The Author's POV

"Begin!"

The referee's voice boomed throughout the arena as mana simultaneously burst from both Amanda and her opponent.

With both of her hands on the handle of the sub-machine gun like artifact, a subtle red glow suddenly enshrouded the artifact as the tip slowly started to rotate. With each rotation, the faster the barrel moved.

Tat.

Eventually, after the first rotation, a small energy beam suddenly shot out from the barrel of the weapon as slowly but surely more and more energy beams started to shoot out.

Tat. Tat. Tat.

It wasn't before long that three more energy beams shot out.

Amanda wasn't standing still while this was happening. With her back arched a little bit, she taunted the string of her bow back as three translucent blue arrows materialized on her bow.

The moment the first energy beam shot out, Amanda calmly stood still.

Her decision proved to be the correct one as the projectile quickly missed her, resulting in her hair to fluttered wildly.

Following the first beam, more and more beams started to shoot out from her opponent's artifact.

Even then, Amanda refused to release her arrows the mana around her started to twist.

Whenever a beam would come hurtling towards her, she would either take a step to the side or move a small part of the body. Her movements were minimal, however, each time she moved she was able to miraculously dodge the energy beam that was hurtling towards her at incredible speed.

Amanda's actions caused almost everyone that was watching to look at her in awe as her mesmerizing figure stood in the middle of the arena like an unbeatable war goddess.

Her nimble and yet minimal movements that helped her dodge the beams caused everyone to be at a loss for breath.

'So skillful'

Everyone thought as they watched her dance around her spot, like a beautiful butterfly.

The reason why Amanda was able to do all of this was because of her skill.

[[C] Mana sense]

A skill that essentially allowed her to sense the mana as well as see the disturbances around it. Not only did the skill help her determine the direction of her arrows when she shot them, but she was also able to sense the direction of where the attack of her opponent would go.

It was thanks to this skill that she was able to do what she was doing. However, this only worked for a short period of time. From a certain point, the projectiles would become way too fast to dodge even if she knew where they were coming from.

But fortunately, Amanda was ready.

Tat. Tat. Tat.

Barely dodging three more energy beams, the mana around Amanda's body burst out like a raging storm. Then, eyeing her opponent, she released two of the three arrows.

Xiu! Xiu!

The moment she released the two arrows, the air tore apart and the two arrows disappeared from the spot.

They were so fast that by the time Amanda's opponent could retaliate they were already upon her.

Letting out a low cry, a transparent shield suddenly materialized around the dwarven girl. However, what happened next was completely out of her expectations.

Right as the arrows reached her, instead of hitting her shield as she expected them to, they suddenly expanded and formed two thin blue barriers. Trapping her from above.

In the distance, pursing her lips, Amanda softly muttered.

"Contract."

Instantly the two thin shields started to contract. And slowly but surely, they reached the dwarven girl's shield, applying heavy pressure on it.

Crack. Crack. Crack.

It wasn't long before cracks started to appear on the shield of Amanda's opponent as a helpless look appeared on her face.

Raising her bow towards the air, Amanda finally let go of the final arrow. Once again, it disappeared from her bow, tearing through the air like a comet.

Crash!

moment her arrow left her bow, the barrier around

coming from above. Lifting her

so fast that she was unable to react on

Booooom!

Amanda's arrow came crashing down

the referee appeared a couple of meters in front of Amanda's opponent with his hand raised. Behind him was the frightened opponent who couldn't

Thud.

this match is Amanda Stern, she will pass to the round

***

"How strong..."

match. If I said

beat her like that, was a testament to just how much she had improved over

from the screen, I turned to glance at Angelica. With her head cocked to the side and a curious look

when

the way, did you really come here because you were

time believing this. Although yes, she had been isolated alone, given her resources and the fact that she wasn't a

Perhaps I was overthinking.

raised her head and looked at me.

"No."

"…oh?"

something else that she wanted to talk about. Now I was

else, turning her attention back

his strength before attacking both the orc chief and

like thunderbolts inside of my head as I started recalling all of the plans that I

that I could use him to help

"I see…that's great news."

I didn't show

none of the things

unaware of where his true loyalties were, but I also sure

he was planning on interfering in the war between two individuals

them was the element of surprise, and even with that, I knew that his chances of winning were

weren't low, but not high at the

say anything about the

"No."

Pausing for a

attack any time soon. He is trying to find

"I see."

thoughtfully nodded her

part of me was glad that Silug was not rushing into the big fight as soon as his strength broke through, however, my worries

would put Angelica in jeopardy. I didn't want

taking a small glance in

probably turn yourself into

when she heard my

"Why?"

because people will come to visit me soon. I'm sure you don't want too much attention

the sound of footsteps coming from the other side

throwing me a glare, a black shadow cast over Angelica before her

resting on the top of the small ledge

Clank—

a full-fledged count-ranked demon, it only took a brief moment for her

ledge, the door swung open and Kevin entered the room. Upon

"Hey."

"Mhm."

nod. Looking around the place, Kevin's feet suddenly came to a

brows jumped up in

"Is that…?"

"Yes, it's her."

so it was no surprise that

head, I

come back from visiting

"Yeah."

on the chair where Octavious

to have stabilized, however, she's still in a coma and hasn't

"I've heard."