Page 17 of I Ran Away to Evil #3

The Final Round

Julian

Julian was in charge of overseeing this tournament, judging any rules that were broken, and issuing the champion title. His word was the final decision for everything … and he could barely focus on the match. Why?

First and foremost was a certain white-freckled distraction.

She was so incredibly suspicious. First her watching him from across the crowded market, her expert vanishing act—and then, she’d just randomly found his locket?

And out of an entire auditorium, she just coincidentally sat directly opposite him and was targeted for assassination?

He wasn’t a fool; she was clearly keeping tabs on him. It was almost like she was trying to catch his attention. But why?

He tried to refocus on the match, but his eyes kept drifting in her direction. Which meant he immediately spotted when she left early. She could’ve just been stepping away to use the washroom … but he sincerely doubted that. He was thankful that he’d dispatched a guard on the troll.

“AND VANCE LANDS A BLOW! But is it enough? No! Kenji has activated his [Wind Blade]!” the announcer called out, drawing Julian’s attention back to the battle below. It was just as impressive as the previous two.

Vance was a palm-size mouse with a sword as big as a toothpick, but his Strength stat must have been in the thirties or higher since he was able to parry Kenji’s blade with ease.

In order to fight Kenji properly, Vance would scurry left and right before launching himself at the human.

Taking the opportunity when Kenji was a hair’s breadth too slow, Vance managed to slice the knuckle on the human’s left index finger.

A trail of red dripped down onto his sword before Kenji stepped back and drew in a deep breath, whispering, “[Aura Blade.]”

With practiced grace, the man slowly swung his sword in a diagonal slash. Vance, sensing the danger, leapt high into the air, rolling head over tail twice. The cutting energy that burst out of the sword missed the mouse’s vitals but sliced clean through his tail.

Vance landed, awkwardly tilting from the loss of balance before righting himself. He glanced at his chopped tail and squeaked a swear.

“Your Grace.” John was suddenly beside Julian. “The bridge troll is in the back room.”

“She’s come early?” Julian didn’t turn from the fight.

The mouse lifted his sword straight into the air, and Kenji braced for whatever Vance was going to strike him with.

Strangely, knowing Gerda was already here finally allowed him to properly concentrate on the battle.

The tiny blade in Vance’s paws was starting to glow with purple light.

“She said she wanted to avoid the crowd,” John replied.

When the light fully engulfed the little mouse, he disappeared. It wasn’t invisibility magic. Julian stood and took a step to the edge of his box so he could look closer. And then, Kenji suddenly fell backward to the ground, a tiny sword between his eyebrows and a tiny mouse sitting on his face.

The confusion turned into cheers as Vance hurriedly scurried off to the side while the healers rushed forward to help.

“Was that … ?” Julian muttered.

“A [Time] skill.” John nodded. “He can bank a certain amount of time and then spend it to attack in an instant. Faster than I could perceive. The effectiveness of the attack is hampered by its loading time, but it’s an incredible ability to possess.”

The announcer was similarly explaining to the confused crowd. “And Kenji is down for the count! Vance used his famous [Delayed Strike], and what a finale! What a rare talent!”

Vance bowed to his recovering opponent. The human stood and dusted himself off, then sheathed his blade and returned the bow, low at the waist.

Julian lowered the appropriate flag and announced, “Victory in the final round to Vance Underwood! Well fought, both of you.” He then turned away as Rish took over recounting the day’s bouts, their winners, and the upcoming events in the arena.

“Send an invitation to Vance,” Julian ordered. “With a skill like that, he’s wasted as a caravan guard.”

John nodded. “Yes, sir.”

“Also, send the extra guards stationed here to the Hall of Inventions. The Dark Lady said they were headed there next.” Too many of her companions were on the list, and it didn’t sit right with him to leave them be.

Julian opened the door to the back room just in time to watch the tea trolley carrying his lunch tip over and splatter all over the floor.

“Oh! I’m sorry.” Gerda stood over the mess. Unexpectedly, the troll met his gaze. “I didn’t know it was Your Grace’s habit to poison his guests?”