In the semifinals of the fighting tournament, two psychics faced off: one of them, Eugene, and the other, Nao, much to the surprise of both Luke and Eugene himself.
The other two finalists were Lucy, a siren, and a vampire named Armand. The few psychics in the audience began mocking the other outcasts, proud that two of their own had made it to the semifinals, despite their smaller ratio compared to other groups at the event.
Moreover, only a handful of psychics had entered the tournament. The strongest among them, like Luke, Wednesday, Xavier, and Rose (the girl with the green aura), among others, had chosen not to participate. Having two psychics reach the semifinals was a remarkable achievement considering how few of them competed.
For the final to feature contestants from different outcast classes, Eugene had to face his platonic love, Nao. As Eugene was the last to fight, he had time to rest and watch the first semifinal: Lucy vs. Armand.
[What am I going to do?] Eugene asked, his tone nervous and tense. The first semifinal had already begun, and in just a few minutes, it would be his turn to fight.
There were two problems. First, one of his arms was incapacitated. A servant of Ajax had stopped the bleeding, but nothing more. It couldn’t be healed, so he would have to fight under those conditions.
The second and biggest problem was that he had to fight against his crush—and he didn’t want to.
[Considering that without your arm, your defeat is inevitable, you’d better withdraw and spare yourself the embarrassment in front of the girl you’re trying to impress] Wednesday replied, as blunt as ever.
Eugene was allowed to forfeit as long as the fight hadn’t started, but once it began, there was no turning back.
[Withdraw? He’ll look like a coward in front of the girl he wants to impress] Luke commented. The three of them were sharing a telepathic chat-a new ability Luke had developed some time ago. Its range was shorter compared to an individual telepathic link, but it was effective for group conversations.
[Th-that’s true. I don’t want to look like a coward in front of Nao, but I also don’t want to lose in a humiliating way…] Eugene said, unsure of what to do.
[You’ve already impressed her by making it to the semifinals-or at least that’s what we’d like to believe. If you withdraw, you won’t seem like a coward since your arm is genuinely incapacitated] argued Wednesday.
[That’s a good point… but I was hoping for something more epic. If you’re going to lose, then go out there and give it everything you’ve got, no fear, as if your arm didn’t matter. You will leave your skin in the sand, and even if you lose, Nao will see that you will not give up even in the worst conditions] Luke said, imagining the scene in his mind.
Eugene seemed to consider Luke’s idea. He would come across as brave, and besides, having made it to the semifinals was already an achievement. There was no need to keep advancing; he had already proven his worth.
[If you do that, be ready to get hit with a lot of electric shocks from Nao] Wednesday said.
[That’s true. Nao’s going to destroy me] Eugene said hesitantly. Despite being fellow psychics, he had seen that Nao showed no mercy to anyone.
[You’re a girl. What do you think would impress someone like her? Surrendering or fighting even though I know I’m going to lose?] Eugene asked Wednesday.
Wednesday raised an eyebrow, clearly uninterested in Eugene’s emotional drama. His love life was of no concern to her.
‘Is he seriously asking Wednesday for romantic advice?’ Luke thought, giving him a strange look. Given her track record, she hardly seemed like the best person to offer anyone love advice.
[If you’re asking me to figure out what impresses Nao, my answer is: why would I know that? But, based on general human behavior, showing courage and losing with honor might work] Wednesday replied.
Eugene nodded slowly. [Then I’ll fight] he said, mentally preparing himself to suffer in his next match.
[Impressing a girl and getting her attention seems harder than one might imagine] Luke said to Wednesday through their individual telepathic link.
Wednesday raised an eyebrow, as if already anticipating an annoying remark from Luke. [How did I manage to capture your attention and, eventually, your beautiful, dark heart?] Luke asked, a faintly teasing smile forming on his face.
Wednesday regarded him with her usual impassive expression, though her eyes flashed with a barely perceptible spark of emotion. Few people dared to challenge her so openly the way Luke did.
Most people, when faced with her sharp demeanor and ability to dismantle anyone with cold, calculated remarks, chose to avoid her or, at worst, walked away humiliated.
Luke, however, not only stood his ground but seemed to enjoy sparring with her, throwing equally cutting remarks right back.
[Do you want a detailed list or a quick answer to boost your ego?] Wednesday asked.
[Surprise me] Luke replied.
[I really started to take an interest in you when we watched the Hyde kill the normie together. Most people would have at least shown some emotion of shock or disgust while witnessing the murder. You didn’t. You stood there, as impassive as I was, watching every detail without flinching. It was… intriguing] Wednesday said.
[Good to know that my ability to stay unfazed by a murder earned me points with you] Luke said.
[It was a decent start] Wednesday said dryly before continuing.
[Then there’s the fact that you already knew about the theory of the Hyde being controlled by Marilyn. At the time, you were manipulating me, and when you confessed it, I admit it caught my attention. A mix of manipulation and a desire to protect me afterward… a fascinating contradiction] she added.
[Is that why you kissed me after I confessed that? That’s unexpected] Luke said with a curious look, and Wednesday nodded.
[Lastly, our shared interests helped. Dark literature, an aversion to people in general… you know, the basics for antisocial individuals] Wednesday said.
‘I wasn’t expecting such a long answer,’ Luke thought. He had only asked to tease her a little,
not expecting Wednesday to respond so earnestly.
[And my strength? Didn’t my three auras have anything to do with it?] Luke asked.
His three auras and his great strength compared to others his age is a great source of pride for
him.
[Your genetics mean nothing to me, Luke. You could have been born with just one aura, and it wouldn’t have changed anything] Wednesday replied.
[The only good thing about your strength is that it lets us fight together without dying in the process. If you were weak, you’d already be a corpse] she added.
[Wow, always so warm and comforting. Good to know I’m useful for not dying while we fight together] Luke said with a faint smile.
[Don’t play dumb. You wouldn’t tolerate someone who couldn’t keep up with you either] said
Wednesday.
[I guess you’re right. Finding someone you can fight alongside without worrying they’ll drag you down… doesn’t happen every day] Luke admitted sincerely.
[Exactly, that connection in battle is a good thing] said Wednesday.
[Which is why being strong is practical, but it’s not the most important thing. What interests me about you goes far beyond how strong you are or how many auras you have] Wednesday
added.
[You know, sometimes I forget that beneath all that coldness, there’s a person with a strange
and twisted sense of affection] said Luke.
[You’re not exactly the best person to point that out] Wednesday retorted.
[Well, that’s true. Want me to list all the ways you managed to conquer my noble and loyal heart?] Luke asked.
Wednesday looked at him with a mix of exasperation and hidden amusement.
[No, thanks. I already have a pretty clear idea. I’m naturally observant, and after spending an
entire summer with you, any mystery you might have represented has been solved] she
replied.
[So, I’m an open book to you? What a disappointment. I thought I was more enigmatic] said Luke, sighing with a defeated expression.
[Enigmatic, yes. But also predictable in certain ways. Though I suppose your ability to be irritating remains surprisingly consistent] Wednesday commented.
[Was that another compliment? I’m on a roll today] said Luke, returning to his usual irritating
demeanor. Wednesday rolled her eyes and turned her attention back to the fight, which was already in its third round.
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