Chapitre 41: Duel (3)
"Gilbert Walt, are you ready to face my anger?"
It was just one statement but Gilbert felt as if he was thrown into the fiery depths of hell. The amount of energy being used to create the pillar of flames surrounding Sebastian was not even half of his own but the fear his body felt was genuine.
'Fear?'
Gilbert looked at Sebastian and felt his rage rising.
'I actually felt fear?'
Just the mere thought of feeling fear against Sebastian disgusted him.
"Anger? You think you I'm incapable of facing your anger?!"
Ever since the battle started—no, long before the battle started, Gilbert had felt unexplainable anger at Sebastian. Now that they were facing each other in battle, the anger he held couldn't be contained any longer.
Gilbert released all of his restraints, he didn't plan to hold back his power in the slightest.
So what if he accidentally killed Sebastian?
...
"He can use flames! That means he wasn't inept!"
"Was the House of Sol concealing his powers all this time?"
"No, if that was the case, then why would he still be halfway through Novice?"
The spectators began talking about the possible theories surrounding Sebastian's power. Contrary to their shock and curiosity, Amy's expression was still that of worry.
"Even if Sebastian can use flames... they aren't strong enough."
It wasn't that she didn't believe in Sebastian, it was just that Gilbert Walt wasn't weak by any means. He was someone who could stand against her if they were to go all-out. Anyone below Apprentice wouldn't be able to defeat them, it wasn't arrogance, it was confidence.
The two of them were stronger than a normal Apprentice so losing to someone below that would be very unlikely.
"Did you know?" Markus asked Amy.
"..."
Amy didn't answer.
"You trust him unconditionally but he couldn't even tell you about his secret—or is it that he doesn't want to tell you?"
"...Shut your mouth."
"Feisty."
If nobody was aware of their relationship, nobody would think they were father and daughter based on their conversation and hostility.
"Still, aren't you glad? Now that it's proven that he's not inept, you can wed him much more smoothly."
Even though he was talking about what she wanted, the expression on her face wasn't that of happiness at all, it was one of anxiety.
"You're still afraid of being rejected and tossed aside? Didn't you two lock lips a month ago? If he has the guts to dare do that to my daughter without the intention of marriage, I wouldn't let him off easily."
Amy glared at Markus.
"How do you know about that?"
"We both know that you wouldn't be able to hide it."
Amy pursed her lips.
"As the successor to the House of Luna, you should be aware of all this. Love will only get in your way yet you don't listen. I've long since given up on forcing you to marry someone to secure the bloodline. Now that the person you approve has gained sufficient qualifications, you will marry him as soon as possible. I'll handle the House of Sol."
Markus spoke coolly. He didn't sound like he was helping his daughter. Instead, it sounded like he was doing everything for the house.
Amy glanced at Sebastian before turning her eyes back to Markus, "the way he is now, he will only end up getting manipulated by the House of Luna. I will not subject him to that fate."
"And can you abandon your own chance at being his lover?"
Markus' words hit all of her weak points. He knew her personality and he knew what she wanted.
As expected, Amy couldn't speak. Her mouth opened and closed a few times but no words would come out. Could she really?
After a bit of hesitation, she spoke up, "...I can."
Markus disinterestedly turned his head back to the stage, "we'll see."
...
Gilbert gave up on using his bare body to triumph over Sebastian. Flames—even if they were weak—could still burn. Even if he were to get struck directly by the flames, he could put it out but that would just mean he'd be taking needless damage.
In the end, Sebastian had to make the first move. His flames were limited, he couldn't keep it active all the time. He retracted the wall of flame and concentrated it around his body. He took out the daggers from the sheathes in his back and began clashing with Gilbert.
Although the gap between their physical prowess wasn't any closer, Sebastian made up for it using speed.
Gilbert had to dodge and block daggers coated in flames.
Between a mace and two daggers, it was obvious as to which weapon could be used with more versatility.
Sebastian's approach this time was different from earlier. Gilbert couldn't take any of his strikes lightly. His armor had already suffered some damage because of the spear and arrows, what more could daggers coated in flames do?
Gilbert's mace was way tougher than a normal one. Although it had taken the assault from Sebastian's weapons before, it didn't show any major signs of breaking. Part of it had to do with the weapon's actual craftsmanship while the other part was Gilbert's mastery. He wielded it in a way that would take the least damage.
'I need to go faster...!'
Sebastian gritted his teeth and used more of the stigma's power. Although it increased the chances of his abilities being revealed, he didn't have much of a choice.
"Guh..."
Gilbert grunted. Sebastian had suddenly increased in speed and he wasn't able to cope up with it in such a short time. But still, all he was able to do was land a single hit that didn't amount to much.
"Where is it? Where's your anger?!" Gilbert shouted and knocked Sebastian backward.
The two of them were out of breath but there were rarely any wounds on Gilbert. It was obvious as to whose condition was better.
"Huff... huff..."
Sebastian's vision began to sway once more. It was only natural. His wounds were still open and his body was still beaten up. More and more of the stigma's energy was being drained with each second that passed.
He was forced to lower the intensity of the flames. He couldn't turn them off completely as Gilbert would directly charge at him the moment he did so.
"Looks like you've hit your limit," Gilbert walked slowly. Unlike Sebastian, his energy wasn't anywhere near half its capacity. The gap between a Novice and Apprentice were made apparent.
Just as Gilbert surmised, Sebastian had hit his limit. No, he had his limit long ago.
Sebastian hid the daggers behind his back and walked over to the spear and firmly gripped its shaft.
He held it behind him and raised his other hand to gesture at Gilbert, 'come on'.
It was obvious that the match was over. Blood was already seeping into Sebastian's eyes.
"He did well..."
"He was actually able to push Gilbert back this far, he's definitely a great talent."
"You can give up now, you've done your best! No one will blame you!"
Contrary to their first reactions to him full of mockery and disdain, there was a complete reversal. They acknowledged his strength.
Even Amy silently prayed for Sebastian to surrender. It didn't matter that she was going to separate from his side, as long as he was safe. Although she would definitely be hurt, it was better than having him die.
Jonathan was the sole person without that sort of wish. He looked at Sebastian with a mysterious gaze.
Unfortunately, it didn't go as everyone wished. Sebastian stood his ground and continued to tell Gilbert to charge at him.
"You're a fool," Gilbert snorted and began his final charge. Just one clean attack would end it.
Boom
Gilbert's leap was so strong that the stage broke apart. He shot toward Sebastian like a cannonball.
"You've got one thing wrong, Gilbert."
Sebastian was calm. He moved with precise movements to dodge Gilbert's charge and then used the spear coated in flames to force him back a few steps.
"I may be stubborn, but I'm no fool."
All of a sudden, the flames around Sebastian's body dispersed and a fireball appeared in his hand.
"You...!"
Gilbert tried to evade but it was too late. Sebastian invested all of the stigma's remaining energy into speed and arrived right in front of Gilbert in an instant.
"Boom."
BOOOOOOOM
The small fireball landed directly on Gilbert's chest. Sebastian didn't let go. The two of them were caught up in a huge explosion backed by the power of the stigma.
They were both sent flying and as the smoke faded, the two of their figures were revealed. Most of Sebastian's armor was destroyed and his hand had obvious burns.
Gilbert's armor was scorching hot and even a little red but he resisted the pain with sheer willpower.
Supporting himself on one knee, Gilbert yelled, "you... your suicide attack failed. It's over!"
As soon as he finished, he discarded his helmet and ran towards Sebastian with mace in hand.
Sebastian was motionless on the floor and everyone held their breaths. They had thought it was over but Sebastian surprised them once more with a suicide attack.
Was it really over?
Just as Gilbert was within fifteen meters of him, Sebastian's unfocused eyes opened and he used the stigma to lift himself up. He threw a pouch at Gilbert and in the same instant, shot it with an arrow.
"AGGGH!"
Gilbert roared in pain. The pouch spread white gas and Gilbert slowly froze. But, it didn't take long for him to break free.
"You bastard!"
Faced with the coldness of the surprise attack, Gilbert's movements became sluggish.
When Sebastian saw that, he breathed a sigh of relief.
'It's my win.'
Sebastian retrieved a black arrow from his quiver and released it. It went straight through Gilbert's armor and his body.
When it passed through, Gilbert clutched his stomach and fell on his knees before ultimately falling face down on the floor.
With ragged breaths, Sebastian's blurry gaze looked at Jonathan who solemnly nodded. After ten odd seconds had passed, Jonathan stood up.
"Gilbert Walt is unable to continue, the winner is Sebastian Sol!"
The originally silent spectators shouted in cheers.
It was the last sight Sebastian saw before his vision faded to black.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone