This Chapter continues where we left off, both Reymund and Lukas starting to get serious in this duel. Loud and exhilarated, all spectator is shouting their minds up and rumbling. This type of duel is never common.
Lukas showing off a flaming aura in front of Lukas, and Lukas showing off his toughest layered muscle, its hard to think that this ability is due to his summon and not his.
I always doubt my ability since i can only use fire, but then i trained so hard mastering this fire. Now i don't know about that power of yours, but today, you're not gonna win easily, Reymund thinks as he prepare to launch attack.
Reymund made the first move by summoning another blue flaming arrow. but the way he summon this is unlike how he did before. He points his arm straight up, open fist, and a surge of blue flames emerge from the middle taking shape of a cross-bow.
Lukas utter the word "engage" as the cross made a silent PEOOWW.
the arrow launch 5 times the speed of the previous arrow and directly hit Lukas making a loud explosion after impact.
A wave of the explosion can be seen whooshing around the arena. After that Lukas was covered by smoke. When, out of nowhere Reymund gets pushed horizontally.
Reymund was shocked by the sudden gravity shift, and it was 10 times the normal gravity instantly pushing him across the field and went straight to Lukas where his fist is ready to blow.
Lukas mutter "Gravity Impact" and directly punch Reymund to the stomach and launch him mid air in a 45 degree angle knocking him outside the arena. The impact was so strong just that hit alone shakes the very structural foundation of the arena at the moment of impact.
The spectators looks at Reymund in the sky flying while holding what looks like a flaming rope and this rope seems to be continuously elongating as they look back to Lukas out of confusion.
Reymund puts the edge of the rope on the transparent arm that landed the blow.
While still flying Reymund quickly pulled the other end of the flaming rope with his strength and the rope instantly condense, going to Reymund's direction and so Lukas got pulled to the top.
Lukas utters the word "Ohh" as the rope retracts in his hand. when they are both at the same altitude. On the other side, Reymund detonated a massive explosion that sent him hurtling toward Lukas. landed a blow on Atlas's head, the translucent head, and burst into flames once more, sending Lukas flying back into the arena and causing a pressurized wind blast over the arena as he hit the ground.
The Host did not think of this result, He was jaw dropped by the extent of this duel.
He said to the mike, "I don't know what is happening right now, at first i thought fire can't do anything about brute strength, believe it or not, this fire fella is giving Lukas a hard time."
"I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT!!!"
.....
Richard who is seating on the VIP seat along with other professor checks at the measuring device, and find out the current highest display of power is over 3000%.
How is Reymund still making it this far, He thought.
Just how much did his Mana pool increase.
.....
Reymund who was mid-air again points his arm upward with open fist while falling down and the sky where he is at earlier is getting a surge of flames, a spider web like flames forming 100 fire arrows through up the sky ready to be launched.
"When he said "engage" this fire arrow quickly deploy twice, trice, triple or more arrow from time. creating a flaming shower aimed at Lukas.
One by one bombarding Lukas continuous fire assault, all he could do is get assisted by his summon Atlas, as he use his entire body to cover Lukas.
Reymund who was about to drop from the sky and hit the ground made a sudden explosion from his landing site to propel him up and not get hit full damage from the fall.
He looks at Lukas and said with a small voice he can only hear, "Am i currently fighting the evil side of Lukas, why do i feel like he is getting weaker."
"Come on, i finally showed the extent of my power, why don't you use your gravity magic again" Reymund shouted at Lukas almost like he was taunting him.
.....
Unexpectedly Lukas use Atlas transparent arms as a leg to rush and avoiding as much falling arrow as he can avoid by outmaneuvering it side to side and leaps forward pushing the ground and launching himself to Reymund.
Reymund who was prepare to make a close counter, bend his leg and did a balancing stance while harnessing his right arm and creating a blue flaming sword.
After this sword materialize he use both his hands to hold it as when Lukas was getting near. Reymund slash his sword horizontally with all his strength, "HAAA!!!"
Lukas tried to counter it by punching the tip of the flaming sword. The collision was so intense that an explosion was created breaking large portion of the ground and setting two of them flying in the opposite direction hitting a concrete.
the audience who were sitting on top of the destroyed concrete where out of balance by the sudden tremor it created.
It took a while for both of them go move out of the destroyed wall, but Reymund made the first move with bruises can be seen to his arm and he is starting to getting fatigue and limping out as he walks towards Lukas.
"What is this? the fire-boy is on the move, planning to end this duel as soon as possible before he ran out of mana" Says the host
The cheer suddenly stopped when the dust vanish from the destroyed cement and reveal what happened to the opposite side.
Lukas was laying down leaning on the wall badly wounded and Atlas arm is down starting to wear off. Lukas made an attempt to open his eyes, seeing Reymund is walking towards him. Straight away he had a vision where it was in that specific stormy woods and the silhouette of the criminal lifting Sarah walks towards him.
Lukas then suddenly felt fear, the same fear that he has on that night.
Reymund who was starting to get near him raise his arm up while slowly walking normally and a surge of blue flame draws on top of his raised hand and creating another blue flaming crossbow.
Lukas saw this and keeps getting a flashback to where the criminal was few feet's away and looks at little Lukas laying on the ground. Lukas is trying his best to not think of it.
The vision and reality starting to switch excessively, as Lukas slowly close his eyes and waits for the final blow to land before his evil self take over.
Unexpectedly before Reymund could release his shot, Sarah hugs Reymund from behind and shouted at him ""ENOUGH!! THIS IS ENOUGH!!!"
Everyone on the crowd even the host went silent by the sudden raise of voice of a female student.
Reymund who was slowly getting taken over by the flame suddenly snap back and thought to himself, Huh what happened.
Suddenly the flaming aura vanishes entirely as Reymund starts to slow down and deactivate his flaming crossbow.
What is this lump i am feeling, this feels nothing like when i hugged Elsy.
Reymund looks behind and find out that Sarah was the one hugging him.
"Ehh"
.....
Lukas who was waiting for the final blow slowly open his eyes to see and saw Sarah hugging Reymund from behind. At that moment Lukas eye sight instantly went black, and he can't move his body or make a sound.
He is staring at a huge TV screen in the middle of darkness.
"No-Not this again" Lukas said as he is trapped in this place.
He then bangs forcefully at the screen he is seeing and shouted at it "REYMUND!! END THIS NOW!!!, THAT'S NOT ME ANYMORE!!!"
.....
Meanwhile Reymund who was distracted by Sarah's boobs suddenly felt an animosity coming from Lukas.
Lukas suddenly grins maniacally and said "I'M GONNA TEAR YOU TO SHRED!!!"
Instantly both Sarah and Reymund felt 100% of the gravity going down. Both of them quickly dropped down with great force. Sarah who is unaware and got caught up in this predicament did not made a great position and one of his leg get entangled by another, as she cried in pain.
"AHHHHHH!!!"
Reymund who, with all his strength manage to look behind him and saw Sarah's leg on top of her own leg getting pushed down tremendously and starting to make a breaking sound.
The area where the the gravity in in effect starting to distort and the ground affected started to push down from the rest.
With all her conscious slowly drip apart she manage to kiss one of Reymund's leg and imbued it with her magic power.
Reymund who felt a sudden boost on his arsenal grab Sarah by her waist and told her to hold him tight.
She can only grip his shirt as she cried from the pain, Reymund used one of his magic,
Explosion....
BOOOOM!!!
Reymund blow up 10 feet below the ground to make sure the magic circle imbued under the ground get destroyed, while propelling them both away from Lukas.
Mid air Reymund hugs Sarah and position himself so that the collision will hit him instead of Sarah first as they hit the wall from the other side of the arena.
The audience who was above them looks down the wall and said "Is she okay?!!" with a worried face.
Reymund who did not get hurt because of Sarah's magic pushed Sarah aside saying "I'm sorry i have to do this,"
She went rolling away from Reymund still in pain as one of her leg is bleeding out.
Suddenly 2 huge magic circle side to side from both ends of the arena activated and the crowd affected inside the magic circle instantly flew vertically including Lukas to the center were both gravity squishes all of the victims, including Lukas who was the main target.
"Oh no this is code red a student is on rampage!" the host shouted.
One by one the professors on the field use all of their ability to stop Lukas but Lukas simply created an even bigger magic circle activating and all professors inside flew off from the sky falling upside-down.
Lukas who cannot move his arm and because of his head getting squished inside he can't maintain a magic, all the unfortunate civilians who got caught up by the circle starting squishing one another agonizing in pain.
"AHHHH!!!"
"HEEELPPP!!!"
"MAAMAAAA!!!"
"IT HURT!!!!"
all screaming for help while their body is slowly getting thinner and thinner, blood starting to come out from their nose. Reymund who is not affected by this due to Sarah's blood magic can't help but feel sorry for them.
I'm sorry guys, i can't do anything, the only reason why i am not feeling as much pain is because of Sarah's magic. Even still, i can't move my body, Reymund thoughts running on his mind
So this is the true extent of gravity magic, the Lukas i fought earlier was the sane one. I don't wanna see people dying in front of me, i don't wanna hear them scream in pain.
I can't stand this.
Mom.. dad.. help me...
.....
Meanwhile inside Lukas head, the ever so helpless Lukas who is no longer looking at the TV screen and looks away from the dark as he cry for the victims forgiveness.
"I'm sorry...."
"I'm really sorry...."
.....
*Flashback*
It was when both Sarah and Lukas was still in 1st Year,
Back then Lukas was scared to look at Sarah, she is even so dazzling and cheerful. Even though the event of the kidnapping was over years ago the trauma is still haunting him.
He view everyone around him as possible criminals, no matter the age. He is always looking down to avoid everyone's gaze , and mostly to avoid his childhood friends face as she is talking with others.
Lukas is simply pulling back avoiding the center of everything. He can't look at everyone's eye, but at least he is contented that his childhood friend is slowly getting what she deserve, another true friend, or so he thought.
*On the girls bathroom*
"Come on Sarah's you have to break if off with your childhood friend."
"His boring anyways, he's always a nuisance. All he do is look away from us when we are talking to him"
"Yeah, she's right you know"
"To be honest, I'm not sure how your friendship lasted this long"
"Look I'm telling you this for your own benefit, cut ties with him"
All Sarah's girl "friends" is trying to take her away from me. We made a promise when we were kids, to never break apart, and to always support each other.
But whenever i see her with her friends a flashback suddenly attacks me where, Sarah's shirt was being torn apart by the criminals before.
And for some reason both their face and the girls face starting to blend in.
.....
After school, all student is going out of the room, Lukas was about to pack all his things when Sarah requested to talk with his childhood friend.
"Lukas! what is wrong with you! why are you looking away from everyone, and even me as well"
"Tell me, i will help you out. If it is something i can fix, I'll do it" Sarah told Lukas
"I don't want my friends to think that my childhood friend is a creep"
.....
Lukas was still looking away from her and said "Its fine, as long as my childhood friend is happy, i am fine with this treatment."
"What are you talking about, that doesn't make things better" Sarah told Lukas with a dissatisfied answer.
"My female friends is starting to look down on you, if you keep doing that gloomy expression they will hate you even more, and i don't want that." Sarah reasons to him.
At that time Sarah's friends suddenly barge in to the room with force.
BOOM!!!
The sudden noise scared Lukas and he started looking even more lower.
Sarah saw this expression with worn out face and sigh...
"Girls, lets go out somewhere" Sarah suggest to her friends
They cast that idea aside and slowly approach Lukas with an intention to bully him.
They grabbed his uniform tight,
Sarah who saw this bullying tried to stop her female friends but she was pushed and slide to the ground hitting her backside.
They then grips his hair strongly that when they pull it up Lukas had no choice but to look at them.
And what he saw terrifies him...
He saw the same man who pulls his hair up to the ground while seeing little Sarah trying her best to protect me getting pushed, tripping her away.
The same expression, the same smile, and same eyes. on my head i thought "I WILL KILL YOU!!!"
.....
Next i was in control again, everything have change drastically. Sarah is avoiding me, everyone is avoiding her, and her female friends is nowhere to be seen.
But i knew what happened, i was conscious when it happened.
Blood on the ceiling, hair lying on the ground, tear up uniform. I was responsible for all of that.
My father who has a power was able to hide this matter, but the effect has already begun.
.....
Lukas tried to talk to Sarah about the finals exam, if she wanted to study with her. But she is avoiding me, nobody is talking to me. like what I've always wanted, that nobody will approach me as i continue protecting Sarah. that has always been my goal and nothing more.
I became cruel, I started thinking that no boys should ever approach her.
And its getting deeper and deeper.
Until i cannot distinguished myself from the person i was before it all started.
I started to think, have i always been heartless since before.
I became the very person i tried not to be, in order to protect her.
But that means nothing..
*Back to Present*
Everyone screaming on the background while Lukas was just sitting besides the TV lying his back on the floor, both legs are bend as he use the knees to support his arm as he looks down on it hiding his face.
"I am a monster"
"A monster like me should not exist"
"A monster like me should have died after Sarah was rescued"
Suddenly his Summon reach out to him despite him in the lowest of the low.
Puts his shinning arm to Lukas shoulder, Lukas tried to look in front of him and saw a human like figure talk to him in the darkness. "Master i have been your companion for 2 years already, i know how kind you are. despite not showing to anyone else. i know that you are trying your best to confront your demon. i am summoned here in this world, not because of what you become, but because of who you are."
"I would love to serve you for the rest of my existence" Atlas said
Lukas called out Atlas and said "thank you friend" as he hold Atlas hand tightly on his shoulder.
.....
"Now what do you want me to do, master" said Atlas
Lukas then stands up, had his courage again to look at the TV and said
"To finished what Reymund unable to do"
...
In the real world, everyone is panicking. Majority of the victims affected by the squishing gravity have lost conscious. Sarah unable to do anything was crawling out of the field. When...
Lukas summoned Atlas again, but instead of Atlas helping the current Lukas He backslap him to the face knocking Lukas and Atlas to the wall. deactivating all gravity magic. Everyone started falling down to earth.
Bryant Mcgonnadaile, one of the Class 1-C student uses his telekinesis magic to ease their fall.
Meanwhile Lukas walk out of the rubble, his eyes are still looking dreadful. At first he is looking at Reymund to where the victims from the gravity compression is laying down but then Lukas gaze on the other side and finds that Sarah is laying down unconscious.
Lukas started tearing up, his eye's pupil is trembling as me mutter the word "Sarah?" He then looks at his hand to see dry blood stain in it.
Lukas drop down and cried silently feeling regret that the person he promised to save, is wounded because of him.
He is angry for himself, but most of his anger is directed to Reymund.
"All of this, should not have happened if he just stay away from our affairs" thoughts coming to his head
"You must finish him"
"He doesn't deserve to live"
Lukas is shaking those thoughts out of his head
"Enough!" Lukas shouted while his palm is covering his head.
"If you had just been stronger from that time, non of this would have happened" familiar voice talking to his head.
Lukas then looks at the direction of the familiar voice and see Reymund standing in the storming woods while Sarah is lying down lifeless beside Reymund as he said "This is your fault to begin with."
"If you just stay away and go to your mommy, you should not be standing to where you are now"
"The death of your friend, is never my fault. YOU SENT HER TO DEATH!"
"YOU SHOULD BE ASHAME!"
"YOU ARE GOING TO HELL!!!"
....
Lukas out of frustration let out another gravity magic, he said "SHUT UP!!"
The criminal then suddenly felt pressured and unable to move as he slowly levitates as two opposite gravity tried to strain him vertically. The criminal is feeling his belly slowly getting pulled out.
The dark sky rumbling from the thunder as storm droplet is getting stronger.
The criminal let out a cry for help when he notice that his body is starting to tear apart.
"AHHHHHH!!"
Lukas do not know that what he is doing to the criminal, is also what he is doing right now to Reymund.
Reymund is floating on the field agonizing in pain as the magic imbued to him by Sarah is starting to weaken fast.
Reymund is now floating 20 feet above the ground, while the criminal Lukas see in his vision is floating above tree level as multiple lighting and thunder starting to occur more instantaneous from all around.
"Lukas stop this now!" shouted by his male classmate from Class 2-A.
"This will not do you good anymore, Lukas just stop!!!" His female classmate told him.
Lukas is still silent and doesn't want to get disturb as he continue to put a strain to Reymund.
When all seems lost Reymund classmate starting to tense unable to say words or even leave the place. Suddenly Richard slowly pass by them and said, "You know, i really thought you would win this because of your lost magic, turns out you are just a chick still unable to fly."
"Since you are like my second son, i will do you favor just this once", Richard said
"Come forth..."
Suddenly the ambiance starting to change.
.....
Reymund is starting to cough some blood, and gets drag up to the magic circle in the air. All Reymund can do is to shout, "Lukas, this is not you."
"Sarah is in danger, save her"
"Please, return now!!!" Reymund shouted at him
On Lukas vision the criminal despite being lifted in air suffering in pain was still able to badmouth tiny Lukas
"Go home kid, you have no idea ..cough... who you're messing with" The criminal said as he started bleeding on his nose."
"I will die, but someone will follow my footstep."
"I swear to you, you will not gonna live a happy life..."
Thhssskk... (sound of a ripping body) followed by blood spilling...
....
Lukas was about to do the same thing to Reymund when a 30 foot tall leg appears from the ground upside-down, almost like it went up the ground without touching it and kick Lukas so hard that he went through the concrete and went out of the opposite side of the arena.
Sending shockwaves from around the school premise.
Richard who was on the edge of wall railing look at Reymund as he falls to the ground, thankfully Bryant was there to assist him down.
Richard thinks, what is this, a love triangle? unfortunately that's not one of my trope.
"Joker, return.."
Then the upside-down leg slowly goes back to the ground, the laughing sound finished and the ambiance return back to normal...
Richard said, " Sigh.. Am i the only professor here in this school that can stop this mess." As he looks at the other professor lying on the ground slowly going up.
Richard then thought, "Seriously, my paycheck does not match my job description"
...
An hour has passed by, 3 carriages parked outside of school brought 12 license healers from Jasminum therapeutic Academy, thankfully no civilian was killed in the incident, the school's clinic staff had a huge help for keeping the civilians alive while the help is arriving. Reymund's mom and dad check on Reymund and was thankful he is not hurt.
The elite student council lift Lukas up and place him on the portable stretcher as they take Lukas's unconscious body to the guidance office.
Meanwhile, Reymund's were still crying while hugging Reymund out of relief. All Reymund can do is cry as he hugs them tightly, "I'm okay mom, dad. I'm okay.." as tears coming out of his eyes.
Reymund is still a 9-year old kid this is the first time he encountered this unsettling events and I'm sure this is not the last time he will encounter something like this, or worse.