10 Chapter 9–Adventurers

'Beat us up will you. We'll see about that.'

The male adventurer manifests a saber of light, however, the female adventurer has not yet revealed her magic.

'I hope she doesn't think her partner can take all three of us. If so, your first mistake was underestimating us.'

I put my hand on Marshal's shoulder, and whisper in his ear, "I can handle her. You and Kate can handle the light user can't you." I give him a toothy grin, and Marshal lets out a small chuckle.

"Hell yeah we can," he says, creating a blade of water. "You're with me, princess," he shouts while lunging at the light user. Their blades clash—Kate looks at me with an unsure and annoyed expression.

'She really hates the nickname he's given her. Though it isn't too inaccurate. Her mother is the head of the Regneil family after all.'

When Marshal first said it I almost didn't believe him, but then he went more into detail on our way to the arena. Now I know of his concerning list of "people of interest", and the better half of the Regneil family tree.

I give Kate a reassuring smile. "Don't worry about me, I can handle her. If there's anything I can do it's combat right," I ask. Kate nods.

"Go get her," she says, setting down the arm, and running up to the light user—who introduced himself to Marshal as the crowned prince Arthur the third.

'I thought he looked familiar.'

I turn all of my attention to the female adventurer and begin to approach her. "What? You're not going to go join them," she says in a bored, almost curious tone.

"I don't need to," I say. She shakes her head smiling.

"I understand. You want a piece of me, but don't expect to be able to—" but she doesn't finish her sentence.

I close the distance quickly, before tripping her with a swift kick. I force her head into the ground. Then I grab her wrist, and force it up and into her back. I finish the hold—sitting on top of her. She couldn't lift her head as my foot was now holding it down firmly. If I wanted to I could dislocate or break her arm from this position. For now, though, I'm just pressing hard enough for it to hurt. This is one of my mom's favorite submission holds. I knew because she used it on me all the time when she was training me.

"Ow ow ow ow," she squeals. I soften the hold but keep her head forced down. "No fair, restart, restart," she whines. I arch one eyebrow in confusion.

"You're the ones that 'started' this," I say. She pouts—as much as a person forced into the ground can pout anyway.

"Well regardless. You shouldn't be so rough with a lady—even your enemy," she says.

'Even if that were true—'

"You should never go easy on any woman," I say aloud, mirroring my mom's words. "My mom told me that," I tell her.

"Tch," she says, clicking her tongue.

"Get off," she whines squirming beneath me.

I press down harder, making her let out a gasp of pain. 'If you didn't underestimate me in the first place you could've beaten me.' "Stop squirming," I order, turning my attention to the fight. She grumbles and whines some more, but stops struggling.

Arthur is trying to shoot me dirty looks, but he's a bit—busy.

Marshal is landing a continuous torrent of blows keeping him on the defensive, meanwhile, Kate is arcing electricity between her hands, lashing him with it every now and then. A very different strategy to her previous one of shooting an intense blast of energy. She's definitely focusing more on her output because Arthur isn't knocked out or dead. He's definitely in pain though—despite his best efforts to hide it.

Though it's impressive that he can even parry all of Marshal's attacks, and while Kate may be attacking with less power than usual. She is still attacking him, and he's keeping it together. Marshal's sword is starting to steam more and more. He's steadily increasing its heat, but Arthur isn't having it. On one of Marshal's more wild swings, he blocks whilst shoving Marshal away.

While Marshal has good balance, he does stumble, which is enough of an opening for Arthur. He catches Marshal's sword with his blade and flings it away. Kate tries to run up to help, but he shoots a beam of light at her. Launching her back about three meters. I almost jump up to help her till she groans sitting up.

"Aren't you a bit too comfortable," the female adventurer complains.

I'm not exactly paying attention so I just nod my head. Arthur has Marshal on the defensive now. Marshal is having to twist and dodge his blade. He fakes Marshal out with a swing closing the remaining distance and grabbing his head. He then slams Marshal into the ground, and whether sheer determination or pure adrenaline Marshal doesn't pass out.

"Kate," he screams, "Forget what I told you for right now."

Arthur looks annoyed that Marshal is still conscious, and prepares to slam him down again. "I know how you feel, but right now we—" But Marshal doesn't finish before being slammed into the ground once more.

His body goes limp, and I grip my captive tighter unconsciously—nervous for my friend. Kate looks conflicted but puts up her hands closing her eyes.

Arthur, who is making his way toward me, looks back as he hears the crackling of electricity. He shoots me a look before dashing toward her, but he wouldn't make it in time. 'Don't expect to tank this shot.' I think, smiling to myself.

Just as he's almost upon her, sword ready, Kate's eyes shoot open. She releases an underwhelmingly small surge of energy. Though despite its size it stops Arthur in his tracks gasping in pain.

Kate isn't finished though. She concentrates on the present arch of energy between them—seeming to slowly increase the output. Arthur's gasps of pain quickly spike to cries of agony until he passes out. Kate, looking queasy, leans down and puts her head to his chest. After a few moments she looks up again with teary eyes, but she's smiling.

"It's—it's still beating. I did it, safety" Kate says whispering a last part I couldn't quite hear. Though I didn't understand entirely why she's so happy, I give her a thumbs up and smile anyway. Smiling, Kate trots over to Marshal to check on him.

My captive is heating up underneath me. 'Fire magic?' Kate's face from last night immediately flashes to mind. I press down again—a little harder than necessary. "Ow ow ow," she whines, concentration broken.

'Who sent these guys after us anyway?'

"Hey," I say, letting her head up a bit, "Who sent you guys."

"Hmph."

"Seriously," I sigh. "I know 60 different torture techniques you know," she shivers beneath me, "You wouldn't want me to practice on you, would you," I ask with an innocent tone.

"Ok ok," she whines. I let out an internal sigh of relief. I wasn't being serious about the threat, but I wasn't lying either.

Why do I know 60 torture techniques? Well, my mom is an Elite, and while they do what they do for a good cause—mainly preventing another great war—if a mission called for intel she'd get it. No matter how uncooperative they were. I still couldn't imagine my mom using any of the techniques, but there's no denying she knew them. It gave me shivers just to think about it.

"The headmaster."

'What?'

I'm not sure if I heard her correctly. "What," I ask aloud.

"Your headmaster hired us," she says again.

I'm shocked at first, then I remember what my mom told me.

"Was this some sort of surprise extra," I ask.

"Yes, we were supposed to keep you from getting back," she says—glum.

'So that's what he meant by monsters not being our only worry.' I think, the headmaster's speech flashing to mind.

I get off of the female adventure.

"Well if that's the case, you might as well help carry your partner," I say—approaching Kate.

"How is he," I ask her. Kate looks at me with a small smile.

"He's still breathing," she says.

"That's—always good," I say, feeling awkward again. I search Marshal for his map when I find it I heft him onto my back.

'Ugh, feels like I'm carrying everyone today.' I sigh internally adjusting to his weight.

"Don't forget the arm," I call to Kate, who is trying to help the adventurer carry Arthur. She finishes adjusting him on her back, which looked awkward as Arthur was considerably taller than the female adventurer. After she walks over to retrieve the clothed arm, I unfold the map—sighing again at its quality.

'This might be a little hard.'