“Are you ready Amy?” Oswald said as he stretched. He was clearing his mind, getting ready to face Amy As he stepped into the fighting ring he faced Amy. “I won’t go easy on you just because you’re my friend.”
“That’s fine, if you went easy on me I would be mad. I want to test my limits against you!” Amy was excited. She tied up her hair. “I won’t hold anything back, Oz!”
Hannah, Jack, Aurora, Selene, and Aria were seated in the sidelines waiting for the sparring match to begin. Oswald smirked, then he rushed towards Amy. Oswald threw a punch as soon as he reached Amy. Amy dodged the punch and kicked towards Oswald. Oswald caught Amy’s leg. As Amy struggled to free her leg, Oswald quickly let it go. Due to the force was using, Amy lost her balance. Oswald took the opportunity to throw a punch. Unable to dodge, Amy blocked the punch with her left arm. After the impact, Amy completely lost balance and fell to the ground.
“That really hurt. You’re not holding back your punches.” Amy complained as she quickly got up.
“Well you told me to give it my all.” Oswald responded.
“I did say that, but I really never thought about how strong you actually are. I’ve never faced you. I can see the gap in our physical strength, so I’ll have to use this. STRENGTH! DEFENSE! SPEED!” Amy applied self-buffs. “This is what Selene did during your guys’ match.”
“Let’s see how you compare with her.” Oswald said as he threw a punch.
“That won’t work. If it didn’t work before, what makes you think it will now?” Amy said as she dodged the punch. She threw a punch towards Oswald.
“It seems like you still don’t have a good battle sense.” Oswald said as he blocked the punch with his right arm. “This is something that Aria taught me over the past few months. It’s something you have to realize on your own. Try to think about my reasoning.”
“I have no idea yet.” Amy said as she continued throwing punches. “You could dodge my attacks as well.”
“If that’s what you want.” Oswald began to dodge Amy’s punches.
“He still needs to improve more. His dodging is not efficient enough.” Aria commented.
“Really, to me it seems he is fighting just fine.” Hannah said.
“He certainly is lacking, and I am even more since I lost to him.” Selene said.
“How can you guys tell?” Jack asked.
“I mean I have been watching the best of the best fight, so I can spot that.” Selene answered.
“I am considered one of the top Adventures and I have been in many fights with strong opponents.” Aria answered. “He will get there eventually, on the other hand Amy needs to work harder if she wants to reach the top Adventurers. If she is fine with being a mid-tier Adventurer she should be fine with her current growth.”
“How can we reach the top, Ms Aria?” Aurora asked.
“If you can beat Ozzy, then you certainly can reach the top. I mean Selene lost against him, even though she was using Magic.” Aria explained. “Selene you lost because you were trying to show off your Electric Magic.”
“I just learned how to use it, of course I want to show it off!” Selene said. “Not even Leo can use Electric Magic yet.”
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“I get it, that's very impressive, but that made you lose.” Aria scolded. “Never do that when you're fighting as an Adventurer.”
“Yes, ma'am,” Selene said, looking down. “I understand. But I was just having fun, so don’t scold me. Old lady!” She stuck out her tongue.
“Teenagers.” Aria sighed. “And I am only 24. Just focus on the match.”
“You know. Oz, you’re my third friend I made. Although, does Nana count as a friend since she is my cousin?” Amy was now dodging Oswald’s attack. She could barely keep up with him. “If so, she was my first friend.”
“I would say Hannah is your friend. If I am your third one, then who is your second one?” Oswald asked as he continued attacking. He was increasing the speed of his attacks bit by bit.
“It was Miria Kim. You know the next saintess.” Amy answered. She switched to blocking Oswald’s attacks.“We three, Nana, Maria, and I were great friends. I remember those times fondly.”
“I see …” Oswald stopped his attacks and stepped back. He began observing Amy. “I am guessing …”
“Yeah, Nana and Maria had a huge argument.” Amy rushed towards Oswald. “I still don’t know what they talked about. Nana and Maria used to be BFFs; they were so close. What kind of argument separated them!?” Amy began throwing punches. “After that they stopped talking. Maria even stopped talking to me. I know that I am Nana’s cousin, but why did she also drop our friendship? I miss her. Even though I occasionally see her when I go to her family’s bakery, things are not like they used to be back in middle school. It hurts so much losing a friend.”
“I can’t imagine the pain it feels, I wouldn’t want to lose my friendship with any of you guys.” Oswald said as he dodged Amy’s attacks. “I hope to continue being friends for the rest of our lives.”
“I felt so happy when we became friends, you just looked so lonely, Oz.” Amy said. “I still remember approaching that lonely boy at the cafeteria. I am glad I talked to you. You have become a precious friend.”
“I think that was the day Jack was out sick, so I was by myself.” Oswald said as he switched to blocking Amy’s attacks. “Talking to you eventually led to me dating Hannah, so I am happy that you had the courage to approach me, Amy. You are a great friend.”
“I got lucky by making a great friend. And now I have more friends, Jack, Aurora, and Selene have joined as my friends. I guess Ms. Aria even counts as our friend. I am so blessed.” Amy stepped back. “I can’t go on anymore. Let’s stop here. I am too tired.” Amy was panting. Her whole body was covered in sweat.
“That’s fine.” Oswald took a deep breath. Sweat drops were running down his face. “That was fun.”
“Yeah, I still have a long way to go before I can reach you!” Amy said with a smile.
“Do you think you’re ready for Monday?” Oswald asked.
“I should be able to get my Adventure’s License.” Amy answered. “The only thing that has me worried is that we have to spend 2 days in the dungeon. But I guess if we want to be Adventurers we would have to be even longer inside some dungeons at a time.”
“That’s correct. There are some expeditions that can take up to a month.” Aria explained. “Not many people like them, so usually the rewards are very generous.”
“Then I know which missions I will be taking in the future.” Jack said, laughing. “I will be wherever there is money.”
“I won’t let my boyfriend go on such long missions by himself, so I’ll have to take them as well.” Aurora said, looking at Jack. “It sounds fun being in a dungeon.”
“We never been in a dungeon, how is it, Aria and Selene?” Hannah asked.
“It’s just like the artificial dungeons you guys have been to, but you can feel Magical Energy all around you.” Selene answered.
“Your boyfriend didn’t tell you about it Hannah?” Aria looked at Oswald.
“Oh yeah, you became Oswald’s bodyguard after he sneaked into a dungeon.” Hannah said. “How come you never told me how it feels to be in a dungeon, Oz?”
“I … forgot to tell you about it.” Oswald laughed nervously. “But I told you the most important part, that I got a bodyguard.”
“Alright, but as punishment you have to buy me some boba.” Hannah approached Oswald and hugged his arm. “I am really really craving it right now.”
“Then, let’s go. I believe there is a boba shop nearby.” Oswald said, looking at Hannah. “I also want some.”