Nah, it's fine.... right?

(We're back to Mathew/Moged-Ruun)

I stared blankly at the flash that interrupted my attack. The great image that had formed during my attack faded, a great could of dust and grit still blocking my view of the other half of the arena. 'Perhaps God's Blade was a bit excessive? I hope that Karen lady was not overtalking herself, otherwise my relationship with Norman will be utterly unsalvageable.'

The crowds were utterly silent as the cloud dispersed, revealing a shining golden shield. It would not have been noticeable to the people watching, but I could tell the shield had been immensely damaged. The shield faded, revealing Karen standing in front of Lana, her right hand hanging behind her back.

I smirked underneath the Spirit's mask. "I take it Lana has lost then?" Karen was panting, clearly having to spend a lot of energy on that shield.

It was Norman who responded to me, "Yes, I forfeit on her behalf." He was looking towards her, probably making sure she was alright. I had to hand it to Karen, Lana didn't seem to have a scratch. Norman turned to look at me. "Was that not excessive? I feel you most certainly could have handled that with less ****."

Before responding I looked down to my robe and fingered the hole at my chest. "I would say it was more potent than I expected, my apologies. My intent was simply to respond with a proportionate attack to her, though it seems that logic did not hold in practice." I turned my head back to him, seeing a subtly pained expression upon his face. He most certainly got my veiled statement, that her power was not comparable to mine, and that I was most certainly the most powerful one here.

Oliver was still staring at the pair standing in a slight crater. Karen seemed to recover, grabbing a stunned Lana. They had some sort of exchange while Karen pulled Lana out of the yard. Nothing was said to anyone else as we all watched them leave the event. I looked to Millana, seeing she was in turn looking to me with a mixed expression of fear and amazement. I held up a finger, hoping she got the implied message, 'One down...'

I took off my mask, breathing in the air of the arena. Oliver approached me, but was unable to say anything before all of the other partygoers rushed to me. They all made their own attempts to befriend me, all woefully lacking in their own respects. The remaining Normn children got control of their cliques again, but the zealots no longer had anyone to follow, hanging around me like a bunch of lost poppies as I followed Norman back into the building.

As we went back into the main chamber we were in before, Kyle and his lackeys were waiting. He looked towards us with an eyebrow raised as we returned, which turned to a look of utter confusion as he saw me with the zealots, with no Lana in sight. "What's going on here?" He got up from his position of laying sideways in an armchair. "What's with all you losers tracking this wacko?"

Nathaniel walked up to him and grabbed him, whispering something that drained the blood from Kyle's face. They had an argument I did not care for, as my attention was currently spend trying to keep myself sane under all of the religious sheep's constant **** on my train of thought.

I finally turned to them, "Excuse me, but I did not know your churches followed some "trail by combat system", where the winner of duels becomes the new leader." The people all recoiled at my sudden statement. "I made no request of you to follow me, I need not your constant attention like some spoiled child. Had I known I would earn you following me if I won, I probably would have played dead after I was struck." With that, I marched away from them, who were too stunned to follow.

At last, I was at the side of the room again. Oliver approached, who I could feel was giving me a slight judging glance. "Can't handle the circus act?" he said while staring back at the party.

That made me laugh, "Ah, if only they were as entertaining as a circus. I don't get anything from them, and they only bother me." I shook my head. "I may have snapped a bit, but I just do not need to be followed by a bunch of clout chasers right now." Oliver tilted his head at me, 'Shit, that was a "modern" term...' "It is a phrase to refer to those who follow around people with fame in hopes of getting fame. People loved to use it for awhile in my homeland." I hoped that would be convincing enough.

He seemed content with that answer as he turned back to the party. "Huh, yes I suppose it is a fitting term then." Looking at the state of things, Nathaniel and Kyle's groups where currently in an awkward standoff as their respective leaders had a conversation aside. Norma was struggling to keep the conversation of her nobles from the duel, her followers sneaking looks towards me. The group of priests was wandering, trying to find someone to follow before Norman approached them. After a quick exchange, they give a collective sorrowful nod before leaving.

I look to my side to see Millana approaching, Isabell keeping up with her quick strides as she rushes up to me. After reaching me, she silently stares for a few moments before speaking.