I think we could all guess what happened next.
Of course, I accepted Kuzon's challenge: not because I was particularly petty or anything, no, I was just curious.
Who would win in a race between the two of us?
"Want to join in, Edward?" I asked, but the moment I did so, Kuzon cut me off with a glare.
"Nope! Just you and I!"
As expected, he was looking for an informal rematch between the two of us. Something personal.
'He must be feeling challenged after my fight with Edward' The smile on my face broadened as I nodded slowly.
"Very well then…"
Edward agreed to back down, even though I could see the look of disappointment in his eyes when he did so. He probably wanted to test his strength with Kuzon too.
In any case, Aloe Vida and Edward stayed away from the race between Kuzon and I—which had simple rules.
The both of us had to sprint or fly to cover the distance between our current location and the room filled with our friends. We couldn't utilize Spells, Transformations, and/or Familiars. It was just me versus him.
'Considering the fact that Leo is absent, he's not in full power…' Then again, in base form, he didn't have to wory about all that.
Once the rules were established, and we went on track, I cast a sideway glance at Kuzon and he did the same to me.
"No matter what happens… we'll have to accept the results, okay?"
It was a simple line, but I had to establish that.
"Fair enough. Let's begin already."
Aloe served as our moderator, though she didn't seem too into the whole thing.
"On your mark. Get set. Go!"
That was the start of a catastrophe.
~BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!~
Space itself ruptured as Kuzon and I raced through the grounds of the world.
Our destination was the Fairy Kingdom within the Western Continent, and we were currently in the Eastern Continent. It wasn't too far, in all honesty, and I estimated it would take approximately a few seconds—at most.
However, these few seconds were the most intense I had ever experienced in my whole life.
In these few seconds, it would be decided who was more powerful in our base forms… Me or Kuzon.
However, I already knew the answer to that.
[Spellcraft] wasn't a Spell, yes I know how that sounded, so it would be my greatest tool in this decisive moment.
But that wasn't all.
My multiple cores could evenly distribute and absorb energy at far much quicker rates than anything Kuzon had in his arsenal. Plus, by using Specialized Cores to actively improve every aspect of my body, using Spellcraft to also bring my surroundings to my advantage, the conclusion was already obvious.
It was my victory!
*******
[The Present]
It seemed Ciara hadn't arrived yet, so we had to have overtaken her at some point. Compared to my speed and Kuzon's it seemed hers was still lacking.
The audience was at a standstill, and I took my time to observe the faces of those present. I saw Jane's stunned expression, I noticed Aurora and Gerard's shock, and as my eyes trailed among the crowd, I felt something… no, someone rush towards me at breakneck speed.
It was a presence I could not forget.
I turned in her direction, and the moment I did so, a gentle kiss landed on my lips, and I felt a wave of her scent wash over me.
'Maria…' I caught glimpses of her silver hair dancing all over, and I felt her body press against mine—so soft and warm that I forgot all about Kuzon and everything else.
I just wanted to be alone with her.
~WHOOOOSSSHHH!~
I wrapped my arms around Maria an swiftly ascended from the hall, leaving everyone else behind.
We needed some alone time, after all.
******
Kuzon watched as Jared just ascended with Maria after they kissed, and afterward, he felt his gaze trailing in a direction where he felt the strongest presence from.
A girl was currently on her feet, her eyes widened so her sky blue eyes glittered with light. Kuzon smiled as he saw his little angel.
She hadn't changed in the slightest.
Her small physique, her flat chest, and her portable body… everything was just as he remembered.
~SWOOOOSSHH!~
He instantly vanished from his position and drew closer to her, taking her soft hand as he put on his most charming smile.
"Ana…" His lips curled up to form a loving grin, and his cheeks reddened the more he stared into her gem-like eyes.
Ahh… this was youth. This was bliss. This was love.
"... I've missed yo—"
~WHAP!~
A hot, stinging sensation coursed through Kuzon's face as he felt Ana's palm get imprinted on it. Her small hands had pressed on his cheeks, making a clapping sound that sent shockwaves flying in all directions.
Of course, Kuzon had seen this blow coming, but he never attempted to dodge.
After all, a slap from this woman before him was a reward in itself.
'It's been so long… since I felt your touch.' He held her small hands, feeling the warmth of her skin as he stared more passionately into her eyes.
"Y-you idiot… where have you been?" He could hear her whisper, and he could see her eyes fighting back the tears that were gathering there.
Yes. He was an idiot.
Yes. He was late.
Kuzon knew all of that. However, that didn't stop him from embracing his darling, even as she uttered those words.
His large body pressed against her small frame, and she did not resist in the slightest.
It felt like he hands had become jelly, and her body was unable to resist the urge to hug him back. And so, they became locked in an embrace that seemed to completely establish how they felt about each other.
"H-hey can someone tell me—" Jane was about to speak up when Kuzon and Ana had decided to follow the lead of Jared.
~WHOOOOOSHHH!~
In no time, Kuzon vanished from his position, leaving a room full of confused people, staring at each other and wondering what in the world had just happened.
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[A/N]
This chapter was fun for me, tbh.
It might be cringe to you, but I don't care. I love this!
Let's see what happens next!
