47 Chapter 47: Killer Moves (1/2)
”Vice-president!”
”Richard!”
The members of my society yelled in fear when they saw me getting knocked back and helpless against Craig's thrusting spear.
However, I merely muttered something under my breath.
”Gemini.”
”?!”
I deflected the approaching spear with a newly summoned Castor and slashed at Craig with Pollux. The white blade almost cut his face apart, but Craig's reflexes saved him. He barely withdrew his spear in time to parry Pollux, the force sending him skidding back a meter or two.
Grunting, he raised his head to glare at me. I was now holding a pair of twin swords, one black and one white.
”Dual swords user, huh?” Craig sneered as he lowered his spear at me. I merely raised both my swords in a defensive stance. Grinding his feet against the ground, Craig prepared to launch himself at me, but not before spitting an insult. ”A summoner trying to be a swordsman? Don't make me laugh!”
He thrust his spear forward angrily, only for me to cross my blades and parry the strike. Deflecting a second slash, I countered by cleaving toward his side where his guard was lowered, but Craig spun the shaft of his spear around to knock it aside.
Craig's attacks intensified as the battle dragged on, and he smashed Pollux to bits with an aggressive strike with his spear. I retreated a couple of steps, only to summon a new white short sword in my hand to parry his follow-up attack. He obliterated Castor next with a heavy blow from the blunt end of his spear, but again I summoned a new black short sword to take its place.
Growling in frustration, Craig sped up his attacks, forcing me back and almost catching me of guard. It was all I could do to keep up, dodging and parrying, but Craig's blows were fierce and brutal. Another precise and powerful strike saw Pollux spinning out of my left hand, crushed into pieces, and the second chain of attacks disintegrated Castor. I was blown back a few steps, but regained my balance quickly, summoning yet another pair of twin swords.
”Why isn't the vice-president summoning any of his Constellation spirits?” Stan asked impatiently as the battle wore on. ”Why is he relying entirely on swordsmanship?”
”I'm sure Vice-President knows what he's doing!” Harvey replied dismissively.
”That he does,” Dong Fang Yue Chu agreed as he analyzed the battle. ”There are two possible reasons. One, he's conserving his strength and magical energy for the other matches. He might be trying to achieve another team-kill here. The second reason is that he knows that his Constellation spirits are useless against an opponent of Craig Carlson's caliber.”
”What do you mean?” Wang Fei asked nervously. ”President Craig is too powerful?”
”Yeah.” Dong Fang Yue Chu nodded thoughtfully. ”I'm sure Richard has done his research prior to this match, and is aware of President Craig's killer move.”
”Killer move?” Stanley asked. Dong Fang Yue Chu nodded again.
”The Demonic Spear, Craig Carlson…the Cursed Crimson Spear that penetrates any defenses, no matter how powerful.” Dong Fang Yue Chu sighed. ”He'll just destroy whatever Constellation spirits Richard summons.”
”Why isn't he using that move yet?” Stan asked suspiciously.
”Because it consumes a lot of magical energy and takes a while to cast. I'm sure Richard intends to finish Craig Carlson off before he can execute the move, but President Craig is capable of casting smaller versions of it. Not as powerful, but still strong enough to destroy Richard's weaker Constellation spirits.”
”That's not good…” Wang Fei shuddered. ”If Vice-President loses here, then none of us will stand a chance!”
”Vice-President Richard won't lose!” Harvey insisted.
As much as I appreciated the vote of confidence, the battle was not going my way. Dong Fang Yue Chu was correct. I didn't summon any of my Constellation spirits because I was aware of the killer move Craig Carlson had up his sleeve. One careless mistake and he would obliterate the Constellation spirit I spent so much time and magical energy to cast in an instant.
No, instead I focused everything on summoning a Celestial Guardian as quickly as possible.
Clang!
Craig Carlson's next strike shattered Pollux and I staggered back, only to summon another short sword.
”…”
Suddenly, Craig stopped. He kept his spear lowered and pointed at me, ready to attack at any time, but he paused for now, studying me. Fury glittered in his eyes.