Zero Rush Pt.2

Brandishing a laser sword, my enemy assumed a battle stance.

Right… this world is futuristic, after all… I had almost forgotten.

It wasn’t exactly a laser sword, though it looked like one. The blade was entirely made of mana in its purest form.

And what is the difference between a lightsaber and a mana sword?

None... the effect and damage are the same, but I really wanted to show off my talents and knowledge! And please, laser sword, not lightsaber, that shit is trademarked.

“Zack Zero! I am Gray Greatoraydeus — future Lord of the More Order! I have come to save Miss More!”

Finally, one of the students stepped forward in the plan to kill us. The glasses-wearing, long-haired boy looked more like a serial killer than a heroic savior, though. At least we had a few style points on our side.

“I challenge you to a duel!” the creep shouted, using all the air available in his lungs.

“A duel? You attack me from behind and still expect a fair fight?”

“I was just testing if you had the minimum strength to duel me. If you hadn’t blocked that attack, I wouldn’t even bother wasting my time on a fair duel.”

“You’re stalling, huh? Look—”

Before Tadashi could respond, Rush stepped in front of him, arms crossed and eyes narrowed.

“Who do you think you are, coming to save me? I didn’t ask for any help, let alone from some weirdo like you. You’re always following me around; I just never complained to the school because I felt sorry for you!”

My enemy seemed momentarily shaken by her words, but he reset his emotions by shaking his head — like a dog drying itself off.

“Miss Moore, don’t worry. I’m reading all your signals. I know that because of the magical contract you made with this villain, you cannot speak! However, when you are freed, you’ll be able to release your true feelings. I won’t let you cry again like the day they announced that cursed marriage!”

As he said this, a magic circle appeared beneath him. With a quick reaction, he leapt back, evading a pillar of flame that surged across the circle.

It was a spell cast by Rush:

“I wasn’t crying that day!”

Judging by her face, it was obvious she was lying. All the mystery we had initially seen in her expression was just for show — her face was like a window to her soul.

"Facts don’t lie. Everyone knows you were caught crying your eyes out behind the school,” answered the weirdo.

“I’LL KILL YOU!” Rush shouted, held back by Tadashi, barely stopped from casting another spell.

“It’s fine. We’ll talk about this later. Let me handle this guy.”

“The name he’s slandering is MINE! I don’t need anyone to fight my battles.”

Yeah, she really does remind me of President Chiyo.

Her wife-filter for emotions was saving us from a lot of fights.

“I’m the one he attacked from behind and challenged to a duel! And on top of that, I’m your…” Tadashi braced himself to endure the embarrassment. “…Hmph… I’m your husband. It’s my duty, according to my vows, to protect you.”

Her face melted into a bright blush. Every girl there gasped, admiring the sheer cuteness:

“Honey…Thank you.”

Ignoring everyone else’s reactions, Tadashi focused on the enemy, dropping his bag to the ground.

“So you accept—”

"I'm going to take out my frustration from yesterday's training on you, you weirdo. Alright, Gatorade, Lord of Electrolytes. I accept your duel!"

“I do not understand the mockery and scorn you try to cast upon me, but know this: they only turn into fuel for my soul!”

From the windows, even the teachers were watching the fight.

“In the name of Miss More, I shall be victorious!”

“Good thing it’s in her name…because yours is ugly—” Tadashi’s words were cut off… literally.

Dodging at the last second, the laser grazed Zero’s face, singeing a few strands of hair.

The enemy unleashed a barrage of attacks, trying to hit Tadashi, who, well-stocked with my mana, easily dodged everything.

Though it required some thought, this body was so used to training that the movements were almost automatic. I could feel Zack’s years of repetitive training internalized in our minds. It seemed that the 0.5 of a soul between Tadashi and me had learned something.

Thanks…Zack replied, the third passenger in our corporeal clown car.

Running backward, we evaded all attacks until Grey… what’s his name again?

Shi-nii!

Oops, my bad. Eventually, the enemy cornered us against a wall. With no other choice, we changed the fight’s axis, climbing vertically along the wall while continuing to retreat. The enemy did the same, his feet sticking to the wall.

Damn, I thought this would be the pinnacle of magic use!

Yeah, seems pretty standard. Watch out for that slash from the left!

Damn, he almost decapitated me. Gotta stay quiet and focus.

Climbing to the top of the school building, Tadashi decided to counterattack.

“Deadly Technique Number 500: Normal Kick!”

Hey, that’s my label, Tadashi!

Tadashi delivered a kick that sent the stalker falling all the way to the ground, in a nasty tumble. Our hero landed smoothly with just a simple jump.

From the dust cloud created by the fall, the furious enemy wasted no time. His fancy magical laser blade was stopped by… a finger?

“Time to go Goku-style. En garde!”

“What are you talking about?” screamed the creep.

Using his index finger as a sword, the magical laser blade gradually proved ineffective against our mana-punched finger.

“I used my arm in the first attack, but I guess I overestimated you. One finger is enough.” Switching to the pinky, in a clash of weapons, their faces drew closer. “Or rather, just the pinky.”

Winning the clash, Tadashi threw the boy away.

“I won’t let you have her. She can be mine alone! Got it, you flavorless noble!” Seeing that he was losing the fight, the young man became desperate. “Do you even know who my father is?”

“I don’t care about your father or you. Now, it’s time for an explosive finale to our duel.”

Taking advantage of the space, Tadashi raised his hand, initiating a risky move — casting a spell.

“By the flames I wield myself, I summon: Fireball!”

“It's just wield, not wield myself!” Rush warned in a shout.

A magic circle appeared beneath us.

Wait, shouldn’t this circle be in front of my hand?

The comment foreshadowed the worst.

We were engulfed in a massive fireball.

The crowd burst into laughter. Rush puffed her cheeks and stomped in anger:

“Deactivate the spell, Zack. Stop being stupid!”

Good idea… too bad we didn’t hear her. Rolling on the ground, Tadashi tried to extinguish the mana-fed fire.

I tried to control our mana, but Tadashi’s nervousness created an uncontrollable cascade of mana consumption. If breathing and meditation help control it, then chaos completely unbalanced it.

Not missing a chance, our enemy leapt down, sword pointing low, ready to pierce us.

“I will purge your rotten existence!” shouted the weirdo.

“Keep dreaming!” Tadashi replied.

In a true WWE move, Tadashi jumped, grabbing his enemy mid-air. In a nasty tumble, the two idiots rolled across the floor, engulfed in flames.

Locked together like a single body, Tadashi and the stalker spun on the ground, trying to put out the fire.

“See? I’ve got an infinite mana shield protecting me! And you, you idiot—how long do you think you can last?” Tadashi boasted, showing off my damage control.

“AAAAAAGH! FINE, FINE, I GIVE UP, LET ME GO!”

“Say the magic words~!”

“PLEASE! LET ME GO! I GIVE UP!”

Releasing the boy, Tadashi stood up, arm raised.

“Victory!”

Tadashi…The wild fire.

Uh, oops… my bad.

Focusing, Tadashi deactivated the spell.

“Honey, that fight… Well, at least you won,” said Rush.

The impression wasn’t the best. We lost the moment for any kind of date invitation.

With torn, dirty, and burned clothes, Tadashi still tried to find an opportunity to ask her out.

TREES… I HAVE TO AVOID THE TREES!

“I apologize for that jerk. He's also part of the More order. There are always new members who think they're hot stuff and want to climb the ranks... I didn't want the order to cause you any trouble.”

“Everything's... fine... I... just...” Tadashi was still trying to catch his breath.

“Hey, as a reward for your victory, let’s hang out tomorrow after school. I’m busy today, but I’ll make time tomorrow! Try to take...two showers in the meantime.”

“Huh… I…”

“Ah, of course. Tomorrow we’ll talk about spells. I’ll give you some tips… you really need them.”

With a kiss on the cheek, the late girl ran off to her appointment.

Disbelieving, Tadashi collapsed, sitting on the ground:

“Damn it… She made the first move while I just stared.”