Post by idx on Dec 5, 2010 22:21:47 GMT -5
After leaving the Headmaster's office, I headed to my dormitory. My single dorm room. Finally I can have some privacy. My previous roommate was always asking questions like where did I come from, what are my hopes and dreams, whether I think I made the right decision on becoming a mercenary; a SeeD. He wasn't a bad guy though. Sometimes, I enjoyed his company but I know I won't be missing the little chatterbox.
After reorganizing my new room, I decided to sit on the edge of my bed. Just thinking about the tournament was making me nervous. Do I really have what it takes to win? According to the files the headmaster gave me, the other participants looked much stronger than me. Not only that, they've been in a lot more real battles than me too. Just thinking about it made me feel depressed. I don't want to let the headmaster down because thanks to him, I have a place to eat and sleep. After much thought, I stood up.
That's it. From now until the tournament, I'm going to sleep, eat, and train in that order. I grabbed my new weapon, which I have named Destiny, and placed it in its sheath and strapped it to my back. I haven't used it yet and am pretty curious as to how it will handle in battle.
Not only that, the ammo I used to use doesn't even fit in the ammo slots but luckily I found a compartment in the case. Inside was a little note that read, "The ammo you used to use won't work in this. Good thing too because that ammo was obsolete and cost more money to make than that new weapon of yours. The new rounds will work in your new weapon and thanks to the technology of today, they have a charging time so you won't run out. The ammo is used mainly in rifles and there are other types you can buy but this will do for now. The stronger the ammo type then the slower it will recharge so the type you have will recharge pretty quickly. You should also notice that you can now fire eight shots instead of six so be sure to keep that in mind when using the gun. Good luck!". And viola. The ammo cartridges were underneath.
I left my room and started heading to the training center. Don't really feel like fighting any simulations today so I think I'll test my luck with real monsters. On my walk there a few students had to stop me just to congratulate me on making it into the tournament. And boy was it starting to get annoying.
"Muthrik!" Great. Another one. That makes seven today already. My patience was starting to wear thin. Hell, it was wearing thin after the fourth one yesterday.
"Yes?" I asked with forced patience as I stopped and turned to face the voice.
I was expecting it to be another underclassman congratulating me on being in the Holy Mission tournament but it was a man; another SeeD by the name of Marc. Not one of the others that graduated at the same time I did because this guy was a SeeD when I first came here. And he didn't have that aura about him like he was going to congratulate me either. He looked a little angry. Not really a surprise though because this guy had an ego the size of the highest Trabia mountain. Always boasting about his strength and how there isn't anyone in Trabia Garden who can beat him. Didn't help that he had a short fuse either.
"So I hear that you're the one that's representing this Garden. Is it true?" he asked as he kept walking towards me.
Not looking away from him, I said, "Well, considering everyone has known since yesterday after the headmaster himself said it, I suppose it is."
"Well I think it's bullshit! Everyone knows I'm the strongest here and it should be me representing. Not you! I've been a SeeD much longer before you showed up and have been in more battles and have always came on top." He now was standing a few feet from me. I don't have time for this.
"Well obviously the headmaster thought otherwise because I'm the one participating. Now if you don't mind, I would like to get some training in for the next few days before the tournament starts."
Without another word, I turned around, facing the way to the training facility. Two steps later...
"Don't turn your back to me, boy!" Marc said through clenched teeth. I know what he was trying to do but once the word "boy" left his mouth I stopped in my place and turned to face him.
"I suggest you keep your mouth shut, insect, before I decide to knock you off your high horse and stomp you into the ground where you belong."
The last time someone called me boy was during a sparring session before I was a SeeD. I blacked out and when I came to, I was on my back with my weapon out of reach and my instructor on top of me with terror in his eyes like he just saw a ghost or something. The person I was sparring with ended up in the infirmary but had a full recovery. Soon after, he decided to transfer to Galbadia Garden and the instructor resigned a little before the student left. The headmaster said I was lucky to still be here but he'll give me another chance as long as I keep my anger in check.
I was doing pretty good too but I can feel my anger rising as seconds kept ticking away. But I wasn't the only one because Marc's face was starting to get red with anger too.
Snarling, Marc put his hand on the buckle keeping his giant battle axe secured, noticed a few students walking towards them, then put his arms at his side with fists clenched. "This isn't the place to teach you manners. Let's go to the training arena where no one will disturb me when I smash your skull in with my boot," he said quietly and hastily walked passed me, making sure to run into my shoulder. He has no idea how hard his world will come crashing down.
By the time I reached the arena, Marc was already there pacing around with his axe resting on his shoulder. He noticed me as I entered and stopped.
"Took you long enough. I was starting to think you chickened out like the little shit you are," he said with a smug look on his face. He won't have that look for long.
I unsheathed Destiny and stopped a few paces from where he stood; about the normal distance we stood during sparring lessons. Feeling a little cocky I couldn't help but say, "Actually, I decided to give you enough time to run away. But that's obviously not the case."
And with no hesitation, Marc charged at me. When he was within striking distance, with my right hand, I raised my weapon and swung it downward. Almost like he was expecting it, Marc rolled out of the way and struck me in my side with the blunt side of his axe hard. I stumbled a few feet and blocked his next attack that was going towards the back of my head and kicked him in the chest as hard as I could. With an oomf, Marc slid back a few meters, giving some space between us.
He stood up, rested his axe on his shoulders, and rubbed the area where I kicked him.
"Not bad. But it's going to take more than that if you want to get out of here in one piece!" he said as he raised his free arm. This was it. He was going to cast a spell. Focusing my mind, I was able to sense the spells he knew and which one he was using. He was going to cast a Fire spell.
Without thinking, I aimed my weapon at him and pulled the trigger twice. The recoil was a little stronger than what I was used to but it wasn't anything to give me trouble. If he wanted to use spells then I would just make him earn the time to charge. And that's time I wouldn't allow him to have.
The fiery ring that started formulating had vanished and with cat-like reflexes, he lowered his axe and turned it sideways. The shots I fired hit the blade with two loud pings. And in the next moment, we both started charging each other.
We both attacked and our blades hit against each other, sending a few little sparks in the air. Due to his muscular physique, he pushed me back easily with his weapon and swung it sideways. This time it was the sharp end. I flipped sideways, jumping over and barely missing his axe. Before my feet were back on the ground I heard two little beeping noises coming from the chamber of my gun. The shots I fired have been recharged and was usable again.
Because I'm no expert at shooting while flipping through the air, I took my aim and fired to shots towards him. This time he couldn't bring up his weapon in time. The first shot missed him like I expected but to my surprise, the other grazed his shoulder.
I landed and ran at him again only for my face to collide with his fist. I saw a flash of white and then felt some pain in my gut where he just kicked me. I felt the force behind the kick but the pain wasn't as bad as I thought.
Almost instinctively, I grabbed his foot and locked it under my arm but soon let go due to him swinging his axe towards my face, once again barely missing.
The next part seemed like my body was in auto pilot. He swung his axe again but with a downward stroke, I parried the strike and counterattacked. Marc, being a good fighter, used his axe and blocked the strike, elbowed me making me take a step back, and swung his axe downward powerfully. I jumped back and the axe smashed the concrete where I was just standing, causing the spot to crack and break apart. With no hesitation, Marc took a step forward and tried stabbing me with the spike at the top of his axe. I swung my sword sideways, knocking the weapon aside with such force that Marc lost his footing and stumbled in the direction I swung, keeping a tight grip on his weapon.
Now was as good an opportunity as any. I lifted my sword above my head with both hands when suddenly, something very powerful hit my back and the next thing I knew I was flying over Marc.
Noticing something off happening, Marc looked to see what hit me; angry that someone or something interfered with the fight but then a look of shock covered his face as soon as he turned his head.
"What the...!?" he managed to say as his gaze started rising higher and higher. "Muthrik! We're going to have to postpone our fight! We have a freakin' BEHEMOTH on our hands! And he looks pretty damn pissed!"
The beast let out a mighty roar and swung his head sideways, hitting Marc right in the chest and sending him to the floor a few feet from me. I crawled my way to my weapon, still stunned and disoriented from the blow.
Suddenly the ground started shaking; the behemoth starting charging towards Marc with its sharp horns pointing right at him. Grabbing my weapon, I stood up and in the blink of an eye, I sensed the magic the behemoth knew. I extended my arm out, following the behemoth as he ran to Marc. A small boulder started forming and grew immensely as fire started engulfing it like a small inferno. With a flash, the Firaga spell flew towards the mighty beast and struck it in it's head. The behemoth jerked his head sideways and slowed his pace. I knew the spell wasn't going to defeat it but it hardly had any effect at all! If anything, it only made the behemoth angrier and in the next moment, it turned and charged towards me.
Marc was still on the ground. Given his great fighting abilities, the behemoth knocked him out cold.
I ran towards the behemoth and jumped an impressive 10 feet in the air. I landed on the top of its head and jumped again. I landed behind the behemoth where Marc lie. Even though I never really liked the guy, I quickly took a Phoenix Down out of my pocket, opened the bottle and threw it above him. A mist escaped the bottle and landed on Marc, creating a small light as it hit him, and he began to get up slowly. He needed to be quick because the behemoth turned and started charging in our area.
"Dammit..." I hissed and gave Marc my one and only Elixir. "Drink this and be quick about it before the behemoth kills us both!"
Marc looked up at me, then the bottle, and then at the behemoth. We don't have time for this!! I thought. He may be a great fighter with amazing reflexes but his train of thought needs to seriously get a move on!
After finally drinking the Elixir, Marc grabbed his axe and said, "How ironic, eh? Looks like we'll be fighting together instead." Then he charged the behemoth, axe in hand, a look of fury in his eyes with me running right beside him.
The behemoth roared again. The roar was so powerful that it made the ground start shaking. "He's using the Earthquake spell!" Marc yelled as wings flashed on his back and sent him flying through the air.
Thank you, Captain Obvious, I thought and jumped high in the air again, readying my finger on the trigger. Marc's wings vanished already but he kept flying around, striking the beast in the legs, back, anywhere pretty much. I turned my sword upside down to land the deathblow as I started falling towards the top of the behemoth's head, but with a quick jerk, its head flew sideways, the horns trying to smack me to the side. Luckily for me, I knew a few spells myself. I extended my hand and a flash of a light blue light started appearing and take shape in front of me. The horn hit the Protect barrier and the magical barrier flashed brightly before fading completely. I stepped on its horn and somersaulted above it and started doing exactly what Marc was doing; striking anywhere and everywhere.
I landed behind the beast and much to my relief, the ground was no longer shaking. Seemed the Earthquake spell ended. Marc was above me and landed lightly, his wings were back but in a flash, they were gone. Looks like he ended his Float spell early after seeing me on the non-shaky ground.
"This damn thing is pretty powerful, huh?" Marc asked with amusement in his voice. "Think you can handle it, Muth?" The beast was trotting in an arc; preparing for the next charge.
I looked at him and we both smirked. "Please," I said playfully, "after the little "fight" we already had, I'm actually enjoying this." Marc let out a laugh. "Yup," he said. "Me too. What do you say we let our GF's finish up here? It's almost dinner time and I don't want to wait in a long line."
I wasn't complaining. I realized I haven't eaten at all today being worried about the upcoming tournament and all. I wouldn't mind having fresh food. Emphasis on fresh because I never get the food right after it's cooked.
Except there's a problem...
"Uh....I don't have a GF," I said. Man. I bet Marc will use that whenever he can.
"Don't lie to me! If you didn't then it would be impossible to use spells! Now come on! Mine isn't enough to kill it."
The behemoth roared loudly and started running towards us. "Too late! We have to finish it off ourselves!" I yelled as I ran towards it with Marc right at my heels. I jumped high, once again, attempting to land on the behemoth's head.
Marc was still running forward, axe held high. The behemoth looked up at me and with it losing focus on Marc, he slid on his knees, right under the beast's belly. I learned in my training on the many monsters of the world that the behemoth's skin is very thick, providing it a lot of protection from both physical and magical attacks. But there was a tender spot; its underside had very tender skin and can be easily punctured and I knew Marc either saw it coming which would explain why he didn't jump or was counting on me as a distraction from the beginning.
The beast let out a pained roar. Marc must've attacked the belly during his slide. As I saw Marc sliding out the opposite end with a bloody axe, I landed on the top of the behemoth's head, turned my sword upside down, and thrusted it downward. The beast roared again, but it was much weaker than the last one. For good measure, with the blade still lodged in it's skull, I fired the gun eight times. Bit of bone, blood, and brains flew from the now gaping wound and luckily with the way the beast was shaking its head, none of it got on me.
I took my sword out and jumped off, landing to the side of Marc. The behemoth was wobbling as it tried to walk towards us but fell after a few steps. Marc and I relaxed. We killed the behemoth. And once again, I couldn't help but notice it was rather easy. Was it because I had Marc on my side? The beast started fading until there was nothing left but a trail of blood from where Marc slashed it's underside and a few specks here and there from my attack.
As we were swinging our weapons to get the blood off, Marc sighed boringly, "Well that was fun."
We started walking back to the entrance of the Training Center.
"You know, I think you'll do well in the tournament," Marc said without looking at me. "You're much more stronger than I thought and given how well you can fight, I can see why the headmaster picked you. Hell, you're about as good as me! But not as good. Either way, you've earned my respect."
"Don't forget who saved your ass from being trampled," I said, not even trying to hid the cockiness in my voice.
"Hmph. Don't let it go to your head. Instead you should be thinking about that tournament."
Oh don't worry I thought. I've been thinking about that the whole time I was here. If the Holy Mission is as hard as fighting this Behemoth, I'm sure I'll be just fine.
After reorganizing my new room, I decided to sit on the edge of my bed. Just thinking about the tournament was making me nervous. Do I really have what it takes to win? According to the files the headmaster gave me, the other participants looked much stronger than me. Not only that, they've been in a lot more real battles than me too. Just thinking about it made me feel depressed. I don't want to let the headmaster down because thanks to him, I have a place to eat and sleep. After much thought, I stood up.
That's it. From now until the tournament, I'm going to sleep, eat, and train in that order. I grabbed my new weapon, which I have named Destiny, and placed it in its sheath and strapped it to my back. I haven't used it yet and am pretty curious as to how it will handle in battle.
Not only that, the ammo I used to use doesn't even fit in the ammo slots but luckily I found a compartment in the case. Inside was a little note that read, "The ammo you used to use won't work in this. Good thing too because that ammo was obsolete and cost more money to make than that new weapon of yours. The new rounds will work in your new weapon and thanks to the technology of today, they have a charging time so you won't run out. The ammo is used mainly in rifles and there are other types you can buy but this will do for now. The stronger the ammo type then the slower it will recharge so the type you have will recharge pretty quickly. You should also notice that you can now fire eight shots instead of six so be sure to keep that in mind when using the gun. Good luck!". And viola. The ammo cartridges were underneath.
I left my room and started heading to the training center. Don't really feel like fighting any simulations today so I think I'll test my luck with real monsters. On my walk there a few students had to stop me just to congratulate me on making it into the tournament. And boy was it starting to get annoying.
"Muthrik!" Great. Another one. That makes seven today already. My patience was starting to wear thin. Hell, it was wearing thin after the fourth one yesterday.
"Yes?" I asked with forced patience as I stopped and turned to face the voice.
I was expecting it to be another underclassman congratulating me on being in the Holy Mission tournament but it was a man; another SeeD by the name of Marc. Not one of the others that graduated at the same time I did because this guy was a SeeD when I first came here. And he didn't have that aura about him like he was going to congratulate me either. He looked a little angry. Not really a surprise though because this guy had an ego the size of the highest Trabia mountain. Always boasting about his strength and how there isn't anyone in Trabia Garden who can beat him. Didn't help that he had a short fuse either.
"So I hear that you're the one that's representing this Garden. Is it true?" he asked as he kept walking towards me.
Not looking away from him, I said, "Well, considering everyone has known since yesterday after the headmaster himself said it, I suppose it is."
"Well I think it's bullshit! Everyone knows I'm the strongest here and it should be me representing. Not you! I've been a SeeD much longer before you showed up and have been in more battles and have always came on top." He now was standing a few feet from me. I don't have time for this.
"Well obviously the headmaster thought otherwise because I'm the one participating. Now if you don't mind, I would like to get some training in for the next few days before the tournament starts."
Without another word, I turned around, facing the way to the training facility. Two steps later...
"Don't turn your back to me, boy!" Marc said through clenched teeth. I know what he was trying to do but once the word "boy" left his mouth I stopped in my place and turned to face him.
"I suggest you keep your mouth shut, insect, before I decide to knock you off your high horse and stomp you into the ground where you belong."
The last time someone called me boy was during a sparring session before I was a SeeD. I blacked out and when I came to, I was on my back with my weapon out of reach and my instructor on top of me with terror in his eyes like he just saw a ghost or something. The person I was sparring with ended up in the infirmary but had a full recovery. Soon after, he decided to transfer to Galbadia Garden and the instructor resigned a little before the student left. The headmaster said I was lucky to still be here but he'll give me another chance as long as I keep my anger in check.
I was doing pretty good too but I can feel my anger rising as seconds kept ticking away. But I wasn't the only one because Marc's face was starting to get red with anger too.
Snarling, Marc put his hand on the buckle keeping his giant battle axe secured, noticed a few students walking towards them, then put his arms at his side with fists clenched. "This isn't the place to teach you manners. Let's go to the training arena where no one will disturb me when I smash your skull in with my boot," he said quietly and hastily walked passed me, making sure to run into my shoulder. He has no idea how hard his world will come crashing down.
By the time I reached the arena, Marc was already there pacing around with his axe resting on his shoulder. He noticed me as I entered and stopped.
"Took you long enough. I was starting to think you chickened out like the little shit you are," he said with a smug look on his face. He won't have that look for long.
I unsheathed Destiny and stopped a few paces from where he stood; about the normal distance we stood during sparring lessons. Feeling a little cocky I couldn't help but say, "Actually, I decided to give you enough time to run away. But that's obviously not the case."
And with no hesitation, Marc charged at me. When he was within striking distance, with my right hand, I raised my weapon and swung it downward. Almost like he was expecting it, Marc rolled out of the way and struck me in my side with the blunt side of his axe hard. I stumbled a few feet and blocked his next attack that was going towards the back of my head and kicked him in the chest as hard as I could. With an oomf, Marc slid back a few meters, giving some space between us.
He stood up, rested his axe on his shoulders, and rubbed the area where I kicked him.
"Not bad. But it's going to take more than that if you want to get out of here in one piece!" he said as he raised his free arm. This was it. He was going to cast a spell. Focusing my mind, I was able to sense the spells he knew and which one he was using. He was going to cast a Fire spell.
Without thinking, I aimed my weapon at him and pulled the trigger twice. The recoil was a little stronger than what I was used to but it wasn't anything to give me trouble. If he wanted to use spells then I would just make him earn the time to charge. And that's time I wouldn't allow him to have.
The fiery ring that started formulating had vanished and with cat-like reflexes, he lowered his axe and turned it sideways. The shots I fired hit the blade with two loud pings. And in the next moment, we both started charging each other.
We both attacked and our blades hit against each other, sending a few little sparks in the air. Due to his muscular physique, he pushed me back easily with his weapon and swung it sideways. This time it was the sharp end. I flipped sideways, jumping over and barely missing his axe. Before my feet were back on the ground I heard two little beeping noises coming from the chamber of my gun. The shots I fired have been recharged and was usable again.
Because I'm no expert at shooting while flipping through the air, I took my aim and fired to shots towards him. This time he couldn't bring up his weapon in time. The first shot missed him like I expected but to my surprise, the other grazed his shoulder.
I landed and ran at him again only for my face to collide with his fist. I saw a flash of white and then felt some pain in my gut where he just kicked me. I felt the force behind the kick but the pain wasn't as bad as I thought.
Almost instinctively, I grabbed his foot and locked it under my arm but soon let go due to him swinging his axe towards my face, once again barely missing.
The next part seemed like my body was in auto pilot. He swung his axe again but with a downward stroke, I parried the strike and counterattacked. Marc, being a good fighter, used his axe and blocked the strike, elbowed me making me take a step back, and swung his axe downward powerfully. I jumped back and the axe smashed the concrete where I was just standing, causing the spot to crack and break apart. With no hesitation, Marc took a step forward and tried stabbing me with the spike at the top of his axe. I swung my sword sideways, knocking the weapon aside with such force that Marc lost his footing and stumbled in the direction I swung, keeping a tight grip on his weapon.
Now was as good an opportunity as any. I lifted my sword above my head with both hands when suddenly, something very powerful hit my back and the next thing I knew I was flying over Marc.
Noticing something off happening, Marc looked to see what hit me; angry that someone or something interfered with the fight but then a look of shock covered his face as soon as he turned his head.
"What the...!?" he managed to say as his gaze started rising higher and higher. "Muthrik! We're going to have to postpone our fight! We have a freakin' BEHEMOTH on our hands! And he looks pretty damn pissed!"
The beast let out a mighty roar and swung his head sideways, hitting Marc right in the chest and sending him to the floor a few feet from me. I crawled my way to my weapon, still stunned and disoriented from the blow.
Suddenly the ground started shaking; the behemoth starting charging towards Marc with its sharp horns pointing right at him. Grabbing my weapon, I stood up and in the blink of an eye, I sensed the magic the behemoth knew. I extended my arm out, following the behemoth as he ran to Marc. A small boulder started forming and grew immensely as fire started engulfing it like a small inferno. With a flash, the Firaga spell flew towards the mighty beast and struck it in it's head. The behemoth jerked his head sideways and slowed his pace. I knew the spell wasn't going to defeat it but it hardly had any effect at all! If anything, it only made the behemoth angrier and in the next moment, it turned and charged towards me.
Marc was still on the ground. Given his great fighting abilities, the behemoth knocked him out cold.
I ran towards the behemoth and jumped an impressive 10 feet in the air. I landed on the top of its head and jumped again. I landed behind the behemoth where Marc lie. Even though I never really liked the guy, I quickly took a Phoenix Down out of my pocket, opened the bottle and threw it above him. A mist escaped the bottle and landed on Marc, creating a small light as it hit him, and he began to get up slowly. He needed to be quick because the behemoth turned and started charging in our area.
"Dammit..." I hissed and gave Marc my one and only Elixir. "Drink this and be quick about it before the behemoth kills us both!"
Marc looked up at me, then the bottle, and then at the behemoth. We don't have time for this!! I thought. He may be a great fighter with amazing reflexes but his train of thought needs to seriously get a move on!
After finally drinking the Elixir, Marc grabbed his axe and said, "How ironic, eh? Looks like we'll be fighting together instead." Then he charged the behemoth, axe in hand, a look of fury in his eyes with me running right beside him.
The behemoth roared again. The roar was so powerful that it made the ground start shaking. "He's using the Earthquake spell!" Marc yelled as wings flashed on his back and sent him flying through the air.
Thank you, Captain Obvious, I thought and jumped high in the air again, readying my finger on the trigger. Marc's wings vanished already but he kept flying around, striking the beast in the legs, back, anywhere pretty much. I turned my sword upside down to land the deathblow as I started falling towards the top of the behemoth's head, but with a quick jerk, its head flew sideways, the horns trying to smack me to the side. Luckily for me, I knew a few spells myself. I extended my hand and a flash of a light blue light started appearing and take shape in front of me. The horn hit the Protect barrier and the magical barrier flashed brightly before fading completely. I stepped on its horn and somersaulted above it and started doing exactly what Marc was doing; striking anywhere and everywhere.
I landed behind the beast and much to my relief, the ground was no longer shaking. Seemed the Earthquake spell ended. Marc was above me and landed lightly, his wings were back but in a flash, they were gone. Looks like he ended his Float spell early after seeing me on the non-shaky ground.
"This damn thing is pretty powerful, huh?" Marc asked with amusement in his voice. "Think you can handle it, Muth?" The beast was trotting in an arc; preparing for the next charge.
I looked at him and we both smirked. "Please," I said playfully, "after the little "fight" we already had, I'm actually enjoying this." Marc let out a laugh. "Yup," he said. "Me too. What do you say we let our GF's finish up here? It's almost dinner time and I don't want to wait in a long line."
I wasn't complaining. I realized I haven't eaten at all today being worried about the upcoming tournament and all. I wouldn't mind having fresh food. Emphasis on fresh because I never get the food right after it's cooked.
Except there's a problem...
"Uh....I don't have a GF," I said. Man. I bet Marc will use that whenever he can.
"Don't lie to me! If you didn't then it would be impossible to use spells! Now come on! Mine isn't enough to kill it."
The behemoth roared loudly and started running towards us. "Too late! We have to finish it off ourselves!" I yelled as I ran towards it with Marc right at my heels. I jumped high, once again, attempting to land on the behemoth's head.
Marc was still running forward, axe held high. The behemoth looked up at me and with it losing focus on Marc, he slid on his knees, right under the beast's belly. I learned in my training on the many monsters of the world that the behemoth's skin is very thick, providing it a lot of protection from both physical and magical attacks. But there was a tender spot; its underside had very tender skin and can be easily punctured and I knew Marc either saw it coming which would explain why he didn't jump or was counting on me as a distraction from the beginning.
The beast let out a pained roar. Marc must've attacked the belly during his slide. As I saw Marc sliding out the opposite end with a bloody axe, I landed on the top of the behemoth's head, turned my sword upside down, and thrusted it downward. The beast roared again, but it was much weaker than the last one. For good measure, with the blade still lodged in it's skull, I fired the gun eight times. Bit of bone, blood, and brains flew from the now gaping wound and luckily with the way the beast was shaking its head, none of it got on me.
I took my sword out and jumped off, landing to the side of Marc. The behemoth was wobbling as it tried to walk towards us but fell after a few steps. Marc and I relaxed. We killed the behemoth. And once again, I couldn't help but notice it was rather easy. Was it because I had Marc on my side? The beast started fading until there was nothing left but a trail of blood from where Marc slashed it's underside and a few specks here and there from my attack.
As we were swinging our weapons to get the blood off, Marc sighed boringly, "Well that was fun."
We started walking back to the entrance of the Training Center.
"You know, I think you'll do well in the tournament," Marc said without looking at me. "You're much more stronger than I thought and given how well you can fight, I can see why the headmaster picked you. Hell, you're about as good as me! But not as good. Either way, you've earned my respect."
"Don't forget who saved your ass from being trampled," I said, not even trying to hid the cockiness in my voice.
"Hmph. Don't let it go to your head. Instead you should be thinking about that tournament."
Oh don't worry I thought. I've been thinking about that the whole time I was here. If the Holy Mission is as hard as fighting this Behemoth, I'm sure I'll be just fine.