attack faster, sharper. Unrelenting.
Alden clenched his teeth.
No Eclipse Vision. Too unnatural.
No 5-Star Sword Art. Too obvious.
But he still had his 2-Star Sword Art.
Taking a sharp breath, Alden adjusted his stance. His footwork became smoother. His sword movements more precise.
He stopped blocking head-on and started redirecting her strikes.
He wasn't fighting to win.
He was fighting to last.
Alicia's eyes narrowed.
"You're stalling."
"Of course I'm stalling!"
But instead of backing off—
She increased the pressure.
---
The Final Countdown
Alden's stamina was draining fast.
Ten more minutes. Just ten more.
His arms burned from the repeated impacts. His mind raced for a way out.
She wasn't even using her full strength yet.
Then—
BEEP!
The world around them froze.
Alicia's sword—inches from Alden's throat—halted mid-strike.
The artificial sunlight flickered.
The trees and grass wavered like a mirage.
Then—
Darkness.
---
Back to Reality
Alden gasped as he was yanked back into reality.
His vision blurred as the Virtual Reality Capsule hissed open, cool mist escaping into the dimly lit academy chamber.
His heart was still pounding. His muscles still tense.
It was over.
He had survived.
As he sat up, he noticed movement.
Alicia had already stepped out of her capsule, running a hand through her red hair as she turned toward him.
She looked… amused.
Alden groaned. "I feel like I just went through a blender."
Alicia tilted her head. "You were interesting."
That's never a good thing.
He sighed, rubbing his temples. "Glad to be your entertainment."
She smirked. "We should spar sometime. Properly."
Alden forced a laugh. "Yeah, let's… not."
Alicia just smiled, golden eyes gleaming with undeniable interest.
Damn it.
He had tried to stay under the radar.
Instead, he had just caught the attention of Alicia von Rosenheim.