“How are you feeling, Mizari?”
“No problems. And I’m feeling calm.”
“All right! You did a good job hanging in there for a week. Today’s the day where you hit him with the fruits of your labor!”
A week had swiftly gone by since Mizari was challenged to a duel by Verber.
Both fighters were in the training area, along with Yuugo, and the two friends of Verber who were with him a week ago.
Verber grinned with confidence, clearly looking down on Mizari, certain of his victory. Yuugo and Mizari noticed this, and he approached them to speak.
“I’ll commend you for actually coming here and not running away, but you’re still an idiot, because that’s just going to get you beat up by me. Don’t resent me for getting hurt, Mizari.”
“…”
Verber’s provocations were cheap, so Mizari did not react, and simply continued to look at him indifferently before turning away.
Verber clicked his tongue, and also made his way back to his friends.
“…You weren’t lying, you really are calm.”
“As you said master, this is the time to hit him with the results of my training. I intend to throw away any grudge and hatred and simply go all out.”
Yuugo nodded silently.
The doubts and worries that plagued her mental state a week ago were seemingly completely gone, and the others also cheered on the calm Mizari.
“It’s all right! You can beat him now!”
“It was only a week, but it was still a week. We know how hard you worked. Now you just need to show those lowlifes how you shine!”
“I did all sorts of adjustments to your magic item. They’re minute changes, but you’re a good enough knight to make use of them. Stand proud, Mizari.”
“I can’t do a lot, but… I’ll cheer you on now. Good luck Mizari!”
“…Thank you very much. I really don’t have enough words to show my gratitude for you all. I will show it as I fight by displaying how much I have grown.”
They did more than just be with her as she trained after changing her style. Mizari bowed and thanked Melt and the others for doing things like showing her techniques that made her use of magic energy more efficient, and tuning up her magic item.
It was a short period of time, but they all saw how hard Mizari worked, so they were sending her out there with pride.
“…Master, I have something to say before the duel starts. Can you listen?”
“Ou, what?”
“…I lost my confidence. I went through some tough and frustrating things, and my heart was broken… But I think I needed that. Every meeting has a reason, and all that sadness and pain was so I could meet you all… I think realizing that was the biggest part of my growth.”
Mizari was made aware of her weakness, tasted the humiliation of being abandoned, and her heart felt unstable.
But it was that frustration that made her aim for the top, and led her to meet Yuugo and the others.
The path she walked through was not a waste, and now, she could say that with pride.
More than any fighting technique, this was what made her feel like she had grown… And Yuugo responded to her with a smile on his face.
“…You haven’t forgotten the most important thing, right?”
“Yes, of course not. I remember.”
“All right! Then… Go out there, Mizari. I believe in you!”
“Yes… Here I go, master.”
After responding silently, Mizari clenched her left hand, where she had Wasp Needle equipped.
With her master and friends behind her, she stepped onto the arena, where Verber stood, also ready.
“Finally…! I’ll teach you anything you do is pointless. Just don’t cry when I break that weak needle of yours.”
“…Does your confidence come from that breastplate?”
“Hn? Hehe, getting scared? Your attacks are never gonna work as long as I have this. My victory is assured.”
Verber held his favorite weapon, a straight sword, and had a nice breastplate Mizari had never seen on him before.
With equipment that protected his vital areas like that, he could block any of her attacks… But as Mizari realized that was the source of his confidence, she smiled daringly.
“I don’t know or care where you got that. No matter how good the equipment… What matters is who uses it. I’m not going to lose to someone who relies on the performance of a magic item.”
“Damn you…! Fine, I’ll teach you a lesson!”
Mizari’s words visibly angered Verber, and his face turned red as it twisted into a nasty expression.
Both were ready to fight, and kneaded their magic energy… And after checking to see if they were facing each other and had the proper distance, Marcos, the referee, signaled for the duel to start.
“Well then… Begin!!”
Join my patreon to support me and read ahead.
