A Random in Re:Zero

Loop 3 - Part 14

Julius gracefully stepped back, dodging my leg. I clicked my tongue, but charged again.

"My turn."

The knight's sword flickered and appeared where my cheek had been, striking my face brutally. I spun around completely before falling to the ground, but my concentration allowed me to recover from the physical and emotional damage.

Sharpening my senses to the max, I managed to move in time to evade the next attack. Julius's sword was terrifyingly unpredictable, so my only advantage was my reaction time.

Well, even with this demonstration, I'm pretty sure he's not fighting seriously. I don't mean that he's not using spells or spirit arts, but the strength and speed he's employing.

I took a small step back, narrowly missing the tip of my opponent's sword. Then I rolled to dodge another horizontal attack and leaped toward his back, intending to strike his neck.

CRACK!

The wood of the blades rang with a loud impact that splintered my sword. Julius had turned inhumanly fast, deflecting my attack and nearly making me drop my sword.

"Ah, shit, here we go again."

I couldn't help myself, and I smiled in admiration before receiving another blow that sent me flying backward. I planted my sword in the ground to reduce my inertia and stood up, a little dizzy.

I took a deep breath and thought about the plan I'd improvised during the fight. I only had one try.

I gripped my sword tightly, adjusting its angle to cut with the splintered edge. Then I ran toward Julius, who waited for me in a defensive stance.

I slashed toward his abdomen, a somewhat predictable move that he effortlessly blocked by lowering his own sword, just as expected.

"El Shamak!" I exclaimed, casting the latest spell I had learned, thanks to the time I spent with Betty in the forbidden library.

Dark magic exploded from my body, trapping Julius in a paralyzing effect. He would undoubtedly escape in an instant with his power, so I didn't waste a second and accelerated my movements.

My splintered blade embedded itself in Julius's sword, whose grip hadn't loosened while he was paralyzed, but he couldn't strengthen it either, so when I pushed with all my might, the sword fell from his hands.

"Did it really work? Looks like I got really lucky."

"Ah." Felix's puzzled voice echoed in the silence that enveloped the field. A few seconds later, the cat boy regained his composure. "Leandro wins the duel."

Julius had a complex expression, as if he didn't understand his defeat even though he had accepted it. He finally approached me and extended his hand in my direction.

"Yin magic, huh? I have to admit I didn't see that coming at all."

I shook his hand without hesitation, but I couldn't bring myself to feel happy about 'winning' this duel.

"I'm sorry... I'm ashamed I had to resort to magic when you only used your body to fight."

"Okay, it was my fault for underestimating you. Next time, I'll face you properly."

The serious tone he used intimidated me a little. Julius's eyes emitted a fiery gleam that sent shivers down my spine. Felix applauded us for the display.

"It's a bit disappointing that I can't steal the spotlight by healing your wounds! But from what Julius said, I just have to wait for the rematch." He said with a mocking grimace.