Hehehe.

Eris just promised me that if I can land even a single hit on her, I win, and I will get to make her do anything I want!

My mind is already racing with possibilities.

Hehehe… what should I demand from her now?

I have sooooooo many things I want to make her do!

For instance, I can make her eat the spiciest food in the kitchen until she gets the flaming butt pain and all! Just imagine she lying on the bed crying and hugging her ass… I will be the one who administers that gloopy lotion and laugh at her! Wahaha! My perfect revenge for what she did to me!

Or better yet, I could make her do a belly dance.

Huehuehue… just imagining her swaying that sexy belly to some sultry music—hips rolling, hair catching the light… It already makes me excited!

Oh wait! I've got an even better idea!

What if I make Eris wear a maid dress—and then belly dance on top of that!?

UOOOOOHHHH!

HELL YEAH!

ERIS IN A MAID OUTFIT!

Now that's a truly glorious request!

Come to think of it, I've never seen Eris in anything cute or feminine. She never wears frilly dresses, or lacy skirts. She's always in sturdy pants and a plain tunic; the most "girly" thing she's ever worn was that fluffy pajama set from the Eclipse, and even that looked more cozy than dainty.

But if she wore a frilly maid dress—soft ruffles brushing her knees, a bow at the back, little lace trimming—she'd look absolutely gorgeous! The sexiest and strongest catgirl maid ever!

Hehehe… huehuehuehue!

Ooooh! And if I add a pair of oversized paw gloves for extra cuteness and make her say "nyan nyan" and call me master Felicia?

UOOOOHHH!

This is going to be AMAZING!

And just like that, I start drooling and smiling weirdly again.

"Oh? Looks like you already have something in mind?" Eris narrows her eyes. "Urrrgh… why do I suddenly have chills? What exactly is on your mind?" She shivers, her tail puffing a little at the tip.

"UHAHAHAA!" I laugh. "You'll know soon — after I beat your ass!"

"Hoh?" Eris's eyes widen. "Haha. I like your confidence, Miss Flufftail, but it's never going to happen!"

"Oh hell yes it will!" I raise my wooden sword, feeling the grain bite into my palm. "Now get ready, Eris Wildfang! Your demise has come!"

"Alright! We'll see about that!" she replies, then pulls a gold coin from her pouch. The metal catches the light for a second. "Once this coin hits the ground, the battle starts."

Eris flicks the coin.

The 100-crown gold spins in the air, turning over and over, its edge flashing.

Falling…

Falling…

I watch the coin; my heart hammers against my ribs. A warm prickling — demonic energy — crawls up my arms as I push power into my muscles, priming my first move.

Eventually… the coin lands.

Clink.

BOOM!

A sonic blast marks my first move — a lightning dash to close the gap, my sword ripping through the air in a horizontal slash!

Of all my stats, speed is what I'm most proud of. Eris is fast, so if I want to beat her, I have to at least match her pace!

I expect her to react already.

However—

Eh?

Why isn't Eris moving?!

Even though my sword is so close to her arm—mere centimeters away—she's still just standing there, grinning, completely unfazed.

What's going on?!

My pulse spikes, confusion flashing through me.

Is she… underestimating me that much?

Does she really plan to move only when she's about to get hit?

Or wait—

Could it be… I'm actually that fast now?

So fast even Eris can't keep up?!

…Nah.

That can't be it.

Then the only explanation is—she's underestimating me!

Alright, Eris! You're gonna lose because you took me too lightly!

Hahaha!

No matter how strong you are, it's too late now! The blade's already in motion—there's no way you can dodge this!

I win!

Eris in a maid dress, LET'S FREAKING GO!!!

And just like that, I'm certain that I'm winning!

I swing—

and then, SLASHHHHH!!!

The air explodes with the sound of tearing wind. For a split second, I can almost feel the impact about to connect—

But… for some reason… it doesn't?!

My sword doesn't just miss Eris's arm—it goes through her!

Like she's nothing but mist, like she's just a ghost.

VVVZT!

The slash cuts through empty air, momentum jerking my body forward. My feet skid on the grass; the world tilts—

"Waaawawawawaah!"

I flail wildly, arms swinging as I fight to regain my balance—barely avoiding a faceplant!

FUUUCK!

And then it hits me.

That Eris—

The one I attacked—

It wasn't the real Eris at all.

It was just… an afterimage!

AAAA! I'm so fucked!

And then—something slams into my head.

BONK!

Eris's wooden sword connects with a sickening thud. I fly forward and crash into the grass, tasting dirt and green on my tongue; my head throbs, stars prick at the edge of my vision, and I grunt because I just got tricked.

I can't believe it… I fell for the simplest trick in the book!

Meanwhile, Eris laughs, all smug and loud.

"HAHAHAHA! Felicia, what was that? I thought you were going to beat my ass, not eat grass!"

GRRRRR… I snarl, heat flushing my cheeks, shame and fury coiling together. I shove myself up, grass clinging to my palms, and spring to my feet.

"Again! I will not let you fool me this time! Just you wait!"

"Well, I'm waiting, you know?" Eris says, smiling that irritating little smile. Then she narrows her eyes and her voice turns a touch serious. "But anyway, Felicia — never charge blindly at an opponent, especially one you know is way stronger than you. It only leads to disaster."

"Hmph!" I huff, rubbing the corner of my jaw, and raise my sword again.

Eris was right. That was some good advice. But I'm not thanking her now, that cheeky catgirl!

Now it's time to try again. Since I've learned my lesson, this time, I won't rush in headfirst. I'll keep my distance, watch her stance, and wait for the perfect opening to strike!