Grey-silver metal forms around Tasha's hands. It extends over her forearms.
Consus' eyes go wide. "Whoa! A creation gift? And you easily moved it over your hands, even your clothes. That's some control you have there."
"You need to keep focus!" Tasha appears behind Consus and throws out a punch. He ducks and she follows by striking downwards. Consus rolls backwards and dodges her attack.
"What makes you think I'm not focused?" Consus smiles, and this makes Tasha grind her teeth even harder.
"Is this a joke to you?!" She dashes towards Consus.
Kiran sits in the stands with his mouth open. "T-They're both so fast! I can't keep up… Oh no, she's going to hit Consus! Phew, he dodged…" He keeps breathing in and out before and after every attack.
Israr is out of his chair, cheering with each attack thrown. "That's right Harmony Guild Leader! Dodge! Duck! YEAH!! SHOW HER WHAT RED-RANKS ARE MADE OF!"
Easton grips his pants. "I can barely see them. That combo from the girl earlier… I couldn't make out her pattern. Is this… am I that fast?" Easton stares at his hands. Israr's shouts make Easton focus on the fight again.
Tasha lunges at Consus who jumps over her. She slides on the ground and stares at Consus. "This man! I can't hit him! And worse… that stupid smile on his face is pissing me off!"
She looks at the referee, who hasn't given a single point yet. "Tsk… I haven't scored a single point!" Tasha glances at Captain Teua. "This is so embarrassing…"
Consus looks up towards the newborns. "I hope the kids are watching closely. They should pick something up, even if it's slight."
Tasha brings her arm up. "He's not focused on me right now. I'll get him with this shot!" Fins start to grow from her gauntlets. "Cobalt Creation. Shark Fin Variant Gauntlets!"
Tasha lunges towards the man. She pulls her arms back and slices both forward. "Yes! I've got him!" She connects. Her eyes widen as her arms vibrate. Shivers flow through her body. "What?!" Tasha looks closely and sees she hit Consus' bamboo staff. "This staff is so hard!"
A shadow casts over her. "Huh?" Tasha looks up and sees Consus above her.
"S-S***! He's going to kick me! I need to block! Dammit! My arms are moving slowly! My body's still recovering!" Tasha gets her arms up as high as possible to block.
Consus passes her. His white haori slips off him. Tasha's arms go slightly through the sleeves of the haori. Consus ties the sleeves behind Tasha's back, effectively restraining her.
"W-What? Why you! Untie me this instant!" Tasha struggles profusely. She wiggles from side to side and strains her muscles to break through. "My cobalt isn't cutting through! It's so tight! What the hell is this made of?!"
Tasha screams, "Get me out of this right now!"
Consus hunches down. "Wow. Your cobalt didn't shatter? That's some impressive energy density it has."
"Referee! This is cheating, isn't it?!" Tasha scowls at the referee.
Consus looks at the referee, who then turns to Captain Teua. "C-Captain?"
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"All this is fair! Tasha could do the same to restrain her opponents. It was too quick for her to react."
"W-What?! Captain?!" Tasha feels cold.
Consus leans over her. He wickedly smiles and lifts his hand.
She struggles and thinks, "N-No! How can he hit someone defenceless?! I have to focus. Focus! Focus!"
Poke.
"H-Hey!"
Consus pokes Tasha's stomach.
"S-Stop it! Ha!"
Poke after poke. Consus turns to the referee, stopping for a moment.
"U-Uhm. 1-0?"
Consus smiles and starts to poke Tasha again.
"Haha! Stop it! This isn't fair- hahaha!" Tasha keeps giggling. "I can't focus!!"
The referee continues. "2… 3…"
The referee, confused, keeps counting after each poke. Tasha's laughter echoes around the arena. Both newborns are stunned watching. Israr is cheering like crazy. Teua smiles and puts his head down.
"… 9… 10… 11. S-Set over. Consus from Harmony wins the first set 11 to… 0. 1-0 to Harmony." The referee raises his hand again, signalling the end of the first set.
Tasha buries her face in the ground.
Consus stands up. He's about to untie Tasha before Teua appears next to him.
"That's okay Consus. I'll do it. The match is over."
"Really? There's still 1 more set."
"It's okay. You did what I wanted you to. You can go to your corner. I'll bring you your clothes."
"Okay." Consus smiles and goes to Kiran, Easton and Israr.
"So what did you all think?"
Israr jumps up with his fist in the air. "That was awesome! You sure humbled her Mr Guild Leader!"
"You can just call me Consus, Israr. No need to be formal. I don't like titles."
"Understood Consus!" Israr salutes. Consus turns to the newborns.
"And you two?"
"You were so fast Consus! I couldn't keep up. It's amazing how much you dodged!"
"I like playing tag." Consus chuckles. "But anything else Kiran? Something you might've maybe seen?"
"Uh. No. Not really."
"Ehe. Okay. Not to worry. And you Easton?"
Easton's hands are in front of him. "It was good… I have a slight headache."
"I'll get you some water." Consus smiles and continues talking to his group, reminiscing about the match.
Teua unties Tasha's arms behind her back. Teua hums while untying her. "How can Consus tie something so fast and so tightly? Why didn't he ever join Sharmeija? Sigh…"
"I-I am sorry… Captain…" Tasha says as soon as her arms are free. She slams her fist into the ground. "I am an embarrassment to the Sharmeija Guild… and the Numeri Squad-"
"Tasha." Teua's voice is stern and strong. "Do not let your pride blind you with yourself, and your opponent. Use that pride to fuel your growth. Now stand up proud."
Tasha stands up, still looking down. "Yes, Captain…"
"Your opponents will back on the fact you look down on them. Although we analyse Rogue Guilds and Animals, we must always be mindful of our opponents."
Tasha looks up. She sees her Captain smiling. "You fought well. I don't think you understand the opponent you faced. And that's okay. Hardly anyone does. Use mental imaging and tell me where you can improve."
Tasha grips her fist. Determination runs through her body. "Yes, Captain!" She salutes. Teua salutes back and heads towards the Harmony group.
"Consus! Thank you so much." Teua hands back Consus' white haori.
"You're welcome Teua. She's pretty fast for someone durable."
"I have high hopes for her! Now, why don't we get something for you to eat?"
"What about my newborns? Forgot about the deal already?"
"Nope." Teua looks at Israr. "Receptionist assistant. You know where the mind analyser is?"
Israr immediately salutes. "Yes, Captain sir!"
"Please take them to her."
"Yes!"
And that's exactly where he takes them. They are on the top floor of one of the buildings. Israr walks up to the door and knocks.
"I'm on lunch," responds a voice
"Hi, ma'am! I am here to bring you 2 newborns to analyse please."
"I am on lunch. I'm not looking at any Sharmeija members right now."
"These are special requests from Captain Teua, ma'am!"
There's a bit of silence.
"Sigh. I hope that's true, otherwise you'll be in trouble." A lady wearing a white coat opens the door. She's chewing gum. She looks at Kiran and Easton.
"I only do one at a time. For confidentiality reasons. Whoever's first, come through." She closes the door.
"Me first red-rank," Easton smirks as he pushes Kiran to the side. "Finally! I'm finding out what my gift is!"
"S-Sure." Kiran watches Easton enter and close the door.
"Come look here Kiran!" Israr waves Kiran to come to him near the window. Kiran looks down and sees people running.
"They are all training. Your physical energy is important. Cardio is one of the best ways to increase your Physical Energy."
"Is this with uhm, Soul Potential Energy, as well? Like those on the tour? This seems different."
"It is different. Although Soul Potential Energy can help with your Physical Energy, your Physical Energy needs to be strong." Israr flexes and Kiran gasps seeing how big Israr's muscle is. "Your Physical Energy can be strong without Soul Potential Energy. I am red-rank. Which means my Soul Potential Energy control is low. But that doesn't stop me from ensuring I am in tip-top shape!" Israr does a few jumping jacks.
Kiran watches the people closely from the top. Not only are they running, but they hit large tyres too. They alternate consistently between running, hitting, and other training methods.
"Huh… this seems very similar to what Easton and I have been doing at Harmony," thinks Kiran while the Sharmeija members below train.