The Golem Mage

”Who do you think will win the match?” Vincent asked Selena while Kira Nightfang walked towards the battle ring to face Michael in the second round of the Holy Grail versus the Bloodline Academy.

Hearing his question, Selena raised an eyebrow and smirked, not immediately replying.

”I understand that Kira is your cousin, but I don’t think she’ll easily win this one, if that’s what you expect to hear from me,” Selena said, causing Vincent to sigh.

He had his own suspicions, but he wanted to confirm them, and Selena’s response indicated that things were not progressing as he wished but as he had suspected.

”First of all, many are underestimating Michael and thinking he’s making a foolish move, but that is where they’re wrong, he has nothing to lose, this is his second round, and regardless of the outcome of this battle, he still gains, since he’s using his head,” Vlad, the vice captain of the Battle Mage Academy, chimed in.

Vincent turned towards Vlad and asked

”why?” .

,

”Well, it’s simple, if Michael uses his brain and remaining Mana energy well , then he can prolong this battle and make it difficult for Kira to win, in doing so, he can force her to reveal some of her moves, this way, even if she eventually defeats him, she would have exposed her moves, giving the second Holy Grail participant a significant advantage to take her out quickly,” Vlad explained.

”But there’s another possibility to consider, Michael could decided stall for time, and Kira might decide not to reveal all of her moves, and she would end up winning because of having the upper hand and higher endurance however, this is the riskiest option, as Michael would have drained her mana, making her an easy prey for the next Holy Grail member who takes the stage.”

”In both scenario, not only would Kira lose quickly, but anyone the Holy Grail chooses as the second participant would regain the lead and remain in perfect condition for the fourth round,” Vlad concluded.

”Either way, they are trapped in a game of tactics with Michael and his clown schemes, that’s probably why Damien is calling the shots, as him and Michael are both scheming against each other,” Vlad concluded, prompting a sigh from Vincent.

”So many variables, too many foxes participating, what happened to just winning with brute force?” Vincent mumbled.

”Well, being cunning alone can never win the competition, you need strength behind it to succeed, but you should realize that ultimate power crushes all schemes,” Vlad responded.

”So in the end, it all comes down to which captain can benefit more from these schemes and win, right?” Vincent questioned.

”Yeah,” Vlad replied nonchalantly, their attention returning to the fight that was about to begin, Selena watched her own team as they intensely analysed the strengths of the other teams.

As she couldn’t wait for her team’s turn to show the arena their determination to win.

”Kira Nightfang, what a beautiful name for a beautiful lady, do you want to be my girlfriend?” Michael said, shocking Kira.

She stood rooted and dumbfounded for a few seconds before shaking off his advances, unsheathing her dual daggers, and assuming a battle stance.

”Get ready!” Kira informed.

”That’s no fun, at least play with me a little,” Michael said, raising his sword and assuming a battle stance as well, the crowd hushed, waiting for the match to start.

”Begin!”

The referee’s voice rang out, and in an instant, Kira disappeared from everyone’s view.

When she reappeared, she was already before Michael, lunging for his neck, as he nervously raised his broadsword to counter her strike.

Clang!

The metallic clashing noise echoed throughout the battle ring as Kira’s strikes against Michael’s defences rang out.

Blurry shadows formed from Kira’s hands, all aimed at vital spots on his body, yet Michael refused to yield, always defending against each attack at the last possible moment.

Despite his awkward defence, Michael didn’t seem to care, staying alive was his only concern in that moment.

Wack!

Michael was caught off guard due to only watching for the blades attack, as Kira suddenly bent low and used her left leg to perform a sweeping kick, sending him tumbling towards the ground.

Just as he landed, his danger senses blared, alerting him to incoming concealed weapons.

Reacting swiftly, he rolled off the ground, narrowly avoiding the onslaught.

He swiftly tried to stand and once he regained his footing, Michael saw two fading images of Kira dashing towards him.

Confusion overwhelmed him as he struggled to differentiate the real Kira Nightfang.

As he knew that making the wrong choice could mean the end of his journey, despite the uncertainty, he gritted his teeth and swung his sword towards the image on the left.

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