Chapter 442: Charging up
Once the duel was official, they relocated to a remote training facility managed by the Association themselves in order to accommodate duels between the companies in Metropolis.
It was located just a few kilometers away, with the whole facility located inside a crater hidden away in the forest.
"This is an arena," Claudia said as she got off her horse. "As you can see, there’s not much inside it, just circular empty space. But that’s on purpose because we create an entirely new arena each duel that we arbitrate.
A lot of Maugnetics are very secretive about their Aubilities, so they make sure that they fight on an entirely new ground."
It made sense though, as each Aubility had their own specific circumstances for activation. And if people knew about the other person’s Aubility ahead of time, then they could plan ahead and easily counter their strengths.
For example, if Michael knew that Blazelle’s exploding ability only worked through touch, then he would have planned ahead by making sure she couldn’t touch a lot of objects to make them explode.
This was perhaps why most duels required a vow of silence from each competitor. And even without it, Maugnetics had a code of honor amongst each other about keeping each others’ Aubilities a secret.
"Normal duel rules apply. There are only two ways for a person to win: one is for the other person to surrender or knock them unconscious.
Once there is a fatal wound, I will exercise my right to stop the fight and administer first aid. The fight is over."
She looked at both of them to see if they understood the rules.
"Once you are ready, take your places down at the arena," Claudia said.
Michael and Chucky both floated down towards the flat crater that was recessed about five meters underground.
They faced each other on opposite sides.
Chucky took out an axe from his back, wielding it in both hands. It glowed with a yellowish-brown light, showing it to be a Mithril Relic. The blade itself looked like it had been dipped in oil, seeing as it looked extremely shiny.
That was a coat of Soo.
"To make the fight fair, I will not use my Mithril Relic," Chucky proclaimed, staking the pointed end of his axe on the ground.
Michael refused the gesture. "Use your weapon," he insisted.
Dicky then shouted warnings at Michael from up above the arena.
"Michael, Chucky has coated his Axe with Soo three times! It is not fair to fight someone that hasn’t coated their Mithril Relic with Soo, much less someone who doesn’t have it at all!"
Even Claudia advised Michael to accept Chucky’s handicap. "There is no shame in that."
In their minds, Chucky had the overwhelming advantage against Michael. Such was the nature of Mithril Relics coated with Soo. Chucky would be able to use his Aubility freely, while Michael would be unable to use it all.
But of course, they thought wrong.
"Don’t worry, I have my own weapon."
Michael took out the Drone from his pocket, unfolding its wings and letting it stay idle in his hands.
A look of confusion washed over their faces as they stared at the box in Michael’s hands. They had no idea what it was.
"That’s a weapon?" Chucky asked, observing the drone. But no matter how he looked, it didn’t resemble any weapon at all.
After all, the only sharp blades in it were the small wheel-like things on its sides. Chucky thought that it was instead something you bludgeon with, but it didn’t look heavy at all.
"Are you sure you don’t want me to forgo my weapon?"
Michael nodded. "It wouldn’t be fair for you."
Claudia couldn’t understand Michael’s logic. However, that confident look on his face was something that could not be disregarded. She had been disproven far too many times to doubt Michael now.
"Alright. If that’s what you want, then let us start the duel. In three...two...one...FIGHT!"
Chucky rushed towards Michael, dragging his axe behind him and creating a cloud of dust behind him. "I’m not going to go easy on you!"
Above his head, the image of a large bull’s head appeared. It looked like it was made entirely out of bronze, with horns in its head curving to a point in the middle.
The power of the GodForge piece rumbled in Chucky’s heart, allowing him to summon the power of his Aubility from deep within.
"CHARGE!" Chucky shouted, with the bull above his head roaring silently, releasing steam from its ears.
He raised his axe above his head and swung it towards Michael.
Michael jumped away easily, with Chucky’s axe hitting the ground, with its blade being embedded just a few inches deep.
That was a weak swing, Michael thought. For someone as large and as strong as Chucky, he would have thought it would be a lot stronger.
"Haha! I’ll charge at you again!" Chucky proclaimed, taking the axe out of the ground and lunging at Michael.
Chucky dragged the axe in the ground, swinging it up as he got close to Michael.
Michael stepped backwards, feeling the wind brush through his face.
Chucky realigned his axe and swung it from the side, missing Michael by a wide margin.
But he didn’t stop. He swung his axe again, aiming for his ribs. Chucky swung using both of his hands, with the momentum allowing him to twist his body and twirl towards Michael.
Feeling the pressure, Michael jumped up and used air mana to propel himself faster.
Knowing that he missed again, Chucky slowly stopped turning and planted both of his feet firmly on the ground. He looked up at Michael, who was floating in the air.
"Hahahahaha! I’ll charge at you no matter where you go!"
Chucky swung his axe continuously in a circle before finding the perfect timing to thrust it towards Michael.
The momentum somehow carried him forward, letting him fly towards Michael like a torpedo.
This time, Michael noticed that the power from his swings had grown ever more stronger from when he first started his attack.
[According to my calculations, he is becoming 10% stronger with each swing he does with the axe] ChatJK4 observed.
Just as the tip of Chucky’s axe was about to reach Michael, a large magic circle appeared beneath his feet and teleported him out into safety.
Chucky swung his axe in mid-air, stopping his momentum entirely as he looked for Michael.
Finally, he saw Michael back down in the arena.
"Your Aubility has something to do with your axe swings, right? You’re getting stronger each time you use it."
After hearing this, Chucky smiled. He swung his axe forward, with the momentum carrying down towards Michael at incredibly fast speeds! He crash landed on the ground, creating a crater on the soil and forming a dust cloud around him.
"That’s right! My relentless effort at trying to hit you allows me to preserve the momentum of my swings, allowing me to become stronger and stronger.
My axe will continue to grow in power until you can no longer keep up with my swings!"
The bronze bull above Chucky’s head looked at Michael like he was a red flag in a bullfighting arena. The steam billowing out of its ears had grown intense enough to power a steam turbine!