Extra's Magic

Clank...

As my Katana collided with the Mana Arrow, it jerked backwards, causing my entire hand to go numb. I frowned as I felt my grip on the weapon loosen.

"..."

I focused my gaze on Katarina's shoulders instead of her face. I was aware that she was somewhat emotionless and trying to read her next move from her expression was practically impossible.

I stood a much better chance of avoiding her attacks if I observed her hand movements.

Click...

As Katarina pulled the bowstring, I observed the tension in her muscles before she released another projectile.

This time, I was more than ready to avoid it. I almost smirked as the arrow passed by me, but the smile vanished the next second.

Pluck...

However, to my surprise, the arrow that was supposed to hit the ground suddenly made a drastic curve, impaling my shin and causing me to fall to my knee.

The arrow had changed its trajectory completely, acting like a boomerang and taking away my mobility in a split second.

"Shit..."

I felt blood flowing down my leg, but that was all. The itchy feeling that some would call pain prevented me from putting weight on my left leg.

Katarina's green eyes scanned my face, searching for any signs of agony, but not seeing any, she pulled her bowstring once again. She knew the fight wouldn't end until her opponent was unable to fight or gave up.

I clicked my tongue at the sight of Katarina's resolute eyes. Quickly, I circulated Mana into my injured leg, covering the wound with a thin layer of Mana to seal it for the duration of the fight.

I also rose to my feet and allowed the Mana to flow freely through my veins, reaching the furthest corners of my body and energizing me in the process.

"..."

The arrow was already in the air when I saw it, but with a simple step to the side, I avoided it perfectly.

The projectile did the same thing as last time, acting like a boomerang and trying to impale me from behind, but I merely turned around and swung my Katana with deadly precision, repelling the projectile.

For a second, Katarina's green eyes shone with curiosity, but she quickly shook her head and channeled her Mana into the bow.

Click... Click... Click...

Three purple arrows appeared in her longbow, making me frown. She was finally starting to take this fight seriously.

I tightly clenched the hilt of my weapon and took a stance that would allow me to use my Weapon Style instantly. It seemed like a hopeless situation.

My eyes met with Katarina's, and I could swear I saw her slightly nodding her head.

Pluck...

The three projectiles were all shot at the same time, quickly gaining momentum and approaching me in a V shape.

Clank...

I managed to deflect the first one, but the other two were already only a few feet away from me. If I didn't do anything, my shoulders would be impaled, and I'd be thrown out of the arena.

"..."

I watched as the Mana arrows that were about to hit my body and bury into my flesh dissipated into the air.

"I give up..."

I raised my hands in the air, while Katarina lowered her bow.

If she hadn't canceled her attack, I would probably be lying on the ground.

As I stood there, waiting for Robbin to give me another opponent to fight, Katarina suddenly approached me.

"Is your leg okay?"

As I heard her monotone voice, I couldn't help but turn in her direction. Despite being a head shorter than me, Katarina's petite frame seemed to radiate a potent energy, a Mana that was undoubtedly several levels above my own.

For a second, I was confused about what she was talking about since I had completely forgotten about the wound. But seeing her green eyes looking towards my shin, I shook my head.

"Yeah..."

Taking out a health potion, I quickly drank it, under the scrutinizing gaze of Katarina.

I was kind of surprised that she was stronger than in the game, but I didn't mind it. She might as well become a strong figure in the war against the demons.

"Aiden, go to Arena 5!"

I heard Robin's voice and, after saying a quick goodbye to Katarina, I left the ring.

I could feel her green eyes scanning my back, but I didn't mind. She was probably only interested because I had managed to keep up with the speed of her arrows.

Approaching the platform where I was supposed to fight, I felt my face turning into a frown. My opponent was Theo, the Lunatic who had been relentlessly worshiping Rose.

"You..."

I could see the fury in his eyes and the grip of his hands tightened around his greatsword as he noticed me.

Theo's face contorted into a forced smile, but I could see the rage boiling just beneath the surface.

"Let's have a fair fight~"

I had hoped that time had calmed down after our previous spar, but it seemed that his resentment towards me had only grown stronger.

Taking a deep breath and putting on an emotionless face, I raised my katana, preparing for the fight.

I recalled that Theo had a bad habit of exposing his left side while attacking from the right, and my agility had also improved since our last encounter.

Honestly, I felt that my chances of winning were decent.

"Mountain Sword: Imperial Descend!"

Unfortunately, it seemed that I wasn't the only one who had grown since our last fight. Theo had already mastered his weapon style to such a degree that he could use its first movement.

Theo swung his greatsword in a wide arc, striking the platform's ground and sending a shockwave of pebbles and mana hurtling towards me at a speed similar to Katarina's arrows.

I barely managed to jump into the air to avoid the wave before Theo threw himself towards me, slashing his sword at me.

I couldn't even avoid his attack since I was hanging in the air.

Clank...

There was a loud clank as my katana and his greatsword collided, sending me crashing to the ground.

'Shit...'