Sorry for the delay there is still college and the final exams are nearing afterwards I will write as much as I can.

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Chapter 3 - Duel

The next day I found myself inside my room. Moving a little causes me great pain. Confused I looked around and on the table there is my bow.

Gen: I messed up its surprising I'm still in one piece after that incident.

Entering the room, grandpa saw me awake with an expression of worry and relief.

John: Gen!! You're awake you have been sleeping for 3 days... I'm glad don't worry me like that its bad for my health. Do you know what I felt when I saw you tattered and bleeding outside our house!?

Gen: Sorry grandpa...

John: Well don't keep me waiting! Explain how did you get yourself into that state...

I told him afterwards the part where I found myself in grandpa's room. Where I found a reflection of myself and the bow. About a random taking the form of my mother and trying to kill me but somehow managed.

John: It must be hard getting through with something like that...

Gen: I'm okay grandpa. Its common sense that if there is an event a random can appear using memories.

John: I know but... Well I'll cook something up, rest a little more.

Gen: Thanks and I hope I didn't miss anything important in school, I need to explain what happened or I'll be in trouble for missing three days in school.

John: You don't need to worry about that. When I saw you injured I had a rough idea on what happened so I already called school.

Gen: I see...

Closing my eyes I drifted to sleep. So far so much things happened that even I can't keep up. How are those two maybe they missed me even if we just met, well I doubt it, I'll explain myself when I see them. The next day I still feel a slight pain though not enough to be fussed about on, all in all I'm in good health.

Gen: Finally! I'm back to school.

Looking around the people around here look as active as usual. Well of course they are students of the prestigious Zeywan after all. Students here either have the drive to survive or a drive for fame and recognition. After walking a bit near the garden I saw Maria all alone sitting on a bench with nobody around.

Gen: Hey Maria!

Maria: Gen!

After seeing me she rushed towards me at full speed which made it hard to stop herself. Losing her balance I somehow caught her. She pushed me away with a slight blush on her face. Now that I get a proper look at her she is quite a beauty long silky black hair, fair white skin  and a mature body that men can't take their eyes off. Why is someone like her all alone. Wait... not the time to think about these things I need to explain first she seems quite worried. Thinking that a beauty like her worried about someone like me made me chuckle a bit.

Maria: What are you laughing at!?

Gen: Ah sorry.

Maria: Anyways me and Quant have been worried! Since the second day the teacher announce you will be absent for a while due to experiencing the MNH phenomenon. We thought something serious might have happened since its your first time experiencing it.

Gen: Wait! How did you know its my first time.

Maria: Well I am the class president after all I am given the privilege to know about the status of each student.

Gen: I see and what are you doing here all alone near the garden?

Maria: That's... its nothing how about we go class is gonna start soon.

Gen: Okay...

When we entered the classroom everybody looked at us, there seems to be a strange atmosphere lingering around and I seem to somehow feel a little uncomfortable though I do not know why. Then one of the students stood up and everyone was looking at him with fear in their eyes... what happened while I was away?

Man: I see... now everything makes sense. That man beside you is the reason you did not accept my confession. Sheesh you could have told me you already have a boyfriend I could have taught him a lesson to make him know who belongs to whom.

Maria: He isn't my boyfriend!

Man: Oh? Then who is he don't tell me you like this guy!?

Maria: Shut up!

Gen: Who is he?

Not reading the mood I suddenly asked causing Maria to be taken aback and tried to compose herself.

Maria he is Max Deril, one of the top student this year, he has two class 4 artifacts with him and started dueling with everyone in class to make them see who is the strongest.

Gen: So that is what happened while I was away and I can somehow tell what is next... after defeating everyone he confessed to you and that cause you to avoid him as much as possible. Wait don't tell me he defeated Quant!?

Maria: Yeah... Quant tried to defend me by dueling him but Max is a son of a researcher of the MNH phenomenon so he has an advantage on anything that goes with it including artifacts...

Max: Are you done in your chit chat if you have the time duel me now Maria and if I win your mine! You have not dueled with me yet and it is customary to duel in class at least thrice with different people but you have only dueled once and nobody seems willing to duel you.

Gen: No... I will duel you.

Maria: No! Gen he is far too strong for you... It is better for me to duel instead.

Gen: Believe in me...

Seeing my serious face caused her to blush a little before nodding.

Maria: Jeez! Just after your absence and you start a fight. Haah what am I going to with you.

Gen: Sorry, but after hearing his challenge to you I kinda snapped.

Again Maria reddens and started to fidget and its kinda cute somehow she seems kinda meek even though I witnessed how fierce she is on the first day.

Maria: Je-jeez just be careful, Quant has been injured a little so he is absent so please be careful.

Gen: I know...

Max: Hehehe... fine if I win Maria will be mine.

Gen: Then if I win you'll never bother her again

Max: Sure! As if you can win against me.

Maria looked at me a little worried. But where is my confidence coming from it is like I am a completely different person and somehow I feel strength overflowing within me. I stagger a little as I felt a pulse coming from the bow on my back.

???: (Master do not worry I will help you)

Gen: (Who are you and why are you inside my head?)

Silvia: (My name is Silvia I am the familiar of the bow)

Gen: (What!? I haven't heard of anything like an artifact that can talk!)

Silvia: (Anyway I am now an artifact that evolves with my master so my growth depends on yours)

Gen: (So that is why the is a growth limit on the bow.)

Going toward the arena outside I see the other students following us with a hopeless expressions as if knowing that I will surely lose.

Max: As I am generous I let you see what a strong artifact looks like.

Axe of the wild open!, Armor of the lone knight open!

Axe of the wild

Class 4 Artifact

Rarity: Rare

An axe belong to a humanoid beast that has hunted in the mountains fighting those that it deems strong. Unfortunately it was ambushed and lost its axe as well as its life leaving the axe with its grudge and rage.

Ability:

Power of the wild

You can lose your reasoning in exchange for s

Rage+, Strength x2

Armor of the lone knight

Class 4 Artifact

Rarity: Rare, Variant

An armor belonging to the knight of darkness at his adolescence. Even at a young age the knight of darkness has witness countless battles even rumored to be impenetrable.

Ability:

Shade of darkness

Controls the power of darkness around the wearer.

Darkness 10m radius. 10 min. Cooldown 20 min.

Passive Ability:

Night Dweller

When darkness surrounds you its true potential will show.

At night, speed and strength x1.5 / Shade of Darkness, speed and strength x2

Gen: Passive ability in a weapon!? So unfair...

Max: Aahahaha! See you have no chance. You have learned that variant rarity makes an artifact stronger than those of the same class.

Gen: Even so I'll defeat you.

Max: Tch! So persistent just give up.

Silvia: (Master teach him a lesson!)

Gen: (I will.)

Reaching arena I was surprised. Such a large space inside the building and weird machines around us.

Maria: This is one of the facilities that lets you use an artifact beside the event, amazing right?

Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

Gen: Yeah...

Max: Enough of that! get ready.

Hearing that I took out my bow.

Max: Oh! a bow it looks so weak. What class is it?

Gen: 4, why?

Max: Ooohhh! so at least you can put on a bit of fight.

Maria: Start at 3, 2, 1...Go!

Suddenly Max was charging at me holding his axe swinging it down forcing me to dodge by a hair's breadth. A shallow slash mark and drops of blood is visible on my chest.

Maria: Gen!

Gen: I'm alright...

Max: Not for long!

Again Max was charging at me when I heard Silvia.

Silvia: (Hurry and shoot! Don't worry about the angle I'll fix it for you... now!)

Releasing an arrow made of light heading towards Max even I was surprise of the power it has. Before Max knew the arrow was heading towards him it was too late as it penetrated his left shoulder.

Max: Guaahh!! You'll pay for that! I'll get serious shade of darkness!

The surroundings turned completely black making me paranoid on which direction he will come from. I just need to survive for 10 min before the darkness to dissipate so I need to focus... I need to us my other senses. Hearing a sound on my right getting closer I dodge and I saw a silver glint move past. I started to run and dodge towards the opposite direction. Dodging as quickly as I can and blocking any attack within my capability as artifacts cannot be broken. It lasted 5 min before Max was getting annoyed.

Max: Bastard! stop running!

I am getting more and more sluggish as I am not quite the fittest after all and I knew his speed has increased because of his ability, so troublesome! So I started to shoot at where I think he is but with his speed and my reduction on accuracy my arrows only hit air. 3 and a half minutes past before he got to me.

Max: Power of the wild!

Slashing at me with all his strength it hit my chest again only deeper but I manage to avoid sure death with me dodging the last minute. As the darkness dissipates what the other students saw was a red eyed Max rampaging about and a slightly conscious Gen lying on the bloody floor. Tears flowed out of Maria as she saw the scene and ran towards Gen out of worry.

Maria: Gen!!

Woman: Wait pres! Its still dangerous  even if it is over, you had seen the side effect of his axe. He will attack every thing on sight!

Maria: That is why I need to get there the teachers were called for an emergency meeting so he is not here, Gen might die!

Getting near me she tried to carry me only in vain as I was too heavy for her. I fell to the ground with Maria in tow. Everyone is starting to get restless and started panicking. Apparently death isn't uncommon in duels so there is a need for teachers to watch over. What bad timing and I know, looking at Max he isn't one to wait for them. At least I gotta protect Maria. I tried to stand up pushing the bloody floor with all my strength as I am still wobbling back and forth. I lifted my arms and pointed the bow at Max. As he saw this he started rushing towards me as I felt like time slows down.

Wait... time is really slowing down.

Silvia: (Master...with all my power within the remaining arrows I infused the light in you just to boost your perception for a short amount of time.)

Gen: (What is the point... I can barely move and I feel it is my end nearing.)

Silvia: (Even so... Master do you want power?)

Gen: (Yes... so that at least protect her.)

Silvia: (Hahahaha! So cliche, that is what heroes always say!)

Gen: (Shut up!) [I said embarrassingly]

Silvia: (Then give me your blood.)

Gen: (What! How much can I give... I have lost already too much, do you want me to die.)

Silvia: (Of course not! what I mean is the blood around you, even if not inside you I can still use it but I need permission first.)

Gen: (Then, you can and why didn't you say in the first place.)

Silvia: (I was getting to that!)

Blood started swirling forming a vortex around me and is starting to be absorbed into my bow. Startled, everyone stood in place feeling the ominous atmosphere spreading. Even Max stood in place due to caution while Maria was staring at what is happening in front of her in disbelief and worry,

Maria: Gen!

I looked back at Maria and smiled.

Gen: Maria, leave things to me.

Maria: Okay...

Again Maria reddens a bit and tried to stop me but I think she knows as she looked at my eyes that nothing can stop my resolve to protect. Maybe its in our blood(literally) the will to protect just like my grandpa. I chuckled a bit at the thought of protecting a beauty in front of a beast hahaha! Then after the blood was completely gone from sight, in front of me is a blood red bow shining in a white aura!

Silvia: (It is done... our contract.)

Woah... Silvia voice change from a slightly high pitch to a voluptuous one.

A letter fell on my hand.

Congratulations! You have successfully formed a contract with a familiar residing in an artifact. Familiars are ancient beings that are created to watch over life. Another term for them are spirits. As you are now linked to the familiar, it will grow with its master including the artifact.

Bloodbow of Contract acquired.

Gen: Bloodbow of Contract open!

Bloodbow of Contract

Class 5 Artifact

Rarity: Limited, Variant

A bow once made by a familiar of a man living in darkness. Having being the only one to protect its master the bow was made to fire as many times to how much the owner trusts his weapon. Rumor is said once there was an owner with the unlimited trust of the owner it can fire unlimited arrows turning the tide on the battlefield. The familiar after its long sleep has finally found a new master and it will then guide its master to greatness.

Ability:

Arrows of Blood

You can fire as many arrows to your limit with the expense of your spiritual energy which can be substituted for energy/stamina.

Passive Ability:

Blood Bound

Correction to Fate. Defense increases for each injury you have acquired. Faster Regeneration.

Arrows that can be fired: ?

Growth Limit: ?

Gen: Amazing!

Silvia: (Hurry up and finish this.)

Gen: (I know... I'm just caught up in the moment.)

I pulled back the black string of my blood red bow and what was created was an arrow of blood red energy with a white aura around it. Instead of feeling ominous I feel safe somehow... quite mysterious. I fired the arrow at the unguarded Max. He tries to dodge but as he dodged the blood red bow exploded with blood red energy scattering about and sent him flying.

Gen: (Ummm... Silvia.)

Silvia: (Pretty cool right? I can now control the energy within your arrows as I am now connected to you.)

Gen: (Ooohhh! Cool indeed!)

Another set of letters were found falling on my hands again. Where do these come from?

Skill Learned!

Energy Burst

Class 3 Active Skill

Rarity: Uncommon

You can any kinds of energy projectile you have created and disperse them at your command causing an explosion on your command. Damage +50% of base projectile power. (Large Area). Consumes Spiritual energy.

With my new found power I rushed back and continuously fire arrows and used the energy burst skill as Max tried to retaliate. He again uses his speed but as he is injured and shade of darkness gone, his speed dropped drastically giving me more time to attack until he staggers with his burnt flesh still smoking from all my energy bursts. The white of his eyes were visible and the red tint of his eyes were gone. He fell down on the floor finally giving me a sense of relief.

Maria: Gen... the winner of the duel is Gen!

After hearing the cheers of my fellow classmate. I am finally losing my consciousness.

Maria: Gen! Are you alright!?

Gen: (I feel kinda sleepy... I will close my eyes a bit...)

Man: What is going on here!?

Ahh... the teacher... what took you so long to come here only to arrive exactly after the duel was over. Your timing sucks. I then drifted to a deep sleep.