Chương 62: Chapter 54. Victory!

Everyone had gathered around us as Aqua began to explain everything that was about to happen in a few days' time." It's very simple really! Warrick and I are going to follow you to the Northern Border, for 3 reasons! The 1st being that, in case anything goes wrong, we will be close by to help. The 2nd being that it was a condition that Baron Ashblade and Duke Clearfield had set. It was the biggest thing we had to agree to so as to allow Sharon and Asha to fight against the Hero Party. The 3rd reason is simple.

We refuse to be caught unawares again if one of Our Daughters are targeted." Everyone listened to Aqua speak, I noticed when she got to her 3rd reason, small amounts of bloodlust from Aqua and Warrick leaked behind them. Asha and Sharon seemed surprised at the reasoning Aqua and Warrick had used, Sharon decided to ask a question to Aqua after she finished speaking." Aunt Aqua, why is it that we are only hearing about this now?" Warrick sighed and began to speak instead of Aqua."

Well, originally, we weren't going to tell you. But during the sparring match with John we just had, I let it slip by accident. So, now we are explaining it. We planned on only observing a good distance away to be completely honest with you all. Aqua and I both feel that you all are at a sufficient level to be able to take care of yourselves during this upcoming battle. However, no amount of logic will properly convey the amount of worry, us, Your Parents have, about Our Children fighting enemies.

If not for John wanting to fight the Hero, Aqua and I would have fought them and repelled them instead, like we have done against Promethia for a decade now." This time it was my turn to speak. Feeling a bit guilty at all of the worry that Warrick and Aqua must have been going through, I couldn't help but apologize for it. When they heard my apology, Warrick was the first to speak." No, John, you don't have to apologize to us for this.

We understand you need to do this in order to really start your life here in Gaia. Like Sarah, Anna and I stated during our first training session, it's okay to be more selfish, John. You've earned that much."" We agreed to let you fight the Hero, John. We didn't agree to you dying to the Hero or some other foreign actor. We will grant your wish. We just want to make sure everyone returns in one piece, just like you do, John. We just want to make positively sure you're included in who comes back."

After Warrick, Aqua also spoke. Both of them had a look that said they would not change their minds. Without thinking, I simply told them what I was thinking." Guys, I know you might not believe it, but I do plan on coming back alive. But thank you, nonetheless." Wrap! Squeeze! Warrick and Aqua smiled at me and Sarah hugged me from behind, Anna, seeing that everyone was staring at us at the time, simply stayed at my side. After a few moments, Cynthia began to speak to her parents."

Father, Mother, if you're going to come with us in a few days, what are you going to do about your work for that time period?" Warrick and Aqua smiled at Cynthia. They then gave a thumbs up and Aqua began to speak." What do you think we have been doing for the past 3 months when we weren't teaching you?" Aqua spoke in a teasing tone to Cynthia. Despite the confidence in her voice, Asha still had a question for Warrick and Aqua." But what will happen if an emergency happens?"

Warrick turned to Asha and answered with a surprised tone to her question." Well thought, Asha! Not many would ask that question to us! The answer is simple! Tommy will be acting as our Proxy while we're away!"" But doesn't he have to go back to the Academy?"" Well, usually as a Teacher, he would be already back at the Academy, as well as Cynthia, since she's a student. But as a Prince and Princess, we can bend the rules a bit. Granted, they will need to be back in about a month. Which should work out I believe."

Everyone was relieved that Warrick and Aqua had thought everything out. Once everyone had calmed down, Aqua began to speak to us all." Now then! Since I have some time now, why don't we all have a sparring match! Warrick and I vs all of you! It should be good training for you all!" I was the first to speak to Aqua about this idea." You know, Aqua, we still haven't beaten Warrick as a team yet." The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident."

Do you think a group of enemies will wait for you to beat them one at a time? I think it's best to learn how to think and fight under pressure, John! And besides, you never know! Maybe you can beat us as a team!?"" Yeah, John! Let's give it a shot!" Sarah and Sharon both had a look like they were drawn in by Aqua's words, hook, line and sinker. I couldn't help but comment on this." You know, those that don't look before they walk have a chance of stepping in a puddle. But fine, why not? It will be good practice."

What famous last words I spoke. We got ready and so did Warrick and Aqua. They were smiling and chatting with each other before the match began. And then hell befell our team. Before Warrick and Aqua attacked, I buffed our frontliners and then Warrick launched a frontal assault against the frontliners of Sarah, Sharon and Cynthia. I would've helped, but I was busy trying to shake a magic assault that felt like I was fighting rainfall to protect Asha and Anna.

By the time I was able to cast a strong enough Shell Spell and was beginning to cast Reflect on our frontliners, it was too late, Warrick had struck them down and came for me. My mana was still not completely full, so I couldn't use Holy Mana Body to hold off Warrick. We lost handedly. However, I felt it was a good thing to continue fighting them. I asked everyone if they were up for more. They all answered with a roaring yes. Seems they didn't like the idea of only getting beaten.

One thing I can say for sure is that all of these girls around me are quite stubborn. But I guess that works, since I'm also stubborn when it comes to matters like this. And like that, multiple fights took place. We all viewed this as a learning experience. We all decided to try different things at different times. One thing I noticed is that everyone started to last longer against Warrick and Aqua.

From Sarah and Sharon able to take on and counter Warrick's sword strikes, to Cynthia aiming for his weak points during those clashes with Sarah and Sharon. The only reason they couldn't land was because of Aqua stopping them with Spells while we were busy dealing with other Spells she launched. I started to plant Barrier Spells around Sarah and Sharon and Reflect Spells on Cynthia. This seemed to work well for a while.

For the back row, Asha and Anna began to dodge and counter the Spells Aqua was launching at them. With the fights starting to reach a standstill, I decided to switch to offense. I began to send Holy Arrows to Aqua. This caused her to lose her focus. While Aqua worried about my Magic, I began to issue orders to Asha and Anna, trying to make sure our opponents couldn't hear me. Once they heard my idea, they began to cast their Magic. I continued to attack Aqua with Holy Arrows, what she couldn't counter, she dodged.

Eventually, my plan began to show its head. First Asha sent a mass of darkness into the sky and from that, spears of dark javelins rained down on Aqua. She did well to dodge and counter. But she didn't notice that the Spell was leading her away from the backline and bringing her closer to the frontlines. Once she was close enough, I cast Holy Mana Body on myself and I closed the distance as fast as possible. I closed in on Aqua and raised my sword. / Clang! / Only for Warrick to meet my sword with his.

I smiled at him as my frontliners rushed to us, but I waved them off. I then spoke to Warrick." Alright, let's see what happens this time, Warrick!"" What's changed between then and now, John?" I smiled at Warrick... Along with Aqua very close behind him." That would be this!" Jump! / Crack! Thoom! / I said as I jumped backwards as a bolt of lightning struck both Warrick and Aqua. The lightning didn't end for half a minute. Just a long uninterrupted stream of crackling destruction.

Eventually, the lightning dissipated and Warrick and Aqua were in a Protective Barrier of some kind. I turned to Anna who looked exhausted and praised her for the Spell she cast." Anna, you did great. If it was anyone else that got hit with that, they'd be ashes already." Anna looked at me with a look of sadness. She began to speak to me in a pained voice." No, Master. If only I was a bit better, I could've seen your plan come to fruition."" Well, Anna. At the end of the day, this is a training exercise.

I don't want to hurt Warrick and Aqua more than necessary. Even this plan came from the idea that it might actually land on them instead of them just dodging it." I corrected Anna a little, but she really does seem to think she failed over this. I guess I'll have to show extra attention tonight. While I was making plans to make Anna feel better, Warrick and Aqua asked us all to gather together. Warrick began to speak to us." Ok, you all pass! If Aqua wasn't here, that attack would've put me in a lot of pain.

I wouldn't have died mind you. But all the same, I don't think any of the members of that Hero Party could survive that. Through all of the sparring matches, you all adapted and began to hold us off well. I think all we have to do now is have fun for the next few days during class. All you guys need to do now is keep on practicing your Mana Tempering and blade work." Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, except for Aqua. She was glaring at me. I couldn't help but point it out." Uhm, Aqua. Are you angry at me?"

Aqua squinted her eyes at me. She began to speak." Oh, now why would I? Could it be because you forced me to move from the backline from one of Asha's strongest Spells? Or how about if I didn't put up a Barrier, Warrick and I would've been seriously hurt! There are limits even if you can heal us, John!" I couldn't help but agree with her. I started to explain myself." I'm sorry, Aqua, I assumed you and Warrick would be fine. I may have lost myself in pursuit of a win. I'm sorry about that."

After I apologized to Aqua, she looked away from me. Warrick, Sarah and Cynthia started to join in the conversation. Warrick began to speak first." Now, now, Aqua. We lost. And if we're being honest, you would've taken that strike better than me, considering your Magical Defenses. John, don't worry too much about this. Aqua's been a sore loser since we were kids."" Who's a sore loser!?" Warrick began to placate Aqua. Sarah and Cynthia came up behind me. Sarah began to speak."

Don't worry, she's always like this when she loses at something. From board games to a couple breaking up that she got together. Give it a few days and she will be back to normal." Yes, you have to let Mom's mood run its course." Cynthia corroborated with Sarah's opinion. After this, Warrick spoke to everyone." Okay, class dismissed, don't forget your homework guys!" And like that, I was dragged by Sarah and Cynthia away from a scene of Aqua pouting to an apologizing Warrick.

As I was being dragged away with everyone, I couldn't help but think. Is this what victory really feels like?