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Chapter 195 I wanted another duel
Chapter 195 I wanted another duel
With her eyes wide open, Charlotte watched as Anthony's body lay on the ground, kneeling, lifeless, and bathed in blood, his heart pierced by Emily's sword. But not only that, his back was also covered in blood.
A deathly silence engulfed the place, so thick it seemed to strangle any sound trying to escape. The gazes remained fixed on Anthony's kneeling body, while fresh blood continued to trickle from his chest.
The bloodline transformation slowly faded, returning Anthony to his human form. Emily stood up slowly. Carefully, she lifted her brother's body and leaned him against the nearby stone wall. For a few moments, her eyes lingered on Anthony's body, before she looked away.
*****
"He can't control his bloodline, interesting. In fact, it's worse than his father's," remarked Athena thoughtfully as she observed Anthony's body closely. Anthony's bloodline was different from his father's in his youth, and it was also different from his sister's and ancestors'.
The most notable feature was the presence of his four dragon wings, a singularity that set him apart from his family's lineage; in the first phase, none of them had four wings on their back.
Athena sighed heavily, taking stock of her best students, pursing her lips, realizing it was impossible for them. First, Edward had broken arms just like Alicia, the other girls were very tired, mana exhaustion; it would take them more than a day to recover their mana, then, hesitating for a few seconds.
"The last-day event is canceled. The 30 Titans will be used in another game," announced Athena, rising from her seat to leave the place. Crystal joined her, expressing her support as they headed toward the capsule where Anthony lay.
As each eliminated student emerged from their capsule, they came out from it; as they stepped out, a screen displayed in front of them showed the surviving students. Those who had lost limbs needed time to rehabilitate, while others still trembled slightly as they recalled the anguishing moment of their death.
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But with time, they recovered little by little; after all, their minds were stronger, and everyone directed their gaze toward the screen, watching and supporting their comrades.
Athena and Crystal arrived at the hall; their gaze landed on the boy who was lightly gripping his head; he had a furrowed brow with sweat dripping down, gritting his teeth; he had a terrible headache. Athena looked at him and smiled, then vanished, touching Anthony's shoulder, and disappeared again with Crystal from the hall.
*****
"Are you okay, Charlotte?" asked Adelaide softly, watching her friend with concern. Charlotte offered a weak smile in response and replied, "I'm okay, don't worry, just very tired."
Charlotte's small body showed the effects of the physical and mental battle. She sat next to Anthony's body and remained there for hours, showing no signs of wanting to leave.
Meanwhile, Eleanor searched for Anthony's other arm, which contained the team ring and food provisions. With Adelaide's help, they finally managed to find it among the rubble. Carefully, they brought Anthony's arm and placed it beside him.
Eleanor used the ring to retrieve some meat and create a small fire. The tempting aroma of the roasted meat filled the air, drawing others toward the fire. Skillfully, Eleanor ignited the fire about ten meters away from Anthony's body. The small flame shone brightly, dimly lighting the dark surroundings. The meat began to sizzle on the ice sticks created by Daniela.
Once the meat was ready, it was distributed among everyone present, each receiving their portion with gratitude. Alicia, with her right arm shattered, brought the meat to her mouth with her left arm, while her thoughts swirled in a tumultuous mix of emotions. Her gaze drifted toward Anthony's body, and a feeling of confusion and resentment seized her.
"If only he had had this personality before," she thought to herself as she delved into her thoughts. Daniela took small bites of the meat in her hands, but a disturbing image passed through her mind: the memory of how she had attacked Anthony. A shiver ran through her body, and she squeezed her eyes shut, fighting against the fear that still lingered within her.
"Don't torment yourself, Daniela. Everything is okay," Emily's calm voice resonated beside her. With a compassionate gesture, Emily placed a hand on Daniela's back and began to stroke it gently. The comforting contact calmed Daniela's trembling body, and she gradually regained her composure, continuing her meal in silence.
Charlotte was also eating but did not join the bonfire. She remained beside Anthony, with the image of his severely wounded state still fresh in her mind. She vividly remembered how the blood flowed constantly from his body; every second seemed an unbearable torment. Although she knew Anthony was safe outside of that dimension, the experience still felt very real, too real.
In Anthony's hands lay a piece of meat Charlotte had left there. Her purple eyes shifted between Fallen's battered body and Anthony's. Then, she closed her eyes, feeling the urgent need to rest. She rested her head on Anthony's shoulder, closing her eyes.
Eleanor stared at the fire on the screen for a few minutes, lost in her own thoughts. She fully accepted what she had done, despite feeling bad about it. She knew Anthony had lost control and had acted according to what he deemed necessary at that moment. Emily sat beside her in silence, and the two shared the moment as they watched the flames dance.
Finally, Eleanor broke the silence and asked her friend a question, "How are you?" Emily's red eyes reflected tranquility as she responded. After a brief moment of reflection, she shared a personal memory with her friends.
"A year ago, my brother and I had a duel," Emily began, her gaze lost in the flames. "I let him win. I knew he was different. I wanted to see how far he was willing to go. After the duel, he apologized, and I accepted it. My father always taught me that there are second chances, even for those we hold grudges against."
Alicia and Adelaide approached Emily to listen to her story in silence. "I wanted to have another duel with him in this event," Emily continued with a resigned tone in her voice, "A duel where I wouldn't hold back, but things have ended up this way."