Character : Lilyanna Valkaria, Returning Party
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Origins… they have their perfect counters.
Water counters fire. Light counters darkness. This is a common knowledge that everyone in the world knows.
However, there are other things in this world that exist. Other methods that contain power, like a weapon. Things like martial arts existed alongside origins, and even though they are not as popular, they greatly increase the strength of a person.
In the past, there was one genius martial artist. A swordsman, who is capable of thousands of sword techniques. However, he does not have any origins in his body, which forced him to learn swordsmanship to overcome his weakness.
Of course, technology advances. Ranged weapons are beginning to get more popular than traditional weapons. And yet, that person still learned swordsmanship, and he became the strongest swordsman in Avenor.
On his journey, he visited all the countries in Avenor. He shared his knowledge as he learned some of the country's local techniques. And during his journey to Valkaria, he shared an important gift to the royalty of Valkaria at the time.
'Every weapon… has their counter. A sword is countered by a shield. A shield is countered by a bow. And a bow is countered by a sword.
Origins are similarly countered. Each element has their own elemental weaknesses. As such, origins can also be categorized as a type of weapon.
And the techniques behind those weapons… they, too, can be categorized as weapons. Swordsmanship, martial arts, any of the kind; they are weapons that can be countered.'
After speaking those mighty words, the strongest swordsman gifted the King of Valkaria one of the greatest gifts of all time. It wasn't a blade, nor is it any item that can be held.
It is knowledge. A technique, capable of returning any harm that is inflicted onto its bearer.
The Counter Bubble has been Valkaria Empire's secret art. It's a sword technique that is exclusive only to the royal families of Valkaria, a technique that is passed down from generations to generations.
It is also a technique that has evolved, because it was already very different when it was first created. When it was first taught by the swordsman, this technique did not use the water origin. It was only after the King of Valkaria of that time learned it that he ended up innovating the technique using water origin.
And since then… It became my family's secret art. It can counter any physical attacks, whether they are close ranged or far ranged. It doesn't counter perfectly, and to be able to counter it, one needs to be perfectly accurate in grabbing a hold of the attack.
It is also quite slow to prepare, since you do need a ton of time gathering the water from your own water origin. It's just a difficult technique to cast, but with a very powerful outcome.
At the arena, the crowd loves it. They all felt widely amazed by the scale of the battle just now that they wanted more.
A battle that involves sea dragons, giant rocks, crazy powerful and fast slashes, and a bubble that can deflect any attacks? This level of combat shouldn't be done at an academy like this.
"You okay? The doctors are getting here." I said to Jonah after we approached each other at the arena, and we both can see the medic team running towards us from a distance.
"Yeah, yeah… it's painful, but it is my own technique, so…"
"I can see your bones…"
"Listen. It's best if you don't talk about it."
"Jonah, you're crying…"
"It doesn't hurt! I swear!"
I mean… I can use healing technique on him… my water origin can heal, after all… Screw it, I'm healing him.
VWUNGG!!!!!
I lifted both my hands to his opened wounds, and I began healing him right away. The healing technique I'm using is slowly closing the nasty wound on both his hands, and Jonah can feel slightly better.
"You could've done this earlier…" Jonah complained, and I realized I made a mistake for hesitating.
"Y-You were still my enemy earlier…"
"I meant a few seconds earlier!"
"Sorry~."
After healing him for a bit, the medic team finally arrives. They were quite shocked to see the wound in Jonah's hands, because it genuinely looked like a huge chunk of his arm was sliced out. They quickly put him on a stretcher while they healed his hands.
Nyssa came flying from above, and she landed right next to me. I realized that she might be a little annoyed that I hurt her boyfriend, but it looks like she doesn't really care.
"Stupid. You were rash." Nyssa said so annoyedly to Jonah, which shocked the tall guy so much.
In-Instead of flaming me… she flamed Jonah… Okay, I'll take it.
"Don't be like that, Nyssa. Jonah tried his best."
"I know. It's not your fault."
W-Woah… Nyssa is completely siding with me!
"What do you think, Prince Nathan? Did this battle suit your taste?" From the speaking room, the announcer asked her co-host about his opinion on our battle.
"Well… To tell you the truth, I expected more from Jonah." Nathan answered so blatantly, which made Jonah look up to the VIP room.
"The hell? Both my best friend and my girlfriend don't care about me… Ah, I'm better off dead…" Jonah muttered as he laid his back on the stretcher, slightly disturbing the medic team healing his wound.
Poor you, Jonah…
After healing Jonah's arm, the medic team began carrying his large body out of the arena with the stretcher. Nyssa helped me leave this large arena with her flight ability, and everyone noticed the arena has been cleared.
The next battle was between Eric and Kenneth, the number three earth origin in our class. Eric, being the best student in the whole year, was the favorite to win this. And unsurprisingly, he too won by a landslide.
With the match ending after one strike, the next match began right away. The best light origin against the best darkness origin. Sure enough, with light origin being countered endlessly by the darkness origin, it's clear to anyone about who will win it.
With the last two matches being so boring, everyone agrees that my match with Jonah was the most fun to watch. However, that now leaves us with only four people at the top.
Nyssa, me, Eric, and the best student with the darkness origin, Cane.
These top four students aren't exactly the best of the best, because Jonah is arguably ten times stronger than Cane. However, everyone also knows that luck is what truly determines our run at this tournament.
And it seems like our luck has truly intertwined.
"For tomorrow, the semifinals! We have our top four facing against each other! They are… Winnysssa Vaico, Princess Lilyanna Valkaria, Eric Axwell, and Cane Farmount! See you guys tomorrow!" The announcer loudly announced to everyone, but the crowd were a little too tired already since it has been a rather long day.
Now, we got our time to rest. The semifinals are going to be held tomorrow, alongside the final that happens only hours after that.
Naturally, there are going to be things that need preparation.
"Congrats on making it to the top four!"
At the cafeteria, a certain guy lifted his cup filled with iced tea while congratulating me and Nyssa. His face looked slightly battered, and one can only guess why.
Nathan has returned to us, specifically his friends. Everyone wanted to have a chance to punch his beautiful face, and they all got it. Jonah and Rejulus led the way, and Nyssa and I just followed along.
I didn't punch his face, to be fair… I should've, but it's too evil for his handsome face. I just kicked his balls-
"Honestly, I wasn't expecting the top four of the tournament to be like this." Rejulus commented, and Jonah laughed hearing that comment.
"Me too! I thought I was gonna be in the top four!" Jonah happily commented before drinking his coffee, and both Nyssa and I only stared at them with judging glares.
"And who… are your top four, Jonah?" I asked Jonah first, and he only cleared his throat.
"Well, definitely me and Nyssa--"
"Hmm?? Looks like you have forgotten what happened--"
"Again, that was only what I thought! Gee, you're so competitive!" Jonah reasoned immediately, and Rejulus seemed to have the same idea, but with him replacing Nyssa.
Seeing the guys gave up so easily, Nathan only chuckled. He grabbed a piece of his sandwich and muffled his mouth with it.
"I hwofufy uwdfu ofow fowo--"
"Woi. Eat first." Rejulus quickly shuts Nathan up, and the guy ate the sandwich completely.
"I honestly did not expect Lily to beat Jonah. I knew Lily was strong, but I just thought Jonah was simply better in a one against one matchup." Nathan gave his perspective, and I can understand why he thinks so.
"I thought so as well. But then I saw her using that bubble… Honestly, even I cannot be so confident to break through that." Rejulus commented as well, pointing out the bubble that I used.
Everyone on the table turned to me for answers, but I just shook my shoulder.
"It's a family secret. Sorry, guys~." I answered with a wide grin, and everyone was disappointed.