章節 60: Arc 2, Chapter 38: Pride Coated in Metal

Her fuming breaths escaped as she got to the last of her words out. Were those words to the Lexokodac? No, it was much more personal now.

The chair on the other side slid behind his feet—those uncaring dark eyes glared as sharp as knives to the daggers that sparked back.

"Okay… I think we all got a lliiiiitle too far. Let's calm down just a bit," Zach reached his hands out.

"No, no, I want to see what happens here," Lexi folded her arms on the table with a grin, "Master level swordsman and master level caster versus…

Intermediate level swordsman…? And self-injuring possibly master level caster. This is gonna be fun, but try not to break the house. Might wanna go get that healer friend of yours little rat."

Fumeko looked to Lexi, crossing her arms, "Why not mouse? I'll accept mouse at this point, it's cuter at least…"

Fumeko then smiled, "Anyway, you can say whatever you want and we may not have agreed with the mayor. But she's the one with the title and the rumours.

The girl who came back from the dead—the Thundering Blade of Kria. Her lightning leaves behind a thunder that makes bones and glass shatter at the sound, I've seen it happen," she announced.

Okod gave no care in the world as he stepped foot on the table. "Oh not the table, why the table," Zach called out, "There's still food on it, come on," he pleaded.

"Bold to announce titles and call me the one with ego," Okod's hand reached for the hilt at his side.

Jotou stepped onto the table, hand reaching to her side as well, "Eh, I didn't ask her to say it," Jotou drew out her sword, a small chip in the metal, "Doesn't mean I won't take it," she smiled.

"Moving the food it is then," Lexi stretched up, picking up the staff behind her. The autumn leaves twisted a sparkling dark lilac as she pointed to the table.

She transmutated the food into little critters and bugs, making them run off and scatter to one spot where Zach could grab it all in one big ball of various food.

The drinks remained as Zach sighed, getting up and grabbing the food-ball and moving it into the kitchen. "Careful of the splash zone," Lexi warned.

"Good luck Jotou, I'll get you back to Hotaru in one piece," Fumeko said in a hush.

Jotou's eyes narrowed, glancing over to Fumeko, "What? You hyped me up."

"Yeah," Fumeko whispered, "He's way beyond your capabilities, you have no chance in hell. We struggled with a flower and that's only with the factor of it can't harm you directly.

Who knows what he's fought in his life? Not us, that's for sure. Doesn't mean I agree with his egotistical ass. This is clearly about honour so I can't come in and fight.

You're the one who pissed him off. Wait, you were a guy before, I always forget. Did he challenge your manhood?" Fumeko derided with a smile.

Jotou rolled her eyes, facing the opponent before her whilst Fumeko leaned back in self-satisfaction. 'I'll show you.' Her final thought before grasping at the hilt of her blade in both hands and drawing it to her left.

Okod slid out his sword, silvery and polished. The blade a bit curved going up—hilt decorated in ropes of black and greys.

"Holding that sword with two hands? Is it that heavy?" he questioned. One hand raised his sword to the blonde, prepared for combat.

"All the better to go right through you with," she tightened her grip—keen in her sights.

His blade gleamed, shining before from his grip came a coating of metal, swirling around his blade like liquid mercury—a spell. "What kind of swordsman fights with a chipped blade?" His blade gave a polished glow before with a huff he dashed forward.

Sparks began coalescing around said chipped blade; however, Jotou's usual spark spell seemed to be glowing… much brighter…

The cups sloshed against the saucers and the table rumbled as they ran and Jotou swung up. "Whiff!" It missed completely as Okod's silvery blade slashed up Jotou's right shoulder.

"GHH!!" she stifled and moved past as they switched positions. Crimson leaked out the gash—a tear through her enchanted clothing like paper.

He recovered gracefully, turning around to kick Jotou in the back of the leg. Jotou staggered forward to the other side, but she did not fall, instead choosing to turn. Against his magic, what she wore might as well be normal clothes.

Jotou hissed out her pain, holding the sword once again in both hands as she faced him. She ran forward and—"Woosh!"—upwards—"Swish!"—down; she whiffed against Okod, who swivelled his body to dodge each strike—not a bead of sweat.

"You're going for heavy hits when you haven't even slowed me down."

She needed to gather herself, recover from the recoil of her attacks… No chance was given however as her view was met with a knee, going for her torso kicking her back!

She followed the kick's momentum backwards, grunting as she held her stomach, "You use that sword like a hammer, glowing or not.

I'm not some big target," he brought up the hilt of his blade, knocking her on the side of the temple with a—"BOP!" A flash of white coated her vision as Jotou nearly keeled over.

He twisted his foot around hers without looking back, hooking her ankle, "Your stance is weak," he said before yanking her off her feet and using his arm to thrust her backwards.

Jotou stumbled forward about to fall, as Fumeko creased her face in watching. "Thundering Blade? You're a bigger joke than your title. Now stay down-"

He stopped talking as he turned, seeing that Jotou caught herself with her hands and had stood back up. "Then I'll have to learn," Jotou held her blade with her right hand, bangs dishevelled.

His dark eyes had a grey glimmer, "That should've knocked you on your ass… You have grit, I'll give you that," he held his blade up to her.

"AHH!!" Jotou cried and ran forward. Even with a bleeding shoulder the grip on her sword never softened. "Whiff!" "Swish!" "Ting!" She had connected to his blade at last.

"Reckless," he held her sparking blade at bay as Jotou forced it down… He pivoted down, rotating his blade like it was silk around Jotou's blade till the hilt.

The mercury like shimmer—"sssSHHHHING!"—cut Jotou's blade in half by redirecting the momentum he held, leaving Jotou to be pushing a broken sword down, sliced clean like butter.

Before Jotou could pull back, "It leaves you open," the blade curved as far as Okod's arm could twist, cutting above her thumb, causing Jotou to release her grasp and drop the broken sword…

The hilt had not hit the floor just yet. Jotou realized what was happening. 'I have my other hand free.'

Her memory recalled something about spark; a thin layer of protection. 'His sword's also spelled…' She pondered in that quick second.

"Tink. Thud." The sword hilt fell out of her hand as Okod pulled back his blade. Only then did his eyes widen, a sudden worry as Jotou's sparking hand was going for… his blade!?

'But I'm not afraid to take the risk!' To his surprise and to the surprise of the two in the room, Jotou seized the blade, not too tightly of course… The dark blue eyes intertwined with the brown ones that sparked… "Zap!"

Her hand let go immediately as the tips of her fingers were enough to arc the jolts of lightning over the metal blade. "FZZ!" The sound burst out as Okod staggered back and Jotou stood, panting.

Okod's face had shown the most expression they had seen from him. Widened eyes and unable to loosen the grip on his sword; like a minor paralysis that jolted through his arm.

He held his armed shoulder with his other hand—yellow sparks grazed over his sleeve.

Jotou gave a smile while Fumeko sat up with a giddy face. Little did the blonde care that the massive cut across her palm was dripping blood onto the tablecloth.

Lexi sat in amusement as Okod had staggered back to where she sat, "Is this girl actually giving you a run for your money?" she chuckled, "Maybe you should stop holding back, show off."

He shook it off as Jotou grabbed the broken blade, sparking the only weapon she had.

"I'll end this right now," Okod scowled as his blade doubled in length and the mercury-like liquid completed at the tip.

Fumeko's cheer went away quick, "Uh… Jotou…" she looked at the blonde.

Jotou stared at her opponent with a glare. "I know what you're thinking… and it would be reeeally cool, but I uh, you might wanna not…?" Fumeko stuttered, sweat down her brow as she squeaked.

"Jo…tou…? Jotou!!!" Fumeko's reasoning was unheard as Jotou ran straight for him as he did the same, having lost all composure in his now determined eyes.

'You think you're tough? I don't need a full sword to use Thundering STRI-'

Her thoughts came to a halt as did the lightning going around her arms and the hilt; an arrow of bluish wind struck into the table, in between the opposing forces.

A burst of wind gusted their hair back, forcing both of them to stay low on the table. Fumeko and Lexi covered their eyes before they all looked to Zach, bow held taut in his hands.

"I think that's enough ego tickling for everyone," he exclaimed, before sighing and closing his eyes.

He looked to Lexi, "We have food in the kitchen that needs unscrambling, I don't want my bacon to taste like chicken and my waffles to be eggs. So, are we done?"

Jotou and Okod stared at each other… The lengthened blade end fell like mud onto the table, disintegrating into the air as he sheathed his blade back, "I'll show our guests out," his regained his composure.

'Was I in the wrong? I couldn't let the smug prick sit there mocking me… right?' "Ow," Jotou winced as her palm was fixed under Lexi's magic, her skin re-stitching together, good as new. "Thanks," Jotou darted her eyes away.

"I think we're even for making him lose his poise," Lexi giggled, "There might be hope for you yet," she winked, letting her hand go.

"Time for departure," Okod was quick to bring Jotou and Fumeko to the front door.

"You didn't have to hurt her that bad you know!" Fumeko jumped to Okod.

"I was holding back," he said monotonously. Fumeko glared back in response.

Jotou stood at the doorway, contemplating her actions… "You're a good fighter; amazing even," she said without a single tone of amusement.

"Jotou, come on, don't compromise!"

"I'm not compromising," Jotou replied, grabbing Okod's attention. "I hate you with every fibre of my being. Right now, at the very least.

I hate that I can't stand up against you… But I really hope we can end this case; as two separate parties. I'm no saviour nor saint.

That being said, I don't like the idea of people dying when I can do something about it. I want to better myself, protect my friends and find answers.

Call me selfish, but I'm not from this world. If there's any way back, I at least want to know. I'm not my title; not yet and I can only hope to reach it.

We don't have to be friends, but if you would please train me. I promise you another fight actually worth your time," Jotou gave a soft smile.

Okod stared at her eyes… her smile was soft, but her eyes… determination reflected, more brilliant than lightning… Okod exhaled, "I'm not the best teacher.

However, I can show you to mine. I'll write you down a direction, but whether or not he'll accept you as a student is up to you. Master Tensuo, the Swivelling Blade."

"Good luck on your puppy crush," Okod said as he shut the door.

Jotou turned to the door and cocked a brow, "Puppy crush? Does he mean Zach or Lexi?"

"Oh," Fumeko's widened eyes and blushing face tried to relax, "Yeah, probably one of them…" she brushed aside.

Jotou shrugged, "I'm not really interested in a relationship right now. I'll deal with that stuff once I figure out all of this," repeating the same excuse that she had used for years now.