The Crisis World XX

Chap. 39: First match, Iraya vs Hayate

"Hayate Kendou against Satou Iraya. Both participants please prepare and immediately go up to the arena."

After the announcement of the two people who were about to fight first, our group instantly fell silent. Moreover, Herlin who looks surprised when my name is called, while Murasaki-san only smiles — seems like she did not expect either.

"Good luck, Iraya-kun."

Kurayami-san gave me spirit and Hayashi-san did too, but this was still too sudden for me. Having to be first in my first year was really troublesome.

"I'm in first order?!"

"You're first?" Herlin was confused when I knew nothing.

"Where do I know! I should have asked you!"

"Didn't you see the chart? All the sequences of participants were written there," Hayashi-san explained.

That's her! I didn't get to see the match chart because these two people just kept stopping and chatting with whoever we met. So I don't know anything and also can't prepare anything.

"And also his opponent. Hah .. I don't know if fate is joking or how." Herlin looked limp when he found out who my opponent was. This is a bit wrong, it should be me who is panicking right now!

"W-Is there something wrong with my opponent?"

"Nothing, but I advise you to remember all the exercises you've learned, especially about the aura expansion technique. Remember, it's no longer a joke, let's just say if you lose then you'll die."

"Hah .. talk is easy." I let out a sigh of resignation.

But there's nothing I can do anymore. The schedule has been set and inevitably I have to compete now. Take a deep breath, then let go. Let's just say my opponent is no more terrible than Herlin.

"Oi." Herlin called me back.

"Hnm ...?"

"Never forget that the one who trained you was me. You won't lose that easily, at least stick it in your head and crush your opponent."

Hearing her words made me smile and my chest was a little relieved. So that was the way to encourage someone, huh? I got something rare, huh.

I held my thumb up high at Herlin. "There's nothing to worry about!"

There was no overreaction from him, but I knew that if Herlin did not react, then he assumed that everything would be fine. Then along with the others, they walked over and sat in one of the stands to watch me.

After that, I accelerated my pace towards the arena of the match as my opponent was also waiting from earlier. Cheers and shouts rang out as I climbed up the arena, but somehow I felt that they were more of a mockery and scorn than a support.

Then my opponent ....

Hayate Kendou, carrying a bow with an arrow on his back. In addition, there was a leather belt that stored comfortably two daggers on both sides of his waist.

He gave me a confident smile, as if he knew I wouldn't return it. But you're wrong, Hayate Kendou! I will return that smile! It was a mental battle before the real fight, a smile was created on my face, albeit with great force.

"Alright, alright! Finally both participants were in the arena! On our right is Hayate Kendou. Woohooo! Our semifinalist last year, it's a pity that he had to lose and stop in the top four. Did this time, he had progressed and managed to get his revenge?!"

"WOOOOO !!!!"

The commentator described my opponent in great detail and it was obvious that he was backing him to win against me. I glanced towards the commentator it was — otherwise it was wrong Mitsu his name. The commentator's place is above a separate stand and is protected by glass.

"Then on the left is Satou Iraya! I came all the way from Kyoto for the first game of the year. Originally from Black Rain, an organization owned by Murasaki Oita, two years ago she also brought an unknown girl who surprisingly advanced to the last eight. Could he surprise us all this time? Let's see together!"

And the audience's reaction was weaker than before. I'm really not supported at all, huh? Although I can still hear some lazy applause, anyway.

The referee then goes up to the arena to explain the rules of the match. And as I thought, the rules were quite simple and ancient. You win if you can make your opponent faint, admit surrender, or get out of the arena.

We are really given as much leeway as possible in terms of attacks, techniques, intrigue and other fundamental things. Talk about rules that anyone can make. Then after explaining the rules, the referee came down from the arena.

The referee then raised one of his hands as high as possible. "BOTH PARTICIPANTS, GET READY!" And shout out the signs the fight is about to begin.

"Is this your first time?"

He asked me. Hn? Is he trying to interrupt my concentration? No, I don't think it's possible. It might just be my cautious thinking. Since there was no harm, I answered the question.

"Yes, this is the first time."

"It looks like there's no audience supporting you here, huh? The first fight is always not easy, especially it must be the first order."

"Thank you for your attention. But I don't need all of them." I spoke as I drew my sword and mounted the horses.

"really?"

"Yes, because I always have .. some people who always support me."

"Heh~ May also be your word, boy." He grinned. Not to forget also preparing bows and arrows in both hands.

"START !!!"

The referee then threw his hand down hard. The first match of the year has already started.

Simultaneously the referee shouted the word 'start', at high speed I shot towards Hayate straight from the front of his face. While Hayate did not look distracted by my speed of motion, he still maintained his annoying grin.

But after I almost grabbed it and got into my range of attack, he started aiming with the typical horses of an archery. With precision and without hesitation, he narrowed one eye and then slid an arrow right at me.

"Don't be surprised by this one, huh?!"

With a slight bow, I managed to dodge the arrow easily without slowing down my movements to get close to it. Even so, something is bothering me. Hayate did not remove his smile and still stood there motionlessly.

He was finally at a slashing distance. Without hesitation, I slashed it diagonally aiming at the shoulder to the stomach.

"Where might I—!"

But my slash only split the wind — Hayate's figure disappeared from my sight. Looking to the left right looking for her only to realize that Hayate was behind me while looking back at me with the arrow in his grasp.

"Eh?"

"Ckckck .. It's a pity you missed."

I'm sure he just fired an arrow. Doesn't that mean ... he managed to avoid me and catch her while still in the air?

"WO-WOOOAAAHHHHH !!!"

The audience who witnessed the incident then went crazy and many were surprised — I can not blame them, anyway. I can tell you that this opponent of mine is someone who also relies on speed. Same as me.

"That's it! Did you guys see it?! Hayate Kendou's incredible speed! The pace that took him to the semifinals last year! The speed was equal to that of a bow that was streaking!"

So that was his special move, huh? And the commentator gave me a lot of information because he was very supportive of Hayate in this fight.

"Oi~ Back here. You were surprised just because of his speed?" Cecilia was talking inside my head.

"Can you shut up, no? I'm not surprised at all!"

"When you were obviously surprised earlier," said Cecilia flatly.

I have to admit that he's faster than me, but you need to remember that I haven't put out my electrical element yet. As much as possible I want to keep it and not take it out in the first game.

"Now let's see your strength, boy."

"Hnm?"

Hayate again prepared to aim his arrow bow. He took out eight arrows at once and prepared to blast through them in one shot. But this time something was different, he did not point it at me, but at the ceiling.

"What?" I'm rattled.

The eight arrows shot upwards which quickly descended like rain attracted by the force of gravity. I swear that the speed down the arrows is unusual! They seemed to be forcibly pulled, and made me have to avoid them which made me feel like I was dancing.

I managed to avoid everything and amazed the audience with my movements just now. But now the arrows are stuck randomly in all corners of the arena.

"Hoo~ Not bad either. But can you avoid this one?"

"Don't lose focus!"

"I know!"

Cecilia warned me, but I knew what was coming. Or maybe ... no?

He again draped his bow on his back and now instead turned to the two daggers that were on his waist. Suddenly change how to fight in the middle of a fight? What the hell does that mean?

Hayate also held the two daggers upside down with the blade facing out as if it was his special move.

"I warn you again. Don't die, will you?"

"Tch!"

Hayate leaned his body forward, then quickly disappeared from my sight leaving remnants of dust on his previous footing. He would attack again relying on his speed.

I closed my eyes, sharpened my other senses and tried to guess Hayate's next attack. A small gust of wind was created on the left side of my ear that flew my jaw which made me open my eyes and look at the wind.

And my guess is correct.

Hayate emerged from the side I expected. He then pointed one of his daggers towards my neck and intended to slash a neck vein that was vital to my life. This guy ... is not wrong anymore, he really wants to kill me.

Luckily, in the final seconds I pulled my head back and managed to dodge that dangerous dagger slash. I tried and managed to re-stabilize my body and without pause, slashed my sword aiming at the back of his neck.

It's 'Triing!' echoing in the air as the two irons clashed and pressed against each other left us now in a locked state. Using one free hand, I pressed the other hand and Hayate who was in an unfavorable position — position turned his back.

"So you really wanted to kill me, huh, you son of a bitch?!"

"Knowledge, huh? But now you're alive which means the attack wasn't a problem, was it?"

He doesn't deny it. And also the arrogant smile he still let out from earlier, he seemed to underestimate me. But I shouldn't be provoked just because of something like this, like Cecilia and Herlin said before.

"Hah ... stay focused and don't get hooked." I murmured and sighed.

"Not hooked? Though still young but already have good emotional control, I was amazed, you know. But ...."

"??!!"

Hayate pointed his right hand back to pierce my stomach with a dagger despite being in a difficult position. And I chose to release the pressure on one of his daggers and jump back to dodge while keeping my distance.

I stepped on one of the arrows that stuck in the arena and slightly lost the balance of — even though it did not fall. But that was enough to make me lose Hayate again.

Quickly, trying to regain his sense of existence. Unfortunately my reaction was too late when a scratch and incision began to be created without me noticing. I really can't keep up with his speed.

"Gkkhh—!"

He even paused for a moment to give a smug smile and instantly disappeared again. Damnit. I was actually made into a samsak by him who could not even get out of the defensive position of protecting the head with both hands.

Everyone can hear it clearly. The sound of daggers tearing through clothes and pants bit by bit and blood began to pour out slowly. His attack was in harmony with my helplessness facing an incredible speed that I could not see with my eyes.

"Oi, oi, is this too soon for you? Too bad then."

He continued to let out his scorn along with the attacks and incisions that were almost all over my body. Gawat, if this continues to be left, then I will fall by myself.

"Did you see that audience?! Hayate Kendou cornered his opponent until like that! Woohooo! Will the referee continue to let something like this happen?!"

"As long as the opponent hasn't lost consciousness or given up, it doesn't break the rules!"

"Good job! The best referee! Well audience, let's see how this match will end!"

Of course this does not violate the rules, do you not know the rules?! But the noisy comments from him really bothered me, I need to focus even more now. Don't let the little things break my concentration.

"Huh .. hah .. hah ...."

A few minutes had passed, and my breathing began to pant. My balance is also reduced. The scar of the dagger incision heavily adorned my body at the moment, mixed with blood and sweat.

While Hayate loosened his attacks a little, he knew that I was about to reach the limit. So he again showed his arrogant smile as if to show that this victory must have fallen into his hands.

"You're not really bad. But honey your opponent is me," he said.

Yes, yes, I am weak. Whateveryou say. But now I have to find a way, something that can make me turn things around and overcome that speed.

"Why not just give up? You can go straight home after this."

Cecilia suddenly spoke and immediately spoke something unreasonable. If I wanted to, this body would be battered like this and I've given up on it. I'm still aiming for victory, because it's the right place to measure my strength.

"If you don't help me, you better shut up."

"It's rough ... It seems like your mood is not good to joke, huh?"

"Are your eyes blind and can't see that I'm in trouble right now?"

I could hear Cecilia giggling inside my head. He really doesn't know where to joke. "Need my help?" Suddenly he offered help.

"Do you have anything useful?"

"If you want to hide the electrical elements and my sword, then I can't help much. But I can help you remember something important that Herlin said."

"Something that matters ... said Herlin?"

"Aura expansion. Remember those words?"

After Cecilia reminded that word, my eyes widened and my brain could instantly think clearly. Stupidhead! Why can I forget the simplest thing like that?!

So happy, even I couldn't hide my smile that Hayate realized.

"You can still laugh at your situation like that?"

"Ah, sorry. I'm not laughing at you, I'm laughing at my own stupidity."

"What?"

After that, I changed the horses and closed my eyes. The focus on channeling my aura to all corners of the body and widening it by three meters, made me the center.

Her aura can't be seen by everyone, but I can. A thin greenish-colored aura gently swirled around me. After that, I switched to a kneeling position while continuing to be alert and concentrated.

Hayate who saw it was of course confused. "What's wrong? Have you given up?"

I opened my eyes. "Rush up? I didn't see my position so difficult that I had to give up." Then smile.

He grinned and it seemed like his emotions were ignited. "Well then, I will forcibly remove the smile on your face!"

And just like before, Hayate disappeared from my sight again. But this time things were different, I didn't panic when he started moving fast. I preferred concentration and a few moments later, a grin appeared on my face.

"W-What?!"

The voice of 'Triing!' echoing in the air. But this time it could be heard more clearly because the audience who had previously shouted spirit was instantly pensive looking at this. Seeing me hold back Hayate's dagger that attacked from my blind spot without looking at it at all.

"Sorry, yeah. But we already know your trick."

Seriate