The spectators were staring at the screen with wide eyes, while Victoria stood frozen, watching in disbelief.
"One against three and still winning?!"
"Come on, Merlin! You can do it!"
Victoria yelled, cheering for her brother, while the crowd continued to chant Merlin's name.
'Time to finish this for fuck's sake..'
Merlin knew Nathan had his quest. But frankly, Merlin didn't care. He hadn't forgotten for a second why he was here.
To be better than Nathan.
Because Nathan was a loser. A big ol' loser who lost, and ruined everything.
'I don't care what I have to do…'
Merlin gripped his rapier, as if he'd just had an epiphany.
[Wind Affinity leveled up!]
Merlin's lips trembled as Nathan vanished from his sight.
Lightning zigzagged in front of his eyes, as a figure appeared in front of him.
Merlin's hands shot up, using his skill and now-enhanced wind power to speed up his movements. Just before Nathan could stab him, Merlin caught both daggers with his bare hands.
Adrian and Seraph stared with wide eyes as Nathan's face started to twitch.
This battle had no meaning. It wasn't some epic final showdown. Not a life-or-death fight…just a school battle royale.
Still…it meant something to Merlin.
It meant he could beat Nathan. It meant he could be better than the main character…it meant he was more than just an extra.
This was…The Old Protagonist vs The New Protagonist.
Suddenly, blades started materializing out of thin air…literally. They were wind blades swirling around Merlin, and speeding toward Seraph and Adrian.
Nathan's eyes snapped back to reality just as he started pulling his hand away, but Merlin made a quick move, aiming a kick straight at Nathan's stomach, sending him flying backward like a ragdoll.
Seraph, in the nick of time, raised an ice wall, blocking the blades.
Nathan groggily picked himself up, glaring at Merlin.
"I'm not losing… no… I can't lose…"
Nathan muttered under his breath, while Merlin raised an eyebrow and dashed toward him. His speed was way faster now.
'I'm not giving him a second to breathe.'
Nathan suddenly enveloped himself in a purple aura, and the water around Merlin slammed into him, freezing him in place.
Merlin's hair stood on end as he stared at Nathan, who seemed to have gotten some random power-up.
'Seriously?! Does he this have this much fucking plot armor?!'
Merlin took a step back, just as Nathan appeared in front of him, only to be blocked by a stone wall that exploded on impact.
Merlin dashed backward, his eyes scanning for the source of the mana, where a spear-wielding girl stood, her arms outstretched toward them both.
Her silver-blonde hair fluttered in the breeze as her violet eyes practically glowed.
Merlin dodged Nathan's attacks just in time. Nathan's eyes were completely purple, as though he'd been possessed by something… but that couldn't be right…right? They weren't in the real world…it was just a simulation…
Elara dashed forward just as a water whip lashed toward her, and Adrian moved closer to Seraph.
As Merlin looked over, Nathan managed to land a blow on his side with his hands, sending him flying back.
Elara easily dodged the attack and stepped back.
'System… say something…'
Merlin thought, wanting help. He wasn't sure what was behind Nathan's sudden power surge… well, he had a few ideas.
But he had no clue why the gods would intervene in such a petty matter.
Nathan gripped his blades as his eyes glowed violet.
"You can still give up."
He wasn't even paying attention to Elara, who was holding her spear. His words were directed at Merlin.
"Elara, hold off the other two."
Merlin's cold voice echoed across the field as he gripped his rapier.
"Tch, you can't order me around, you know?"
Despite her protests, Elara turned and faced Seraph and Adrian, who were struggling but managing to keep their positions.
Merlin took a deep breath, and then he and Nathan dashed forward at the same time.
The spectators fell into a hushed silence. It was like an epic battle was unfolding, but really, it was just two kids fighting on a screen.
The air was thick with excitement, almost palpable, as Nathan and Merlin clashed, and everyone erupted with cheers.
Merlin could barely keep up as Nathan started using all of his affinities… even his ice affinity, shooting ice swords straight at Merlin.
Cracks started appearing on Merlin's body as he couldn't dodge every attack.
Nathan slashed forward with his dagger, and Merlin blocked it flawlessly. But the lightning that followed threw him back.
Merlin looked up at the sky as he hit the ground.
[#%#%$% wants to help you win.]
Merlin slowly picked himself up, staring at Nathan, who looked like he was just waiting for him to rise… like he was having fun.
'I reject… I don't want to win with someone else's power…'
[#%#%$% laughs at your decision.]
Merlin didn't have time to think about it now…he had to move.
He channeled his mana through his body and lunged forward, as Nathan stood motionless.
"You should have given up."
Nathan's cold voice echoed as his blade appeared just inches from Merlin's throat.
Elara yelled, having just taken down Adrian, who turned to vapor.
'Ah… I'm going to lose…?'
Everything around him started to slow down… Nathan's blade was right in front of him. Time… time that Merlin couldn't fully control, was working now.
Merlin dodged the strike just as his mana surged, speeding up his movements. He thrust his rapier into Nathan's side.
Nathan dashed back, clutching his side.
Silence. Utter silence.
Elara's thoughts spun as she stared at the panting Merlin while attacking Seraph, who was starting to give up.
Elara's voice snapped Merlin out of his shock. He was running low on mana… Nathan's aura was starting to fade, and his eyes were returning to normal.
'Now… I have to win…'
Merlin moved like a slug, using only his remaining speed… then thrust his sword into Nathan's motionless chest, who could only stare in wide-eyed shock.
Nathan looked down at the hole in his chest as his body began to shatter like glass.
"Next time, try harder with your own strength you lucky bastard.."
Nathan turned to vapor as Elara's spear pierced Seraph's head.
'…That woman's brutal…'
Merlin collapsed to the ground as Seraph shattered like a piece of glass.
'I won… I beat the protagonist…'