Watching the twins of Valor standing by the sheltered door, I thought maybe I could locate another entrance that does not include going through a conflict with them. However, the only entrance I could find was through the guarded sheltered door.
Maybe it was due to never having a memory of a loss of battle or maybe because the boost in strength I got from the Regret Spirits also boosted my ego, that made me think I could stand a chance… unfortunately, it couldn't be further from the truth.
Leaving the corner I was hiding in; I walked with heavy steps towards the door. The air grows heavier, my heartbeat seems louder, and without realizing I found myself facing the twins.
The twins blocked the path, stopping me from reaching the door, yet they did not make a move while I was approaching.
The legacies were vicious according to the stories and rumors around the campus. They had such stories and tales to their names that could make anyone doubt the legitimateness of the sources.
Gerard, supposedly, lived in the wilderness for a long while. He is a known survivor and lives to his reputation of Valor by being a ferocious warrior. A beast by all means. Despite all, he still held the face of a noble and put on the façade of a gentleman.
Alternatively, Elaine was a beauty and a sight to behold. She had raven black hair with dark blue eyes, each of them almost seemed as if she could look into the souls of others. Instead of a warrior, she held the impression of a queen, emitting a formidable aura fit for a rule.
The fear and stress blocked my senses as if I'm spending my last moments trying to take the last step. The twins of valor seem more like an impenetrable wall when standing face to face with the inevitable fight.
My chest feels heavy, and the heat is growing worse by the second. My first fight is against the royalties themselves.
'So, this is the strength of a true legacy'
And two of them, to say the least.
The stunning effect placed on me made me deaf to the words coming from Gerard's mouth when facing me.
His expression had no gentleness to it, though. He did not seem to offer me a chance to back away, but he actually seems excited. This is too late to turn back.
With a blind reaction, I instinctively drew my sword from the cloud of white sparks and brought it down on the Regret Spirit in the figure of Gerard. However, the sword could not pierce through it.
Gerard could not understand fully what the purpose of the incomplete swing was, but he already knows I'm here to fight back.
Gerard did not draw a weapon, neither did he back away. Instead, he threw a punch at me, with his Regret Spirit mimicking his own movements.
The blow of the punch was twice as strong thanks to his Regret Spirit enforcing the impact.
'That is why my strength increases with each Regret' I thought in realization.
As if one opponent with the strength of two wasn't enough, Elaine also joined the battle. However, such a predicament could not get any worse than that.
Elaine, little did I know, held two Regret Spirits, strengthening her physical capabilities threefold.
Elaine drew a sword of her own and struck me in unison with Gerard. Both hold greater strength than I could imagine.
'Damn it! damn it! damn it! How did this aspect of mine turn against me?'
However, I was not willing to give up as easily. 'My ability gives me some authority over Regret Spirits. So, maybe I can stir off their movement a little.'
While deep in thought, I clashed against Elaine's blade, deflecting the blade and pushing it out of the way in a desperate manner. Meanwhile, Gerard jumped at me from the other flank.
His fist was as heavy as a boulder, but maybe I don't have to take it full on.
Attempting to stop the Regret Spirit's movement, Gerard's movement became unusually sluggish.
He did not stop but he did lose his momentum which made his fist easily blockable. However, it still left me with a sore arm and required a moment to recover.
In that brief moment, however, the skillful legacy, Elaine, aimed at the same arm after detecting the weakness, leaving me unarmed for precious few seconds.
Being in the vulnerable position, both legacies did not play around and were about to finish this battle.
As the fear of death washed over my mind, I did not stand a chance in the face of two legacies.
Elaine's blade pierced my stomach, penetrating my skin and pinning me down on the floor.
Gerard's fist hit my face leaving a bruised with sore eye and gushing blood on the face.
The twins did not show any mercy and made sure to knock me cold, even if it means going as far as stabbing me to death.
In that grim moment, with no hope in sight, I found a moment of peace. My mind relaxed, and I was able to regain my composure.
My aspect ability suddenly managed to hold Elaine in place. She is now unable to move and twist the blade further.
Grabbing Gerard's, I pull it down with a sudden jerk downwards, making him fall and use the opportunity to take the sword out of my stomach.
The excruciating pain was almost unbearable, but the calmness helped me through. Holding the hole with one hand and trying to raise up on my feet, Gerard had already recovered. But instead of throwing a punch, he grabbed my arm instead, and without warning, cutting my skin down.
As the pain washed over my arm, I could not help but scream from pai. A large part of my skin got ripped off and blood dripped down to create a puddle on the floor.
In the moment of unbearable pain, Elaine broke free and somehow pinned me down, to the floor again. This time, however, Elaine used her Aspect. I did not have any choice but to stay down before the royalty.
Dread and helplessness filled my mind without a chance to resist, however, I already managed to give a mental command to my Regret Spirit.
[Oblivious Cravings] can be used to wound Regret Spirits as if they were physical beings, but nothing should stop them from using it themselves, as well.
Both my dark figures held the sword with one hand each and with the help of each other they managed to cut down one of Elaine's Regret Spirits.
Elaine's strength diminished by a third of its power and moreover, she received a fatal wound to her soul. Her dominating aura ceased for a brief second, giving me just enough time to regain composure and knock her down for good.
That just leaves Gerard. However, he was not the same, instead, his nails grew, and skin's texture changed, resembled those of transparent scales.
Without wasting time, he dashed at incredible speed and punched twice as hard. However, the true threat lies in the nail… no, claws, as sharp as razor blades.
It could easily pierce through metal and bones, leaving me no other choice but to dodge.
Trying the same trick twice, I ordered my Regret Spirits to cut down his Spirit as well, however, Something unexpected happened.
Instead of perfectly mimicking Gerard's movements, his Regret Spirit deflected the ominous blade with its own dark claws.
The battle stands on stalemate now, but it still seems grim on my end, due to the loss of blood.
The vision gets blurry, movements are getting sluggish, and the exhaustion is catching up. Each second that passes I'm one foot closer to the grave, and Gerard got more than one reason to make this happen.
Before the unescapable fate arrived, however, something prevented Gerard from making the move, attracting his attention somewhere else.
Following his gaze, the sheltered door opened. Two figures came out from the dark, both had golden hair with faces full of flawless features.
Lin and Lynney came out. Lin with heavy injuries and Lynney as flawless as ever. That is when I noticed, their hands were held together.
Lin was the one to talk first with a frisky and boastful tone, looking down upon Gerard.
"that's enough, prince."
Gerard's Aspect was dismissed right after. Somehow leaving Gerard with trivial expression.
Lynney spoke next, pointing the usual neutral tone towards me, "I guess I owe you an explanation."
Staring in spite at Lyney, rage was built within me… until I passed out.