Between Us

Between us, there are two meters; I'm running full speed towards him. If I lean into any side, then he will predict my movement. Actually, I will get shot anyway even if I don't lean in. If I am within a meter, then he will shoot straight at me. I could try to use the window to dodge before I do that, but that's also obvious.

Sorin kept running; time almost came to a halt. A second turned into a minute and a minute turned into an hour. Time didn't matter; the two men were focused on each other's presence. They had to decide their next course of action as Sorin kept advancing, now just under two meters close.

Using fire with my free hand won't allow me to use any other spell, so earth is the only thing I can use. There is plenty of earth around me, and his armour around his torso area is completely fractured from the rocks that were thrown earlier.

He just adjusted his right hand; the hand was pointing back at Capolot perfectly. In his view, he could cast water, fire, wind, and earth. With his fractured armour, Sorin knew he might misjudge, but it was slim. His weapon was also bright now; the charge was getting closer to Sorin as he was getting closer to it as well.

This might increase my chances somewhat, but if I were to duck lower, it would hinder my mobility a bit; if I make him adjust his weapon down, I will have the smallest window to rotate myself around. His body can barely move, so perhaps that's enough to miss. I'm unsure.

Moving even closer to Capolot, Sorin didn't commit; he just kept running towards him. The distance was a meter and a half; soon the window where dodging would be impossible.

I have to decide: do I lean in to the left or the right, or do I try to off-track his weapon? I want to bet on the off-tracking; it will be the most unpredictable choice. More of something Ino would do and hope for, if anything. That's why I'm going to use even something more unpredictable after this.

He took a duck down, lowering his body away from the face of the weapon. In response, Capolot readjusted; he had no choice in this situation when there was barely a gap between them. It was a forced move. Then Sorin finally did the unthinkable. His left hand gushed blood violently; the magic within his body circulated back to his left hand. He couldn't move it, however, so he swung himself left, then the right, causing gravity to move it the opposite direction.

Capolot instantly adjusted again towards the left where Sorin's hands were aiming.

This hurts— I can barely see; I'm getting dizzy. Blood loss.

Sorin used all his strength, turning his right hand around towards the left, then using all the magic he could, he burst himself towards the right where the weapon was a whole meter away from his body now. He then dashed with a burst of wind magic right underneath Capolot, who didn't even have time to make an expression under his mask. Sorin was already casting earth with his injured arm, causing more blood loss, but in return, a huge earth spike came from the ground, striking directly into Capolot's Torso through the gaps of the armour.

I'm going to pass out…

His vision was swimming; he could see that Capolot was impaled. His body was lifted off the ground, and he was forced to stare at the sky as his back leaned. Sorin also had to quickly cut off all his magic within his body towards the severed arm, stopping any more blood from gushing out.

Sorin's back hit the ground; the fight was over. He could hear Capolot's muffled sounds as he tried to say something, but it didn't matter anymore. His vision blurred into darkness; his eyes tried to lock onto the sky, but instead dark purple began to appear in what he imagined was a star.

“I knew you would win, but you're going to make me use all this magic for that hand now, really? So much for jumping all over you and stuff.” A small sigh was heard out; his left hand began to tingle warmly. It was a pleasant feeling.

Then Sorin saw a hand outstretched near his mouth as a stream of floaty particles entered his mouth. They were warm and gave the tingling sensation as they absorbed within him. “Agh—” he tried to speak, but quickly, the hand clamped over his face.

“Don't speak and ruin my spells! You're so difficult; why did I even choose you to begin with… But I had fun seeing that final plan! Quite an erratic plan, heh.” The purple hair swayed; he could slowly make out the features, piercing purple gaze. A purple robe. Those teasing words. It put a small smile on his face.

“I won, Ino.” Sorin's eyes beamed a sort of accomplishment as he began to regain his senses. He turned his head to the left, seeing his hand joining itself back together; the hole was now completely covered like skin just decided to begin existing. Healing magic of the next level, body reconstruction.

Ino didn't reply to his words; she kept using her magic, her body beginning to weaken from the immense difference in magic within their bodies. Sorin, with all four element types, had a far higher capacity, but she only needed to let him regain basic functions. “You're so hungry— You are no different from your spoiled mage nobles, it seems.”

After a couple of moments, Sorin regained his full body function. You finally came, master. I knew it would be soon, but such perfect timing makes me seem like you were watching.”

“Of course I was!” Her smile widened; it brought him back slightly seeing her again, the saviour and condemner of his life and also his master. However, there was only one thing on his mind now.

“I have some questions to ask him, keep him alive. If you can, with that healing magic. I want to know who's behind the disaster.”

Ino gave a small, reluctant nod.

I want to find out why, why they murder so many innocents; then I will take my revenge and bring justice to my classmates.