Chapter 157: A Potential Girlfriend For Ansgar?

POV Cornelius

The four members of the Mad Angels stepped onto the platform in the middle of the arena, where their opponents were already waiting for them. In the center stood a burly man in uniform. He was the referee. At his signal, one of the fighters from each team stepped forward toward him. For the first group, it was one of the two warriors, and for the other, it was The Duke. They were probably their respective leaders. Then a deep voice rang out, audible even in the back rows of the auditorium.

“Ladies and gentlemen, let us now welcome the Lightning Fury and the Mad Angels to the next match. The Lightning Fury are entering the arena with a record of 2 wins and 4 losses. Their opponents are the Mad Angels, who currently have a record of 0 wins and 5 losses.” <Referee>

Eli turned to Ansgar.

“They haven't won a single match? Then why are they still fighting?” <Eleonore>

"I happened to overhear that they are strong, but still couldn't keep up with the others. The Silent never participated, so there were only four of them- The fourth person died in the last fight. Apparently, they also had poor teamwork." <Ansgar>

“Why did they even participate in the first place? It doesn't matter, anyway, they now have a new party member. Javier, what do you see?” <Cornelius>

“Hmm, it's amazing. The Duke, the Bishop, and Charming Betty are level 38 or 39, while the last person is level 50.” <Javier>

“So she definitely has an improved class and has already reached the maximum level there. Not bad.” <Ansgar>

“We should also see that we're making progress. We're still stuck in our base class, even though it's our second class. We don't need much more EXP and we've reached our maximum level of 40 in both classes.” <Cornelius>

“Hmm, but then we also need development points to be able to level up. We've already invested 10 of them to gain a second class. We need another 10 to be able to improve one of the two classes. Theoretically, we could also learn a third class, but we decided against that. We don't have any points left right now and need every one of them for the level up.” <Javier>

“How is that supposed to work? I thought we didn't have 10 points anymore. That's what you always said.” <Ansgar>

"Calm down, Ansgar. I've already explained it to you several times. We can also choose the lesser alternative. Then we can at least improve our current class, even if it has disadvantages. We can only choose 2 talents instead of 8 to remove the increasing restriction. But it only costs 5 development points, and we have those." <Cornelius>

“Hmm, we can also improve individual talents through training. And we still have the option of selecting additional talents with development points later on. Did you forget that?” <Javier>

“No, of course not. I just didn't think of it right now.” <Ansgar>

"Of course. Anyway, let's drop the subject. We don't have to decide now. We can also wait until we get to the next dungeon and earn the missing points there. Javier, tell us more about the level 50 character." <Cornelius>

“Her status reveals many interesting facts. Her name is Eleonore, she is female, a dark elf, and a Swiftblade.” <Javier>

“She has the same name as me? She should be ashamed and choose a different name.” <Eleonore>

“Calm down, Eli. I'm sure she didn't choose her name after you voluntarily. What was a Swiftblade again? It was an advanced class of the Scout, right?” <Cornelius>

"Hmm, as far as I remember, it's an advanced class that can develop from many basic classes. At least it's clear that she can use magic, so the warrior and similar classes are out. Based on her high agility, I'm guessing Scout, also because she doesn't know how to use a bow as a weapon." <Javier>

“So she can do magic?” <Ansgar>

“Hmm, that's right. She knows advanced air magic and rudimentary water magic.” <Javier>

“Funny, I always thought that dark elves could use dark magic. Can you see her age and other talents?” <Ansgar>

“Hmm, she's the same age as us and has several high physical talents in addition to combat skills. This gives her high stats in strength and especially endurance. She even has more endurance than you, Ansgar.” <Javier>

"Oho, interesting. A tall elf with pronounced physical characteristics and a high level. As an elf, she's probably good-looking. Elves are always good-looking. I'd like to meet her sometime." <Ansgar>

“What's going on with you, Ansgar? You've never been interested in women before. Is your romantic side coming out now?” <Cornelius>

“Why not? All the human women in the empire were boring and sissyish. But the thought of a woman who doesn't fade into the background next to me and might even be able to stand up to me makes me really excited.” <Ansgar>

“We can try to track her down. We'll be in town for a while, and she's not likely to disappear tomorrow." <Cornelius>

“Hopefully.” <Ansgar>

“Javier, what do you think of her?” <Cornelius>

“Hmm, the fact that she can't use dark magic works in our favor. Dark magic is dangerous, as you know. We might have had to fight her.” <Javier>

"That's right. I'm curious to see what magic she'll use in battle." <Cornelius>

“I don't care about her at all. I'm not going to pay any more attention to her. But I'd be happy if Ansgar found the woman of his dreams too. Then maybe I'll talk to her.” <Eleonore>

“No one's asking you to, Eli. It's not our problem. Let's watch the fight instead. What are the others' stats?” <Cornelius>

"Hmm, The Duke is a fencer and has the lowest level of all. What's striking is his high score in etiquette and dancing. He looks like a nobleman to me. The Bishop is a priest and has the corresponding stats. He has no exceptional talents. Charming Betty has particularly high scores in seduction, acrobatics, and martial arts. The rumor that she is a former prostitute could be true. I would rate her fighting strength as comparable to the others. They all have an advanced weapon skill at tier 3 or 4." <Javier>

“And the elf is the newest member. I'm curious to see how they will fare.” <Cornelius>

“Me too.” <Ansgar>

“I'm not.” <Eleonore>

Down in the arena, the two leaders had already returned to their teams and chosen their lineups. The Lightning Fury had the two warriors at the front and the other two clearly behind them. The Mad Angels had taken a similar formation. The Duke and the catwoman were at the front and the other two a few steps behind. You could guess that the two leaders were quietly giving instructions down there.

Then the referee raised his arm with a flag and paused briefly. Finally, he lowered the flag, signaling the start of the match. The two warriors from Lightning Fury assumed a fighting stance and waited. The Hunter jumped back and shot an arrow, while the Mage began to cast a spell. Three members of the Mad Angels rushed forward, their weapons raised. The Duke's rapier and The Bishop's mace were ready to strike, while the catwoman wore only two steel-studded gloves with metal knuckles. Typical for a brawler. The dark elf, on the other hand, simply stood still. She didn't even lift her head. She didn't move at all; on the contrary, her arms were crossed in front of her body and hidden in her sleeves.

“Javier, can you see what she's doing? Does she not want to take part in the fight?” <Cornelius>

“How boring, I was just starting to find her interesting.” <Ansgar>

“Hmm, she could be casting spells, but I can't hear anything. Let's wait and see what happens.” <Javier>

Meanwhile, the Hunter had fired several arrows at the catwoman, which she deftly dodged. The mage had raised his finger and pointed at The Duke. He was hit by something invisible and froze in motion.

“Why is he standing still?” <Ansgar>

"Hmm, that was obviously a stun bolt. Unlike a lightning bolt, it does little damage, but it causes a paralysis status effect. Its strength depends on the mastery of lightning magic." <Javier>

“Annoying. It reminds me of those nasty creatures in the lightning dungeon.” <Ansgar>

“But effective.” <Cornelius>

Meanwhile, The Bishop stood still and pointed his mace at The Duke. We could hear him say something, but due to the distance and the noise in the auditorium, we couldn't understand it. Then The Duke took a quick step to the side. Immediately afterwards, an arrow struck the ground where he had just been standing. Obviously, The Bishop had cast a spell on The Duke, ending the paralysis. The Duke then shouted loudly.

“The archer. Now!” <The Duke>

Immediately, the dark elf sprinted off at an astonishing speed. A small cloud of dust even rose from the ground. I had never seen anyone move so fast from a standing start without losing control. It was all the more astonishing that she still didn't raise her head.

“How can she be so fast?” <Eleonore>

“Hmm, she must have cast a spell from air magic to increase her speed. Give me a moment. Appraisal. Hmm, her agility has increased since earlier. She must have cast a spell, otherwise I can't explain the increase.” <Javier>

“How high is the value?” <Cornelius>

“Hmm, almost 2800.” <Javier>

“Wow, she's rivaling my strength. But elves are known for their high agility. And she's level 50. I'd like to have that agility too.” <Ansgar>

“You have strength over 2500 and your endurance isn't much worse. What are you complaining about? Look down instead.” <Cornelius>

I hadn't taken my eyes off the fight the whole time. In no time at all, the dark elf had closed the distance to the hunter. He managed to shoot another arrow at her, but she simply caught it. At least, it disappeared into her robe. However, this hit did not slow her down in the slightest. In a panic, the hunter dropped his bow and grabbed a short sword hanging at his side. But it was too late. The dark elf was right in front of him. But instead of slowing down, she ran past him, her arms still hidden in her sleeves. It felt like several seconds passed, even though it was probably only a fraction of that time. Then the hunter collapsed, gurgling. He had a heavily bleeding wound on his neck. The dark elf stood about five steps behind him, suddenly holding a dagger dripping with blood. She must have hidden it under her clothes.

In the middle, an intense battle had developed between the four fighters, while The Bishop and the mage cast spells from a distance. After the Hunter collapsed, a brief silence spread through the arena, interrupted only by the sounds of combat in the center.

“Duke, he's down.” <The Bishop>

“The mage! Now!” <The Duke>

After the Duke's second loud shout, the dark elf changed direction and accelerated again from a standing start. She headed straight for the mage. He cursed loudly and pointed his finger at her. We couldn't tell what spell he was casting because it had no visible effect on her. Instead, the dark elf pulled a second dagger from under her clothes. The mage's eyes widened in fear and he opened his mouth to say or shout something. But we would never know what, because immediately afterwards, the two daggers struck him. One hit him in the stomach, while the other stuck in his chest. The mage spat blood briefly and then fell to the ground, gasping for breath. Both daggers were still stuck in his body. He spat blood another time and lost consciousness. The dark elf stood in front of him and did not move. It was still impossible to see her head.

There was dead silence in the arena. Even the fight in the middle had come to a standstill. The two warriors from Lightning Fury stared at the two motionless bodies of their comrades. The shock was visible in their eyes and the horror was palpable. They both lowered their weapons.

“The fight is over. The winners are the Mad Angels.” <Referee>

Immediately, the crowd began to cheer. Loud shouts of joy echoed throughout the Colosseum. They celebrated the overwhelming victory of the Mad Angels. From below, the Duke could still be heard shouting.

“Follow me. Now!” <The Duke>

The dark elf grabbed her daggers and wiped them on the mage's clothes. Then they disappeared under her clothes in a flash. She followed the others without saying a word and without raising her head. All four left the arena through a side exit into the catacombs. Meanwhile, servants rushed into the arena and took care of the Lightning Fury. They took intensive care of the hunter and the mage. As we learned later, they were seriously injured but not in mortal danger. They were carried out of the arena on stretchers.

“Javier, could you see what exactly happened? Several things just happened that I can't explain.” <Cornelius>

“What do you mean, Corni?” <Eleonore>

“For one thing, she was fast, much faster than I expected. Despite her high agility score, I can't explain her speed.” <Cornelius>

"Hmm, she had a spell on her, as I already said. It seemed to be an advanced spell. Her body control is also advanced, and she must have practiced a lot to control her speed. The magicians in Lightburgh hardly ever use such spells. The beneficiary of the spell must also be able to handle the increased speed. Only a few can do that, so this technique is only used by the elite." Javier

“Is that more complicated than the spell you cast on us, Javier?” <Ansgar>

"Hmm, definitely. I only cast the basic spell on you. According to experience reports, the greater the acceleration, the more difficult it is to get used to. This means that the increase is greater at the advanced level than with the basic spell I use. However, this also increases the difficulty of mastering it." <Javier>

“Eli, you're our healer. How difficult is it to nearly kill someone with a cut to the throat when they're at level 40? I don't do nearly enough damage to accomplish that.” <Cornelius>

“What are you asking me, Corni? I can only imagine that it must have been a critical hit. That makes it possible to hit a vital spot with one hit, causing you to bleed out quickly.” <Eleonore>

"Then she's a very dangerous opponent. But she has impressively shown us how far we still have to go. Ah, here come the next fighters." <Cornelius>

“Beautiful, fast, and dangerous. Great, my blood is boiling.” <Ansgar>

We looked at Ansgar questioningly and then shook our heads. After that, we spent another hour in the arena before heading back to our hotel. The next day, we wanted to set off for the local labyrinth.