With newfound determination ignited by Zero's words, Sylvia stepped onto the stage, her heart pounding with a mix of nerves and excitement.
She glanced back at her friends, Misha, Lisa, and Hiro, who were all watching her with varying degrees of concern. She offered them a reassuring smile before turning her attention back to the task at hand.
Princess Elenia, on the other side of the stage, exuded an air of confidence that matched her esteemed rank. Her elven elegance was accentuated by her ornate armor and flowing garments, and she held herself with an aura of regality that seemed almost unassailable.
"Ah! Why is she even fighting? The result is obvious!"
"The human should just surrender and stop wasting our time. Anyone could see that she is going to lose!"
"This is going to be over in a second." ….
Looking at the difference in the strength, no one had any interest or hope in the match. For them, the match has already been decided the moment, the name Elenia was announced.
"Ha? You really want to fight me?"
Princess Elenia asked arrogantly. She thought that the other person would give up and never expected Sylvia to make her appearance.
"Humph! A Rank-B dares to challenge me. I don't know whether to call you foolish or brave. Either way, the result is not going to change."
Princess Eleina said.
Sylvia didn't do anything back.
( Indeed it might be foolish of me to expect to win but I will never know until I try. Zero, watch me! I will show you how powerful I have become in these two years. )
She summoned her bow and arrow. It seemed to be an artifact of very high rank, probably Rank-S.
It could have been a big advantage for Syvlia if not for her opponent being Princess Elenia who is Rank-S herself. No matter how high ranked weapons one wield, it could be difficult to close the difference in power between Rank-B and Rank-S.
Syvlia focused her attention on Elenia, analyzing her opponent's stance, demeanor, and the way she stood.
Sylvia had prepared herself for a tough fight while on the other hand, Elenia didn't seem to even think of this whole thing as a fight. She just casually stood there without really thinking about fighting.
The match was about to begin!
"You can still surrender, you know!"
Princess Elenia said. She found it funny that Sylvia was taking the fight seriously as she thought that result was already predetermined.
Sylvia took a deep breath, pushing aside her insecurities. "I may not be as strong as you, Princess Elenia, but I won't back down without a fight."
Elenia's lips curled into a faint smile. "Very well, then! Show me what you can do! Don't expect mercy from me!"
Elenia said while exuding a threatening aura. It did manage to make Sylvia a bit scared, however, she was determined to fight and wouldn't give up.
"Are you both ready?"
The referee asked and both of them nodded their heads.
"Then let the battle begin!"
As the match began, Sylvia swiftly notched an arrow and drew her bowstring, her fingers trembling slightly from nervousness..
Princess Elenia, seemingly relaxed and unthreatened, watched Sylvia's movements with a raised eyebrow. She still didn't bother to draw her own weapon, a sign of her confidence.
Sylvia took a deep breath, centering herself, and then she unleashed her arrow with precision.
The arrow streaked through the air, aimed directly at Elenia, who finally decided to move. With a flick of her wrist, Elenia redirected all the arrows effortlessly.
The crowd chuckled at the spectacle. Sylvia's attack had been thwarted without much effort, reinforcing their belief that this fight was already decided. But Sylvia wasn't deterred. She didn't think that her normal attack would do anything to Elenia.
Once again, Sylvia was preparing to attack when suddenly the target, Elenia, had disappeared from her sight. She looked left and right, but she couldn't see her at all.
"You should seriously just give up. There is no shame running away from me."
Elenia's voice sounded from behind. In the time that Syvlia was preparing for her next attack, it looks like Elenia had gone behind Sylvia.
Sylvia immediately turned around and launched a series of attacks.
The distance between Sylvia and Elenia was so short that it was very difficult even for Rank-S to dodge all the attack that Sylvia launched.
However, Princess Elenia was no ordinary opponent. Even among Rank-S, she was at the very top. Elenia had used a mana barrier to block out all the attack.
"Nice try! Your techniques are no less powerful than us Elves. But this is not enough to defeat me."
Princess Elenia said with a smile. Elves are expert in archery but Sylvia was also as good as Elven genius which surprised Elenia a bit. But that was it!
Even if thousands of such attacks hit her, she would still be alright.
Sylvia's heart sank as she watched her Moon Blitz technique being effortlessly repelled by Elenia's mana barrier. Her attacks, while powerful, had proven ineffective against the princess's formidable defenses.
Elenia's smile only widened as she observed Sylvia's reaction. "You're quite skilled, I'll give you that. But you underestimate the difference between us," she taunted, her voice dripping with condescension.
Sylvia's grip on her bow tightened, and even with Elenia's word, Sylvia was determined.
( Unless I break her defense, no matter how much I attack, it will be useless! )
Sylvia thought. Her mind was always searching for a way for her to win but looking at the Elenia's impenetrable defense, she knew that she had to focus all her strength into single attack which could breakthrough Elenia's defense.
"What are you thinking?"
Princess Elenia suddenly appeared before Sylvia. Sylvia couldn't even react before she was flung back by Elenia's finger flick.
Sylvia crashed into the ground, skidding a few feet before coming to a halt. She pushed herself up onto her elbows, gritting her teeth against the pain.
As Sylvia struggled to her feet, her friends in the audience exchanged worried glances. Misha clenched her fists, Lisa looked on with a mix of concern and hope, and Hiro's eyes narrowed as he watched the unfolding battle.
Sylvia's vision cleared just in time to see Princess Elenia approaching, a self-assured grin on her face. "I must admit, you've lasted longer than I expected. But I grow tired of this charade. It's time to end this farce."