49 Ch. 49: Duels
I recalled that my Agility had already reached 3. If I tested against Keqing, would you win?
Nah, i'd win!
However, I was a little curious.
I looked over to Keqing. "May I ask something selfish? I want to have a duel with you."
Keqing was silent for a moment. "Is that okay?"
Keqing seemed to understand the reason for my request for a duel, not training. Although I don't know exactly what kind of reason she was imagining.
Perhaps the word "Is that okay" here is a form of concern for my body that is still healing.
It's also possible that she thought this was the last day, so instead, she thought I wanted to make today the day where I tested my skills that she had been teaching me.
Actually, instead of training, what we've been doing so far is making out.
I mean, can duelling twice a day for a week be considered a form of training? No, right?
However, those days are gone... I don't really think about it too much.
I let out a long breath. "It's alright. I want to test how much I've developed so far. Perhaps, if the previous incident happens again, I have a chance to stay alive."
When I mentioned the words "the previous incident" I meant to tell her about the incident where I disappeared without any news.
Keqing's eyes remained fixed on me, but she did not try to open her mouth. She just waited for a few minutes until then, she sighed.
"Okay."
"And," I said, holding up my index finger, adding, "I want you to be serious."
After saying that, my lips curled.
What was this duel for if she wasn't serious?
While I wanted to find out how big the difference between us was!
"One more." Just as I was about to say this, something flashed through my head.
I remembered that I hadn't completed that strange quest yet.
I wondered why the quest I got in Liyue was so strange.
I exhaled. It's okay. Besides I also wanted to complete the quest, from the bottom of my heart, I really wanted to do it.
And it had to be with my idol.
"If I succeed in hurting you,
"I want you to go on a date with me."
***
(POV: Third Person)
That morning, dawn broke with its golden tinge refracting across the winding grasslands.
Charles and Keqing stood face to face, both of their hands tightly gripping the hilt of their respective swords.
The two of them walked sideways, forming a circle, Charles going to the right, while Keqing, went to the left.
The eyes of the two stared at each other, as if locking them in silence
At this moment, the sound of footsteps rubbing against dry leaves was suddenly broken!
In an instant, their figures disappeared from sight, leaving behind a vortex of wind that whipped up the surrounding grass.
They had disappeared!
However, only seconds later, the clinking of clashing metal echoed out.
Charles and Keqing reappeared, their swords crossing each other in a deadly swinging motion!
The sharp blades shone in the sunlight, as if emitting fiery sparks with every swing. They moved like two elements chasing each other, performing a sword dance filled with art and death itself.
At that moment, Keqing widened her eyes for an instant, then refocused on Charles' slash.
She didn't expect Charles' speed to almost match hers!
His development was simply unbelievable!
Did he develop while he was missing? Keqing gulped. That was really scary!
Keqing swung her sword in one swift stroke, sending out a gust of wind that threatened to rip through the air.
However, Charles eroded it with a swing of his sword, producing a boom that shook the earth beneath their feet.
Dust flew up, sweeping the two faces with a golden veil.
Knowing Charles' rapid development, she felt envious. Indeed, she was known to be a genius among children of her age, she had made it to this point because of the hard work she had been striving for. However, the speed of his development was not as fast as Charles.
Nevertheless, this was a battle, she couldn't afford to unleash her negative emotions on Charles. After all, the result was natural, Charles had worked and trained so far.
In return, she should also not hold back just because Charles' body was injured. Or else it would humiliate him!
Without pause, Charles launched his relentless attack, creating a harmony of clanking metal that was like a war melody echoing throughout.
Each slash and swing was nimbly countered by Keqing, forming intricate patterns that could only be understood by the trained eye.
Dammit... Charles muttered, even though I've increased my Agility, I still can't match her pace.
Their feet moved swiftly, leaving tread marks on the ground wet with morning dew.
But... Charles grinned.
Sweat soaked their bodies, reflecting the rising sunlight.
I managed to make her sweat... Charles muttered.
Keqing leapt gracefully, circling Charles with a speed that matched a typhoon. Her sword flashed like lightning from the sky, about to hit its target with unrivalled accuracy.
However, Charles parried it with a solid slam of his sword, creating sparks that scattered in the air.
The battle continued with ever-increasing intensity, as if neither of them would budge.
Not yet... not yet! For the first time, they were both thinking the same thing.
Their breathing was ragged.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they stopped.
However, that moment was only momentary.
They looked at each other, not saying a word. Then, both of their hands shot up.
At this moment, purplish sparks of electricity crept along the blade of the sword, creating an intimidating aura that made the hairs stand on end.
Electro Vision!
Keqing's eyes widened as she looked at Charles. He... he has Electro Vision?! I... I didn't know that! Has he been hiding it all this time?
Suddenly, lightning struck.
Charles and Keqing travelled like two lightning bolts chasing each other, leaving a trail of energy behind them.
Each swing of their swords was followed by a thunderous burst of lightning, shaking the earth with its immense power.
Metal clanked together at an astonishing speed.
Electric sparks scattered into the air, dancing like fireflies born from the fury of a storm.
Each slash of their swords left burns on the ground, scorching the grass that blocked their steps.
Charles spun swiftly, swinging his sword in a circular pattern that struck like a snake of lightning.
Meanwhile, Keqing parried him with the agility of an eagle, countering his attack with a lightning slash that struck from the opposite side.
Electric sparks flew around them, as if forming an energy shield that shielded the fierce battle from the outside world.
Their every movement was further accelerated by Electro Vision. Making their movements invisible to the eyes!
The two moved as if they were one with the wind, leaving a trail of lightning in their wake.
Keqing leapt gracefully, sending a shower of lightning from the tip of her sword.
Nimbly, however, Charles parried it, countering her attack with a sword swing that emitted a shock of electric waves.
At this moment, an opening appeared in Keqing's defences.
Opportunity! With an indecipherable movement, Charles launched a slash, leaving an elongated scratch on Keqing's smooth cheek.
Fresh blood flowed from the wound.
Knowing that she was scratched, Keqing stopped her attacks, she ceased her Electro Vision and took a step back, away from Charles.
She touched her injured cheek with her soft fingertips.
"Congrats. You did it, Charles!" She curled her lips softly.
***
Please throw a power stone to keep me motivated!
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I deliberately made this battle using third person POV, ummm not because of his split personality or anything, but because I just like describing battles using third person POV.
I guess, in two more chapters we'll switch arcs, we'll go back to Fontaine.
