22ND GEAR - TWO IS SOMEHOW WORSE THAN ONE

I thought at first that Flu was the one giving me bad luck because of her idiocy, but I have never been so wrong. This time, it was Prez's outburst that got me into the spotlight once again.

"Hey look! It's a Speed Battle!"

"Are they conducting a duel this early? Wait, isn't that Vincent the Teleporter?"

"Maybe it's an exhibition match to get us fired up!"

The club members from Cool Escape and Eaglecrest started to flock around a Triangle where people are setting up. There was an outdoor stage on the north side of the training camp where spectators, coaches, and navigators are allowed to stay to have a better view of the Triangles. Prez and I are busily preparing our gear on that stage.

As soon as I fixed my headset, I turned to Prez who just took on her dark gloves.

"Are you sure you're doing this?" I whispered.

"I will never back down just because he's the Speedmage Champion! I'll give him a piece of my mind even if I lose!" Prez said, still ticked off.

"No, I mean your condition. Is your stomach okay?"

"I'm fine! I will hold on as much as I can, swallow it as much as I could!" Prez smiled adorably.

"Don't smile like that when you're talking about gross things!" I cried.

All of a sudden, two Speedmages approached us. It was Flu and Cruzo who just seemed to have noticed the commotion around. I don't know who won their race on touching Checkpoint Towers, and I don't have time to ask.

"Hey, hey, what's happening?" Flu tilted her head in confusion.

"You see, Prez here is so hotblooded that she challenged the Speedmage Champion," I said.

"Y-You challenged the Speedmage Champion!?" Flu gasped. She pumped her fists. "That's awesome!"

Flu's naivety is enviable at this point. She does not know much about the provocation of the Eaglecrest members to our guild, which really ticked off our president. I understand Prez that she is just securing my position on the club as she does not want me to be recruited by Eaglecrest, but Flu does not know about their bout yet. Let's keep it that way so that it will not complicate things.

"Hello there."

A man wearing the blue Eaglecrest varsity jacket caught our attention. He is the third varsity bully guy from before, and he has an uncanny resemblance with Vincent the Teleporter. However, he is much taller, much skinnier, and much paler than the Speedmage Champion.

"Y-Yes?" Flu asked.

"You're Fluonessia Asahime, the famous rookie who beat Captain Tezza Flaschk, right?"

"Y-Yes, but it was just a coincidence that I won! I'm a failure after all. Tahahaha!" Flu scratched her head.

"Why won't you join the Speed Battle?"

"Eh? Isn't Speed Battles fought one versus one?" Flu asked.

"This is just an exhibition duel. Fighting the reigning Speedmage Champion will be a good learning experience for a newbie like you." The man said. Then he talked through the mic and asked Vincent the Teleporter from the other side. "Is it okay with you, big bro?"

"I'm game with that! I'm looking forward to racing against the legendary princess who beat Captain Lightning of Cool Escape." Vincent said through the speaker.

"R-Really!?" Flu pumped her fists in excitement, then she turned to me and then to Prez. Her eyes silently ask for our permission.

A two-versus-one Speed Battle is absurd. The latter player will have a big disadvantage as he will be facing two Speedmages at once. However, this is the Speedmage Champion we're talking about. This is a good exhibition match to see how large is the gap of power between a Speedmage Champion and my players.

I nodded at Prez who immediately submitted.

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"Hmph! If you are underestimating Merry Knights that much, then we will do it your way. Just don't complain if it turned out the opposite of what you intended!" Ericka said to the person who seemed to be Vincent's Navigator.

"We will take full responsibility." The guy smiled. "Oh, by the way, the name is Justine Shadowseek, Vincent's little brother."

"I don't know you, and I don't care to know you. Hmph." Ericka crossed her arms. She's in full tsundere mode.

"I-I'm Fluonessia Asahime, nice to meet you! Ah, you already know me! Tahahaha!" Flu dumbly laughed.

"Hey, if you guys are already done idioting and trash-talking around, go to the starting line. Your opponent is waiting already." I said.

With a nod, Flu and Prez dashed with their super speed to reach the 1st Checkpoint Tower. There, Vincent, the Teleporter has already taken his ready position.

Vincent Shadowseek, the current Speedmage Champion is wearing a pure black battlesuit with a platinum jacket. He also has a long purple scarf that makes him look like a ninja. Some girls are even cheering for his handsomeness, especially from the Eaglecrest Speedmages. They are shouting "Kyaaa! Vincent my Prince! Please breed me!" and the like. Well, it's a given because he has a cool teasing vibe in him.

For this fight, I will stand as a Navigator for the Merry Knights girls, while Justine Shadowseek will act as the Navigator for Vincent the Teleporter. The referee will be Eaglecrest President Levi Armstrong.

Don't forget Cruzo and his vital role as my snack guy- He will be opening bags of chips while I eat and give bits of advice to the girls.

"Go Prez and Flu! You can do it!" Cruzo cheered with a beam.

"Listen, you two. Try to race as fast as you can until you touched the 2nd Checkpoint. After that, I want Prez to disrupt him as often as possible. Vincent the Teleporter is a Speedster, so that means he will not be as good as a Striker in a tag fight. Flu, you focus on scoring Checkpoint Towers." I said.

"Roger that, Coach!" Flu saluted.

"I'll beat that champion up!" Ericka replied.

Suddenly, the irritating noise of a magic megaphone screeched. The voice of President Levi then dominated the whole campground as he announced the rules of this bout.

"We will go with the standard rules of 12 minutes. The fight will be Merry Knights versus Vincent Shadowseek. The points will be aggregated on the Merry Knights whenever they touch a Checkpoint Tower or strike Vincent's back if they can strike him, that is." Levi laughed off-megaphone.

"Shut it, stupid referee! Let's start already!" Prez yelled.

"Okay, okay. On your marks!"

All three Speedmages went to their ready positions.

"Get set..."

My sweat started running down my face. The pressure and nervousness are unreal. I can't believe we got the privilege to fight the Speedmage Champion!

"Go!"

Fweeeeeet!

As soon as the sound of the whistle echoed, the Speedmages rushed forward with their respective speed spells!

"Ice Accel!"

"Wind Accel!"

Prez and Flu dashed forward with blue and pink streaks leaving on their trails respectively. It's like a two-toned rainbow, it's so awesome to look at.

However...

Vincent did not start yet. There was a second delay before his activation, and it's not like he omitted it earlier. There was a grin on his face that makes it feel like he planned it.

"Photon Accel!"

Swoosh!

In an instant, light particles formed on Vincent's competitive Speedmage shoes; the Gryphon X. It is a white platinum shoe with wing ornaments and purple linings, and it is said to be the top-tier shoe for the meta. It is best suited as a catalyst for Light-elemental spells.

It took a blink of an eye for Vincent to overtake the two girls! It took just a few seconds before Vincent got a touch of the 1st Checkpoint Tower!

"Ah!"

Beep!

Vincent's score is 1, while Merry Knights have zero! It was the first blood, and they are not holding back!

For a moment, I saw Vincent creating a mana-based light sword and sticking it on the ground next to the 2nd Checkpoint Tower. What's the purpose of that mana-based sword?

Anyway, our problem persists!

"Speed it up, you idiots! You two are getting left behind!" I yelled.

"R-Right!" Flu and Prez answered. Then they dashed forward by enhancing their Wind and Ice Accels.

Beep! Beep!

Flu and Prez touched the 2nd Checkpoint Tower at the same time. We are now in the lead as Merry Knights have a score of 2 and Vincent has a score of 1!

We may be at the advantage in terms of points, but now Vincent is rushing towards the 3rd Checkpoint Tower! Prez won't make it in time so we will have to give up a point for now!

"Prez, yield the towers and go ambush him before the 1st Checkpoint Tower!"

"Roger!" Ericka answered as she finally made a detour and ran back towards the 1st Checkpoint Tower.

Beep!

Vincent has touched the 3rd Checkpoint Tower and now the score is tied 2:2!

There was it again. The Speedmage Champion projected a magical sword and stabbed the ground next to the Checkpoint Tower. I have to watch out for those magical swords.

Now Vincent will have no choice but to face Prez in a clash as she is on standby on the last line. There's no other way for the champion but to charge head-on. It is safe to say that a Striker like Prez will have a good chance in this.

Meanwhile, I will have to instruct Flu on her next course of action. She is halfway before touching the 3rd tower, and she was being left behind. She is now much warier in her speed as she often struggles to push her brakes.

But I have to try something out.

"Flu."

"Y-Yes!?" Flu asked in a disoriented manner. I guess I somehow ruined her concentration.

"Do you remember your unnamed experimental speed spell?"

"Yes, Coach!"

"Try doing it now and touch the 3rd checkpoint," I said. "But only do it with one step."

"Roger that, coach!" Flu said.

Flu slowed down to touch her shoes, and stardusts formed around them. Then, with a single kick in the floor, she went lightspeed!

Beep!

The 3rd Checkpoint Tower was touched! The score is now 3:2, with Merry Knights getting the lead! All the audiences are in shock, including the referee and the Eaglecrest mages!

"What was that speed spell? It's as fast as Vincent's!" One dazzled magus said.

"I can't believe a rookie can pull out that speed!" The other magus said in amazement.