Chapter 35 Marionette [Pt 2]

"Sicko." Serah spat.

She had never really fought Mia before. In fact, no one in their class had ever really fought her—not that they wanted to.

Mia's fight was always one-sided. She would control her opponents and then break them. There was no time for any counterattack, and so there was never a real fight with Mia.

She was invincible!

"But now... I might have a chance." Serah thought to herself.

Since Mia had decided not to use her controlling ability, Serah could fight back. Mia was sure to underestimate her, and she would use that to her advantage.

Unlike Mia, Serah's major magic type was Enhancement. She excelled in close combat. If given the chance to fight back...

'... I won't lose!' Her thoughts rang as she concentrated on her target.

Mia stood, motionless, expecting an attack and waiting patiently. Serah smiled. She had just the time she needed.

"[Great Speed]. [Great Strength]. [Total Focus]." Serah chanted.

Serah's body immediately started glowing, as white energy surrounded her. She felt a rush of power, and she could feel it... The strength overflowing within her.

With this, her physical prowess had increased threefold. She was sure Mia's physical stats were not high in the first instance. With this, she would be able to take her down as quickly as possible.

Serah charged, speeding toward Mia, who just stood. Serah was too fast for Mia to react, that was sure.

Within a second, Serah would close the short distance between them, and in another second, she would strike.

With a single blow, she would disorient Mia, and then dash behind her to give the finishing blow.

"I've got this!" Serah assured herself.

Just as planned, Serah closed the distance in mere moments. She raised her fist to attack Mia's jaw, which would launch her backward. Serah's fist closed in on Mia's face, nearing the chin.

That was when Serah saw it... she saw Mia's huge grin!

'W-why... why is she smiling?'Serah thought to herself.

As her fist was about to connect to Mia's face, it suddenly hit an invisible wall.

'U-uh—??"

Then—within that split second—the fist was repelled, launching it back and interrupting Serah's momentum, leaving her body wide open.

"Wha—?! How??!" Serah let out.

Mia made to grab Serah, but given her speed, she was able to escape quickly. Sweat dripped from Serah's face.

'What just happened?' Her heart raced faster.

"You're so easy to read," Mia seemed very pleased with herself at this point..

"What are you—?" Serah could only murmur.

"You thought you'd end this fight quickly and depend on your physical prowess. Since you've only seen me use [Marionette], you thought I was weak in a normal fight... how foolish!" Mia said with a mocking laugh.

Serah didn't want to believe she was disadvantaged. She couldn't lose. She had to win.

"Oh my, did you actually think you had a chance?" Mia continued.

"As a reward for at least trying... Let me tell you this. I specialize in the Rune Magic Type." Mia said, bringing out a stone from her side pocket.

"This is a Runestone, one I made myself. It blocks any physical attack lower than Tier 3." She said with a smile.

Serah's face suddenly clouded. Despair began to envelop her.

"Last time I checked... You're still a Tier 1 right?" Mia smiled.

"And also an enhancer, relying mainly on physical ability. So you see... I wasn't the one at a disadvantage... YOU ARE!"

The realization dawned on Serah. Was she only deluding herself into thinking she could win? She was still weak... Too weak!

Suddenly a small burst of water flew, passed by Serah, and hit Mia on the head. Mia's hair was drenched, and the magical liquid dripped to her attire.

Serah was surprised. Her eyes widened in shock as she noticed who the one responsible was.

'I-it's—!'

She looked behind her and saw Samuel's hand raised—the leftover magic circle for the water ball dissolving and fading away.

"S-Samuel?" Serah let out.

"I-I... I'll protect you too!" Samuel declared.

He also stood up from where he had knelt and observed Serah's very brief match with Mia. He walked slowly until he was beside Serah.

"Let's take her down together Serah!" Samuel said with a smile.

Serah was amazed. Samuel would never have tried this in a million years. But thanks to this... They might actually get a chance.

"Yeah!" Serah nodded to him, then turned to face Mia.

"It seems Magical attacks have no problem passing through your barrier," Serah told Mia, who remained silent and was soaked.

"The problem with Runes is that it takes time to transcribe one, and it's difficult to change its set function and properties. Even for you... It would take a really long time to change the quality and function of that stone to block Magic attacks." Serah said.

"We are going to win!" She declared.

Mia's face which was buried under her wet hair, facing the ground, was raised. Her smile had not faded.

"Hahahahahahahaha" She laughed even more maniacally.

"Interesting, you think adding another weakling into your rank would help you? How amusing! But I'll indulge in your silly bravado for a little longer. Show me what you got!" Mia said.

Serah and Samuel turned to each other, nodded, and then charged. Serah's enhancement would still last a minute. That was enough time to finish the match. Serah sped ahead of Samuel, blocking Mia's sight of him and making her focus on herself.

Serah jumped, raising her fist and targeting Mia's distorted face. She hit the invisible wall again, but she wasn't done yet. The wall repelled her, but she used the momentum and twisted, using one of her legs to land another hit.

Of course, that was also deflected. Serah found her feet back on the ground. She stood a few steps from Mia, and she already was already reaching her limit.

Serah knew she would have to 'up' her game. She was going to use her best attack, and that was how far she could go.

'Let's do this!"