I have made a grave error.
This little girl does have the skills to back up that bravado of hers! It's apparent she has had some training with the rapier as her footwork is good and her fundamentals are exceptional. As we trade blows, I can tell she tirelessly worked on her skills and form every day without rest. Those who are in tune with their weapons and are diligent in their training can feel the hard work of whoever they cross blades with. That is how I know this little girl is the real deal.
As a seasoned warrior who has fought many battles and had the fortune of dueling with my master once, I have a general idea of where I stood on the hierarchy of power in the Demonic Dojo. The weakest of the five would be the fifth pupil, who has yet to learn the first skill of the Demonic Arts, only relying on the [Shadow Steps] skill. Next would be the third pupil. A man whose only good at breaking things with pure strength. He may not be a mindless brute, but he still lacks the agility and finesse of a skilled warrior. The fourth pupil is after the third pupil, and she embodies strength and skill. Couple with the fact that she doesn’t slack in her training, the girl has great potential in being a powerhouse in all of Earthiens. Truly a diligent warrior.
Next in the rankings would be me, the oldest of the five. I wouldn’t say I’m weak, far from it. I specialize in speed and dexterity with the twin curved daggers. I am also the most experienced, but that all doesn’t matter in the face of the first pupil. If I had to pick one word to describe them, I would call him a monster.
The cold blade of the rapier scraped along my right cheek, a drop of blood seeping out of the wound. The little girl was giving me no room to breathe as she continued her assault of quick thrusts. What I learned so far is that this girl specializes in speed like I do, though she was still slower than I am. The biggest problem isn’t her speed, nor or weapon as of now, but her magic. It’s one I have never seen before in all my years! Summoning blades of brilliant, crystalized blue in groups and launching them at my blind spot. She has the focus to fight while simultaneously casting such dangerous magic. Her mana reservoir is also expansive too!
"Tsk!"
I hastily evaded a stab directed to my head by arching my body backward as far as I could to the ground. Putting both palms on the floor, I rose one of my legs to kick the girl, but she backed away as if she read my moves. I took that opportunity to backflip away from my opponent to finally regain my breath. As much as I hate to admit it, I’ll have to use the Demonic Arts to stand a chance against her…
“You fight well. Your victory over the other pupils weren’t a fluke.” I raised my gray sleeve to wipe away at the dripping wound. The dark gray Gi given to me by the master has now been stained by my blood- blood I haven’t seen outside my body in years… Absolutely deplorable!
“You’ve forced my hand. Be grateful that you will bear witness to the Demonic Arts bestowed by the generous Demonic Dojo master...”
“You’re talking about the Energy Wave and Vortex, right? Already seen them," the bray mocked by yawning.
“Heh. I’m not surprised you’ve already viewed the first two Demonic Arts. I was referring to the ones that are harder to learn. Only the first pupil, the dojo master, and I have learned them.”
“Oh?” A slight tinge of interest flashed across the girl’s hazelnut eyes. Yes… swallow the bait whole. Many on Earthiens are curious about the Demonic Arts. Only a select few had the fortune of gazing at these skills.
“Well, if you don’t mind, how about I-“ I wasn’t able to finish my sentence as the girl rudely cut me off.
“You see. While I am interested in these Demonic Arts, I have a little philosophy I like to follow. A philosophy I’ve been following for eight months now…”
Philosophy? What on Earthiens is she talking about? With the way this conversation is going, it's probably not good at all! The little girl has a devious glint in her eyes that reminds me of an impatient child who couldn’t wait any longer to play outside. I’ll have to get into the stance required to-
In a flash, the girl disappeared from the spot she was just at. Knowing what was happening next, I instinctively whirled my body around just in time to block a blow directed at my heart. The little girl and I were face to face, buried behind a shower of sparks from our blades. She had a poker face on her round, brown face, yet when I stared into her eyes, there was unwavering confidence.
“The philosophy I follow… is to never let my opponent finish whatever they have in mind," she said smugly. "Why would I give you all the time in the world to use your skills?”
“Is that supposed to be a rhetorical question, little girl?”
“What do you think, old lady?” She puffed, the corner of her lips slightly curled. That only infuriated me even more. How am I, an experienced martial artist, losing to a brat less experienced than I am? Our skills should be night and day!
“ENOUGH!”
With all my might, I shoved the girl back as far as I could, faintly hearing a quiet thump sitting across the room. This is my only chance at using my Demonic Arts! I can’t waste even a single second! I can’t use the first art since that’ll be useless against her. The second art is a great option since it’ll continuously sap her mana, but what I need right now is the third one. I’ll proceed with the correct stance to activate it. Stand upright, legs glued together. Lift one arm and have it vertically sideways in front of my face while the other is pressed against your back.
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“Demonic Arts Third Skill: Shrouded Darkness…”
Shrouded Darkness is an art that can make even the brightest lights bend to the dark's will. It is mostly used for assassinations or to get the edge on your opponents, but there are other uses as well. With the combination of [Shadow Steps], you are undetectable in the shadows, creating the most suitable area for taking down strong opponents. To think I’d have to use this combination on a little girl… As much as it leaves a sour taste in my mouth, I’ll have to swallow my pride just for this occasion. I will not be defeated in the Demonic Dojo of all places, especially when the master has been watching this whole time! I’d rather disembowel myself and beg for forgiveness in the next life.
Navigating through the darkness is no problem at all as those who activate the skill aren’t affected. Using [Shadow Steps] I quickly dashed toward the area where I shoved the little girl towards. As expected, she has yet to move. Both the girl and the dragon were looking around frantically, probably at a loss for how to escape from this dire situation. How does it feel to be pushed to the edge, brat? Search all you want, but you still won’t be able to see anything in this darkness! My rage and contempt for you have skyrocketed ever since the beginning. The stronger our emotions, the more powerful the Demonic Art. Although you weren't aware of this fact, you shouldn’t have made me this angry! I will savor the despair you will inevitably express once you lie directly under my foot, struggling. Ah, but enough stalling. Prepare to be defeated!
I sped toward the girl with all my might, the daggers in my hands feeling light. In under a second, I was already a few feet away from the girl, the taste of victory already encompassing the tip of my tongue. The blades was now centimeters away from inflicting a serious wound across her chest…
“Predictable…” The girl whispered, glaring at my surprised face. With precise movements, my opponent swiped her rapier upwards, sending both of my daggers flying into the air. Then, with her free arm, pointed her index finger right at me. Immediately, I felt multiple stabbing sensations in my shoulders, arms, and legs. When I glanced at what it could be, I could only curse at my foolishness. Six mana blades were sticking out of my body like a pincushion. The flash of excruciating pain had me tumbling onto the ground.
“B-but how?” I groaned, tilting my head up at the straight-faced girl.
“You got too cocky when you thought you won. Did you really think I wouldn’t hit my target if I can’t see?”
“What kind of stupid-“
“My mana blades can lock on their targets, regardless of visibility. How is it possible, you ask? Well, let’s say that I might have planted a sort of string to your body. The mana blades would then follow that string and hit their marks.”
She planted a string…? Wait, could it be?!
“You fashioned this string out of your mana, and that’s how your mana blades knew where to go?!”
Instead of uttering a response, the girl simply smiled at me.
“…It seems I’ve been bested...”
I quietly cancelled the Demonic Art Shrouded Darkness. The artificial shadows slowly slinked away in the deepest pits of the room. A few moments later, the area was back to its original form.
“As much as I hate to admit it… I have been beaten fair and square. This is your win, little girl.”
To think I have been bested by someone significantly younger than me yet again, all in the same year. Am I truly unfit to be a pupil of the Demonic Dojo? Yes… I do not deserve such a title. I can only save my master's embarrassment by committing this one final act…
I deserve death! This is the only way to redeem myself!
“Do you know why I haven’t killed you, granny?” The girl muttered, just as I was about to bite down on my tongue. Instead of answering, I kept my mouth shut, only listening to what she could possibly say in this situation.
“I could’ve stabbed a mana blade through your skull at that moment, but I didn’t. It’s because the dojo master would be hurt to see one of their prized pupils die just like that.”
I felt anger rising out of my throat. “What do you know about the dojo master?! You’ve never met them, nor have you ever heard of them. They are an existence few could meet, a few could overpower, and few could even beg at their feet! Someone of that stature has no use for weaklings like me!”
If word gets around that a pupil of the Demonic Dojo was beaten so one-sidedly, my master’s reputation would plummet! To save face, the only way is to die for their reputation! No weaklings are admitted to the Demonic Dojo!
The little girl glowered at me and shook her head as she squatted right in front of me. “Wow, aren’t you selfish? You’re only thinking about yourself and not what your master truly thinks. Frankly, I feel bad for the master to have a disciple like you.”
“W-What? How dare you! Taking on that condescending to-“
“I’d love to berate you more, but I gotta go. Don’t drown yourself in that self-pity of yours. Cya.”
The rude girl quickly rose from the ground and walked silently to the door. The pet dragon on her shoulder was looking straight at me with a pitiful gaze. Is that thing… Feeling sorry for me?
“Hold on! I’m not done with you!” I shouted, but my voice wasn’t able to reach her as the door to the next floor closed with a loud click.
****
“How disappointing, don’t you think master? The second pupil lost in such a terrible state. I thought the old lady would put up a good fight, but to be defeated so one-sidedly…”
I sighed at my pupil's words and leaned forward on my arm. “Yes, first pupil. Though it is disappointing, I am not mad at the results. The second pupil is strong, yes, but her opponent was just the better fighter altogether.”
“Oh yea? Between me and that girl, who’s the better fighter? You should have some idea since you’ve been watching her ever since she stepped foot into the Demonic Dojo.”
My brow furrowed as I stared at the curious boy. “…Do you want the truth or the response you want to hear?”
“Master… why did you repeat the same question? You should already know the answer.”
“Heh… you are correct. I am sorry for testing you.”
Yes… I’ve indeed been watching the little one since the beginning. From what I’ve seen so far, she has admirable traits. Strong, yet moderate. Calm and collected no matter the situation. Quick and precise movements- none are wasted. Her demeanor and actions remind me exactly of the first pupil sitting in front of me. A boy just ripe of twenty-three years old. A well-toned body that exemplifies his hard work with the art of the sword. Short, neatly trimmed hair so that his eyes aren’t obstructed. Pitch dark eyes that match his hair, and a devilish grin that had all the girls in the Demonic Continent swooning over him. He is as handsome as he is a diligent martial artist.
“Well, first pupil, are you ready to hear the answer?”
My dear pupil rapidly nodded his head, eagerly awaiting my answer with bated breath. Regardless of the outcome, if the newcomer were to reach the twenty-fifth floor, it will be a fight that both will never forget for as long as they live.