Reincarnated Into A Dead Woman's Body In Another World-Chapter 237: Arc 4, Act II, - 82: A Friendly Wager

Hotaru raised her fists up to her chest and PUNCH!-ed forward. "...Woosh..." Her right arm kept itself out, having hit nothing but the air.

Jotou, who dodged the incoming punch with a simple step back, stared... ’That was easy; way too easy...’ "Well...?"

"Huh?" Hotaru glanced up. "I missed, let’s try again."

Her eyes faded away, "You don’t just stop once you miss..."

"If you miss, you have to continue, but I want to at least try landing one first," Hotaru sighed.

A packed day for the training field. Some Royal Guard spectated the training of those going into the last stand. Some inspired to take up their own weapons and get some training in while some were stationed to spar against them.

"Alright, I’m not cut out to be a teacher. My fighting style just doesn’t work for you. You’re way too stiff, ample of time for someone to get the better of you."

"Will you relax~?" Hotaru ruffled the top of the blonde mane. "I’m not gonna be in the fight, I’m supposed to be healing everyone’s asses."

Jotou ducked out of the way, bits of blush across the cheeks, "Doesn’t mean you shouldn’t know how to fight."

"I think I’ll be fine, trust me."

Jotou hummed in content. She took up her usual stance, unsheathing her sword from the scabbard. She sliced left and right, swerving it into the infinity pattern she knew. "I’m getting a little too comfortable with my fighting style. Gotta change it up a bit."

Her ears twitched, "What do you mean? Isn’t it better for you to master one before moving onto another?"

Jotou paused and spun her sword by the hilt, "That’s more your style."

"...And what’s that supposed to mean?" the redhead glared.

"It means," Jotou raised her sword, alongside her chin, "You prefer to stick to one thing till it’s perfected—I don’t."

Her eyes only narrowed more.

"Still not scared of you~" she stuck her tongue out and gave a wink.

"Oh you should be..."

She chuckled, an accent lingering upon her tongue, "I can get serious when I need to be firefly."

Was the sweat from training or just the sudden heart flutter? "You won’t win that easily," the crimson across her ears and tail spiked.

"Save that for another time~" Jotou lowered the blade, "Anyway, my ’normal’ fighting style is quick and critical; strike fast and strike true, build momentum with spins even.

That’s what Master Tensuo taught me. But there’re things I need to figure out on my own. And the best strategy I have is, always fight random.

Even master said that; I’m clever, so I’ll use that to my advantage. So that’s my best advice to you too. Go crazy, become unpredictable, use your surroundings, do something stupid, you get the gist.

I think this is the one thing I can do to beat these elites; outside of getting more powerful spells."

Hotaru smirked, "There’s time for discipline and time for disorder."

"Exactly my young pupil."

"I’m older than you!"

"No need to bring it up hag."

"You-!" Hotaru growled and, "Siphon’s Claw," water formed around her fingers and spiralled upwards like sharp nails, forming into claws, trickling in a bluish hue.

She laughed, her sword sparkling into sparks, "Bring it on~" she hummed.

"Oh I will," Hotaru was not the one who replied. Instead, both turned to the purple-haired princess walking into view, standing tall with her greatsword up her shoulder.

It seemed to be the start of a break, where everyone was taking five minutes to themselves. Fumeko sat down with the rest, wiping the sweat off her brow. Her eyes darted to the right... Like she had not eaten in a week, she laid waste to the mixed nuts provided.

"Ms Magic Courier, do eat lightly it might be a detriment to your mobility if you weigh too much," Niah purred from behind.

"MMM!!" Fumeko recoiled, her chipmunk-like cheeks staring back. With one gulp she swallowed it all, "For your information, I don’t gain weight. I have a healthy figure, forever!" she turned her head up.

"Hm, it is true. I have noticed your metabolism is exceptionally high; perhaps it’s a part of your affinity, much like the Thundering Blade’s ability to sense danger."

"Hmph. That just means I’m better and faster."

"Although, I suppose that also explains your size."

Her pride came to a halt, her neck turned back gear by gear. "What are you talking about," she leered.

"Growth hormones have to go somewhere and it could have clearly been taken by your affinity. I’m talking about your height of course," Niah stretched back.

"That’s what I thought."

She waltzed around to the front of the seats, "Flat," Niah whispered.

"WHAT!?" the purple of the dagger gleamed.

Niah kept her distance, "Keep in mind, you need improving on your spell. Come to the library after dusk."

"I think you need a bath in blood kitty!"

"Meko..."

Fumeko paused and stared at Hotaru who was walking back; the redhead had tightened her lips. The field was completely clear, leaving only sand and two others. "She called me flat!" Fumeko pointed with the tip of the blade.

"So? Is it untrue?"

"HEY!" her glare switched targets.

Hotaru sighed, taking a towel and a seat, "What I meant is that you’ve got no control over it, so the sooner you accept it, the sooner you can move on."

"EASY FOR YOU TO SAY!"

"It is; yeesh... Take my advice or don’t, it’s your choice," she wiped the sweat off herself.

"Ugh," a scorned Fumeko lowered the dagger.

"Where’s Jotou- Oh, there she is!" Asobi came looking for her, but then spotted her in the sand. "What are they doing?"

"Don’t know, I think they wanna spar," Hotaru flipped her hair back.

"After all of that?" Feyan chimed in, pointing at the six armoured Royal Guard basically in a fallen pile. He exhaled, wiping his own brows, "I suppose she is competitive."

"Why didn’t she fight Arabella?" Asobi turned.

Arabella who fought in her more casual attire, sat down and shrugged. She signalled something then pointed to Jotou and Daiyu.

"Feyan?" Fumeko glanced.

"Apparently, the princess wanted to fight Ms Jotou..."

Meanwhile. "What d’you say Joey Toes?" Daiyu grinned, relishing being taller than the other.

Jotou’s eyes had been glazed over the entire time. Then her lids shut... ’Why would I accept this?’ Slowly, a smile crept up, "I accept your little bet."

"Huh?" The grin shattered into sand. Daiyu stared... "I thought for sure you’d want to bargain."

"I’m completely aware it isn’t fair." Jotou’s eyes opened, "That said, it’s only if I lose."

"Well IF you win it’s up to your imagination."

"I can’t tarnish the name of the princess that’d be counterintuitive, but you knew that. I’m getting the worse forfeit here. Don’t try and back out now, PHrincess~" yellow sparks flew within her irises.

A purplish gem-like ripple went across her eyes. Daiyu’s grin returned and she spun her sword—"TFF!"—sticking into the sand, "Then it’s a bet loser."

"I worry what those two are up to..." Hotaru pouted.

"Can you hear what they’re talking about?"

"My ears can’t pick up things from that far Sobi."

"Pity," Niah smirked.

"Oh like you can hear further," Hotaru glared.

"I could; if there weren’t so many people talking around me."

"I doubt you could."

"They’re on the move," Fumeko relayed. All of them looked to the sand as Jotou and Daiyu separated a few metres away from each other.

"Careful~ Don’t trip on loose rocks," Jotou yelled, catching the attention of those who were not already looking their way.

"Careful, sand doesn’t taste good," Daiyu rolled her eyes and gripped the hilt of her great sword in both hands. Her eyes narrowed to sharp points, her feet wide apart.

Jotou had a mere smile, standing cockishly with a head tilted to the side. "What chance do you think you have? Never mind, not like that thick skull of yours is gonna listen," she unsheathed the armite blade in one swift motion, glittering in sparks.

Daiyu growled, another gem-like ripple flashing in her eyes. Her nose shrivelled, "Ready or not, here I come!" she dashed forward.

Jotou stood still, feet close together, "Let’s see what you got gorilla~"

Daiyu slammed her foot down in a stance; the sand began to rumble, the spectators felt the shockwave. She lifted her blade up and arced for a swing!

Jotou tapped her feet repeatedly as she spun herself to the right, not shifting another part of her body as she dodged. She spun back to Daiyu, whose greatsword had landed in the sand before she lifted it back up.

Jotou sighed, "Bull was more appropriate."

"You’re so going down!!!" Without a second thought Daiyu swung her blade forth, left! Then right! "HAH!" "BUFF!" She swung straight down! ...into the sand.

The blonde took each step back with the same gaze. "Too slow, do I even need my sword out?" she slowly spun the hilt of the armite blade.

Another gem-like ripple, she stomped her foot down and the sand beneath Jotou shifted and rose in an instant into a platform of earth.

Jotou rolled to her left, rolling off the platform and landing into the sand. She spun from her feet and stood back, unscathed except with bits of sand over her attire. "Now you’re doing something~ You got sand all over me; what ever will I do?"

Daiyu’s grip grew tighter, her veins bulged and her teeth gritted. Another ripple across her eyes and "GAAHHH!!!" she screamed to the top of her lungs and ran forward.

Jotou’s eyes widened ever so slightly, her chin back down. She raised her sparking blade. "TING!!! BBRrrr... TANG!!!! CLASH!!!" The sound of metal against the armite sword from the deep purple greatsword.

The armite still vibrated and Jotou’s right hand hummed. She broke a sweat, Daiyu getting much faster and with it, each hit stronger.

"Heh~ You’re trying. Must be that I’m much stronger-"

"SHUT UP!!!"

Jotou’s eyes sparked and the smirk grew all the more haughty. Daiyu stomped a foot down, creating another quake. The blonde kept her feet close, keeping her blade to her chest as she spun and dodged.

The spectators on the other hand, some held onto their seats or what ground they sat on; while others, "WOOO! GO JOTOU, GO!" Asobi screamed.

"Who’re we betting on winning?" Fumeko glanced to the rest.

"My vote should be obvious," Hotaru replied. "I just hope the injuries aren’t too much..."

"Same for me!" Asobi turned. "But do your best too Daiyu!!!" she turned back.

"Jotou’s got this," Fumeko shrugged.

"I wouldn’t be so sure," Niah weighed in. "Admiral, any opinion?"

Arabella staring at the fight, looked back. She took a breath, her eyes darting up before she signalled.

"It’s a fifty-fifty shot she says," Feyan translated. "I do not disagree, but I believe the princess will have this."

"Hang on, why’s it a fifty-fifty?" Hotaru’s ears flickered.

Arabella signalled once more.

"Fair assessment," Niah replied.

"WOOsH! WHASH! SWING!" Each strike Daiyu made missed by a small margin. Her body was low, she would swing up, bringing her entire body with her then slam back down, each quake of her feet stronger.

Jotou held onto that unbruised smirk, before she laughed aloud. The blonde strands shifted with her spins, much like a dance, she swayed, not striking, instead weaving.

For the first time, Jotou twisted her sword in a crescent shape, catching Daiyu’s arm by the side and knocking the blow away. Daiyu leapt completely back, stomping onto the ground with unbridled rage.

Jotou giggled in response, sticking her tongue out and giving a wink.

"The Undying Princess uses more strength, a solid blow could knock the Thundering Blade down for a while. Ms Howllett is more dexterous," Niah explained.

"However, at this point, Ms Jotou could possibly not take a hit from the princess," Feyan told.

Fumeko glanced over, "So Jotou wins if she can tire Daiyu out and land quick strikes in."

"She’s as spiteful as always," Hotaru smiled to the sight of Jotou laughing at Daiyu’s attempts.

"Good point," Niah cooed. "Your affinity is often driven by an emotion; the same emotion that typically drives you. That could determine the winner."

"Wouldn’t Daiyu have a weakness too? To her affinity?" Asobi held onto to a pole as the ground shook.

"Of course," Feyan replied, "The princess can only cast spells seismically with her feet. And she has no control over the earth once it is, well, off the earth."

"Duh, then her feet’s not connected," Fumeko rolled her eyes.

"Ah... the princess’s affinity is fuelled by righteous anger and competitiveness. If Ms Howllett continues to anger her, it’s only worse for herself. This fight is in the princess’s favour," Niah voted.

"Hm," Hotaru’s fangs glistened into a beam, "I doubt that."

"The angrier and more competitive Daiyu is, the better she is, but," Fumeko caught on.

"Jotou loves pissing people off~" Hotaru added. "Spite happens to be the key to her affinity."

"So Jotou still wins!" Asobi cheered across.

"Remains to be seen; who’s drive for their affinity is stronger is the true question," Niah disbelieved...