Tournament: 3(Finale)

(Jilk POV)

Even if I lose I need to protect His Highness, this man is simply too much for him.

I had been waiting where I told that to meet me when he was done, yet he still wasn't here.

I could tell this intermission was almost over so if he didn't come quickly I'd be completely in the dark about if he planted the bomb or not.

This wretched man, for me to have to resort to these tactics, who the hell is he? And for him to actively go against His Highness… he needs to be put down.

"The intermission has ended. The next match, Noir Fou Stardia versus Jilk Fia Marmoria will begin shortly. Fighters please make your way to the field."

'Fuck' Time's already up.

For your own sake Rukul, you better pray that you did your job correctly.

…

(Noir POV)

'This one isn't talkative today huh?' I thought as I looked at the frame in front of me. He hadn't said anything since we entered the field.

"Fighters ready… Battle begin."

Right when the battle began I chose to wait instead of immediately ending it.

Jilk on the other hand, immediately exploded into the air leaving behind a smoke screen.

With magic circles on his feet, he stood in the air with a rifle in hand and pointed it at me.

'Still, think he might be able to win? Wait, does he not think I can fly.' I wondered before I did exactly as he did before and exploded into the air. Of course, I could fly.

By the shots he was taking into the smoke, I wondered if he still believed I was there as I flew behind him.

It wasn't until the smoke cleared out that he began looking around. After doing what I needed to do, before he could look at me I kicked him in the head throwing off his balance and sending the entire thing falling to the ground.

"Stardia!" There was a high level of venom in his tone as he screamed my name. His frame was damaged but he seemed fairly uninjured as he began shooting at me from the ground.

'I haven't used magic this who duel… I noted as the magic bullets were effortlessly neutralized by my magic shield, another thing I made sure Luxion added.

With my hands extended I called upon my favorite element, expending quite a bit of my mana in its production.

"HE USES MAGIC?!" I could hear some of the fans hollering from their seats. Couldn't blame them, I was so amazing when it came to physical aspects that it seemed like I was the specialized type. WRONG!

The fireball in my hand grew to scary proportions as I held it up.

A fireball was a basic spell, but for one of this size, its danger level was something else.

As he stood in awe Jilk watched in fear as the massive fireball sped through the air aiming directly for him.

His first instinct was to try to fly away but as he was doing so it reached him and exploded.

Flames erupted from the sphere and Jilk was forced back to the ground.

His frame was burned and melted in certain areas and was still on fire.

"FOR THE PRINCE!" I heard Jilk scream through his armor. He was in distress, I could tell.

A magic circle formed in the air as he said that.

'I wouldn't do that man.'

I didn't bother to vocalize my thoughts as I just stood away and watched his actions backfire.

As he used the magic that set off the bomb I was not surprised to see him suddenly launched upward in an explosion.

The bomb that was supposed to be planted on my frame instead on his own.

The best part? From the others perspective, it looked like he exploded himself with his magic.

I honestly wouldn't be surprised if the man was dead, though that would bring me a mountain of issues.

As Jilk's frame fell back to the floor, looking like a scrap of junk, I looked into where he was.

His eyes were closed and he was motionless. I could tell he had been burned pretty badly as well. Right on his fucking face.

For another minute the stadium stood in dumbfounded silence before finally it was decided who stood victorious.

"Winner Stardia!" The announcer spoke through the intercom, but not one person cheered.

I was hearing something though. The sound of spoiled rich kids about to go broke, that's what I heard. It was a marvelous sound.

…

Jilk was in pretty bad shape. He had burns all throughout his body, bruised, cuts etc, but otherwise was alive if only barely.

He was immediately rushed to a hospital and yet another intermission was called.

This time I remained in my armor as yet again Livia and Angelica came down the hall. Complicated looks were present on both their faces.

"I cannot predict what will come of this…" Angelica spoke.

"Well, I suspect some will try to place the blame on me, even when it was clear what dealt him in was his own magic." I shrugged as I took some water.

"Noir…" Livia's feelings were complicated. After seeing how Jilk planned to place a bomb on his frame she couldn't really fault him for how things turned out. Yet, how violent he was still was a bit hard to take in.

On top of that, she was now worried about what those Nobles would try to do to him. More than anything she didn't want to lose him.

"It'll be fine, try not to think about it that much you two," I reassured.

"That is impossible, after how much risk you put yourself through, it would be against who I am as a Noble to not do anything," Angelica said before she stood up straight.

"With my win, I am sure at least some of my family's reputation will be regained. I will do everything within my power when that happens to lessen the consequences you face."

"Well, okay. Thanks." I shrugged not really knowing how to respond. Perhaps I wasn't taking this as seriously as I should've. It's not like I didn't know what might happen, just that I had ways around it.

Turning to the other one I met eyes with Livia. With a sigh, I commanded my suit to open and I stepped out.

"Can we have a minute, Lady Angelica?" I asked politely.

"Ahh, yes… Good luck in your next fight, and I will not go back on my words." She said before she began departing.

With her gone I took the girl and sat on one of the benches.

"Can you speak your mind?" I asked softly as I faced her.

For a while, she just wore a sad expression before she finally began speaking.

"I-I'm clueless when it comes to Noble matters, but even I know what you did will cause trouble." She started as her face turned pained.

"Why, why didn't you go a little easier on them? You are strong enough… I know the answer already, you don't need to say anything."

"They are aiming to do the same. If Noir was to get hurt… they wouldn't care. Even if more than that happened, it would only be a minor issue, because… it's the Prince and you're a Baron." Livia said as she furrowed her eyebrows.

"I understand that now… But, I don't like it, not one bit."

I never broke eye contact as she said what she was holding in. I really did hate that the purity of this girl was being trampled on, but it was inevitable when she decided to enter the academy.

"It hurts more when I know… that I can't do anything to help you. I'm just a commoner." Her self-depreciation leaked from her mouth.

I had felt like that before. So insignificant that it seemed my life was null. I hated it, and so I tried to escape it.

Had I escaped? Well, in my eyes I have, but maybe, I was just being short-sided.

"I can't do anything Noir." She repeated her words, this time though, tears began to fall from her eyes. "I'm powerless."

She clung to me and I maneuvered to hug her. I wasn't sure her words were entirely correct. She was from my knowledge the main character of that game, there had to be something special about her.

I caressed her hair trying my best to comfort her even without speaking. What could I say?

"You've been so nice to me Noir." She spoke through her sobs. "Even though I'm just a commoner, someone so beneath you, yet you treat me better than they treat you."

I hugged her tighter. I wonder if in her mind, my violence aside, she thought I was actually that good of a person.

In that case, her perception was seriously skewered. Just because this Kingdom was full of a bunch of shits didn't mean I was suddenly a saint because I was a little less so.

"The next match, Noir Fou Stardia versus His Highness Julius Rapha Holfort will begin shortly. Fighters please make your way to the field." The intercom announced my next match.

Hearing it Livia backed out of my arms. "I guess you should go fight. I will cheer for you so do your best." She tried to act like her normal cheerful self but the tears that still flowed took away all belief I may have had.

Staring into her eyes I watched as she stared back, so much emotion packed into those blue orbs.

Slowly, without much thought on my part, I drew closer. My hand went to cup her head and I could see the momentary shock on her face.

Soon though, her eyes closed and we both made contact.

My lips overlapped hers and I held her waist with my other hand. Her soft delicate arms wrapped around my neck and she brought me closer by herself.

For a long ten seconds, we savored the kiss, until eventually, I had to break it.

"I will be fine. I'll make sure of it." I said as I stood up and headed back towards my armor, leaving for the arena.

…

I watched as the tiny wench sent off Julius. I think she knew that it was over for her by the fact that she couldn't muster a smile.

"You've done well coming this far." As we stood opposite each other Julius said so.

"You'll fall the same as them," I said.

"Fighters ready."

"Battle begin."

The match started without much movement.

"My love for Marie is the greatest. I will not falter in this duel." Julius clenched his fist and held his armor out.

With an annoyed sigh, I dashed forward, sword drawn, and slashed at the frames mid-drift.

Julius's shield came to block and he managed to do so though he was pushed back heavily, and left with a nearly split in-two shield.

"You know I really don't understand your involvement in this duel. Why do you want to break us up so much." Julius questioned as he threw down his shield., the thing was useless after a single blow from me.

"Do you not feel the same way as me? I see you around that scholarship student all the time, I'm sure you understand what it feels like for everyone to condemn you for it."

"For the love of God, spare me your ramblings, you spoiled brat," I interjected.

"I guess not huh, how could you? You wouldn't understand the pain of being born into royalty. The pain of not being seen as a person but just a Prince. The pain of not being able to love who you want to love because other people condemn it.

He took a short breath before he screamed.

"HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY KNOW MY PAIN WHEN YOU SUPPORT PEOPLE LIKE ANGELICA WHO ONLY EXIST TO MAKE ME SUFFER."

He charged at me, fury backing his every step as he with all the force he could muster swung his sword down.

I dodged to the right of the blade and took the hilt from his hand. With my strength, I bent the blade until it shattered.

"You say that when she has done everything to please you?" I didn't want to be forced into this drama but it seemed I would nonetheless.

"YOU'RE WRONG!" Julius rained down punches not losing a beat even as he rambled on. "SHE'S JUST LIKE ANYONE ELSE IN THE PALACE! ALL SHE CARES ABOUT IS THE PRINCE, NOT ME! I AM NOT JUST THE PRINCE!"

I just dodged or deflected all his attacks, beginning to question how dumb this guy could be.

"And I'm guessing Marie is completely different?" I deadpanned.

"YES, MARIE IS THE ONLY ONE WHO'S CONSIDERED MY FEELINGS!-" He wanted to continue but I stopped him before he could.

"Ah, cut the crap! You're being used, dumbass. She's taking advantage of your emotions and using them to better her own life. She doesn't give a shit about who you as a person are. Hell, she went behind your back and started messing around with your high-class friends too, does that tell you nothing?!" I questioned the sanity of this man, if he was the next King this Nation was done for.

I'm sure that even though I wasn't screaming my voice carried through the crowd.

Everyone was looking at Marie, most of them in scrutiny. It wasn't like the girl was well-liked either, unlike those idiots they all knew her game, and were annoyed they didn't think of it first.

"LIES, YOU KNOW NOTHING OF MARIE, SO DON'T TALK LIKE YOU DO!" Yeah, this guy is hopeless.

"Look I didn't come here to argue anything, I'm here to win a duel," I spoke stopping his fist with my hand.

"With that said I will say one more thing before I win this thing."

"Lady Angelica, what you wish to achieve is a hopeless endeavor. He is too far gone." As soon as I said what I needed to, I put away my sword.

I cocked my fist back and with a bang, punched the glass leading to where the prince sat.

The glass exploded and it was a miracle he didn't get any stuck to him.

I held him by his neck as I brought him out of his armor.

"It's over… you lost. Now, I'm sure you won't go against the terms." With that, I tossed him to the ground and he fell to his knees.

This was the best punishment for him, making him actively sit through and process his loss.

"Winner Stardia. And with that marks the end of this duel. The winner is Lady Angelica!"

...

AN: Powerstones??