Chapter 68: So Close Yet So FarThere were two reasons why I had put down the bet. One, I didn''t want to go to school again. Two, I had an idea as to how I could win.

    "Are you ready?" [Vincent]

    He readied his sword, its blade gleaming in the light.

    "Wait. Can I use skills?" [Solace]

    "...Ah. I see. You wanted to buff yourself to handle the blow." [Vincent]

    Well the cat was out of the bag. That was indeed my plan.

    "So... Is that a no, or...?" [Solace]

    "Sure. I don''t mind." [Vincent]

    ("Nice.") [Solace]

    With permission to use skills, I checked my status.

    "|Analyze|." [Solace]

    _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

    Name: Solace

    Race: Forsaken Spirit

    Gender: ???

    Age: ???

    Level: 23

    Health: 4000/4000

    Mana: 2000/2000

    Strength: 700

    Agility: 400 Sear?h the N?velFire.nёt website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Intelligence: 250

    Willpower: 800

    Status: Stable

    Skills: |Mystic Tongue Lv. 5| |Analyze Lv. 1| |Appraisal Resistance Lv. 1| |Liquid Bullet Lv. 3| |Ashen Arrow Lv. 5| |Flame Cannon Lv. 3| |Wind Edge Lv. 4| |Cleanse Lv. 1| |Kindle Lv. 1| |Night Vision Lv. 1| |Earthen Shield Lv. 1| |Reinforce Lv. 2| |Paralyze Lv. 1| |Mimic Lv. 2| |Status Concealment Lv. 1| |Item Box Lv. 1| |Sound Interference Lv. 1| |Enchant Flame Lv. 1| |Fire Resistance Lv. 1| |Blazing Fist Lv. 1| |Liquid Barrage Lv. 1| |Convergence Lv. 1| |Shock Resistance Lv. 1| |Wardrobe Lv.1| |Mana Detection Lv. 1| |Mana Breathing Lv.3| |Terra Javelin Lv. 1| |Imbue Alarm Lv. 1| |Cold Resistance Lv. 2| |Mental Fortitude Lv. 7| |Nausea Resistance Lv. 1| |Gentleman''s Favor Lv. 3|

    Unique Skill: N/A

    Titles: |Contracted Spirit Of The Unfortunate Summoner| |Unresting Experience Trainer| |Challenger Of The Strong| |Pitiful Disciple|

    _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

    It''s been a while since I''ve checked my status, so I was a bit surprised when I saw my stats go up even when the level hasn''t.

    ("Could this be because of |Gentleman''s Favor|?") [Solace]

    Considering that the skill itself was level three, I wasn''t too sure.

    ("Enough distractions, back to strategizing.") [Solace]

    I looked through my skill list, only to be a bit disappointed.

    ("Is the only defensive buff I have |Reinforce|?") [Solace]

    I expected to have some more, but I was wrong. At least the odds were still in my favor.

    ("Let''s get too hasty here. First, I know that Master is going to use a vertical slash.") [Solace]

    I thought of crossing my arms above my head to block the attack, but I still wasn''t sure if my body could handle the pressure.

    ("...Meh. Sometimes you have to jump before knowing how far the gap is.") [Solace]

    Seeing as how thinking and strategizing wasn''t my strong suit, I gave up. I simply decided to be a meathead and faced Master.

    "Are you ready?" [Vincent]

    "Give me a second. |Reinforce|!" [Solace]

    I shone dimly, leaving a blue hue around my body.

    "Now I''m ready." [Solace]

    Master nodded. He raised his sword high, which made me a bit nervous out of anticipation.

    "Be sure to block." [Vincent]

    Master took a step forward, then vanished.

    ("Aw hell naw!") [Solace]

    Judging from the amount of manga, anime, and all the above I''ve read, I knew damn well I was about to get smoked.

    ("Gotta block!") [Solace]

    Raising my arms, a sword then appeared before me. Master had come forth, striking my arms with his blade.

    "Urgh!" [Solace]

    I immediately dropped to one knee, but I still was in this.

    ("Crap! I''m gonna lose...!") [Solace]

    My arms started to tremble. They felt weak, as if I had just finished doing two hundred pushups within the past thirty minutes.

    ("No! I can''t go down like this!") [Solace]

    I thought of my days in school, thinking that anger will boost my morale.

    "I... hate... studying...!" [Solace]

    "Disciple...?" [Vincent]

    Energy surged, and I slowly pushed the blade back.

    "Heh...! This test is going to be an easy pass!" [Solace]

    That was when I jinxed myself.

    "I see. It appears your rage is quite great for studying. However, I have different plans for you." [Vincent]

    Master pushed harder, causing me to drop to two knees.

    "Ayo?!" [Solace]

    If this was a video game, I''d say he was hacking.

    "Fall." [Vincent]

    The blade slipped through my arms, and struck my forehead.

    "Ow." [Solace]

    My vision started to blur, as per usual. I knew I was going to pass out, but I managed to utter a few words before I did.

    "You... cheating... bastard..." [Solace]