CHAPTER 200: ARCANA REGIA [2]

"What’s wrong, weakling?" Her voice carried mock concern. "Can’t even take one hit?"

She lowered her hand slowly. Deliberately.

"I thought you were going to make me apologize." She grinned like she’d finally proven something she’d been waiting to prove for a long time.

Alaric pushed himself up.

His hand came to his mouth and wiped the blood streaking from his lip.

Elina walked toward him. Confident. Triumphant.

And stopped right in front of him. Close enough that he could see the satisfaction burning in her eyes.

Her finger came up and poked his chest.

"Now what do you have to say, mighty Glimor heir?"

The words were dripped with mockery. Her grin was still plastered across her face. Wide. Cruel. Enjoying every second of this.

Alaric looked down at her finger pressed against his chest.

Then his lips curved into a smirk.

"What?"

But before she could process...

Alaric moved.

His leg swept out.

Caught both her ankles.

Her feet went out from under her. Eyes widening in shock.

She started to fall—

Alaric’s hand shot out. Grabbed her wrist. Used her own momentum.

Spun her as she fell. Redirected her trajectory.

Thud!

Her back hit the floor. Hard enough to knock the wind from her lungs.

Before she could recover.

Alaric dropped.

His knee came down on her stomach.

His other leg hooked around hers. Tangled them. Locked them in place so she couldn’t kick.

One hand caught her wrist. Slammed it down beside her head. Held it there with iron grip.

His other hand moved to his side.

A dagger materialized from his inventory.

He brought it down. Pressed the edge against her throat.

Not cutting.

But close enough that she could feel the cold steel against her skin.

One wrong move. One twitch. And it would draw blood.

Elina’s eyes went wide.

All that confidence. That cruel satisfaction. Gone in an instant.

"Hey! T-That’s cheating!"

Her voice came out strangled. Half from shock. Half from the weight on her stomach making it hard to breathe properly.

Alaric’s smirk widened.

"I never said I lost."

The blade pressed just slightly harder.

"Give up."

His knee shifted. Added more pressure to keep her pinned. His hand tightened on her wrist, not painfully, but absolutely secure.

She was completely entangled. Completely trapped.

Legs locked. Wrist held. Weapon at her throat.

No space to move. No leverage to escape.

"Say it." His voice dropped lower. "Admit you lose."

Elina’s jaw clenched. Her teeth ground together.

But her eyes blazed with defiance.

"Like hell I would."

Alaric’s smirk deepened. He leaned closer. Close enough that she could feel his breath.

"So you like being pinned down by me like this?" His voice dropped. Became something darker. More teasing. "Enjoy being strangled?"

Elina blinked.

Once.

Twice.

Then realization crashed into her like a physical blow.

Her face went crimson in an instant.

"I-You, that’s not—!"

The words tumbled out.

"Fine! You win! You WIN! Now get OFF me!"

Alaric’s smirk turned victorious.

He pulled the blade away from her throat.

Then he stood. Released her wrist and stepped back.

[+100 DP]

The notification came and he dismissed it.

Elina shot up the instant she was free. She backpedaled. Put several feet of distance between them immediately.

And wrapped her arms around herself.

Her face was still completely red. Her golden eyes wide and mortified.

"Pervert!"

She hissed. Shooting him the most scathing glare she could manage while looking like a tomato.

"Y-You didn’t have to say it like that!"

Alaric just stood there. Arms crossed now. That infuriating smirk still plastered across his face.

And looked pleased with himself.

"You started it."

Elina’s glare intensified. If looks could burn, he’d be ash.

"I hate you!"

"Sure you do."

She made a frustrated sound. Half growl, half strangled scream.

Her hands clenched into fists.

Alaric watched her squirm with obvious satisfaction.

Worth getting punched in the face for this reaction alone.

He then secured the dagger at his belt.

Then his expression shifted. The teasing edge fading into genuine curiosity.

"By the way... how did you cancel my flames like that?"

His eyes studied her face. Searching for answers.

Elina remained glaring at him. Her arms still crossed. Still keeping the distance from him, then she looked away. Her jaw worked slightly.

Eventually...

Sigh!

The breath escaped from her lips. Long and heavy. Her hands dropped. Uncrossed.

She raised one hand. Two fingers came up near her head again.

Shimmer!

The black card materialized between her fingers.

Golden stripes ran along its edges. In the center, those same writhing symbols. Circuits or runes or something between. They pulsed faintly with light.

"It’s my bloodline ability."

Her voice had lost its angry edge. Became more matter-of-fact.

She caught the card properly. Held it up between thumb and forefinger. Flashed it toward him so he could see it clearly.

"This," She gestured at the card. "Can cut the connection between essence and its target."

Her golden eyes tracked across the symbols on its surface. Pride flickered there despite her lingering embarrassment.

"When it makes contact with active essence, it disrupts the flow. Cancels the technique instantly."

She demonstrated by rotating the card. Showing how the light caught its surface. "Doesn’t matter how strong the essence is. The connection gets severed regardless."

She puffed her chest out slightly. Chin lifting.

"That’s how I had beaten you."

Satisfaction colored her tone. Smug. Like she’d proven something important.

"Excuse me." Alaric’s brow raised.

"I won."

Elina’s pride deflated immediately. Her expression soured.

"You cheated."

"Using a weapon isn’t cheating."

"You first caught me off guard, when I won. And we were supposed to be sparring with essence!"

"You never specified rules." His smirk returned. "Besides, you hit me first."

"Because you attacked me!"

"After you insulted me repeatedly."

"Because you—" She cut herself off. Growled in frustration. "You’re impossible!"

Her hand still held that card, displayed it like a prize.

Despite her anger, she was clearly proud of the ability itself.

Alaric’s eyes lingered on the card. His mind working.

Bloodline ability... She’s never used it before.

His expression became more thoughtful.

"When did you awaken it?"