Chapter 37: Two Seconds Is Too Long
Hitched air rushed across the alleyways of the academy as crimson fog clung to the high stone pillars of the Grand Arena.
Drifting wet, pinkish leaves swept across the seats of the arena as the door spun open.
The buzzing flames of the lined lanterns positioned at each corner of the arena cast dark, jagged shapes on the walls as countless students entered.
Stone shuffling and hitched murmurs rose upward as all the ten thousand and one seats became occupied before the rays of the dawn light touched the rising mountains.
Chilled air sliced through the veils of the elders of the academy and caused the fabric to ripple.
Breeze gasped out of Elder Juliet’s mouth as she looked away from the empty arena and locked her eyes onto Saintess Lilith’s sweaty back. ’After this duel, I will make sure all of them are exposed one after another.’
Bone crackling echoed around her as she clenched her fist. When she lowered her head and gripped the armrest of her chair, debris rained on the pivoted ground.
Strands of Lilith’s golden, liquid light hair danced as she shifted herself and smiled at the elders. ’Levi will surely defeat her and leave you no choice, Elder Juliet.’
She closed her eyes when a flash of crimson magic blasted on the arena and blinded every open eye for a few seconds.
The blinding crimson light faded, granting each person’s sight back as necks snapped forward.
Saliva snaked down Lyra and Lilith’s throats when they saw Maya Sirius standing at the center of the arena with dust swirling around her like dead souls.
Maya stood there wearing only a flashing blood-red silk gown that drifted around her ankles like liquid fire.
The hems of her gown wobbled on the ground as she took a step forward and looked toward the VIP section with a wide smile on her face. ’It’s good you’ve all come to witness his execution.’
Her crimson irises blazed when she blinked, centering her vision on only Mother Beatrice, the Inquisitor. ’I never knew you would go so low for a mere slave to dissect you and your energy. Tweak!’
She flapped her right arm against her gown, sending heat radiating through the ground beneath her that caused the sand within ten yards to harden into black glass. ’No mercy for the one that deserves to be eliminated.’
Her wine-colored hair floated slightly when she turned and took a deep breath.
The sound of dripping water echoed from the section of the mages as Clara lowered her head and cupped her face in her palms. ’Oh, my dear master is going to be unmade by this witch!’
Her shoulders heaved for a while, then she lifted her head with blood-veined lines cast in her eyes. She sniffed and inhaled the moisture that nearly fell off her nose. ’Try your best, Levi.’
She exhaled sharply when a loud whistle shot through the arena and caught everyone in shock.
Dust at the front of the arena’s entrance plummeted upward as the iron bars rolled upward with jingling sounds.
Elder Juliet increased her grip on the armrest of her seat when she saw a massive, towering silhouette stretching on the sand-filled floor and entering the arena. ’This is your end, Levi Sirius.’
Her eyes rolled in their sockets when the darkening shape began to turn shallow. Her chest heaved as a wild, cunning laughter escaped from her mouth and pushed her veils upward slightly.
"Look at him!" She leaned back in her seat and pointed a finger toward the entrance of the arena.
Bristling air flashed out of Levi’s nose when he glanced at the ten thousand and one students seated with smiles on their faces. ’Do they think they’re coming to see my downfall?’
He tilted his head slightly and focused on Lilith, Lyra, and Mother Beatrice, then smiled. Finding Senna, Clara, Mimi, and the Baroness Vanya in the crowd, he nodded. "Seems I’ve got people who genuinely know I have already won."
The pockets of his black trousers crumpled as he pulled his hands out of his pockets and traced his gaze from the dust to the dark silhouette stretching toward him. ’Maya Sirius didn’t change a bit.’
Levi followed the line of the shadow and focused it on the blood-red silk Maya was wearing, then grinned.
With every inch Levi looked, memories of his earthly Maya flashed behind his eyelids like a curse.
The Maya in his memory and the Maya standing a few yards away from him came hand in hand, wearing the same type and style of clothing that dangled with the same movement.
’So you couldn’t stay on Earth, but chased me here also. Huh!’ The translucent panel shimmered before Levi’s eyes when he blinked once at the lewd face of the Crimson Sovereign.
[Target: Maya Sirius.]
[Current Rank: Mid-Tier Master.]
[Attraction: Obsession.]
[But Suppressed by Imperial Pride.]
[Desire Level: 35%]
[System Advice: Channel the combined four-element matrix and utilize it before you can neutralize her first strike.]
’Just now?’ Levi shook his head slowly and map out his options, then planted his hands on his waist. ’Let’s see what she’s capable of doing first.’
Gravel on the sand-filled arena screamed under Levi’s black boots as he moved a few steps forward, swinging his hands in a sluggish manner.
Maya Sirius hissed, then shook her head. ’So, he’s got an annoying amount of courage.’
Her sweet, red, shimmering lips curved into a mocking smile as she shook her head. "You actually came, little worm."
She looked Levi up and down, then lowered her shoulders. "And you’ve grown a bit thicker overnight; that’s interesting too."
Her wine-colored hair whipped through the air as she ran her hand through it and glanced once at the VIP section of the seats. ’How useless you all are to combine your power for him just to end up dying on my first strike.’
Maya’s nose twitched when Levi stopped a one-foot distance between them. "I can smell the combined scent of your little pets radiating from your meridians."
Levi glanced at her waist, then back at Maya’s face. "Wait, what is that sweet scent pulsing out of you and calling on me to acquire it?"
A flicker of his glowing Sovereign mark on his chest appeared when he crossed his arms over his chest.
Maya’s cheeks reddened with anger when she swallowed and raised her right hand as if gripping an invisible hilt with her long, pale fingers. "Prepare yourself to be eliminated in two seconds."
"Two seconds?" Levi’s head snapped back as he looked at her with a dissatisfied expression. "That’s too much time. I just need half a second."