Chapter 12: Duel

Merlin and Ais had been guided to the Astrea Familia home called Stardust Garden. They were formally introduced to the members of the Astrea Familia, Ais simply nodded and gave her name while Merlin did an over-the-top introduction of herself.

Alise along with her Familia comrades began going over the strategy they will be using tomorrow, a joint attack with other Familias where they will hit three Evilus bases simultaneously. Merlin and Ais will be going along with the Astrea and Genash Familia's to assault one base.

"We have reports of a suspicious woman, it's unknown whether she was a mage or magic swordsman, and it's believed she has a high level. Her identity and affiliation are still unknown so we don't know if she will show up but its best to be prepared if she does"

"Leave them to me!" Merlin declared. "I'll take her down have her all tied up!"

"Right..." Flashbacks at the tied up Evilus member appeared in her mind. She was starting to feel bad for that unknown woman.

...

"Achoo!"

...

"Anyway, we have seen some of your abilities firsthand and would like to ask you to take up a support role in this assault" Alise said.

"I'm fine with that, however, I would ask that you take my student along with you to the front lines" Merlin pushed forward Ais to show her off.

Alise was a bit conflicted with her request. "While she was certainly a big help during the attack on the soup kitchen, we don't know how strong she is. Bringing her with us could be even more dangerous"

"You don't need to worry about that! My Ais is very strong, and to prove it, how about a little duel so you can get a better idea of her strength"

Alise looked over to her Familia comrades for their opinion. They simply nodded in agreement.
"Very well, we'll take you to the training grounds"

"Hehe, I promise you'll be very satisfied with the results"

...
Outside the Stardust Garden in a large training field. Ais and Ryuu stood in the middle of the training grounds, both holding training swords. The Astrea familia and even Astrea herself watched with interest. Meanwhile Merlin...

"You can do it Ais! Kick her ass!" Merlin cheered from the sidelines, wearing a cheerleader outfit with pompoms in both hands. 

Astrea couldn't help but flinch at Merlin's crude words. Alise didn't like it either and made it known. "Can you not use such language here! And where did you even get that outfit, you were wearing white robes five minutes ago?! And why does it show too much skin!"

"I'll try my best to watch my language in front of the goddess, and for my outfit, I simply made it"

Alise turned away, bringing her attention back to Ryuu and Ais. Ryuu was a level 3 adventurer and was very skilled, so she was confident in her victory but... Ais. She didn't know her level, but being student under someone as powerful as Merlin, surely, she was strong too, but she was still a child.
"Some ground rules, no magic, no lethal hits, and the first to land a hit is the winner"

They both nodded. Alise raised her arm up in the air and brought it down. "Begin!"

Ais shot forth, the speed surprising in Ryuu who brought up her sword to defend. Ais swung her sword downward, only for the attack to be pulled away halfway and her leg extend to kick Alise.

The kick landed squarely against Ryuu's midsection, pushing her back a few steps. The Astrea Familia let out surprised gasps as Ais lands the first hit.

'She's fast!' Ryuu thought in disbelief.

"That was too fast, I didn't even get to enjoy my popcorn! Go another round!" Merlin shouted from the sidelines.

Ais simply readied her stance once more, confirming to Ryuu that she was willing to go again. Ryuu prepared as well, now that she knew the child's unexpected speed, she would be ready to defend and counter.

"Begin!" Kaguya announced again.

Ais shot forth again, but Ryuu was ready this time, able to dodge and defend against Ais. But Ais didn't let up and continued her rapid attacks, her footwork and movements flowed naturally. Despite her young appearance, her golden eyes were calm and focused on the duel.

The sound of wood clashing ranged out across the field. Ryuu managed to parry a few attacks, but it was clear to everyone that she was being pushed back. Ais had overwhelming strength and speed despite not using magic, and her skill with the blade and observation was equally terrifying. Reading everyone of Ryuu's moves and reacting accordingly, her battle senses were far beyond her years. All due to the training provided by Merlin, who kept pushing the little girl who didn't know how to quit and kept getting up no matter how injured or tired she was.

Kaguya watched with growing disbelief as she watched Ryuu, a level 3, being overwhelmed by a child younger than them. She knew how skilled Ryuu was from their time together, so to see the current state of the duel was shocking.

"Ryuu, don't lose focus!" Alise called from the sidelines, though her tone carried more excitement than concern. 

Then, in a single swift movement, Ais stepped past Ryuu's guard, twisted her body and tapped Ryuu's shoulder with the wooden blade before stepping away just as fast.

"Hit confirmed! The winner is Ais!" Alise announced.

Ryuu blinked in surprise before accepting her defeat. "It seems I still have much to learn..."

Ais gave a small nod and thanked Ryuu for the duel.

"WOOO! Let's go!" Merlin yelled while jumping in the air, doing a poor excuse of a cheerleader dance.

The Familia cheered for both of them for their performance. "We'll consider her fit for the operation and take her with us on the front lines, also, can you stop doing that weird dance already!" Alise said to Merlin.

Astrea chuckled softly, in her mind, moments like this were nice to experience before heading off into battle.

The Astrea Familia surrounded Ryuu and went over the duel, meanwhile Ais had returned to Merlin's side. "Good job Ais"

"Thank you, teacher"

"Anyway, I plan on you staying the night here, it will help in getting to know the people you'll be fighting alongside with"

"Do I have to?" Ais asked.

"Yep, you need to learn to socialize or else you will grow up with no friends"

"What about you teacher?"

"I have plenty of friends, and I have some business to finish up back at home. Since the raid is tomorrow, I got to quickly finish up on my project that I have been delaying for a while now. Such a shame... I would have liked to stay over for a sleep over... so many... opportunities..."

Ais tilted her head in confusion at Merlin's words, for some reason the entire Astrea Familia and even Astrea herself felt a chill run down their spine. They didn't know why they had such a reaction out of nowhere, but Astrea with her intuition could only assume a bad omen had fortunately passed. 

"And don't worry about feeling like a burden for some reason. I asked Astrea beforehand, and she was happy to accept, also they will be having a feast tonight so expect lots of food"

Ais straightened her posture and saluted to Merlin. "I understand teacher, I will do my best to get to know them". She then turned and walked toward the members of the Astrea Familia who had just got done talking to Ryuu about the duel.

'Well, at least she's got the spirit, even if her heart is only there for the food... Well, time to stop procrastinating and finish up that project, such a shame that energy drinks haven't been invented yet, I don't think I'll be getting any sleep tonight'

With a quick farewell, Merlin's clothes transformed back into her white robe, and she departed back home while Ais started to enjoy the feast. The Astrea Familia not yet knowing the beast that hungers within the child's stomach...