Chapter 113: I Don’t Want To Hurt You More Than This
"Duel Start!" Professor Barret shouted.
The moment the signal was given, Noah lashed his whip towards his opponent, and the latter replied in kind.
The silver-haired boy was facing a platinum-blonde beauty, who specialized in using whips as well.
One could even say that this was a battle between Whip Masters, and only one of them would emerge victorious in the battle.
However, instead of an ordinary whip, the Witch he was fighting against used a vine whip that had a crimson color.
The two attacks nullified each other, but that didn't stop them from lashing ferociously at their opponent.
The two of them danced in the arena as their whips collided from time to time, creating crackling noises that mesmerized the crowd.
Flower petals also floated in the air, each time their whips collided, spreading a fragrance that made Noah's body a bit sluggish.
Even so, he stood firm and attacked relentlessly, while slowly bridging the gap between him and his opponent.
"Hah!" the young lady, who was Noah's opponent, stomped her foot on the ground, and several vines emerged from it, spreading in the surroundings.
However, these vines didn't stand idly and released needle-like projectiles at Noah, whom the latter deflected using his whip, despite the fact that his body was starting to feel very heavy.
Suddenly, and without any warning, Noah summoned a whip in his other hand and used a surprise attack on his opponent, successfully pushing her away, and making her take a few steps back.
Noah saw this opening and immediately crossed the gap between them. However, just as he was about to push his opponent out of the arena, he hesitated, giving his opponent enough time to launch a counterattack.
Vines rose up from the ground, and bound his arms and legs, rendering him immobile. These vines then embedded their thorns on the handsome boy's body, making Noah grit his teeth in pain.
The young beauty then took a step forward before cupping Noah's face.
To the surprise, and shock of everyone, she kissed him in front of so many people, making them gasp in disbelief.
"I know that you were reluctant to win this match from the start because you didn't want to hurt me," the beautiful Second Year said after pulling back from her kiss. "Since that is the case, can you surrender? I don't want to hurt you more than this."
Noah sighed before reluctantly nodding his head. He then glanced in Professor Barret's direction, and said his words of surrender.
"I surrender," Noah said with a pained expression on his face. Clearly, he really didn't want to surrender, but he couldn't possibly hurt his girlfriend during the match.
"Winner, Anne Rose of Terra Manor!" Professor Barret announced.
When the announcement of the duel ended, Rose released Noah from his binding and supported his body. She then carried her out of the arena to tend to his injuries.
The members of the Terra Manor erupted in cheers because they won the second match of the tournament. Although the battle was quite unfair, there was nothing they could do about it.
George, who heard the result of the duel sighed before placing his hand on his forehead. He then shook his head helplessly before looking at his best friend with a disappointed look on his face.
"I knew it," George stated. "You guys broke the bro code!"
Henry, who was standing beside him feigned ignorance and looked at the wall beside him as if it was a work of art.
In annoyance, George kicked his Head Prefect backside, making the latter jump away to dodge it.
"Tsk!" George clicked his tongue. "Good thing Ethan won his match. Now, everything will depend on my win."
Henry looked at his best friend who had the "Never Say Die" look on his face, as he walked towards the arena to represent the Third Years of Dud Manor.
"Goodluck," Henry said.
"Che! I don't need luck," George replied without even turning back. "Don't talk to me, traitor!"
Henry couldn't do anything aside from scratch his head. Right now, their fate was in George's hands.
If he won then Dud Manor would become the Champions of the Clash of Manors.
"Hello George," a pretty lady with dark-brown hair said with a smile.
"Your honey trap will not work on me, Evelyn," George raised his chin in arrogance. "I'm not as weak as Noah and Henry. I have my pride as a man. I will not let you sway me with words."
"Really?" Evelyn smiled sweetly. "Then I guess you're going to be sleeping on the floor tonight."
"I'll sleep there if I have to," George replied with the never-say-die look on his face. "I won't let you guys win so easily!"
Similar to George, Evelyn was best friends with the Head Prefect of Terra Manor. Because of this, the two had become close over the years.
"Um, are both of you ready to fight?" Professor Barret asked.
"I'm ready, Professor!" George said as he unsheathed the two short swords behind his back. "Let's start his match."
Professor Barret nodded before looking in Evelyn's direction.
"One moment, Professor," Evelyn stated as she continued to stare at her opponent. "Are you sure you want to take this route?"
"Do you not speak the same language, girl?" George replied. "Fight me!"
"Fine," Evelyn sneered as she raised her hand, summoning a green sword. "Start the battle, Professor."
Professor Barret raised his hand and signaled the start of the third match.
"Duel Start!"
Evenlyn immediately grabbed hold of the sword that hovered in front of her with both hands. The moment she held the sword's handle, flowers of different colors bloomed around her, releasing a fragrant scent in the air.
Similar to what Anne did against Noah, she was using her Nature Magic to weaken her opponent by befuddling his mind, and decreasing his fighting ability.
Even so, George charged towards the pretty lady in front of him with a determined look on his face.
Since the start of the tournament, he lost all of his matches.
But, this time, he promised himself that he would win no matter what. Even if it meant losing his friendship with the pretty lady, whom he had shared many fond memories with in the past.