As those words fell, the referee blew the whistle – ending the match. Cain also released the effect of his attribute. He panted heavily. Just then, Dante's voice sounded throughout.
"AND THE WINNER IS…CAIN RODRICK!!!" He exclaimed.
The medics rolled out. They lifted Aarush, placing him on the stretcher. Then, they rushed out. Cain followed suit. He passed the locker room and headed straight to the hospital. In the corner, Taylor watched him.
'Must've had a pretty intense match…'
Her eyes followed him until he left the locker. Then, the intercom buzzed once more.
"Next contestant – Taylor Hawk."
She sighed heavily, gripping her katana. She passed the others, sliding her katana into her belt. Her feet touched the floor of the arena. She glanced at men cleaning up what seemed to be ash. She shrugged it off and stopped near the middle. As they left, her opponent appeared from the other side. The man had a pristine presence like that of royalty.
He had white hair, hollow eyes with shining skin. He wore a black t-shirt, baggy grey trousers and white shoes. Each step he took was perfect as if he were walking down a red carpet. A longsword hung on his waist. He tucked his hands in his pockets and winked at Taylor. Her mouth twitched slightly.
'Bro…Did he just wink at me?'
Just then, the awkward silence was broken by the commentator.
"The next match shall be…Taylor Hawk versus Leo Vincenzo!" Mack announced.
The crowd roared in excitement. The referee approached the center. He glanced at Leo and let out a long sigh. Then, he held the whistle. Taylor unsheathed her katana. The referee raised his arm. Leo didn't change his stance. Then…the whistle blew and the referee ran away. Both fighters didn't move an inch. Taylor waited for her opponent to make a move. Seconds passed without anything.
Seconds turned to an entire minute as an awkward moment descended onto the battle. Taylor blinked.
'Why the hell is this guy not making a move…?'
Her thoughts ran wild. The commentators even yawned. The tensions grew thicker – the audience awaiting one of the fighter to attack. Taylor focused intently, her mind running wild with ideas.
'What is he planning to do…? Stall? Wait, until I lower my guard or formulate a plan to be-'
Right at the very moment, her thoughts were cut short by Leo.
"No, my dear. I'm afraid you're wrong."
"Huh?" Taylor blurted.
But right then, a realization struck her.
'Oh, right. He can read my thoughts.'
"That's right." Leo nodded.
After hearing that, Taylor hesitated no longer. She gripped her katana and lunged at her rival. As the distance between them closed, Leo didn't lose his smile. Taylor slammed her foot on the ground. She brought her sword down with a grunt. But…Leo sidestepped and dodged the blow. Taylor's eyes widened. She spun around and tried to attack again. Her blade inched closer until eventually…
The sword changed direction. Her hands moved on their own. The sword pulled back and so did she. Cold sweat broke out. As she recovered from the shock, Dante spoke once more.
"Once again, Leo dominates the battle! Who will the first one he truly fights with all his heart?"
Taylor wiped her face. She locked onto her opponent once more.
"What did he do…?" She muttered under her breath.
'Unfortunately, I can't tell you. I'm so terribly sorry.'
A foreign thought expressed itself in her mind. She panicked and shook her head.
'Don't panic. I'm Leo Vincenzo – Your opponent.'
Taylor froze. Her grip loosened. Her mind went…blank. Just then, Leo sighed heavily.
"I must say, every match – even this one, has been boring. You couldn't hope to beat me, so just u-"
He was cut off at that moment. Taylor spoke – tired of hearing Leo talk.
"Quit the yapping."
Leo smiled, bowing down.
"Of course, my lady."
Taylor's grip strengthened instantly. She rushed forward, raising her blade. Leo calmly met her gaze – not a lick of fear in his eyes. Taylor hesitated but even then, Leo didn't dodge. Instead, Taylor missed…?
She froze. Then, she spun around and attacked Leo again. Her blade was redirected at the last moment. She kept swinging her sword and kept missing. She stepped around him. After a few seconds, she struck down. Leo yawned as the katana passed him. Then, he made a move. He raised his leg and kicked his opponent. Taylor backed off. She clutched her stomach.
"This is a lost cause." Leo neared her. "Please, give up while I give you the chance. Otherwise, humiliation follows."
Taylor gritted her teeth, shrugging off the remark. Thrusting her sword upward again, she stopped inches from her opponent's face. She was pushed by another kick. Panic overtook her as she widely lunged at Leo. But no matter how hard she tried – she couldn't get past him. Then, an idea sparked in her mind. She smiled slightly.
'That might work…'
She thought no further – not wanting to give her opponent the upper hand. She neared Leo again. Leo raised a brow – already having read her thoughts. Taylor shot forward. Her blade falling diagonally. Leo merely glanced at it. The attack shifted away…then, shifted back. Leo's pupils widened. Taylor grinned. The sword struck her rival on the shoulder. The crowd gasped – even the commentators couldn't contain their shock.
"Amazing! Taylor just hit Leo! It's the first time he's been since the tournament began!" Mack shouted.
"Will the tide change now or was it a stroke of luck?" Dante added.
The arena froze for a singular, undisturbed second. But that moment was broken by Leo. He chuckled slightly. Dusting off his shoulder, he commented.
"Using your attribute to force your attack through…truly brilliant."
"Now, you're taking me seriously." Taylor smirked.
"No…that was merely a stroke of luck." Leo gripped the hilt of his sword.
Then, for the first time in the match, he drew it. The metallic luster of the longsword blinded Taylor for a moment. Taylor tried to move but…her body didn't listen to her. Leo halted near her and struck her rapidly. Taylor's breath hitched. More desperate than ever, she tried to move to no avail. Then…the referee whistled. Taylor's face paled. She locked eyes with Leo as he sheathed his sword. The latter smiled, almost as if he was pitying her.
"Ten points scored." He stated so casually.
Leo spun around. Taylor's hollow eyes stared ahead in utter disbelief and unwillingness. Dante voice rang out at that exact moment.
"And the winner is LEO VINCENZO!!!"
As the winner was announced, the crowd cheered. But Taylor couldn't accept such an outcome. She bit her lip, heart aching with the feeling of defeat. Her hand curled into a fist as she uttered words in a broken tone.
"Dammit…I almost…I almost…almost had him…"
Taylor collapsed to her knees – defeated.