Underestimate

<6th Match: Kerfern Karshatsuha and Tsuki Ernie Versus Manaki Shinabe and Cinro Urbel>

"G-god damn it, I can't even hit him once..."

"Kerf, calm down and just focus on your opponent. I will take care of this guy."

"But why did Arnes give me this weapon so late? I don't even know how to use it."

Tsuki Ernie and Kerfern Karshatsuha were battling Manaki Shinabe and Cinro Urbel. Manaki, a girl their age with blue hair, wore the Godswell Academy's mage outfit and held a branch in her hand. Cinro Urbel, a blonde guy with long eyelashes, was unarmed. Kerfern struggled to hit Cinro with the gun Arnes had given him just before the tournament, as Cinro easily dodged all his attacks using teleportation magic, similar to what Rebecca had used during Arnes's dragon corpse hunt retreat.

"That Arnes, what the hell was he thinking, stealing a mercenary weapon from an assassin... I'm infusing my mana into this weapon. It's not like I'm too slow to pull the trigger... yet I can't hit a single shot."

"Shush, it's the first time you're using a weapon, so focus on that. Also, that guy is really fast at dodging your attacks... but I don't get why that girl is just standing still." Tsuki glares at her opponent.

Tsuki Ernie's target was Manaki Shinabe, while Kerfern Karshatsuha's was Cinro Urbel. Manaki stood there with a tree branch, confusing Tsuki. She couldn't predict what kind of magic Manaki might use, so she played it safe keeping her guard up.

"Hah, that's lame. Your aim really sucks."

Cinro mocked Kerfern as he kept dodging his hits by teleporting.

"Shut up, I'm just testing out my gift."

"Oh, so you're telling me you're using that sniper for the first time? That's rude to your opponent, you know... I get it, you're shooting your crystal frosts at me, but it's just too slow, so it's pointless you can't even hit me once."

"Tch." Kerfern was getting annoyed by his own misses.

***

"Hey, just attack me already, you rascal." Manaki pointed at Tsuki Ernie with the branch she was holding.

"Hah- looks like I have no choice. One of us has to attack first, so fine, I'm doing it." Tsuki took a deep breath, placed her hand on the ground, and created a magic circle under Manaki's feet. With an explosion magic, she attacked first.

*Kaboom*

"Hoh! Excellent." Manaki smiled, completely unfazed and undamaged. She was shielded by plant roots that protected her from Tsuki's explosion. Out of nowhere plant steams and roots covered her body.

"Now it's my turn. I will end it in two seconds." Manaki smirked scoffing  and created a green light-emitting magic circle with the branch, summoning tentacle-like vines that grew toward Tsuki. Tsuki used her explosion magic on the vines instantly, shattering them completely.

"Hahahaha, that wasn't expected looks like I can go all out." With Manaki's laugh she creates another magic circle but this time thorns came out of the circle and it flew straight towards Tsuki and *splich, splich, splich, splich* The thorns pierced her shoulders and her right thighs making her bleed.

"Hmm, I never knew plants could be dangerous, but too bad, within ten seconds you will die. So, spell your last words." Tsuki staggered with pain, her hands and thigh numb from the thorns, but she kept moving toward Manaki with a creepy smile on her face.

In the tournament, death was allowed and not considered a crime. If two contestants fought legally and one died, it was just an official duel.

"Ten seconds, you say? Your magic isn't even powerful enough to make me spell my last words."

"Powerful enough? Do you know what fear is?"

"Why are you talking like you're a character from a novel? Haha, are you delusional?"

"Hmm, you're delusional, so I'm just going to shatter your self-esteem and ego. Two seconds left before you die, but since I'm a good person, your death won't be painful."

"Shut u-" As Manaki tried to reply, she was interrupted by an explosion. 

*KABOOM. Splatter, splatter.*

Manaki's head exploded leaving her body stand still, the neck was circulating with magic circle, blood came out like a fountain completely drenching a part of ring.

"Sigh- that's just a sad way to die, unable to understand that she was dying." Tsuki frowns.

Tsuki Ernie could create magic circles anywhere she wanted within a six-foot radius, but she had never revealed this attack, not even to Arnes. She was in a tough spot, pierced by thorns, which was unexpected. Tsuki created a magic circle right on Manaki's neck exploding her head. Even if Manaki used her spell to cover herself with roots and plants, there was no way to avoid the explosion that took right on her neck.

"T-that was a cruel way to die! And contestant Manaki Shinabe is eliminated! But there is still Cinro Urbel fighting alone! Can he take on two versus one?" The referee's commentary made the death colosseum cheer.

***

"A person just died, and people are enjoying this show. Scumbags."

"Master?"

"It's just... I don't like deaths and how people treat life so carelessly in this world."

"Hoh- I never knew someone like Arnes, who is cursed, could say stuff like that." Iris looked surprised by my sensitivity towards death.

"Iris, why are you reacting like that? Are you saying it's not normal for me to react this way?" I clenched my fist, feeling uneasy. Tsuki didn't even seem to regret killing a person.

Vikasha, sitting behind us, poked me.

"Shush, don't let Iris hear what I say right now..."

Iris was staring at the ring, supporting Kerfern Karshatsuha, who was in a tough spot. I looked at Iris, then turned my attention to Vikasha to listen her.

"Someone is observing us from afar. Please be on guard. The person is insanely strong, I can feel it." Vikasha whispers in my ears.

I nod. Even when we were outside the colosseum, Imeki and I felt bloodlust directed at us, but this time I couldn't feel anything due to the crowd. Vikasha's stealth magic allowed her to sense the pressure, even if it was faint. I just prioritize keeping my friends safe just in case someone attacks.

"Hey, look at the ring Arnes. At this point, Kerfern Karshatsuha will die... Why isn't that girl helping him?" Iris, pale with worry, pointed at the ring.

"K-Kerfern is going to die, Master." Imeki screamed at the gruesome scenario.

It was Cinro Urbel who was chocking Kerfern Karshatsuha who was in verge of death completely exhausted, saliva coming out of his mouth and Tsuki Ernie was just standing still not helping or attacking Cinro Urbel.


Tsuki isn't helping Kerfern? Huh? Why?...



To Be Continued...