9 Hasabi versus Tobio
"What's that over there?!"
One student pointed at the figure dashing through the air and heading to Hasabi. The majority of the eyes watching the intensity of the fight, including mine, followed the direction he was pointing at.
"Is that a bird?"
When I heard that, I was tempted to say 'No, it's a plane!' but I stopped myself. The figure in question spoke with a voice that reached the ears of the audience.
"You haven't forgotten about me, have you?"
It was Tobio.
FWOOOOSH!
His fist, covered in molten lava, engulfed the ice in the ground with its heat and melted them back to liquid water. The lava slowly got brighter as he raised his fist to land a punch while his other hand was reaching for something behind his back.
"Fistfight? Do you think you can beat me with that? You heroes are too arrogant!"
Hasabi's fist slowly became bluish until it was frozen solid. He raised his fist, just as Tobio swung his, and their punches met.
BOOOOOOOOM!
SHHHHHHHHHH!
A gust of steam formed from the impact, followed by the sound of something akin to water hitting the surface of a hot frying pan.
BAM!
BAM!
BOOM!
BOOM!
A series of punches can be heard as the steam got thicker.
BAAAAAAAAAAAANG!
SHHHHHHHHHHH!
"Ugh!"
"Ah!"
Even the students watching from far away, those who couldn't maintain their balance, slipped on the ice as the sound of punching stopped.
"What's happening?"
"Just a second."
A student who was watching used a magic art to blow away some of the steam. When the steam disappeared, we saw both of them had lowered their center of gravity to brace themselves for the impacts of their fight.
Both of Hasabi's arms were frozen solid. One was used to stop his opponent's fist that was covered in lava while the other was used to stop a dagger, held by Tobio's other hand.
'That must be what he was reaching for earlier. He used the steam caused by their punches to hide the weapon and waited for the time where visibility was the lowest before attacking.'
Tobio in the novel was a systematic character. He was the type to use plans and schemes like a conniving snake.
'That part is consistent with this reality.'
I nodded at my observation.
"Hmm?"
Out of nowhere, Hasabi looked at the ground and flinched.
"Hup!"
"Ugh!"
He instantly overpowered Tobio and kicked him away with his foot before jumping away from him.
CRACK!
Not a moment later, the ground opened and a large, human-sized thorn grew out of the defrosted soil, exactly right where he was standing earlier.
CRACK!
The thorn split open and Karina walked out looking disappointed.
"Damn monster."
Both Karina and Tobio had a serious look on their face as they wipe the sweat on their foreheads. I assume it was hard for their bodies to keep fighting and releasing magic arts while balancing themselves on the icy ground.
On the other hand, Hasabi didn't even show the slightest hint of fatigue.
'Amazing. Truly amazing.'
With that demonstration, I witnessed firsthand the simplicity of the rule of this world.
< All villains are stronger than heroes. >
If so, then how can the family of heroes survive? Wouldn't it be obvious for the villain families to win by now?
The answer to that is collaboration.
Heroes group and fight together while villains, with their pride in their power, go to battle without asking anyone for help.
Honestly, I think it's stupid. But if I looked at Hasabi, I also find it understandable.
He had the power to fight two heroes on his own. Anyone who could do that would take pride in themselves.
Then my eyes turned blank as I start to notice something in the plaza.
"Pride can only take you so far, Hasabi."
The sunlight seeped down from the sky, illuminating a figure hiding by the debris. His white hair glimmered in the daylight, but no one other than me has noticed it just yet.
