Chapter 6 Rematach

After changing into my sparring clothes, we head straight for the training grounds we used yesterday. This time I did not incite the she-devil, instead, I went straight into battle position. But, before I could announce that I am ready. Nia looks at me with a smile, the ones that can send shivers down someone's spine, and she says.

“Milady, to congratulate you on being able to enter the Halls of Illusion. I will warn you where I will attack.” My face darkens, and I say.

“Oho, I hope you will not regret your decision when I manage to land a blow on your face.”

“Milady, spouting things you cannot do is something the weak would say.” I could hear a string snap in my head. I gnash my teeth in frustration and say no more. Nia positions herself into her battle stance. At that moment I start chanting, “Wind: Feet:01, Clarity: Eyes:02, Type: Target Object – 03 – Armor”, just like last time; I can feel the heat from my body focus on my eyes and feet. Then like a torrent of water that burst through the dam. The heat in my body started escaping to the ground I can feel that I am almost at my limit. The shards of earth started forming around my hands, arms, feet, and legs. It started to form into gauntlets and greaves that went up to my knee. When the armor pieces finished forming, I sighed in relief, knowing that the heat from my body is no longer escaping. However, this seems to be the limit of my mana. If I were to cast another spell or the higher version of Armor, I would start using up my life force to supplement the chant. I smile to myself, the gamble of whether I had enough or not seems to have paid off, though I probably shouldn’t tell that to anyone lest I get scolded. Nia is still all smiles and is patiently waiting for me to make the first move. I don’t bother arguing and head for an attack.

I close the gap of 30 meters in 2 seconds, and I go straight for Nia’s face with my wooden sword coming from the top. But, she dodges ever so slightly to the right, her form still the same. I continue my assault with a slash to her torso. She parries the attack, but I was prepared for it and go for a leg sweep with my right leg aiming to make her fall to the ground. She jumps up to dodge my attack, and I hear her say.

“Watch your right leg.” I felt my hair stand on end, and I Immediately go for a roll to my left. As I am in the process of dodging I hear a “Kaboom” sound, and the earth around me suddenly shook. When I looked at the spot where I was just at, I noticed Nia’s sword embedded on the ground. It seemed that there was an underlying meaning when she said she would tell me where she would attack. It also means she will not hold back as much or not at all. I feel a cold sweat run through my face. I suddenly realized I need to treat this as a life or death scenario. I stand up quickly and go into a battle position, and with a deep breath, I start focusing on Nia’s movements. With my eyes enhanced I should be able to pick up her subtle movements. I start focusing on my surroundings and at Nia. At that moment, when Nia casually raises her sword from the ground. I hear her say.

“Right Torso.” I immediately sprung into action and used my sword to parry an attack coming for my torso while digging my greaves slightly in the ground to keep balance. I can feel my arms go numb in her one attack, but I did not skid nor did my form break.

“Right, head.” I raised my sword to block the attack, and I felt like a mountain came crashing towards my body. I can feel my greaves sink to the ground. I gnash my teeth in frustration and pain.

“Left Torso” Noticing the angle of the swing, I positioned my sword to collide with Nia’s sword. Our swords collide, and I could hear my sword crack from the impact. I let out a groan as Nia’s sword land on my left torso. I was sent flying and rolled on the ground a few times. I could not help but drop my sword and clutch my side. As I try to stand up using my shaking body, I glance at the wooden sword on the ground. It’s now broken in half, I pick it up from the ground and focus my eyes on Nia who is now just standing in place. She notices my look and says.

“Milady, since your wooden sword is now broken. Shall we call this training session over?”

I start assessing my current situation, and I can not help but laugh at my weakness. Maybe it is alright to give up now. I already tried my best, and as I was thinking about giving up. My heart started beating faster and harder than it is already going. Then flashes of my resolve started popping up in my head. I want to be strong in order to protect the ones I love. I want to be respected by the people who will follow me. I gather the thoughts that just popped in my head, and I smile.

“Nia, it is alright, I can still fight, continue the training.”

She nods her head in affirmation. I start preparing for the second round by going into my battle position. My wooden sword may be broken in half, but it is still better than going barehanded. I signal Nia with my eyes that I am ready, and she smiles.

“Top, Head.” A strike to my head was coming, but this time instead of blocking or parrying the attack. I instead go for a charge towards her body and swing my broken sword towards her right torso. I noticed with my eyes that Nia seems to have been taken aback by this attack. But she still manages to move her sword to block my attack. I follow up the attack by going for a knee strike to her torso with my right knee. She responded by using her right leg to block my attack. *BOOM* The impact was strong enough to make Nia go off balance and fall backward. I follow up the attack by swinging my broken sword towards her face covering her vision. Even as she is falling, she manages to block my attack with her wooden sword. She shows me a smirk as if to tell me *good job, but that is not enough.* But I already expected this outcome, my true aim was to punch her face with my left hand. I felt the impact of my fist hitting her face, and Nia’s body impacting the ground.

“I am surprised you managed to hit my face Milady. However, one should confirm if the damage was actually dealt.”

I could not help but shudder in response. As I removed my fist from Nia’s face, I noticed that there was no sign of a bruise or any damage at all. Cold sweat ran through my back a second time. And as I was about to jump back to gain some distance I heard Nia's voice say.

“Stomach” And before I could even react, I felt an impact on my stomach followed by excruciating pain. I fly to the air in an arch, and I heard a voice say.

“Congratulations Milady, it seems you are improving.” As I fall to the ground with a thud, all I could mutter in response was.

“You…..She-devil.” And I pass out. ================================================================

“She is a strong child would you not agree Milord?”

The voice of Loyd Dimir echos through Nia’s mind.

“She is strong both in mind and body. I thank you for taking good care of her Nia.” Nia’s expression still shows a smile. Even though the person she is talking to cannot see her.

“I am just doing my job Milord, as the main bodyguard and maid of Milady.” Loyd chuckles at Nia’s response.

“So be it. Also, do not forget to recharge your barrier. Lilith seems to have inflicted a great deal of damage on you.” Nia, could not help but gaze at Lilith and give a wry smile.

“So it would seem Milord, Milady Lilith would call out in joy if she knew. That I used one of my enhancements in this fight.”

“She would definitely be proud of herself, but I think she would benefit more if she did not know. Besides, this will keep pushing her to keep getting stronger. You are her goal for now after all.”

“Yes Milord, I will heed your words.” As Nia finishes saying those words, the echoes stop. Nia cannot help but glance once more at Lilith and caress her head.

“You will someday grow to be a strong leader. However, I do not know if I will be able to witness it for myself.” A gentle but sad smile appears on her face, as she carries Lilith to the Infirmary to get treatment.