Klera's Point of View
They had the advantage now—they were meters away from their marked line. Just a few more steps and a short run, and they could win this.
They started running again, Clifton used his ability. A ripple of brown energy glowed on their bodies. They tried to turn the flag into a stone and throw it, but Clifton would just turn it back by his Motion Reverse ability.
Then they were back again to their former spot.They changed their expressions as they were forcefully returned to their spot. Akame's Reality Alteration is completely countered by Clifton's Time Manipulation.
"Klera, I'm going to use my special move," Clifton said through our Mind Link.
"I'll try to freeze them in time. But I need your help. I haven't fully mastered it yet—it might only stop them for a few seconds."
"I'll help you focus," I replied. "I have an ability that boosts concentration. I'll also protect you from Dahlia's memory attacks."
"She already took my training memories," he said with frustration. "She knows what I can do and what my weaknesses are."
Then I saw Dahlia walking behind Akame. She placed her hand gently on Akame's head—like she was putting something inside her mind.
Was it a command? A memory? I wasn't sure.
Dahlia calmly walked back to her spot, completely focused. She looked ready—like she had already predicted our next move.
I moved behind Clifton and started my incantation. I had to act fast.
"Mental Shield!"
A soft purple light formed above Clifton's head, glowing gently like a shield. I pushed my energy into him, helping him focus, keeping his mind steady.
The field was quiet for a moment. But the real fight was just about to begin.
Clifton chose a restoration ability, preparing it in case Akame altered the stone again—turning it into a massive boulder. At least we would be ready to restore its true form.
They launched the first attack.
Akame threw a small stone again. Clifton got ready, but we misread the attack, thinking it would just turn into a massive boulder—but we were wrong.
The moment the stone hit us, it first transformed into a massive boulder, then shifted into a tidal wave of water that exploded toward us.
Clifton was forced to use his time-freezing ability instead of the restoration one.
Before it could hit us, Clifton chanted the incantation for his Time Freeze ability.
It will take time to restore this massive tidal wave of water if we use a Time restoration ability.
"Stillness, come! Halt the moment! Threads of time, obey me!"
"Time Freeze!"
Ability explanation:
(Time Freeze is a Time Manipulation ability that allows the caster to momentarily halt time, either within a specific area or on chosen targets. Unlike a full Time Stop, which freezes everything in the area, Time Freeze can be focused on selected objects, attacks, or individuals. When activated, the target becomes locked in a frozen moment. Movements, actions, and even thoughts are completely halted for a brief duration, typically lasting only a few seconds.)
The water wave stopped in front of us, making it impossible to see what our opposing team was doing. It preserved us for the moment, blocking on our way. We moved backward, avoiding the water wave that was about to hit us, before Clifton resumed time.
It exploded on the ground. We could see again, and Akame was already running back toward their marked line, leaving Dahlia on our side.
Since my Mental Shield was still weak, I wasn't able to maintain it while we were moving away from the water wave. Now, we were vulnerable to Dahlia's Memory Manipulation ability.
As the wave disappeared, our view was replaced by the sudden presence of Dahlia in front of us. Dahlia appeared in front of us, having already chanted her incantation. Before we could react, her ability struck first—glowing with threads of cyan energy. She now stood slightly farther from us, fully focused, releasing waves of magic energy into the air.
"By pain once felt, let flesh remember—revive the wound that time forgot! Scars of the past, awaken and scream"
"Wound Reawakening!"
Ability explanation:
(Wound Reawakening is a Memory Manipulation ability where the caster targets a previous physical injury—be it a cut, bruise, broken bone, or even a minor scratch—and forces the target to relive the exact moment it was received. The ability taps into the body's memory of pain, awakening it in full force as if the wound has been freshly torn open. Though no real damage is inflicted, the illusion is painfully convincing. The target's mind is tricked into believing the injury has reopened—skin may feel like it's ripping again, blood may seem to pour, and the searing pain can flood their senses. It's a mental assault that mimics physical agony with terrifying accuracy. It turns the body's own pain memory into a weapon—reminding the victim that some wounds never truly vanish.)
We were both hit—our bodies coiling in pain and agony. Suddenly, my past injuries and wounds flashed through my mind. Every wound I had ever suffered burned anew, as if my flesh were being torn open all over again. The pain wasn't just physical—it stabbed deep into my mind, sharp and unbearable.
What did you expect from me? That I came through life without any wounds? I was a clumsy, stupid girl. I got hurt a lot. Most of my scars came from bumping into furniture.
Then a loud voice stopped us.
"Team 2, winner!"
Master Felicia announced.
Our fellow psychics applaud the winner, their cheers echoing across the battlefield.
I blinked in disbelief. Wait... what?
I really thought Clifton and I would win—I'm the main character!
Shouldn't the author spoil me with victories?
Dahlia finally stopped her ability. The cyan light around her faded as she took a step and gave us a small, apologetic smile.
We saw her partner step and cross into the marked line.
"I'm really sorry, guys..." she said, her expression softening with guilt. Her usual confidence was gone—replaced by an awkward, regretful look, like she knew she'd pushed us too far.
Clifton and I didn't say anything at first. We were still catching our breath, mentally drained and dizzy. Our minds felt like they'd been squeezed dry. Her Memory Manipulation didn't leave bruises, but it left something deeper—an invisible ache that weighed heavy in our heads.
Dahlia glanced down, then looked at us again with concern.
"In order to make things right for you both..." she began slowly, almost unsure, "If you want... I could erase your memories from this match. It might help ease your mental exhaustion. Just this one match—nothing else."
Her voice was gentle, filled with guilt, as if she was offering a bandage for a wound she'd caused herself.
I wasn't sure what was worse—losing the match, or having Dahlia, of all people, feel bad enough to offer a mind wipe like a peace offering.
It looked like they won the match—but in the end, we gained something more: friendship. And really, what more could we ask for?
Well, she isn't a bitch character after all.
"For the second match—Team 3 vs Team 4. Please proceed to the battlefield," Master Felicia once again announced.