Mercer stared dumbfounded for a moment into the golden aegis before turning to the woman who entered. He regained his composure and grinned. “Just a bit.” He shoved Shinji off him with the flat of his blade and stood, exhilarated, wiping sweat from his face. Tale shot a sidelong glare at the two faunus, mentally resolving to stay at his post before resuming his shooting.
“Mercury Klightus, call me Mercer, leader of Team MTEL, at your service! Who in hell are you?”
“Sienna Longhorn, leader of Team SNRS and–” She pointed at Shinji, who was now sitting on the floor. “His partner. I lost track of him earlier today. He never showed up for tutoring.”
“Well, I can’t blame him. We had a shitton more fun here than anyone could in tutoring.” Mercer extended his hand to Shinji, offering to help him up.
Lillian had by now finished her obstacle course and walked over to introduce herself. “Apologies for him. I’m Lillian Hexabus.” She waved lightly, taking a drink of water from a nearby cooler.
Shinji grumbled, but took Mercer’s hand and stood up. “Maybe, but I am kinda failing Peach’s class. Guess I kinda lost track of time. Sorry ‘bout that.”
“It’s fine, I know how you get sometimes.” Sienna turned to face Lillian. Nice to meet ya’ Lillian.”
Mercer strode over to the cooler, took a tremendous drink, and sat down for his post-duel ritual. Every stain, nick, dent, blast, smear, and less-than-reflective patch on the weapon needed to be scrubbed with the same fury most would reserve for battle.
Lillian pretended not to notice. “So then is this usually where are, whenever you forget to go to tutoring?”
Shinji huffed and shook his head. “No. I just came in because I wanted to get some training in before I went to the library. I didn’t think the match would go on that long.”
“He’s sorry, though he may not look it.” Lillian shot a glance to Mercer. “Do you need to head there now, or is it already past that time?”
“Well, seeing as I’m his tutor. I guess we can reschedule.” Sienna said with a sly smile. “Especially since I kinda want to get a round or two in myself.”
“Well, we’re probably all open for a try, take your pick! I’ll admit I’m not much of a duelist though.” Lillian said, slightly embarrassed. She made a quick gesture to her teammates. “I mostly help them stay in the fight.”
“Well, whoever wants to start a fight totally can!” Sienna said as she pulled out her weapon, a two-handed longsword with assualt rifle parts built into it. “I’’ve got my weapon and everything.”
“I will.” Electra calmly strode from her position, the air around her still crackling. “I’m a bit out of practice in dueling, something I should remedy.” she said in a smooth voice. She took up her position on one end of the ring and stood there, focusing intently on her weapon.
“Perfect!” Sienna strode into the center of the ring and adjusted her grip on her sword. “I’m ready when you are!”
“Alright. Let’s begin.” Electra calmly raised her staff and took a defensive stance. Once she had a prepared defense, she focused her Aura and began channeling her Semblance, electricity arcing around her and causing her hair to stand on end. With a quick motion of her staff, a bolt of lightning shot across the ring at Sienna.
Sienna channeled her Semblance and created a shimmering, golden wall in front of her to block the bolt. Then, she let it shatter as she ran at Electra with a wide swing.
Electra danced under the swing and lightly deflected the swing, channeling electricity into her weapon as she did so. The air around her had already begun taking on an electric odor, as her Semblance usually caused.
Sienna laughed and threw a few more strikes at Electra before pushing her back with her Semblance. Then, she charged through her barrier, causing it to shatter and intending to catch Electra with a shoulder tackle.
Electra backpedaled, twirling her staff and weaving to avoid the strikes. When the shoulder tackle came through, she ducked and swept her staff at Sienna’s legs with one hand, covering her head with the other.
Tale had stopped his shooting and come over to watch alongside Lillian. Mercer had finished his ritual and was now on his feet in the edge of the ring, cheering loudly for Electra.
Sienna fell to the leg sweep, but recovered with a forward roll as she started swinging for Electra’s legs. But, she used her Semblance to create a barrier behind the girl to try and box her in.
Electra grimaced as she backed right into the barrier and, though her staff was able to block the force of the swing, she was still swept off her feet by the force of the blow. Rather than attempt to get up immediately, she raised a hand and sent a ball of lightning, aiming directly at the chest.
Sienna didn’t have the time to raise her weapon and took the blast head on. Her entire body spasmed as her vision went white. Then, she fell over, breathing heavily.
Mercer’s cheers went silent as Lillian began to prepare her Aura for healing. Electra rose and stood over Sienna, hand outstretched to help her to her feet, waiting for a response.
Seinna took Electra’s hand and staggered back to her feet. Taking a few steps back, she held her sword at the ready. She wasn’t about to admit defeat and waited for her opponent’s next move.
