Chilling Encounter

"Hey this is bad, look at the ring, Arnes. At this rate, Kerfern Karshatsuha will die. Why isn't that girl helping him?" Iris, who looked worried with a pale face, pointed towards the ring.

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

It was Cinro Urbel who was choking Kerfern Karshatsuha, who was on the verge of death, completely exhausted, with saliva coming out of his mouth. Tsuki Ernie was just standing still, neither helping nor attacking Cinro Urbel.

Am I going to lose everything again? Is this a sign? Why isn't Tsuki helping him?

<Inside the ring>

"Gyahahaha! Betrayal? Why aren't you attacking me, cutie? If this is really betrayal, then fine, you can forfeit after I kill this guy."

"...khaff...khaff," Kerfern coughed as he struggled to breathe with Cinro's grip on his neck.

"I just had to teleport behind you and grab your neck, hahaha! That was simple! But then I realized, if that woman wanted, she could blow my head off at any time. But why? She didn't even attack me, and look at her standing in front of us, watching your pathetic sight... uh, what was your name again?"

"..."

"Oi, say something! I know you won't die that easily, so speak up!"

"Kerfern."

Tsuki took Kerfern Karshatsuha's name as he was still hanging while being choked by Cinro Urbel. Kerf's eyeball moved towards her, reacting to her voice.

"Kerf, during our battle, you promised me you would beat me one day in battle. You said you would block my explosion attack with your magic, and the cold glare you gave me back then—did you forget? I don't think you're giving up that easily, right? If so, I still plan to win. Even Imeki and Arnes are waiting and watching us. Do you even kno—"

"SHUT UP! Why do women always blabber dramatically? It's not even a soap opera." Cinro's eyes rolled white like a psychopath, showing his hot demeanor.

"...."

*Shink* A frost spike stabbed Cinro Urbel's guts from the ground, straight out of a magic circle.

"Huh?" *Slip* Cinro, feeling the pain, instantly teleported a few feet away, bleeding from the unexpected hit.

"Aw... so this is how monsters feel when we use chokers on them... terrible..." Kerfern shook his head, trying to stay conscious after being choked, which had drained his energy.

"B-bastard, when did you—"

In this world, people can create magic circles by touching an element. For example, your hand should touch the ground to create a magic circle. Some people can think of a circle, and it will pop up form mid-air or on the ground, like Cinro Urbel. Some people use artifacts to create magic circles, like Rebecca uses her knuckles. Magic users find out how they can create magic circles during their day-to-day life, mainly in their childhood at the age of 7 to 10. Kerfern Karshatsuha could create magic circles through his hand. He was wearing a ring, an artifact that enabled him to use his magic, just like Manaki Shinabe, who used a tree branch. Arnes, who touches the ground to create magic circles, could never create one while holding a magic stick or wearing a ring. It's just how the rules of this world are. Magic is full of uncertainty, and miracles are rare in this world.

"I can create magic circles out of my feet. Didn't you see earlier? Indeed, the sniper gun gifted by my friend ruined this match. I just wanted to use the gun to defeat you to show him my way but thanks, but that's sad... this stupid gun was holding me back."

Kerfern felt a sudden bloodlust from the colosseum gallery. It was a sharp glare from Imeki, who could hear him easily since she was a lich and had lived more than 300 years in a labyrinth, hearing different kinds of monster noises daily, which enhanced her hearing power. Imeki was just pissed at the fact that Kerfern couldn't use her master's gift. Kerfern ignored that and focused on his current opponent.

"H-huh what's with your b-bluff trying to scare me? I am bleeding badly... but that doesn't mean I can't dodge with my teleportation magic, haha." He smirked, trying to keep his composure.

*Skink Skink Skink Skink*

Ice crystals were floating, circulating around Kerfern Karshatsuha's body, forming a magic circle around his legs.

"Tsuki, I think you shouldn't have killed your opponent earlier," Kerf spoke to Tsuki, who was just standing and watching them, not interfering in their fight. They could have done two versus one and won easily, but she wanted to respect Kerfern's feelings and let him end this.

"Huh? I am still staggering with pain. I was frustrated that I was on the verge of losing, underestimating my opponent... tch, just end it quickly... awhhh, the hairpin I bought today broke, and my stomach is howling... I need to go to the bathroom... so bad."

"Dumbass, who told you to eat so much right before the tournament? Plus, you wasted so much money, goddammit."

"Oi, lovebirds, don't ignore me."

Slip Cinro used his teleportation magic again and appeared right below Kerfern's feet.

*Kick* "Bruh... what were you even thinking coming out of the ground?" Kerfern kicked Cinro's head, who wanted to attack him from below. Cinro teleported back, putting some distance between them.

"What's the point of keeping your distance? I'm literally a long-range magic user and you're giving me too much of an advantage."

*Skink Skink Skink* The ice crystals circulating around Kerfern moved towards Cinro so fast they were almost invisible to the human eye.

*Slash* *Boom* One of the crystals barely touched Cinro's cheek, causing it to bleed. The others hit the colosseum wall, crumbling it and sending dust particles floating around the ring.

"Huff-Huff... just kill me already."

"Kill you? Well, if I were Tsuki, I would have done it already."

"O-oh, so I'm going to get tortured until I die, right? So, is this the fate where the hunter enjoys tormenting the prey before the hunt?"

"Why are you delusional? I'm giving you a chance to live haha, just surrender yourself."

"..."

Cinro Urbel raised his arms, surrendering. The referee declared the match over.

The crowd cheered for Tsuki and Kerfern's win, but some were disappointed that Tsuki hadn't helped Kerfern Karshatsuha. They wanted to see more of Tsuki's performance.

<Outside the colosseum after Kerfern Karshatsuha and Tsuki Ernie's match ended>

"Arnes, I'm sorry that I wasn't able to use your gift."

"Nah, no worries about that. It's new to you and it will take time to get the hang of it. But I gave it to you intentionally so you'd suffer a little, hahaha but still you both won."

"He almost died, though," Tsuki proclaimed.

"Well, I feel bad for Kerf-sama as he didn't know that the weapon my master gifted was stolen." Imeki reveals the shocking truth to Kerfern.

"O-Oi, Imeki, why are you exposing that?" I staggered.

"Anyways, Arnes, who are these people with you?"

Wow It's weird that most people didn't know about Iris, the princess of this country.

"Well, she is the princess of this country, Iris De Flaminga, and the person with her is her maid, Vikasha."

As soon as they got her identity, their eyes widened, and they kneeled towards Iris, showing respect for the royalty with apology.

"W-we are in public...can you guys stop?"

"Our apologies, princess-sama, we didn't think about it."

If people found out that the person with us was Iris, the princess of this country, it would cause a fuss and create chaos. So it was safe to hide her identity. We walked towards the nearest tavern for our meals and talked for a while. Iris and Vikasha introduced themselves. Kerfern and Tsuki were stiff at first, but when they realized the princess was actually pretty easy to talk to, they stopped being formal becoming friendly, yet they still gave respect to Iris.

"Hah, tomorrow is Arnes's and Imeki's match, right? We will be there for you." Tsuki smiled as she looked into my eyes, as if she wanted me to show what I've got in the tournament.

"Yup, gotcha."

"Arnes, let's head to our dorm. I'm really exhausted... I need a break." Kerfern speaks with his shivery voice.

I nodded, understanding how it feels after battles. Tsuki seemed fine even though she was stabbed with thorns during their match. The authorities' healer mages healed her, so she was alright, but exhaustion is different from pain, which she didn't even show after the match. Iris and Vikasha parted ways, and we walked towards our designated carriage, which would take us back to the academy. It became night, but there would be more participants fighting till midnight. Our battle is tomorrow, and Imeki looks pretty hyped about it.

Ah, well, my match is tomorrow... and it's the 26th turn. I wonder who will be my opponent. I hope it's someone strong enough to keep me entertained.

As we headed towards our carriage, I bumped into someone. I could see the guy hiding his face with a robe.

*Badump*

My heart raced suddenly, my throat went dry. Fear is what I felt after bumping into him, and he got mixed with the crowd on the streets.

"H-Huh, Arnes? Even though a beautiful person is standing right beside you? How could you ignore me, a person like Tsuki Ernie hmph?"

"I'm beautiful too," Imeki pointed out herself.

"Hah, you're ugly, Tsuki. Of course, except Imeki is cute, hehe."

"K-Kerfernnnnnn did you just call me ugly? huhh?!?!"

Their voices didn't reach me. The chills and fear were stuck within me. All I could feel was that tomorrow wasn't going to be as easy as expected.

"I hope it's someone strong enough to keep me entertained, as I was thinking earlier," I mumbled to myself, smirking. "But it looks like the person I just bumped into is clearly on a different level is he the cursed user who will be participating this tournament?"

I guess I am doomed. It's all this curse's fault, yet I can't help but feel excited about it.

To Be Continued...