15 Chapter 15: The Captain makes her move (2/2)

”Cecilia Stuart, second-year in Crowley's Grand Arcane Academy. I specialize in combat magic and elemental wood magic.”

As Cecilia spoke, I could see thousands of flower petals drifting about her, as if spring had arrived and the trees were in full bloom. Except that there were no trees inside the main hall, so I had no idea where the petals came from.

This was the same kind of illusion that Doug Daniels used earlier, to conjure the image of an armored White Knight. It wasn't real, but merely a terrifying aura designed to intimidate the opponent and sap their will to fight. It was an effective method of psychological warfare, already cowing them into submission even before the match began.

However, I refused to lose.

An illusion of flames emanated from behind me as Vermillion Phoenix flapped its wings, a low rumble emitting from its throat.

”I look forward to exchanging a few pointers with you,” Cecilia continued indifferently, as if she didn't care about the illusionary exchange. If anything, it seemed as if the number of petals had actually increased in response to the illusionary inferno blazing around me.

”Same here,” I responded.

Teacher Fielding glanced from me to her, and then raised his hand.

”Fighters, take your stance!”

Cecilia drew a sword. It was a simple blade, but elegant, with intricate, flowery designs engraved across its guard. She took up what seemed like a fencing position. Her sword was lean and gave off a graceful air, just like her.

Several of the petals actually drifted along her blade, almost as if whirling around it.

”Ready…”

Cecilia dropped into a crouch. I outwardly maintained my stance, but inwardly I readied myself for an attack. Conjuring a firewall, anything…

”…fight!”

Cecilia propelled herself toward me. Flowery petals burst into life around her, dancing elegantly like butterflies. The razor-sharp petals flitted around me before descending upon my position like a storm of blades.

Whoosh!

A ferocious inferno erupted around me, incinerating the approaching flowery petals while simultaneously forming a firewall that discouraged Cecilia from attacking me.

However, Cecilia's aim wasn't me. She didn't even seem to care that her attack had failed, and was already moving in a different direction while blatantly ignoring me.

”!!!”

I realized that her assault on me was merely a diversion. Her true aim was actually…

”Scree…!”

My Vermillion Phoenix spread its wings and launched a torrent of flames at Cecilia. She skidded to a stop and swung her sword up to form a wooden barrier. Vines and wood manifested into existence, bearing the full brunt of the fiery stream for a few seconds before disintegrating.

But a few seconds were all Cecilia needed.

She sprang at the Vermillion Phoenix, conjuring a fresh batch of razor-sharp petals. My Vermillion Phoenix appeared stunned by her bold attack, but responded instantly by surrounding itself in a halo of flames that burned all the petals into ash.

Then Cecilia struck with her sword, a flawless thrust at Vermillion Phoenix's chest.

My summoned beast seemed amused by her audacity, but it wasn't stupid enough to underestimate the enemy. Spinning around in midair, it batted her away with its wing. Or tried to, but Cecilia suddenly arrested her charge in midair and retreated. Hopping from the myriad of petals floating all over the stage and using them as platforms to gain a foothold, she expertly weaved through Vermillion Phoenix's hail of fire.

Then she bounced off and struck at Vermillion Phoenix again. My summoned beast swatted at her with a wing, only for Cecilia to flip herself in midair. Pushing her foot against a floating petal, she launched herself above Vermillion Phoenix before diving at it like a rocket, her sword flashing forward in a deadly thrust.

Vermillion Phoenix also twisted in midair with a grace that belied its massive size, and slashed at her with its claws. Cecilia parried the gigantic claws with her sword, and was hurled away by its superior strength.

However, she was far from helpless. Spinning around in midair, she kicked out and found a petal with her foot. Turning a full hundred and eighty degrees, she slung herself around and shot toward Vermillion Phoenix like a bullet.

The majestic beast got ready to obliterate her with another fire spell, but Cecilia was far from helpless. Already she was casting a new spell, surrounding herself with a whirlwind of razor-sharp petals that served as both offense and defense.

Unimpressed, Vermillion Phoenix unleashed its flame attack, engulfing both Cecilia and her storm of flowers in flames. There was a huge explosion, and the captain of Crowley Academy's representatives vanished in a hellish inferno.

For a moment I thought it was over, but Cecilia then emerged from the explosion unscathed, and her sword still pointed lethally at Vermilion Phoenix. New petals materialized and traced her attack path as she streaked forward like a meteor.

Boom!

Even though Vermillion Phoenix crossed its huge wings to parry the attack, the massive and majestic celestial beast was actually pushed back by Cecilia's powerful attack, the petals mercilessly bombarding its enormous form. The majority of the petals burned up immediately, unable to withstand the intense heat flaring from Vermillion Phoenix's fiery feathers, but enough got through to draw some blood.

My jaw dropped. Vermilion Phoenix actually got injured from that?

Cecilia landed on a floating mass of petals some distance away, which conveniently formed a platform for her to stand on. Lowering her sword, she pointed it defiantly at the Vermillion Phoenix. Her gamble had paid off, and even though she suffered several burns this time, she had succeeded in drawing blood from the legendary monster for the first time.

”What are you so surprised about?” she asked, her voice filled with scorn. ”The battle's only just beginning.”