CH 67

Emilia took a moment to float in the sky and look around the entire venue.

However, Owen was nowhere to be seen.

“I’m right here.”

At the sound of the voice, she looked diagonally upward and saw Owen there.

I knew that he could use flight magic.

However, there was no way he could have predicted that I would jump into the sky in that instant.

It took about 1.5 seconds for Emilia to use her wind magic and float up to 10 meters.

In that short amount of time, there is no way that anyone could have closed the distance between her and me in one fell swoop.

“Iron Fist ……!”

There was no way she could compete with Owen in aerial combat.

Emilia received a blow from Owen and fell to the ground.

“Gugaa!”

My back slammed into the ground, and intense pain hit me.

—Gahaa…..

Emilia’s consciousness almost faded away for a moment.

She bit her lip to stay conscious, but she knew she couldn’t give up now.

When she looked up, she saw Owen standing over her, looking down at the fallen Emilia.

He is pointing his right palm towards Emilia.

“I …… surrender …….”

At Emilia’s words, the judge announced Owen’s victory.

I knew I was no match for him.

Emilia thought to herself, what a tiny little thing she is.

A small light shining under the sun of Owen.

No one would even recognize that it was shining.

No one will pay attention to her.

Surely, no one would have predicted that Emilia would win this battle.

I know that.

But I still wished to win.

Still lying on her back, Emilia looked up at the sky.

Then Owen reached out his hand to her.

“I’m surprised to see you flying with wind magic. I’m surprised.”

“But you read me.”

“No, it was just a coincidence. Emilia’s defenses are so solid that I was thinking of approaching you from above and was surprised to find you in the sky too.”

And then Owen smiled, showing his teeth.

(Oh, that’s not fair. It’s so frustrating.)

“I don’t think I can beat you. You could have let your guard down a little.”

“I can’t let my guard down. You can’t be careless. If you do, you’ll lose. Emilia is strong.”

Owen said as if it were obvious.

(What do you mean you’ll lose? It wasn’t even close.)

No one thought she was going to win, she thought.

Everyone thought that Owen would win as a matter of course.

But Owen was different.

He was thinking about the possibility that Emilia would win.

He was evaluating Emilia.

I wonder what this feeling is.

I’m frustrated, but I’m happy.

I was happy that Owen had recognized me.

“Hey, can you take my hand now?　I’m embarrassed to be in this state for so long.”

It was definitely awkward.

Owen froze with his hand still extended to Emilia.

Emilia was amused by his appearance and laughed at him.

“What’s with the ……?”

“It’s nothing.”

Emilia took Owen’s hand and stood up.

She was defeated but felt refreshed.

I will probably never be able to beat Owen in the future.

But that’s okay.

I’m not giving up.

I’ll keep following his back.

Emilia thought to herself.