Chapter 13

Alexis was currently fighting Vincent, and he was losing. Badly.

The fight started out even and halfway through it Alexis started to gain an advantage.

Vincent had been fighting with his anti-akuma weapon still in its metal arm form at the time, so all Alexis had to do was slash at Vincent. While it might seem anti-climactic, the cutting power of Alexis's sword was overpowered. It just had to touch Vincent’s anti-akuma weapon and it would cut through it like butter. If it wasn't for Vincent's high stats, he would have long been defeated.

At the halfway point of the battle, Vincent managed to gain enough distance from Alexis to attempt what Ana had told him about. Luckily, his anti-akuma weapon wasn't damaged enough to not be able to attempt it.

Vincent: (She said all I have to do is wish it… Form change: Saber!)

After Vincent called out in his mind and fully focused on his left hand, his call was answered. Just as Alexis was about to slash at Vincent's exposed anti-akuma weapon, the familiar green light was emitted from it. At the last second Alexis's sword was about to hit, Vincent's anti-akuma weapon shape shifted from its standard metal form into a sort of lightsaber one. Because of this, Alexis had his sword stopped right before it managed to even cut anything.

Alexis: ...So you're finally going all out, huh?

Vincent: I didn't know whether or not it'd work.

Alexis: ...I don't like being used as a test subject.

After the short conversation between the two, Alexis finally realized that his sword wouldn't be cutting through Vincent's anti-akuma weapon anymore and decided to retreat and think up another plan. This might have given him a chance if Vincent hadn't guessed what he was doing.

While trying to gain distance from Vincent, Alexis suddenly felt a premonition of danger. As soon as he felt it, he had the metal disc that floated around him place itself in front of him and enlarge itself. No sooner than when the disc stopped enlarging itself did the danger that he had sensed occurred.

He wasn't able to see in front of him, but he sure as hell heard the impacts that hit the metal disc.

Once he heard the sounds stop, he had a hole large enough to see through appear in the metal disc. What he saw on the other side surprised him. Vincent’s anti-akuma weapon seemed to have changed into the form of a cannon with wings of light surrounding it. After this, Vincent immediately charged at Alexis at a speed that caught him off guard. Previously, Vincent hadn't gone that fast. This meant that the 5 year old boy had been holding back.

Caught off guard and exhausted from using an extreme amount of faith energy to sustain the golden disk as it stopped the projectiles from impaling him, Alexis couldn't react in time. The result was Alexis ending up being grasped by Vincent’s metallic arm.

Jack: Alright, that's enough. Vincent is clearly the winner of this match. Alexis, nice fight but it seems that Vincent's control over his innocence is years ahead of you. He's quite the powerhouse for a little boy...

After setting down Alex (A: Easier to type than Alexis), the two young boys deactivated their anti-akuma weapons. Vincent seemed especially worn out as it was the first time he had his anti-akuma weapon change forms. He also hadn't had that much combat experience with his current body, so he had to work extra hard to control it during the fight so he wouldn't accidentally kill Alex. High stats in an unfamiliar body made for a high chance of accidents occurring.

Sophie: Good job Vince, I knew you had it in you!

Jack: Lies, you were totally going on and on about what you would do to Alexis if he got too badly injured.

Sophie: (Blush) I knew he'd be okay, but I just couldn't help worrying.

Russell: Don't worry so much when you literally brought him here to learn how to fight. He has to get used to it as soon as possible. It's the fate of all who are fated to resonate with innocence...

Sophie: ...Alright.

After the conversation between the 3 ended, Vincent came down from the arena to join them. After they each gave Vincent praise and teased him for not telling them about just how strong his control over his innocence really was, Jack and his brother (?) walked over.

Alex: ...Nice fight, I was just looking for a rival with whom I could use as my goal.

Jack: Alex, I thought I raised you better. Making a 5 year old your rival, honestly.

Alex: Shut up! Strength has nothing to do with age, otherwise I wouldn't be able to kick your ass, now would I? Anyways, see you around, Vincent. You've got to get examined, right?

Vincent: ...Yeah, see you. (Please let my rival be a girl, please CE! I don't know if I can deal with traps, just now, I felt my heart skip a beat! Wait, that's not the problem here...)

Jack: Anyways, let's get you fixed up. The fact that your innocence is a parasitic type makes it all the more important to get you properly treated. Afterwards, I'll take you to where the generals are located at and they'll decide where to place you. I’m sure considering your abilities one of them will even take you up as an apprentice... But of course, before that, we need to treat you...