Darx versus Url

Url gets to the judges to hand over his adventurer card before me and is already walking to the center of the arena. After handing over my adventurer card, I do the same. While walking to the starting position, the concept of fighting a final match starts playing over in my head. This is not just me versus Url. It is also Dark Dragon versus Oblivion. Leona already won one division for our guild, but that was against a guildless challenger. For me it is against someone from a prominent guild. A guild that Kase is with. In fact, Kase is in the Oblivion section of the audience, watching this duel. So are his guild leader, Agnes. My guild leader, Aelbrecht. As well as the queen and the princess too. So yeah, no pressure.

I already know about Kase’s attempt to get Amelia to reveal my secrets. I am fortunate to have been able to eavesdrop on them. As a result of that, I was able to prevent Kase from turning Amelia into a spy. I wonder how pissed he must have been when he learned that failed. I am sure Kase wants me to lose this. So, I need to see this duel not as me versus Url but me versus Kase. Url is just a proxy, but Url is also going to be a tough opponent. He is tall and wears a lot of heavy armor. On top of that, he also wields a large shield and a large sword. Actually, his sword is different from the one he used before. Did his other one get damaged? Regardless, in order to still be able to move normal while carrying that much weight, even with the added strength of a B rank, he simply must have a skill that improves his strength even further. From the previous fights that I have seen him in, I have been able to deduce a few strategies against him. Let’s hope that he doesn’t have any surprises for me.

The second the start signal is given, I summon my [Water Elemental]. Url starts walking towards me, but his armor weighs him down. He can only move slowly. This gives me plenty of time to finish my spell and then I send the [Water Elemental] to him with orders to drown him in his armor. Only until he passes out of course. The elemental goes towards him. He uses his sword to slash at her, like expected. And the [Water Element]’s body splits apart, like expected. What is not expected is that the spot where he cut her starts to freeze. His sword never showed any kind of freezing magic in previous duels. The elemental’s body continues freezing until her whole body is made of ice and then falls onto the arena floor. Well, that’s one strategy that won’t work.

Next strategy I’ve got is the [Migraine] rune. I reach under my spaulder to touch the rune, activate it, and then cast a [Migraine] spell onto Url. Which does nothing. He doesn’t even grab for his head for a few seconds, like Monica did. Does he have a skill that makes him immune to curses? Ok, that’s another strategy that won’t work. I guess I better prepare for Melee.

I start casting [Water Barrier], except suddenly Url stops walking like he has done in every duel, he starts running. That must be his third skill, a charge like Ryul has. I succeed in finishing the shield spell and use my sword to try and block Url’s sword. Url’s sword causes the water that makes up my shield to freeze and the [Water Barrier] immediately breaks apart. Fortunately, I was able to block his sword attack. But then he smashes me with his shield. The blow is powerful enough to lift me off my feet. As I try to get up, I reason that must have been his fourth skill, [Shield Smash]. I’ve seen him use it a couple of times. He normally uses it pretty late in the duel. I didn’t think he would use it this quickly now. He only has a maximum of one more skill left. Then Url should have no more surprised for me.

This time I decide to attack. I approach Url from his shield side with the intend to get behind him. As I move around him, he suddenly makes a bash at me with his shield. I reflexively strike his shield with my sword and only when it is too late do I realize his [Shield Bash] is a provoke skill. He uses this chance to strike at me with his sword and it hits me in the side. Thank goodness I am now wearing a brigandine. The metal inside it keeps me safer than any leather armor would. If I was still wearing my old leather armor, I would be so injured that I would have to yield. I get up again, this time holding my side where Url’s sword hit me. There is a large gash in the leather, revealing the metal plates underneath. It is time for me to do something creative.

I make my way over to the fountain. The same one I used at the start of the duels back when I was trying to keep my water summoning ring a secret. While waiting for Url to catch up, I use my ring to add more water to the fountain. By the time Url is close enough, I first use some [Ball of Water] spells on him. It does nothing to his armor, that spell is in no way strong enough to damage a heavily armored person like Url. But the goal is not to damage him. It is to make him soaked. Then I use the [Wave] spell I learned before the tournament started. The large amount of water in the fountain flows out like a wave straight towards Url. He raises his shield to break the wave and make the water flow next to him. I use my skill in water magic to keep some of the water wrapped around his feet and lower legs. Then I guide some of that water close to his sword and fake an attack. Url falls for my trap and slashes at it. The water that came into contact with his sword stars freezing, which travels all the way down, to the water that is surrounding his feet, causing his legs to get trapped in ice.

It is fun to see Url trap himself with the magical effect of his own sword. Even more fun to see him try to figure out what just happened. If only I had the time to enjoy it. But no, I should defeat Url as quickly as I can. I rush over to Url, this time approaching him from his sword side. That way he can’t provoke me with his shield again. My goal is to use [Dual Strike] on him from behind. But before I get there, he slams his sword into the ice with such strength that it breaks and he is free again. Would that have been his 5th skill? How else would he have broken that ice so easily? While is am surprised at Url’s ease at liberating himself from the ice trap, he suddenly charges at me. I defend myself with my sword, but Url’s attack is so powerful that my sword breaks. Wait … Could that have been a 6th skill? Yet before I can process it, he hits me with another [Shield Smash] and I get thrown again.

I don’t get it. How come Url can do so many things? Does he have other artifacts? Like a magic ring which grants him with strength instead of a skill? I try to stand, surrounded by a cheering crowd. They are cheering for Url. They are cheering on my defeat. I also notice a wetness at my side. Am I bleeding? I check and notice it’s the mana potion I kept with me. It is broken and the potion has spilled onto my clothes. Damn it.

Suddenly, I feel a metal shoe kick me in the face. I roll a bit further and touch my aching nose. That is when I learn my nose is bleeding. But I don’t have time for that. Url is coming for me again. I reach under my spaulder and touch the rune for [Sunlight Charge]. I aim it towards Url’s face and cast it. The bright light blinds him and grants me a chance to get up and run away. I can’t keep running though. I need to find a way to defeat him. But my sword has already been broken. And most of my spells are useless. The only one I’ve got left is the lance.

I start by casting the [Water Spear] spell. There is no way this spell will get past his armor, but I need him distracted. I throw the [Water Spear] and immediately start casting [Water Lance]. Url raises his shield and brushes off the [Water Spear] as if it is nothing. By the time he lowers his shield, I am already there with a fully activated [Water Lance]. I surprise him with a neat blow against his chest armor. I even hear him grunt so I know it did something. I strike again, except this time he defends with his shield. And again, but now he defends with his sword. The current of the [Water Lance] is too fast for his sword to break it, but the magical effect of his sword persists and causes the [Water Lance] to start freezing into ice. I quickly take a few steps back and wait for most of the lance to be frozen. Then I perform a move that some of the water mages in my guild have shown me yesterday. I pull the lance back as if I am in a joust, and then I strike as if Url is standing right in front of me. With some magic help, the [Water Lance] launches from me and flies at high speed directly at Url’s chest. He is fast enough to raise his shield and block the attack, but it seems like the massive spike of ice hit him in exactly the right spot. At the moment of impact, he had his feet in a wrong position. One that doesn’t permit a lot of stability. But what else could he do, wait with raising his shield and let the lance hit his chest? So, Url starts to lose his balance. I can see him waving his arms to try and evade the inevitable. A heavily armored man like Url is probably unable to get up on his own strength after falling. If only I had any mana left to give him an extra push, but I am all out.

Everyone in the arena watches silently as Url is about to fall. Then Url aims his sword towards the ground behind him and sticks it in there. He does the same with his huge shield. Now that he is connected to the ground with his sword, his shield and his feet, he’s got 3 points to help him stabilize and he prevents himself from falling. I watch him readjust his feet, putting him back in balance, and I watch all my chances of winning fade away.

This is it. I cannot win from Url. My sword is broken and my mana reserves are empty. I have lost. I take a deep breath in preparation to yield, but when I open my mouth to yell, no sounds comes out. Wait, I yelled that I would yield. Why didn’t my vocal cords work? I am unable to figure it out since Url rushes to me again and gives me another slash with his sword. It is again on my brigandine but damn that is going to leave a massive bruise.

I don’t even have the strength to get up any more. Url simply walks up to me and then drops his sword and shield. He grabs me with his plate metal gauntlets and lifts me up.

“What’s wrong? Can’t yield?” Url asks. “Must be because of the silence charm I’m using.”

He then pulls back his right first and punches me in the stomach. A charm? So, not one of his skills?

“I heard a ‘friend’ of yours once told you not to get awakened. That it would be safer for you to remain a peasant and just go back home.” Url continues. “You should have listened, boy”.

This time he punches me in the face. A friend? He must be talking about Kase. That piece of shit.

“I was told to humiliate you for thousands of people until you lose consciousness. But I think I’ll just cut one of your legs off. That should convince you to retire back into the peasant’s life.”

He gives me another punch in the face, except this time he actually let’s go and I fall to the ground again. I turn my head and watch Url puck up his sword. This is bad. He’s going to cut off my leg. This is going to be worse than simply being humiliated. I will end my days as an adventurer. I try to beg him to stop, but no sound comes from my mouth. I try to crawl away from him, but he approaches faster. I need something to push him away. I aim my left hand at him but no mana is available, no spell gets cast. He raises his great sword, ready to chop of my leg. I don’t care who or what or how, I just need to somehow push him back. I push my hand at him one more time thinking ‘LEAVE’ real hard in my mind.

This **** desire to create a distance between Url and myself causes me to be surrounded in a white glow for a short time. All of a sudden, I don’t only feel all of my mana reserves having been refilled, but a powerful air current flows from my hand and hits Url in the face. The air current is powerful enough for Url to lose his balance again, but a quick adjustment of his feet places him in balance once more. The sudden mana refill leaves me with enough energy to get back onto my feet. I don’t understand how or why I get this second chance, but I am going to use it. With my left hand I cast another air current. One as powerful as I can and I aim it at Url’s sword. The wind prevents him from bringing his sword forward. Then with me right hand I summon another [Water Lance]. I stab his chest plate with the lance and get him a little out of balance. Before he can correct himself, I stab him again, putting him even more out of balance. With a scream, that cannot be heard by anyone because of Url’s silence charm, I launch the [Water Lance] at Url. The **** of the blow finally pushes him over the edge and Url falls.

I watch Url on the ground before me. I watch him try and fail to get back up. He is helpless now. I summon another [Water Lance] and start walking towards him. So, he wanted to humiliate me in front of thousands of people, huh? In front of my guild. In front of the queen. Let’s see how he enjoys being humiliated instead. Yet before I can use this new [Water Lance] on him, the judge’s gong goes off. Wait, the match is over? How?

I look over at the judges and one of them is standing in from of the megaphone.

“Everyone. Dear spectators and beloved queen. My apologies for ending the match, but something has happened that makes it so this match can no longer continue. The honorable adventurer, Darx, is quite simply no longer able to participate, because he is no longer a B rank.” The judge says.

My anger towards Url is immediately replaced by confusion. I can’t believe what the judge is saying. Can’t participate? Not B rank? What? In my confusion I no longer properly guide my mana and the [Water Lance] fades. The water splashing on the arena floor.

“I am sure all of us here know it is a rare thing for an adventurer to achieve a rank upgrade.” The judge continues. “But it would appear that Darx is one of the lucky ones. He is an A rank now.”

I’m an A rank? Really? That happened just now? Around me the audience starts to become restless. I take it they are confused. Just like me.

“Do not get me wrong.” The judge continues. “Three different judges checked Darx’s rank before the match and he certainly entered the match as a B rank. So, mister Darx certainly performed no cheating. It is just unfortunate that it happened in the middle of the match.”

Unfortunate? It is the way I was able to win from Url? How is that unfortunate?

“The rules are quite clear. Adventurers participating in the tournament must duel adventurers of the same rank. Due to Darx upgrading from B to A, he no longer qualifies for the B rank division and therefore needs to be disqualified.”

Dis…? No. I won so many duels. Made it all the way to the finals. And now I am just disqualified for something that isn’t even my fault?

From the Dark Dragon section of the audience, Leona stands up and yells at the judges. “I am willing to face Darx in a duel. A second final match for the A rank division.

“That is very honorable of you, Lady Leona. But I am afraid the A rank champion for this year is set in stone.” The judge addresses Leona. He then looks back to me and says, “I am sorry, Darx. I congratulate you on your rank upgrade. I am certain you will gain great benefit from it. But Url wins the title of this year’s B rank champion.”

I can’t believe it. I … don’t know how to feel about this. A gained rank but a lost championship? I can feel neither anger nor happiness. But there is nothing to be done about it. It is over. I start slowly walking to where the Knights Hospitaler are. A few of them are running towards me already. Two of them help me leave the arena, the others are continuing on to Url. The Knights Hospitaler guild members bring me to the edge of the arena and have me sit on a chair. There they help me take off my brigandine. While I am being undressed, another of the Knights Hospitaler brings me the shattered pieces of my sword. I guess I’ll have to pay to get that fixed.

Like I predicted, the places where Url’s sword hit me are showing signs of internal bleeding. The clerics from the Knights Hospitaler use their magic to heal my wounds. Including my bleeding nose and the wounds Url caused when he punched me. As I sit there, I take deep audible breaths. It would seem that the silence charm is no longer active. So, I guess I can speak again.

“Darx?” I hear a woman’s voice say.

I look up and I see Mia standing close.

“Are you alright? You took a huge beating there?” She asks, obviously concerned for me.

“I’ll manage.” I say between gasps. “I just became an A rank. And I think I also developed a new air-based skill.”

“Ooh, a new skill too. That’s awesome. Still. You totally defeated that Oblivion ogre.” Mia replies. “I don’t care what the judges say. As far as I care, you are the B rank champion.”

“Not officially.” I complain. “But thanks. At least one person who thinks I won the final round.” Which I finish with a smile.

“Mia of the Gryphon Knights. Please, report to the judges with your adventurer card.” We hear the announcer say.

“Right, that’s the second time they’re calling me.” Mia complains. “I guess I should be going.”

I smile and say, “Go become champion in your division. Then at least one person from our village will win officially.”

Mia smiles and gives me a thumbs up before leaving. One of the Knights hospitaller guild members hands me a cup of water while Mia and Lacey get ready to start their duel. I guess I will be here for a while until all my wounds have been healed. I decide to simply rest here and have the healers do their thing while Lacey and Mia get ready for their final match.