Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

"Eh? Start what?" Adrian uttered, completely taken aback by her sudden actions. He blinked in confusion, his heart skipping a beat. After all, even in this state, she looked absolutely stunning. But...

"Aria, what's going on? Why are you pointing your sword at me?" Adrian smiled wryly, gently pushing the tip of her sword away from himself.

Aria didn't respond. Instead, she thrust her sword towards him without warning. Adrian's reflexes kicked in, and he dodged just in time, the blade slicing through the air where he had been standing.

"What's gotten into you, Aria?" he called out, his voice tinged with genuine concern and confusion. But Aria continued her relentless assault, her strikes fast and precise.

Adrian narrowly avoided each attack, his mind racing to understand her actions.

'Why is she fighting? Did I upset her?'

'Or is this some kind of test?'

'We fought at the semi-final-!'

Then it hit him as he remembered their semi-final match. Their fight hadn't truly ended due to Rowan's interference, she forfeited that time making him owe her another fight, not to mention he has yet to forget the promise she made about rewarding him if he won against her. He racked his brains about it for a whole night after all.

Realizing the intention behind her actions, Adrian's confusion melted away, replaced by a determined smile. "I get it now, Aria. I'm sorry. I'll get serious now."

With a swift movement, Adrian drew his own sword, the blade gleaming under the moonlight. He met Aria's next strike with his own, their swords clashing with a resonant clang. The force of their blows sent ripples across the pond's surface, the serene setting contrasting sharply with the intensity of their duel.

Adrian's eyes locked onto Aria's, seeing the calm determination in her gaze. He understood that this was more than just a test of strength; it was a continuation of their journey, a way for them to push each other to new heights.

Their blades danced through the air, each movement precise and calculated. Adrian could feel the power and skill behind Aria's strikes, and he responded with equal vigor. The sound of their swords clashing filled the clearing, a symphony of metal that echoed through the night.

Adrian's heart pounded in his chest, not just from the exertion, but from the exhilaration of matching Aria blow for blow. He could see the faint smile playing on her lips, the joy she found in their duel evident. He was also enjoying the fight, but since he didn't want to hurt her, he used equal strength, mostly parrying and defending.

"Don't underestimate me," Aria muttered as she launched herself at him again. The next second, Adrian sensed the earth under his feet moving.

'Crap, she is using her spells now.' Without hesitation, Adrian moved away with Phantom Step, his eyes never leaving Aria.

But, just then, he noticed a small evil smirk on her lips. Something felt wrong.

'Shoot! Was I tricked?' Adrian quickly realized he had been baited. Aria's movements were a calculated ruse to lure him into using his evasion technique, leaving him momentarily vulnerable. As he pivoted to reassess his position, Aria's spell activated beneath him. Ice encased his feet, immobilizing him in place.

Adrian's eyes widened in surprise, but he quickly composed himself, channeling his aether to break free from the icy trap. He shattered the ice with a burst of energy and leaped back, putting some distance between them.

"Nice move, Aria," Adrian admitted, a hint of admiration in his voice. "But I'm not going down that easily."

Aria smiled, "You sure?"

"?"

'!'

Adrian didn't have time to think as several ice shards came flying at him from different directions. His instincts kicked in, and he quickly raised a barrier of aether to deflect the incoming ice shards. Simultaneously, he leaped into the air, narrowly avoiding the earth spikes that just erupted from the ground beneath him.

As he landed, he cast a quick glance at Aria, who was already preparing her next move. Her mastery over the elements was nothing short of impressive, and Adrian knew he had to stay on his toes to keep up with her.

"You're not holding back, are you?" Adrian chuckled, a mix of excitement and joy in his voice.

Aria's eyes sparkled with mischief and determination.

"Then, I'll get serious as well. I really want that 'reward' of yours now." Adrian grinned and charged forward, his sword at the ready. He closed the distance between them with blinding speed, his blade aimed at her side. Aria parried the strike, their swords locking in a fierce contest of strength.

They exchanged a series of rapid blows, their movements a blur of motion. Adrian's agility and precision were matched by Aria's grace and power. Each clash of their blades sent sparks flying, illuminating their intense expressions. However, the two always looked at each other's eyes the whole time.

Adrian and Aria's duel continued with relentless intensity. Their swords clashed and sparked, the sounds of their combat filling the serene clearing. Adrian's focus was entirely on Aria, his admiration for her skill and beauty growing with each strike.

Suddenly, Adrian noticed a root jutting out of the ground, directly in Aria's path. "Aria, watch out!" he called, but it was too late. Her foot caught on the root, and she stumbled, falling toward the shimmering pool.

Without hesitation, Adrian threw his sword aside and dashed forward with blinding speed. Just as Aria lost her balance and fell toward the water, he reached her, pulling her to himself with all his strength. The force of his movement caused them to topple backward, and they both landed on the soft grass beside the pool, Aria landing on top of him.

For a moment, the world seemed to stand still. Adrian and Aria lay there, their faces inches apart, their breaths coming in quick, shallow gasps. The intensity of the fight was replaced by a sudden, overwhelming intimacy. The moonlight bathed them in a soft, silvery glow, and the fireflies danced around them, adding a touch of magic to the atmosphere.

"Aria... I..."