Sasha got up in the arena and she waited for her opponent. Seeing Sasha already standing on one end of the arena, Lucas got up from where he was sitting and made his way to the arena.
As he was going he heard from many whispers along the way. Some cursed him, some wondered if he would be able to stay alive.
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Lucas reached the arena in front of him was Sasha. She was looking at him with a blank face. She showed no emotion, no anger.
But,
Lucas knew it was just a mask. He has to survive now. Just he is about get into his stance, a quest popped up,
[Emergency Quest Activated!!!!]
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[Survive the duel against Sasha Rose.]
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[...Reward: +5 random stats and unknown affinity]
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'An emergency quest?' Lucas hadn't expect something like that,
'I need to survive the duel against Sasha?'
'In the novel, this didn't happen. Is it a butterfly effect?'
Lucas was worried, in the novel Lucas didn't die in the very first duel in the academy and with the presence of a professor murder should be impossible.
But,
Given Lucas's reputation, it can happen and the professor might turn a blind eye to it.
Lucas took a deep breath to calm himself down. Doesn't matter what happened, he has to survive now.
"Volt Spear"
Lightning crackled in his hand forming into a spear made out of blue electricity.
Lucas activated his skill, he never fought before, let alone with a spear but he was a little confident that he will be able to hold his ground for some time due to the third eye skill and with it he will probably be able to survive.
It was a big gamble but he is willing to take it.
"Begin"
Professor Aria's voice echoes through the arena.
Lucas gripped his spear made out of blue lightning tightly, feeling the weight of an unfamiliar object in his hands. His opponent, Sasha vanished the moment the duel started.
"Where?"
His instincts screamed.
Dodge!
CLANG!
A dagger ripped through the air, narrowly missing Lucas's throat. He barely managed to twist his body, his spear lashing out too slow.
Sasha slid past his guard, moving like a shadow.
SLASH!
Agh!!
A deep cut along his ribs. Blood colored the arena beneath him. He barely had time to breathe before Sasha was gone again.
'I can't keep up…!'
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'She's too fast!'
Lucas gritted his teeth,
'Here goes nothing'
"Third Eye"
Lucas activated his skill The Third Eye.
Suddenly, the world shifted. Time seemed to stretch, his vision expanding. He could see every movement, every slight shift of Sasha's foot, every flicker of intent she had.
A blur to his left.
There!
He struck.
CRACK!
Lightning surged through and it shot forward.
A clean hit.
Sasha stumbled, her coat torn. The first strike landed.
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Sasha rolled back, daggers flickering in her hands.
She smirked
"That skill of yours…"
" It's Interesting."
Then, she vanished again.
Lucas focused himself, he forced his Third Eye to its limit.
His heartbeat slowed. He could see through the movements. He could predict herm
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A feint from the right, a fake attack. The real attack was from the left. He read it, his spear spinning in a defensive arc.
CLANG!
A dagger met the shaft of his spear. Sasha pressed forward, her speed unrelenting.
A flash of steel. Aimed at Lucas's throat.
He barely dodged it . His counterattack was already forming, spear lashing out,
The assassin was already behind him.
SLASH!
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Agh!!!
A deep cut on his back,
Pain flared. His vision wavered.
Damn it!!!
Third Eye wasn't enough. Lucas had the vision, but his body couldn't keep up.
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He struggled to stand on his feet, he forced himself upright. Sasha watched him, waiting, measuring.
'I won't win like this…'
'I need to change my plan!'
He gritted his teeth. If Third Eye alone couldn't win this, then,
CRACK!!!
Lightning surged through his body. His spear became a storm, crackling with raw power. The air smelled of iron, the arena beneath him started to shake.
He lunged.
Sasha moved to dodge, but Lucas's lightning was faster.
BOOM!!!
The spear struck the ground, an arc of electricity exploding outward.
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Sasha was forced back, her movement broken.
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NOW!
He struck with everything he had
Swish!!
But his spear hit nothing.
Just then he heard Sasha's voice. Right behind him.
"You're fast. But…"
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"…I'm better."
"Think yourself lucky today…"
A sharp pain pierced his stomach.
His breath hitched.
Lucas looked down, a dagger buried deep in his stomach.
Blood started dripping. His body went cold.
Sasha twisted the blade and she started to step away as Lucas collapsed to his knees.
The students observing the duel went silent. If the previous duel was about power and precision, this duel was a one sided massacre.
"Sasha is the Winner"
Those were the last words Lucas barely registered as the world darkened around him.
The last thing Lucas saw before he lost consciousness was Sasha's back as she was walking away without a single scratch.
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"Get him off the arena and take him to the infirmary" professor Aria's voice echoed through the arena.
Soon, a TEAM of medical staff came and took Lucas away to the infirmary, where he would be healed and return to fight.
As Lucas was taken away to the infirmary, many students whispered many things,
"I didn't think Lucas Lockhart would be able to hold his ground for some time."
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"I guess its true that the Lockhart family blood flows through his veins"
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"Sasha Rose is extremely ruthless, we have to be careful so that we don't get chosen to fight against her."
"Yeah, she is extremely ruthless"
"Do you think Lucas Lockhart will survive?"
"Yeah from that kind of injury he will. He got what he deserved."
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"You have no idea what he did to that maid."
Students were whispering, Lucas's performance was not noteworthy but he stood his ground against someone strong.
"Silence!!!"
Professor Aria's annoyed voice silenced the entire arena,
"Next group, enter the arena.".
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As the next the duel began, Lia approached Sasha,
"Hey Sasha, you alright?"
While glancing at the ongoing duel in the arena, the corners of her mouth turned up,
"Yeah, I am alright."
A pause.
Then, a wisper so quite it almost didn't reach Lia's ear.
"Truth to be told...."
Sasha's fingers traced the hilt of her dagger,
"I have never felt better."
Lia's eyes narrowed hearing Sasha words
Something was off..
She could feel Sasha was truly not okay…
Or,
Maybe she was.
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