Chương 197: Chapter 180. 2 Dark Blue Eyes, 2 Dark Yellow Eyes, 100s of Dark Green Eyes

John Ericsson's Point Of View" GO!" With Delcan's shout, Charlotte and I run at each other. It was when we were about halfway towards each other that I realized I didn't have Scarlet or a training sword with me." Got you!" Charlotte yelled at she raised her sword, preparing to split my head open like a knife through a watermelon. /CLANG! /" What!?" A sound echoed through the arena as Charlotte's sword was stuck in mid-air, like she hit an invisible wall." A Barrier!?"" Well, I do have a few options!" Jump!

Using that brief moment of confusion, I jumped back around 15 feet. I really need to ask Angela to thank the God who made Holy Mana available for Humans. I'd be able to place 1st in any Olympic Event with ease now with how strengthened my body has become." So, you chose to run from me?" As Charlotte landed on the ground from being stuck in my Barrier, she couldn't help but notice how far away I got from her. It seems she didn't like my decision." What can I say? Swords are scary when you don't have one yourself."

I cracked a smile at her as I answered her. Huh? Her face... Why is it red? Did the Barrier really surprise her that bad? I mean... It is warm out today, like a spring day that's on the hotter side. The summer is ending though. I wonder if the temperature will drop soon? I could really use a glass of water right now. Wait! I just realized! I didn't control the output! I looked at Sarah and Anna as I realized it. Ah, they're both looking at me with knowing looks.

It looks like I'm going to punished even if I win this. I've got to remember to use the image I thought up for the Mana Output Control." What? Why are you making that face?" Charlotte has gotten more talkative since the fight started. I guess the blood is rushing to her head and she's being more aggressive? I guess she saw that I made a "I've made a mistake" face." Sorry, I was thinking about... The future..." Charlotte heard my words and she seemed to misunderstand something." Don't worry! My Mom...

Queen Crystal, isn't going to ask for anything terrible from you, Marquess Matthew... It's actually something nice... At least I think it is." While puzzled at the fact that she thought I was worried about the Requests, I decided not to correct her. The distraction took my concentration away from my new image to practice managing my Mana Output. It wasn't too difficult to be honest, I just returned to the image of a waterfall and only allowed a certain amount of "water" out to fill a bucket.

The bucket's depth is the usual amount of mana... Or "water" needed for a Spell. After some practice, I can fill the bucket only halfway to make my Magic work. So, to go from it taking a whole bucket's worth of "water" to use my Magic, to now only needing half of it, I'd say I've made some good progress. When I explained this to Sarah and Anna, they were happy for me... But they said in time, I'll be able to reduce it to 1/10th of what is needed for a Beginner.

I need to remember to think of the bucket when I use my Magic for now. Until I get it down to muscle memory." But, if you're so concerned, just accept my sword now! So, I can prove what I've said!" Interrupting my thoughts, Charlotte began to rush towards me. Wait! She's running at me in a straight line again! I can use this!" Hyah!" Charlotte swung her sword from above. Just like I hoped for! First, I set a Barrier shaped like a bed out behind her. The half full method worked!

Next, I waited for the strike to come towards me so I could dodge it. /CRASH! / The tile the sword landed on broke into pieces! The sword pierced the ground till only the handle was still visible! What power!" HAH!" Thrust! I didn't have too much time to think about it as I hit Charlotte with a palm thrust to her chest to push her backwards and off her feet." WOAH!" Yes! It worked! She didn't expect me to attack her physically!" Ah! I'm floating!?" She landed on the Barrier!

I quickly formed another Barrier on top of her to hold her between both Barriers!" I... Can't... Move!?" She's confused!" Now!" I stretched the Barriers to outside of the ring. Before I released the Barriers, I quickly twisted them to disorient Charlotte. Who would've thought that the time I spent messing around with Barrier Spells as seats would pay off now?" Release!"" Ah!" /BUMP! / Charlotte landed outside of the ring." The 1st point goes to Marquess Drake!" Delcan announced that I scored a point."

What was that, Marquess Matthew?" Delcan didn't seem to know what I did. Well, I've reached the point where I can conjure invisible Barriers, so I guess it's hard to tell what I just did. I waited for Charlotte to also join us so I could explain what I just did." So, while being attacked, you thought that instead of defending with the Barrier, you'd rather find a way to counterattack? You're quite scary, you know that?"" It was all I could think of at the moment, Prince Delcan."

Delcan looked at me the way you look at a strange looking animal or circus performer. Is it really so strange to look for a counter when being attacked? Is it how Dark Elves think? Or Gaia in general? No, Sarah and Anna are always looking to riposte me when we spar... Maybe it's a Demon thing? While Delcan spoke to me with a sense of strangeness attached to both his voice and eyes, Charlotte seemed to be on the opposite end of the spectrum." What a brilliant idea!

You already thought about how to counter me from seeing me run straight at you once before. That was really well done!"" Thank you, Princess Charlotte." I thanked her with a smile and again... She seemed to go red... Did the blood really rush to her head that badly? Does she need to be healed? Before I could ask, Charlotte began to speak to me again. But this time, the excited look on her face was gone and instead a serious look formed in her dark-yellow eyes as she spoke to me."

I guess now that the warming up stage is done, with my loss even! From now on, I'll be taking this deathly serious, Marquess Matthew." Charlotte wore a serious look on her face before she turned and walked slowly and confidently to her starting tile. It was only then, after the 3 of us stopped talking, that I realize the crowd was deathly silent as well. I looked at the crowd and saw disappointment in their eyes.

An anger grew in me, I mean honestly, they expect far too much from an 18-year-old girl that they did nothing but ignore or look at like she was lesser than them until now. I returned to my tile and waited for Delcan to declare the start of the 2nd match in our series.... Charlotte Nyx's Point Of View I turn around and notice that he was looking at the crowd, not at his wives or even my Parents, but the other people in the stands.

Oh, poor Matthew, he's probably figured out why they're here, but knowing why a situation occurs, isn't the same as actually experiencing it. Like a natural disaster, we can only survive the harshness of it. But it becomes easier when you have someone there with you. Lucky me, since I'm his partner through this! But they don't truly matter right now, because what I'm about to do, is going to force his focus on to me alone. The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation." GO!" Kick!

Del's words send me on my way. As I'm running towards him, I start to feel the minute differences in my surroundings. It's where he's summoning his Barriers. His skill isn't as good as the Barrier Magic users I've sparred with before, but his activation and ability to hide it is something special. Just who was he fighting where he had to learn how to use his Barriers like this? Regardless, after feeling his Barrier Magic twice, I'm beginning to feel their presence.

If not for all of the training I've done against all the different kinds of Dark Elf Mages, I may have had no answer to his Magic. He seems to notice that I'm avoiding his Barriers, as they don't trip me up when he places them ahead or to the side of my feet. He's moving to his left now. He's looking for an answer to what he can do next. So, this is what he looks like when he's thinking only of me? If only it wasn't a combat situation." Trying to avoid me?""

You can't blame me for trying to avoid a girl trying to stab me!"" It's dulled, it'll only hurt a little!" Now, with my blood flowing, I'm able to speak to him a little bit better. But why am I playfully teasing him with my words!? I want to learn more about him and vice versa! It seems my feelings are carrying me to him! Since now I'm nearly in range to attack him!" Hah!" / Thoop! / He fired a Paladin's version of Elemental Bolt Magic at me!" Too easy!" Swing! / Shing! Bang! Bang! / I cut the Magic with my blade."

You can do that!?"" A simple Skill for me! Let me show you something else! Swing! I attempt to cut him at a horizontal angle, he dodges! He begins to do multiple backflips to gain distance! Like I'd let you get away! It took so long to finally get close to you after all. While he was in the middle of a backflip, I kicked the ground to lunge towards him and attempted to strike his back with his hands on the ground. Shing!" Hyah!"" Woah!" He barely dodged my blade.

What kind of training has he undergone to be able to dodge a sword strike while doing a backflip? What athletic ability! He pushed himself off of the ground and flew around 10 feet ahead of me. I'll reach him again! This time faster than before!" Why aren't you using any of your Skills?" He breaks my concentration with only 8 words. Why do I crave the sound of his voice like this? My feelings weren't like this before I stepped into the ring!

Is it because this is the first time I've met him since I realized I like... No, Love him? Regardless, he's waiting for an answer." Why aren't you? If you can give yourself a handicap, so can I, Marquess Matthew!" He's looking at me with a new look now! He... He's looking at me... With respect? My image has shot up in his mind now! I knew it was a good call to only use my basic abilities while fighting him!" I didn't think you would be so honorable, Princess Charlotte!

I guess that comment about me not caring about those Demon Lords really hit a nerve!"" This has nothing to do with them!"" What?" Oh no! I answered without thinking! But his confused face is so cute! I need to get him to focus on the fight! To focus on me again!" It doesn't matter anyways! What happened before doesn't matter! What matters is now! And right now! I'm going to gain my 1st of 2 points, Marquess Matthew!"" I'd like to see you try!" He's summoning Barriers all around me. He's attempting to contain me.

Finally, his attention is back on me. But now I have a good idea about where his Barriers are! And, it has a weakness! I almost feel bad as I knew what I needed to do. It hurts my heart, but this is the first step to walk down the correct path for the rest of our lives! Swing!" HYAH!" / Shing! SHATTER! /" What!?" His surprised face is so fascinating! It's a shame he's chose today to start learning about Mana Output, he made a fatal mistake, the output was too low for this number of Barriers.

They're weak and thin enough that I can cut through them with this dulled sparring blade. Sure, I need to put some muscle into it, but it beats being lifted out of the ring. All that training and sparring with Mages really has started to pay off!" I can't believe you did that." He seemed frozen from what just happened. But instead of waiting for him to snap out of it, I make my move. time for me to use a basic skill that I have." Burst!" STRENGTHEN!

I feel my body feel with strength and I close the 20 or so feet of distance in only a moment." Woah!" Pivot! SWING! He tries to run, but I turn my foot and cut off his exit as I run into his path. It must've looked like I teleported in front of him. Before he could do anything else, I landed my first strike against him. I swing my sword across his stomach to avoid really hurting him. /CRACKLE! /" Why... Is... It... Always... My... Stomach?"

The Barrier Del cast on Matthew shattered before us, it looked like glass falling and breaking off of his well-shaped and muscled body. I finally noticed the droplets of sweat rolling down his face. He looks so handsome. Ah, I want to reach my hand out and help lift him up. But I know how boys want to always look cool. I simply move back and wait for him to come to grips with his loss. Besides, if I touch his hands now, I'd want to move onto his biceps next. Hm?

I think he said something while the Barrier shattered. I wonder what he said?" 2nd point to Princess Charlotte!" I smile at Del's announcement. Once Del cast a new Barrier on Matthew, he approached me." What Skill was that, Princess Charlotte? You were so fast, you looked like you were teleporting." He's interested in me! Yay! I need to answer his question!" It's the first Skill I learned from my Job! It's a Skill called Burst! From what I understand, it's a Mid-Level Skill that Physical-Type Job Users can learn.

I think it goes to show just how strong my 2 Jobs are that it's the first Skill I learned."" Yeah, that sounds amazing! It doesn't even use mana to be able to do that!"" Well, it used to make my muscles really sore when I first started using it. But now, it's just like flexing a muscle!"" I see..."" Now, now, enough gossiping, get to your tiles so we can get the next round started."" DEL!" Del interrupted my conversation with Matthew. Matthew left! No! It took so long to have a conversation with just us!

I walked back to my tile as I thought about the best revenge to give to Del. Maybe I should tell that girl a little white lie so she'll have another "talk" with him?... Anna Ericsson's Point Of View." Again, his output was too little. I can't wait to play wit--- Punish him, I mean." Sarah spoke about the "punishment" that we were going to give to John. While I can't deny the idea of doing such things is fun, for right now, I feel as if we should focus more on his performance.

Sarah and I already understand that Princess Charlotte will win this match. We've known since she asked for this match in the first place. The only reason Sarah agreed to it to begin with is that we both saw it in Princess Charlotte's eyes. She showed glimpses of attraction to John. When he spoke of his life before us, as well as when we had dinner with the Royal Family.

With that, we had discussed allowing her to join us in our Alliance that now encompassed 8 members and would seem to continue to grow in the future. One of the benefits of the Spells that Aqua had taught Sarah and I, was the ability to speak to each other with only our minds and not having to utter a single word. With that, we'd already planned out most everything we needed to.

With the confirmation that we found while listening to John's thoughts about how he found Charlotte to be attractive, we knew we could add her to the Alliance as long as she understood her place." Not yet!" My thoughts were interrupted by Princess Charlotte's shout to continue the sparring match. The sparring match between Princess Charlotte and John has continued for around 30 minutes now. The end should come soon as John seems to be running out of mana. It seems Princess Charlotte can tell this is happening.

Her opposition to it is something born out of a selfish desire to monopolize Our Husband. Since this is Darkheim, her home, we will allow this to a certain degree. As Sarah and I have decided when we allowed John to participate in this sparring match. We've even went to painstaking lengths to make this fight as uneven as possible to cause her to win. Of course, there are limits, but for now, she falls into what's "allowed"... For now at least." Anna, how is it going?"

Sarah asked me about our surroundings, of course, this was through our minds. I've been using my eyes to periodically scan the area for anything resembling an issue for Our Family. So far, no one has been so stupid as to do anything, either to us, the Ericsson Family or our Guards. Actually... It seems that Ned and the rest of our male Guards are betting on John's victory, while some Dark Elves are betting on Princess Charlotte. /BOOM!

/ It seems John is growing more desperate; he used a larger version of his Holy Bolt Magic to force Princess Charlotte back." Add a 5th punishment to the list. I can't wait!"" Sarah, while I understand your excitement, you're the Wife of a Marquess, as well as Princess, stop smiling and drooling before someone notices."" Ah! Right! Sorry, it's just... It's been so long, Anna." Sarah and I have been feeling the effects of having to hold off on our more... Base desires, let's say?

Since we've had to travel to Darkheim. The fact that we've waited so long since the last "intimate moment" we've had with Our Husband, if not to be commended, at least we should be allowed to return to the privacy of our own home as quickly as possible. Hopefully we can return before Sarah, and I, run out of our patience. /BANG! / Hm? Princess Charlotte and John seem to be heating up." Anna, have you heard what she's been thinking?"" Yes, it's somewhat understandable, if you look at her history.""

Yes, the years of never being acknowledged has made her seek his attention as her First Love. We need to handle this correctly to make her an Ally. Somehow, I don't think she'll last if she doesn't have a good talking to."" It'll take time, I'm sure. But it should be fine."" How sinful Our Husband is, Anna! He's even making a Foreign Princess fall for him!" While Sarah thought these things, she had a playful smile on her face while sharing her thoughts with me.

It looks like she is just happy to be able to tease Our Husband a bit more after the sparring match is finished." HAH!" Speaking of which, the sparring match is coming to an end, it seems the work of concentrating on his Mana Output has tired John out mentally. He's beginning to lose his focus. That Holy Bolt he just fired was improperly casted. Princess Charlotte swatted it away like a fly. I watch as Princess Charlotte slowly closes in on My Husband as she thinks to herself." Yes, his eyes, focused only on me!

I wish this moment would last forever!" Her somewhat happy thoughts are disturbed as I hear one of my favorite voices in the world." Her guard is down!"" HAH!" John casts his Holy Arrow Spell." Oh! That's dangerous!" Princess Charlotte's thoughts moved from excitement from John's attention, to trying to dodge the Holy Arrow that John shot at her." I guess, I need to break my own rule! Side Shift!" Princess Charlotte seems to have used an Advanced Skill from her Job. She sidesteps the Flame and appears behind John.

/CLANG! / /CRACKLE! / And with a single sword strike, she hits John in his back and causes the Barrier around him to break." Add another punishment!"" Sarah, seriously, stop drooling!"" Sorry!" Hm? It seems the shock has affected John. He's unconscious, it seems he used the rest of his mana and is suffering from Mana Exhaustion. That is fine." Winner, Princess Charlotte!" With Prince Delcan's words, the crowd finally cheers for the first time since Princess Charlotte and John entered the arena.

Princess Charlotte's thoughts are full of concern for John, happiness for being able to speak and grant her wish... And anger at the crowd." Anna?"" Yes, it's like I thought. It seems Paradise will be gaining a new resident."" Obviously that! But I wanted to ask, can we place a Barrier in the infirmary?"" To protect John? Yes. To block out all sound so we can work out all of the "stress" from the travel getting here? No.

They'll most likely assume the worst about us creating a Barrier that causes no one to listen in or enter."" Damn!"" Sarah, our self-control will be rewarded. You already know how John has been struggling to hold himself back."" Yes... When we get back. Maybe he'll take a few days off... To "rest" of course!"" Sarah, I can see what you're imagining!"" And I can see what you're thinking of to!"" Enough of this!" Sarah and I raise from our seats and make our way to John.

It seems that he's fine, a Doctor looked him over and it was indeed Mana Exhaustion. We left the arena and arrived back at the guest room we've been using. Sarah and I waited for John to wake as we thought about our next move to bring Princess Charlotte into the fold.