The S-Class Mage is a Gyaru!?-Chapter 93: Arcane Jungle, Part Twenty

[Alright, Reina. You got this. Just breathe.]

I step into the circle, trying to ignore the way my heart’s doing its best impression of a jackhammer. Across from me stands my opponent - some buff Mexican dude with a jawline that could cut glass and an undercut.

Yeah, because I definitely haven’t had enough cocky men in my life.

[Great. Another pretty boy who thinks his face is a substitute for actual talent.]

Instantly, I’m annoyed. But, knowing that amped up emotions like this usually leads to mistakes, I try to calm down.

"BEGIN!" The announcer goes.

I get into a combat stance.

The Mexican dude doesn’t start. Instead, he seemingly forms a magical microphone with his mana.

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN!" He booms, his voice magically amplified. "PREPARE YOURSELVES FOR THE MATCH OF THE CENTURY!"

[Oh god, is this guy for real?] 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

I cringe, resisting the urge to roll my eyes so hard they fall out of my skull.

"IN THIS CORNER," he gestures to himself, "THE PRIDE OF MEXICO, THE MASTER OF THE ARCANE ARTS, THE ONE, THE ONLY... DIEGO EDUARDO FRANCISCO JULIO- AGH!"

Yeah, no. I’m not standing here listening to this dude recite his entire family tree.

I flick my wrist and send a blast of raw mana straight at his stupid chiseled face.

He yelps, ducking just in time. The blast sails over his head, singeing the tips of his meticulously styled hair.

"HEY!" He glares at me, affronted. "I wasn’t finished!"

"Oh, I’m sorry," I deadpan. "By all means, continue. I’m sure the crowd is just dying to hear more about how great you think you are."

He bristles, his magic flaring around him in an indignant halo.

[Ooh, did I strike a nerve?]

"You dare interrupt Diego Eduardo Francisco Julio Alejandro-"

I shoot another blast at him. This one he manages to deflect, but just barely.

"Yep," I pop the ’p’. "I dare. Now are we gonna fight or are you gonna keep jerking off your ego in front of everyone?"

The crowd "ooohs", a low, scandalized sound.

Somewhere behind me I hear what I’m pretty sure is Akari whooping "FUCK HIM UP, BABY!"

But Diego Eduardo Francisco Whateverthefuck? He’s not amused. His face is turning an interesting shade of purple, like he can’t quite believe I’m not falling all over myself to bask in his glorious presence.

[Newsflash, asshole. I’ve spent way too much time around self-absorbed pricks to be impressed by your posturing.]

He reminds me of Jun, actually. All that unearned confidence, that smug certainty that the world owes them its undivided attention...

It’s fucking exhausting.

"You..." He’s shaking with rage now, his magic whipping around him like an angry tornado. "You DARE disrespect me? YOU? Some mangy fleabag gato de mierd-"

[Oh.]

Gato... means cat, doesn’t it?

I narrow my eyes.

[Oh HELL no. He did NOT just go there.]

Well...

Now it’s kinda personal.

I send out another blast of magic. Diego puts up a shield, though, holding my mana back.

[Alright, game on.]

We trade spells back and forth, magic flying everywhere. Gotta hand it to him, he’s not bad.

Fucker’s shields are tough and he doesn’t miss much.

But I’m better.

I move all over my circle, dodging abilities just before they would have blasted me off my ring. His bolts zip past, close enough that I can feel the heat. Close, but no cigar.

[That all you got, pretty boy?]

I move forward, launching tiny needles of mana at him like Marie had in her fight against Elizabeth. What Akari said before, about whittling down enemies... I like the sound of that.

He blocks, trying to get his own licks in simultaneously.

It’s like we’re dancing, the way we’re going at it. A messed up tango, magic style.

But I’ve had way better dance partners, let me tell you.

"Getting tired, gatita?" He’s talking shit, but I can see he’s sweating.

I flash him a grin, all fangs.

"Bitch, I’m just getting started."

I keep the pressure on, hammering at him nonstop. His shields are breaking faster than he can put ’em up. My bolts are getting through, he’s barely batting them away.

He’s slowing down, I can see it. Dude’s already running out of gas.

[Got you now, motherfucker.]

Now that I see him slipping, I turn it up a notch.

I send out one, massive ball of mana. The instant that I do, his defenses fold like a cheap suit.

My mana hits him like a truck, sends him flying. He literally pinwheels through the air before eating shit outside the circle.

The crowd loses it.

"Winner - REINA MIYAMOTO!"

I’m standing there, breathing hard, fists balled up. I stare at Diego, watching him writhe on the ground.

He looks up at me.

I smirk.

He looks away real quick.

[Yeah, that’s right. Sit the fuck down.]

I turn and strut out of the circle. The healers walk over to me but I wave them off. Not a scratch to do away with.

Akari’s there, yelling her head off. Haruka’s got this big-ass grin. Nao’s got her "not bad" face on.

"Way to rep, princess," Akari slaps my back. "You fucked his shit up good."

"Eh," I shrug, trying not to smile too hard. "Wasn’t much to fuck up, to be honest."

---

{Akari}

[Fuck, fuck, fuuuuck I’m so horny to fight!]

I’m practically vibrating in my seat as we watch the rest of the duels. Don’t get me wrong, there’s some good shit going down. Flashy magic, badass moves, the whole nine.

But I’m ready for the main event, ya feel me?

"Goddamn, when’s it gonna be my turn?" I whine, draping myself over Haruka. "I’m dyin’ over here!"

Haruka snorts, patting my head.

"Babe, chill. They’re saving the best for last, yeah? Gotta build up that anticipation~"

"Ugh, fine. But if I explode from sheer horniness before I even get in the circle, I’m blaming you."

"Wouldn’t be the first time I made you explo-"

"Okay, that’s enough!" Nao cuts in, her face bright red. "Some of us are trying to watch the matches, you know!"

I roll my eyes, but I can’t help grinning. Nao’s too fucking cute when she’s all flustered.

Reina just shakes her head, but I catch the little smirk she’s trying to hide. She loves our bullshit, even if she won’t admit it.

So we settle in, watching mage after mage strut their stuff. It’s a damn good show, don’t get me wrong. But every second that ticks by just ratchets up the anticipation building in my gut.

[Come oooon, I wanna fight already! I got a Russian bitch’s ass to wreck!]

Finally, FINALLY, after what feels like a million years and a half...

"And now, the moment you’ve all been waiting for! THE S-CLASS DUEL!"

The crowd roars, a tidal wave of noise crashing over the arena.

I’m on my feet in a heartbeat, bouncing on my toes.

"Fuck yes, that’s my cue!"

"Go get ’em!" Haruka smacks my ass as I start walking towards the circle, making Nao sputter.

I blow them a kiss over my shoulder, putting a little extra swing in my hips. Gotta give the people a show, right?

"And in this corner, Japan’s own blonde bombshell, the S-Class siren herself... AKARI NAKAMURA!"

I roll my hips as he says my name.

If the crowd was loud before, they’re absolutely apeshit now. I strut into the circle, waving and blowing more kisses, absorbing the absolutely lit energy in the air.

"And her opponent, the icy empress of the tundra, Russia’s premier S-Class sorceress... SVETLANA VOLKOV!"

Svetlana glides into the circle, all cold poise and haughty disdain. The crowd cheers for her too, but it’s more subdued, respect tinged with the slightest edge of fear.

[Good. Bitch should be scary. Makes it more fun when I melt her frosty ass.]

We take our positions, eyeing each other up like alley cats about to scrap. The air between us practically crackles with tension, with the promise of violence.

"Well, well," Svetlana purrs, her accent thick as her makeup. "Looks like the time has finally come, little gyaru."

I bare my teeth in a grin, my magic already sparking at my fingertips.

"It has. Hope you’re ready to get wrecked."

She laughs, a sound like icicles shattering.

"Oh, it is not I who will be... how do you say? Wrecked." Her eyes flash, cold fire. "Prepare yourself, Nakamura. I will bury you."

[Bitch, the only thing getting buried is my foot in your bony ass!]

But I don’t say that. Not yet. Nah, I’ll let my magic do the talking.

The referee steps up, looking between us.

"Mages! Are you ready?"

Svetlana nods, regal as a fucking queen. I just crack my knuckles, my grin widening.

"Born ready, babe. Let’s fucking go."

The ref raises his hand. The crowd holds its breath. I can feel my heartbeat in my ears, feel my mana surging under my skin, begging to be let loose.

[This is it. This is what I’m fucking made for.]

"BEGIN!"