[Chapter 8 part 2] Dawn - Spectating Duels

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Light reached out, converging the sandstorm into a giant boulder below him. He kicked off, sending it crashing downward. Free evaded, but her plants were crushed. Light completed more hand signals, and the sand rose in a wave to chase after her. She braced herself as it crashed and buried her waist deep. She’s in trouble.

Before Light could follow up, Free raised a hand, and a few surviving roots shot upwards. Light was caught midair, but once again turned to sand. He emerged on the right, rushing forward to end the fight.

Free covered her eyes and snapped her fingers. Around the arena, every purple flower released a blinding light. I told you… When Dawn’s vision recovered, she found Light tangled in vines. He must’ve retreated into a trap. Free threw her staff, which morphed into a mass of roots. Colliding, they wrapped him from head to toe.

Free leisurely dug herself out as her brother struggled. She then walked over smiling, arms behind her back. “I concede,” Light declared reluctantly.

The plants withered away. I wonder what the red fruits were. Some manner of bomb probably. You can’t trust anything she makes.

Dawn went to congratulate them, “Nice performance…” ——considering you aren’t me.

“Thanks,” Free turned to Simon. “So?” I should listen. Although it was hard to care, it was only polite.

“Although I’ve seen others specialized in plants, I didn’t recognize a single one…”

While yawning, Dawn had a thought. This must be good for their self-esteem. To the extent they had confidence issues, she was partly to blame. How can they avoid feeling unworthy in my presence?

Dawn smirked. Reminds me of the time I got carried away. She’d suggested facing all of them together. To give them a fighting chance. It’d been half in jest, but they’d taken her up on it. Of course I won, but it was closer than they realize. Her endurance wasn’t endless. Strangely, they always refused her offers for a rematch, which she felt conflicted about. While I crave the thrill again, losing would be awful.

Simon was discussing ninja stuff. Light will be happy. Dawn tuned out and revisited one of her lingering disappointments: it wasn’t possible to master everything. There simply isn’t time. She’d been compelled to discard useless skills like cooking. Perhaps I’ll indulge them once I’m on the wall… Soul and Rose had entered the arena. Let’s focus.

“Sorry, but I won’t be holding back.” Soul declared, frozen armor covering every inch of him. Harder than steel, yet flexible and light. Like her own, it was beautiful. Soul summoned a sword as tall as himself. That laughable blade… They’d been bewildered when Astra had recommended it. Yet, defying logic, wielding it had come naturally, and the over-sized weapon had ceased being funny. It suits him too well.

“Sounds ominous.” Rose responded, flames crawling up her arms. “The odds are against me, but I’m also going for the win.” She never wore sleeves as even Hope’s fireproof clothing didn’t last. Her upper back was uncovered for the same reason.

“Are you ready?” Free shouted. "Here we go!” She’s also basking in victory.

Flames erupted from Rose as she circled around, hurling explosive pyrotechnics. Contrary to what she’d read in some books, these ‘fireballs’ were neither slow nor easily dodged. She doesn’t ‘throw’ them, she ‘launches’ them at meteoric speeds. Fire magic made excellent propellant. Her goal is to distract and disorient. To break Soul’s armor, only the strongest close-range strike would do, yet it was dangerous to approach unless he was off-balance.

For his part, Soul was parrying while dropping ice blocks in Rose’s path. He’s impeding her movement and sight. In terms of speed, Rose had the edge. She’s the second fastest. The flames released from her arms and back accelerated her with ease. Dawn adored the imagery. Wings of fire…

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It’s a pity the outcome is obvious. Only Dawn could defeat Soul when he was serious. How to describe him? He was a slightly less good male version of herself. Which meant he was amazing. After all, a little weaker than me is miles above everyone else. If Soul hadn’t been around, she might’ve slacked off from the lack of competition.

His strength came from his ice affinity and Astra’s martial arts. But I’m better in every way… except one. Dawn studied her brother. She’d always wondered why, defensively, he was on par. When she’d asked Astra, she’d been told he’d surpass her and ‘not to worry about it’. Even now, it’s upsetting.

Only after hearing the explanation did she calm down. As the symbol of his aspirations, the HEAVENLY DAO strengthened his armor. If Dawn wanted to keep up, she’d need to match his dedication. I won’t go around calling myself a ‘hero’ for a reward as poor as armor enhancement. At least ninjas got neat abilities.

Oh, he’s making his move. Soul had sent a wall of snow tumbling forwards, advancing under its cover. Rose burned through the center, eliminating the immediate threat. When the avalanche barreled by, an armored figure jumped out to her left, and she unleashed a blazing all-out attack. The armor resisted a second before disintegrating. Nothing was inside. Soul emerged from behind and swung his weapon at lighting speed. It’s over.

Rose glanced at her uninjured stomach, “What happened to ‘not holding back’?”

Had Soul not shattered his sword before striking, Rose would’ve been split open. Never a fun experience. Dawn was intimately familiar with death as every match with her mother ended in a mortal injury. She doesn’t hold back. Maybe it was to remind her she wasn’t invincible. If so, it’s useless. Her ego was properly compartmentalized.

“That was a cunning trick. Very sneaky.” Rose said. “Why haven’t you used it before?”

Soul smiled slyly, “I have to keep an ace or two up my sleeve. Even if I’m not Dawn, I’ve got my pride.”

“I object.” Rose grumbled. “You’re strong enough. If you start being ‘clever’ too, that’s overkill.”

Was he saving that for me? It wouldn’t have worked. Besides, she had her own trump cards reserved for Astra. Anyway, this proves the hierarchy. It was Dawn, Soul, and everyone else. She loved them, but they were all pushovers.

Time for more dullness. When she joined the others, Hope rushed off, saying, “I’ll be right back.” Dawn groaned.

“Where’s she off to?” Simon asked.

“Her match is next.” Dawn answered. “She went to grab something from her workshop.” A pointless endeavor.

Simon began his review, and Dawn stopped paying attention. Boring. She’d been making a special effort because of their guest, but normally she would’ve already gone off to cultivate. They’re just so bland compared to me. Even standing here, barely listening, was a waste of time.

Dawn contemplated how little she was anticipating the next match-up. Wise beat Hope every time. You’d think a normal person would’ve given up by now, but no… Hope was pigheaded. She’s planning on battling in earnest today again. What made this doubly farcical was they were both so feeble. Even if you pull off a miracle, it’s only second to last, you know? This brought up another sore point. While her siblings were touchy over being called weak, Hope was especially prickly. The girl would give her death stares. It’s sad what lack of talent does to some people.

The conversation had now moved on to the Isle of Dreams. See? She caused a delay. Dawn didn’t share in the general excitement over their departure. In fact, she regarded it akin to a death sentence. I can’t even complain.

While there were attractive aspects to the outside world, a major negative out-weighed them all. In the illustration Silver had shown them, one part had jumped out: the five mile drop on all sides of the Isle. Dawn suppressed a shiver. High places should go to hell.

Dawn experienced an acute sense of discomfort at elevated locations. A minor, irrational flaw. With her armor and martial arts, she’d easily survive most drops. Despite knowing this, the fear remained. Dawn realized it’d be problematic.

For the last hour, she’d been brooding. First, she’d chastised Arther Bard for dying. I feel guilty over that. When Astra had mentioned an airship, she’d wondered about sabotaging it. All transportation should be grounded. When Simon had described the Fractured Earth, a single thought had seared through her. HEAVENLY DAO, your world sucks.

Dawn sighed. Obviously she’d never told anyone. She’d always intended to rid herself of the silly phobia before leaving. There’d been a detailed plan in place utilizing the fortress above. True, she’d repeatedly pushed back its implementation, but their scheduled departure had been years off. Then Simon arrived.

The future promised much unpleasantness. She wasn’t comfortable with tomorrow’s method of transport. Damn airships. She was aware the Black Citadel stood on the arctic’s edge. Damn cliffs. She’d heard all about the wonderful floating world they were heading to. Bloody damn Enera.

Dawn would hide her emotions with every fiber of her being. Hopefully, if she kept enduring the terror quietly, she’d eventually acclimatize herself before the others caught on. That was the new plan. It sucks.

Hope chose this moment to return. Perfect. This would distract her. “Time to confirm who’s the weakest of the weaklings.” She mused cheerfully.

Everyone turned, and Simon raised an eyebrow. Dawn frowned. I said that out loud, didn’t I? Scornful, jaded looks surrounded her.

“You’re terrible.” Hope stomped off. I possibly deserved that. She could tell it’d hit hard this time. Oh well, it can’t be helped. Dawn returned to her throne. I’m superior, not flawless.