Chapter 3 Young Master Cliff
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Hah—! Hah—!”
Three years have passed since I was forced to kill my parents under the voice’s control.
Since then, I’ve done nothing but follow the Voice of Heaven, training myself and earning what it calls skill mastery points. According to that voice, the “Empty Vessel” title in my status gives me a small boost to experience and growth. Silver Blood says I learn faster than most.
”Hah—! Hah—!”
”That’s enough.”
My master’s voice cut through the steady rhythm of my forms. Around me, the older disciples dropped where they stood, panting, their energy spent. They all had the Endurance Boost skill, but even that wasn’t enough to keep them upright.
I was sweating, too—but nothing like the flood pouring from them.
”Hmm. Reina, you’re the same as ever. The rest of you should take note.”
”Don’t compare us to her, Master~”
”Fool! No backtalk!”
While they bickered, I slowed my breathing, steadying my pulse.
’You’re growing well. Keep going, and you’ll awaken the Water God Style soon. Just be careful—this game doesn’t forgive mistakes.’
Seems even the Voice is pleased.
”Now then,” my master said suddenly, “you’ll be having a joint match with another school.”
’Damn. I thought three years without trouble meant no more random events. Guess I was wrong.’
So, the Voice wasn’t thrilled about this one.
’This event usually makes you bond with main characters, raising affection quickly. More affection means more events, which slows down a speedrun. We need to get through this.’
Would it make me kill again, if I got close to one of those “main characters”?
”The rules are simple: a knockout match. First team to defeat the captain wins! Enter!”
At his call, several people stepped into the hall.
”What, Silver? Not a single top disciple left here?”
”My finest are at the front lines,” my master replied.
”Hmph. Same everywhere, I suppose.”
The man spoke with my master as an equal. Behind him stood five young fighters—one of them a boy about my age. So that’s probably one of the ‘main characters’ the Voice mentioned—those it warns me to avoid bonding with.
”Line up as called! First, Reina!”
”You lot, take your assigned order. Cliff, you’re up first.”
They called my name alongside the red-haired boy’s. I didn’t know why I’d been chosen—maybe to pit same-aged opponents together. I wasn’t eager. I didn’t want to get close to any “main character.”
Even the Voice groaned. ‘Ughhh… bad vibes incoming.’
”That’s everyone. Begin. Both fighters, step forward.”
We walked onto the small stage marked for duels.
”Bow.”
”I’m Cliff Griffith, son of First-Class Knight Lilia, student of the Flame God Style.”
’What—! That’s Cliff Griffith!? Oh no, no, no—’
”…Reina of the Water God Style.”
I shoved the Voice’s shrieks to the corner of my mind and spoke calmly. Cliff frowned, irritated by my short reply. I avoided his gaze, lowering my head in silence.
’Be careful! He’s like a wild dog—always after strong opponents. If he notices you, he’ll stick to you like a yandere stalker!’
Good thing I looked away then.
I must not let him get close to me.
”Positions—!”
’Sigh… since we’re in this event, might as well get some experience.’
I raised my arms, taking the Water God stance, and ignored the Voice. My heart stilled to a mirror’s calm, hiding the fear it whispered into me.
”Begin!”
’Okay, target his limbs—go for the Ruthless title. If we’re lucky, we won’t see him again while he heals.’
Something cold and wrong slid into me, like a hand pulling my strings. It dug deep, taking control.
”Right—ready, start!”
* * *
I didn’t want this match. They only called me to warm up the crowd for older, weaker disciples. I trained harder than anyone, and being paired with a girl my age felt insulting.
I trained at a different school, worked harder than anyone, and knew I was stronger than those aging seniors. Being paired with a girl my age felt insulting.
She didn’t even respect me enough to give a proper greeting—just mumbled, “…Reina of the Water God Style,” like it was nothing. Then she looked away, avoiding my gaze, and raised her hands… bare hands, against my wooden sword.
I wasn’t some nobody to be mocked. I’d crush her.
”Right—ready, start!”
The match began—and before I could even blink, I was getting beaten down.
”Flame God users… are offensive types… so they…” Her voice drifted, too quiet to follow, as she blocked every strike before I could land it. Her golden eyes tracked me, sharp and knowing—like she’d already seen everything I was about to do.
”Now… at this… hold 0.2 seconds… counter—”
Her movement blurred. The counter hit first—before my attack even finished.
”—Damn it, you—!”
My wooden blade swung wide, pushed off-course by a smooth, effortless motion. Her fist smashed into my ribs, then my jaw, each blow driving fire through my skull.
”Ugh… rrraaaghhh!!”
I roared, blood dripping down my face. I didn’t care. I wanted to win. I poured everything into my strongest technique—
—”‘Flow.’”
She caught it. Easily. Her counter was perfect, a beauty you only see once. Every motion was clean, sharp, flowing—like art.
Even our masters watched in disbelief.
”—Time stop!”
Then my arms broke. Both of them. My jaw snapped from her final punch, and the world went dark.
”…I’m sorry.”
Her whisper followed me into the dark.
Before I blacked out, I swore—
—I’d never let her go.
Notes:
• –
• Silver Blood – Martial arts master of the Suijin-ryu Dojo. Reluctant guardian to Reina Alcott, balancing duty with fear of her potential wickedness.
• Cliff – Son of First-Class Knight Lilia. Practices Flame God Style. Obsessed with defeating strong opponents, especially Reina Alcott after a humiliating loss.
• Lilia – First-Class Knight and mother of Cliff Griffith. Renowned for her combat prowess, though her direct influence on Reina Alcott’s story remains peripheral.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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