Chapter 30: When Precognition Isn’t Enough

Arthur stood outside in a massive clearing, surrounded by towering walls and reinforced barriers.

Several elevated seating platforms could be seen in the distance.

This was one of the outdoor Mecha sparring rings owned by House Ashbourne.

Arthur stood in the center of the arena, his Mecha lowered into a battle stance.

The golden Photon Blade rested firmly in his hand.

Nearby, Sinclair, Luzi, and several other engineers had gathered to watch.

They were clearly curious to see what the Type-Vanguard could do in actual combat.

Across from Arthur stood Seraphina.

Her long black hair fluttered gently in the wind.

Her sword and outer equipment had been set aside.

She wouldn’t be needing them for this spar.

Seraphina stared at the enormous Type-Vanguard before her.

"Young Master, I understand that you’re excited about getting your Mecha and all..."

She sighed.

"But you shouldn’t get carried away and challenge an Iron Angel like this."

Arthur tilted the Type-Vanguard’s head slightly.

"Come now, Seraphina."

"Don’t ruin the fun with another lecture."

The Photon Blade shifted into a ready position.

"Let’s go all out. You and me."

Seraphina’s expression became slightly more serious.

"And risk breaking your new toy?"

Arthur paused.

"Should I take that as you being sarcastic?"

"Yes."

"Details, details."

Arthur’s crimson eyes began glowing.

"Just transform. Let’s do this."

Seraphina sighed.

"I suppose there’s no point arguing with you."

She slowly raised her hand.

"As your teacher, I believe it’s my responsibility to teach you a lesson or two."

The moment her words fell...

A strange metallic liquid began emerging from Seraphina’s body.

It flowed across her skin like liquid mercury.

Within seconds, her entire body was covered in shimmering silver.

Her clothing was enveloped by the metallic substance, transforming into a basic silver covering that followed the contours of her body.

Then...

A pair of enormous silver wings suddenly erupted from her back.

Then another pair emerged.

Two pairs of magnificent silver wings spread behind her, casting a vast shadow across the arena.

Seraphina’s body began to enlarge.

Her muscles grew.

Her limbs lengthened.

Her entire physique became larger and more imposing.

She continued growing until she towered over the humans watching from the sidelines.

She still wasn’t nearly as large as the Type-Vanguard.

But she was massive nonetheless.

The silver liquid finally settled across her body.

Seraphina slowly clenched her fists.

Her natural skin tone around her face and hair gradually returned to their original appearance.

Her blue eyes shone brightly.

The air around her seemed to tremble.

Arthur stared at her enormous transformed form.

His grin widened beneath the Type-Vanguard’s helmet.

"Now this..."

He tightened his grip around the Photon Blade.

"...is what I’ve been waiting for."

Seraphina extended her right arm.

Liquid silver gathered around her hand, rapidly condensing into a magnificent silver sword.

With her other hand, she casually gestured toward Arthur.

"Come on, Young Master."

A faint smile appeared on her face.

"I’ll give you the first move."

Luzi blinked.

"Is she really just going to use a sword? Against a Photon Blade?"

Sinclair shrugged.

"Seems like she plans to go easy on him."

He glanced toward the enormous Type-Vanguard.

"But I’m sure she’ll have to construct more advanced weaponry during the fight."

A knowing smile appeared on his face.

"The Young Master will make sure of that."

Arthur’s grin widened.

"Then I’ll gracefully accept your gesture, Teacher."

His grip tightened around the Photon Blade.

"Genesis."

〘Yes, Master.〙

Suddenly...

Reddish circuitry patterns spread across Arthur’s right eye.

A crimson ring appeared around his pupil, glowing faintly.

Arthur’s gaze locked onto Seraphina.

The golden energy wings on the Type-Vanguard’s back suddenly flared.

BOOM!

The ground beneath its feet cracked.

In the next instant...

Arthur charged.

The Type-Vanguard’s golden thrusters erupted behind it, propelling the massive Mecha across the arena with enough force to send dust and loose debris flying in its wake.

The Photon Blade flashed.

SHING!

Arthur swung horizontally.

Seraphina simply leaned backward.

The golden blade passed harmlessly over her face.

Arthur immediately reversed the motion.

A second slash came from the opposite direction.

Seraphina tilted her head.

The blade passed within centimeters of her cheek.

Arthur’s crimson eye flickered.

〘Predictive trajectory calculated.〙

〘Projected movement: Three seconds ahead.〙

Genesis’s ability had already shown him what Seraphina was going to do.

He saw her step to the left.

Then duck.

Then counter with a kick.

Arthur adjusted his attack before any of it happened.

He changed his angle.

The Type-Vanguard’s foot slammed into the ground as its enormous body twisted.

The Photon Blade came down vertically.

Seraphina simply stepped backward.

The blade missed.

Arthur immediately followed with a thrust.

Seraphina moved sideways.

Miss.

Another slash.

Miss.

A reverse slash.

Miss.

A sweeping kick.

Seraphina jumped over it.

Arthur’s eyes narrowed.

She’s avoiding everything.

He accelerated.

The golden wings on the Type-Vanguard’s back flared brighter.

BOOM!

The Mecha shot forward again.

Arthur swung the Photon Blade in a rapid combination.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five consecutive strikes.

Each one was calculated with Genesis’s predictions.

Each one should have connected.

Yet Seraphina slipped between them effortlessly.

She moved like water.

A slight turn of her shoulder.

A small step.

A tilt of her head.

A graceful pivot.

Nothing more.

The Photon Blade continued slicing through empty air.

SHING!

SHING!

SHING!

Arthur suddenly thrust the blade toward her chest.

Seraphina leaned to the side.

The golden blade passed directly beside her.

She casually placed two fingers against its flat.

A hissing sound echoed as the silver on her fingers evaporated.

The enormous weapon stopped for the briefest moment.

Arthur’s eyes widened.

She stopped it with two fingers?

Seraphina smiled.

"You’re getting better."

Arthur immediately pulled the weapon back.

"Don’t patronize me."

He swung again.

Seraphina ducked.

The blade passed over her head.

Arthur twisted the Mecha’s waist and brought the weapon around in a sweeping arc.

Seraphina jumped.

The blade passed beneath her feet.

She landed behind him.

Arthur’s predictive vision immediately activated.

He saw what would happen next.

Seraphina would step forward.

She would raise her sword.

Then—

A strike toward his back.

Arthur spun around before she even moved.

The Photon Blade was already waiting for her.

Seraphina’s eyes widened slightly.

"Oh?"

She stopped.

Arthur’s blade came down.

Seraphina stepped backward.

The weapon missed by barely an inch.

Arthur immediately thrust forward.

She moved again.

Miss.

He swung horizontally.

She ducked.

Miss.

He reversed the blade.

She leaned away.

Miss.

Arthur’s expression became increasingly frustrated.

His predictive vision continued showing him exactly where Seraphina would be.

Three seconds.

Three seconds into the future.

He knew her movements before she made them.

And yet...

He still couldn’t hit her.

Arthur finally decided to pull back to catch his breath.

...I guess this is one of the reasons Iron Angels are the main combat force of every system.

He stared at Seraphina.

She’s moving that massive frame as swiftly and smoothly as if it were her own body...

Arthur tightened his grip around the Photon Blade.

Seems I’ll have to get creative here...