Reborn in a Dating Sim: Life as a Mob is hard in an Equestria Girl’s Dating Game!

Reborn in a Dating Sim:

Life as a Mob is hard in an Equestria Girl’s Dating Game!

Chapter Sevemteem

To most a visit to the capital could not be complete without seeing the Crystal Academy, nor could it truly be enjoyed without seeing the Grand Stadium. The stadium itself was something created from crystal spires that had been magically grown. Their color was similar to that of a bright rainbow, and it spanned the entire length of a city block. That was on all four sides, leaving the inside of the stadium truly open for nearly any sport or duel that could erupt. The fact that it was owned, and operated, by the Crystal Academy only made the school more impressive.

It could be easily said that the stadium could hold hundreds of thousands of individuals, and that would be true. Someone reborn there from another world might even say that the Grand Stadium itself held the same reverence as the Globe Theater did for Shakesspear’s time. That it was the one place where the nobility all of the way down to the common adventurer was on the same level. That anyone could come and watch what was happening.

So, it was no surprise that the duel with Prince Apollo, the nobles that followed him, and a single backcountry baron had drawn in more than the school itself. High nobility had gathered, the adventurers from the trading hall and guild were there, and so were the common workers that lived in the capital only because they were the only ones capable of doing their jobs. The duel had practically brought all of the city to a halt, and somehow the stadium itself seemed almost dead. The defeat of Platinum Reserve had been a massive blow to the high nobility.

The fact that Spear Point was doing little better was worse. The adventurers knew of Spear Point. He had dove into the labyrinths around the capital, out in the wild, and he had managed to even recover some decent monster cores. The fact that he was skilled at combat was not lost on those that watched. And yet he couldn’t land a single hit on a bulky mobile armor that was avoiding him like it was child’s play.

Finally a collective gasp erupted from the group when his armor’s weapon, a spear, was caught by the bulky armor. To everyone except for the one piloting the armor the action seemed too incredible to believe. None believed it was possible. The one that knew it was possible was currently dealing with trying to win without killing the noble he was fighting, and of course attempting to ignore the biological urges that demanded that he take what was being offered to him.

“My Captain, please, let’s finish him, let’s enjoy watching him squirm, oh, please press against me harder, Mmmmm.”

He breathed out, “Artemis,” he said, his voice firm, “Now is not the time for this,” he stated before he pulled the spear toward him. In what was an example of overwhelming strength he snapped the head of the spear in half. He then tossed that head at the armor facing him. Knowing the armor’s weakness didn’t just make this easier, it practically made it something he could do without much thought. His body was reacting on pure reflex. He watched as the head took the right arm of the armor, completely severing it.

To his surprise Spear Point grabbed the arm, and began brandishing it as a club. His own method of winning earlier was being used against him. He had to applaud his determination. He saw a flashing light, and looked at it, “Artemis, what is this?”

There was a light chuckle, “Master, that is energy vent,” she purred, “It will allow you to channel the excess energy that is built up around Avarice, and redirect it as a concessive force against an enemy. Depending on how you use it we could simply destroy his armor, or we could flatten an entire wall of this stadium, do you want to?” she asked, her voice sounding nearly orgasmic, “We could, I would happily do it for you. I would ensure their complete destruction for you. Allow me the privilege of being the first one to set our glorious war into action!”

“No,” he said, feeling her press harder against him, “We’re not killing. Remember what I say about innocence and guilt? We are not guilty, and we are not murderers. I’m not above proving a point, and I’m all for ensuring that they understand that we’re not to be fucked with, but I refuse to take lives when mine isn’t truly being threatened.”

“Very well,” she replied, her voice still a purr, “I respect your decision, and honestly, I am more attracted to you for it. You show such mercy toward such weak opponents. You’re able to crush them, and yet you graciously allow them to live. You are exactly what these new humans should aspire to be.”

“How do I use the vent?” he asked, watching the light blink for longer, “Do I just push it?”

“No,” she said, her voice soft, “Hold the right control, now press against me, fully,” she instructed him, “I need to feel your intent. Good,” she purred, “While holding the control, and while we’re connected I am able to do something else. My Captain, I am using your link in your hand to access your surface thoughts. Yes, I see, a blast, a simple concussive force that will cause his armor to shatter around him. This is perfect.”

With that Avarice’s arm moved straight out, aimed at Spear Point’s armor, and a blinding red light erupted from its palm. The light, along with a sound like lightning, surrounded the armor, and everyone watched as its entire form began to crack. Unlike Platinum Reserve’s armor it didn’t suffer the indignity of being slowly torn apart. It’s entire body seemed to explode around it. The armor’s chest fell to the ground, and the chest opened. There, inside was Spear Point.

“Is he alive?”

There was a moment of silence, “Of course my Captain,” Artemis purred, “I would not kill unless you command me to. He is merely knocked out cold. He will be fine, but when he awakens he will know that he lost to your overwhelming force.”

The news was good enough, and he watched as the observer came closer, “Spear Point is unable to continue the duel, the winner is Copper Plum!”

There was silence from all around him. He understood that there were a ton of people who had likely bet on the Prince to win. After all Spear Point himself was more than enough reason to bet on the duel. His experience as an adventurer made him what most would consider a safe bet. Instead the backwater baron had managed to take out two of the nobles that hung around the Prince. Copper listened to the sounds in the stands.

“I thought that Spear Point was strong,” someone said from the lower level of the stadium, “I guess that he’s actually pretty weak. Goddess, I hope that someone stops him, I bet all of the resources that I have for the entire school year here!”

He couldn’t help but chuckle at the conversation. Sure, he was certain that there would be betting. Which was why he beat so heavily on himself. In truth there was more than little reason behind it. When everything was said and done he completely intended to using whatever funds he managed to get from the gambling to ensure that there wouldn’t be any hard feelings. “Nothing buys bygones like cash,” he said, “I mean it seems to be a universal certainty.”

“My Captain?” Artemis asked as she wiggled in front of him, “What is it that you’re thinking about?”

He laughed a little, “Only that I’ve made sure that it is very likely there won’t be any repercussions from what’s about to happen,” he replied as he took the controls, “Despite the fact that I really don’t like Delicate Emerald, or Tarnished Tiara, I don’t necessarily want to see them killed. I’d rather enjoy watching them have to deal with the fact that I’ve become successful on my own. I know that bothers them, and I know that they can’t stand it. So, it’s better to live well and let them stew on it.”

“Both merciful and able to give out emotional torture. My Captain, you are a contradiction, and I must say that it is fetching,” she purred, “But we have three more to defeat, and I want to watch their despair. I need to see them reside themselves to what will happen. Surely they understand how futile their fight will be now.”

He looked at the three still remaining. Of course there was Prince Apollo, but there was also Posh Propers and Mithril Shield. Mithril Shield would be easy enough to deal with. A single good hit would be enough to put him out. Posh Propers posed more of threat, but only if he could manage to get some spells off. Then again, he wasn’t sure that anything that Mithril Shield could throw currently would actually affect Avarice.

His spell set likely was still within the realm of an accomplished First Year. Even then he wasn’t entirely sure that Posh Propers understood the texts they had to study. From what he could remember of the game itself Posh Propers was all about being potentially lazy. He enjoyed the idea of having a beautiful woman serve him food while he lounged in place. He had little doubt that Posh Propers was the representation of the slacker generation that some of the developers likely had come from. Of course being lazy didn’t mean that he was stupid. It likely meant that he didn’t feel challenged.

It didn’t matter, he prepared, and watched as Posh Propers himself stepped out. The armor was shining, looking almost brand new, and he could see the way that it walked that Posh Propers believed himself to be far above everyone else. The fact that this noble was holding himself in such high regard bothered him. Mostly because he knew that Posh Propers, and the other nobles that followed the Prince, all already had marriage contracts. All of them had waiting wives when this was done.

They were more or less dedicating themselves to the idea of fooling around until it was time to take on their marriage partners. Of course that left Satin in a place where she could direct them however she wanted. Since she had built herself a reverse harem he could see the issue with it. Good friends or not there would be fights. There would be anger, and she would reap the benefits of it all. To Copper it made her far more evil than he wanted to admit. She was willingly setting things up to fail, and doing it all for the sake of getting a life she believed that she wanted.

“Duelist, you may give your opening statements,” the Observer stated, “Posh Propers, you may go first.”

“I’ve watched your battle,” Posh Propers said from inside of his armor, “And I am not afraid of you. Your strength comes only from your armor. Perhaps it’s worth noting that you’ve managed to harmed the ego of two friends. And yes, you’ve managed to upset the balance that resides here today. Still, I will set things right. You are nothing more than some lowly country baron. A peon that isn’t worth the land wasted on him. I will make you rue the day you chose to challenge us!”

“Copper Plum, you may speak.”

“Gee, thanks,” he said as he stood there, “Rue the day? Seriously? Look, I’m going to get this over with, and I’m going to because I’m missing breakfast. So, I’m going to kick your ass, then his ass, and finally the Prince’s ass. When I do, I’m grabbing some breakfast. Tell you what, depending on how long you last I’ll be willing to buy you a waffle, sound good?”

“You dare to insult me?!” came the cry and he watched as the armor backed up, “Prepare to taste everlasting fire you peon!”

“Artemis, what weapons do we have?”

There was a moment, and he heard an ejection. His hand reached out, and what was in its hand was a giant pickaxe. He looked at it, “Wait, is that a pickaxe?” he asked as he studied it, “I thought that we had a weapon.”

There was a giggle, “My Captain, you don’t understand. That is both an ax, and a piercing weapon. It will completely allow you to rip his armor to pieces.”

Holding the pickaxe he knew that technically she was right. In truth, any tool could be used as a weapon. A simple hammer could be used to kill, and so could a length of rope. There was nothing that kept a pickaxe from doing the same. At the same time he could practically feel the anger radiating from Posh Propers. He saw the other armor standing there, ramrod straight before the voice finally escaped from it, “You dare offend me with bringing a commoner’s tool to this duel?!”

‘

Realizing how much it was destabilizing Posh Propers he ran with it, “Yeah, going to be honest it feels like I’m just going through the day doing something basic. Might as well have the right tool for dealing with something that doesn’t deserve a normal weapon,” he said knowing that the dig was likely doing exactly what he wanted it to, “I mean, you don’t waste a decent weapon on something that doesn’t deserve it, right?”

He watched as the fire spell that Posh Propers was attempting to cast fell short. It never left, and he realized that the reason was because of the psychological warfare that he was engaged in. causing him to become so distressed was more than enough to cause him to lose focus, and he rushed forward. The pickaxe swept low, striking Posh Proper’s leg. It hit just right to rip the lower leg of the armor from its knee. To his surprise the pickaxe was incredibly sharp. It actually cut better than a sword.

“Artemis, the pickaxe was a good choice,” he admitted as he swung again, taking the opposite arm from the elbow. The armor was now unable to stand, unable to fight, and he slammed it down again, destroying the armor’s connection to its waist, “I got to admit, that I wasn’t sure that this would work so well.”

“I’m glad that you approve, my Captain,” she purred, “Shall we finish this?”

He nodded, “But I’ve got an idea,” he said as he looked at the disabled armor. He flicked the switch to allow him to speak to everyone else in the audience, “Since it’s obvious that you’re not able to continue I have no reason to finish this. I mean, the rules of this duel is an armor battle. Your armor is completely destroyed. I have no intention of picking on someone weaker than me, so you can go now.”

“Weaker?!” came the shout from inside of the armor, “Weaker?! I am Posh Propers! My family is one of the strongest political powers in the entire kingdom! We’ve established ourselves as heads of nobility, and you, you are nothing more than a worthless peon! I demand that you finish this!”

He laughed, “Demand?” he asked, “You can’t fight anymore. You have a single arm, your legs are gone, and your other arm is destroyed. You can’t fight me without your armor. You are weak, and I refuse to pick on the weak. I’m not like you, the prince, or your other friends.”

“We do not pick on the weak!” came his irate voice, “At no time do we pick on the weak!”

He laughed, “Really?” Copper asked between chuckles, “Because from where I’m sitting you use your power, your influence, and your oh so high status to lord it over everyone else. You ensure that everyone that isn’t one of you is instead made to know their place. Even now you’re refusing to acknowledge the main rule of any duel. Regardless of the setting, regardless of the status of those fighting, everyone in a duel is equal. You are throwing your status around like a club. You’re a bully, plain and simple, and I won’t reduce myself to your level.”

The chest opened and Posh Propers stepped out. His hands raised, and evidence of magic gathering was there. A massive fireball hit Avarice, and it struck. There was a moment of fire, and then it went out. Avarice wasn’t harmed, and there wasn’t even a hint of soot left on it from the flames, “Observer, he’s out of his armor, unable to continue to duel properly, I believe that this means he’s out.”

The observer lifted its arm toward him, “Copper Plum wins, Posh Propers, please leave the arena.”

The quiet from all around them was enough to tell him that he was getting to everyone that was there. Everyone that had planned on seeing this turn into a total victory for the prince was suddenly realizing that it might not go the way they planned. He could hear people begging the goddess to please allow them to win to keep their fortune, and he shook his head at them. They were going to suffer, and there was no way around that.

If nothing else it would be a lesson to never bet on something that had a chance of going the way that no one intended. As for the Prince’s crew he knew that next he was facing Mithril Shield. From what he remembered in the game Mithril Shield was the Prince’s retainer. He was a faithful friend, and more to the point he was practically a brother. Unfortunately he was a glass cannon.

The moment he attempted to unleash his potential was usually the moment things went sideways. He couldn’t keep up with the potential he had. From the game he had one of the highest pools of mana to use, but unfortunately it also meant that his spells didn’t match. He could cast a fireball, and it would be destructive, but if he tried to cast something more complex it wouldn’t work correctly. It wouldn’t because he didn’t have the skills to back it up.

“Duelist, we shall allow a fifteen minute break. Take this time to see to any repairs, or make any modifications that you need to your armors.”

Copper moved back toward their corner, and he noticed that the Artemis standing beside both Applebloom and Diamond Tiara looked like she was glowing. He was going to have to have a talk to her about this. He moved closer, and opened the chest. From there he crawled out, and breathed. He needed a slight break away from all of the teasing. He looked toward those gathered, “Anyone want a drink?”

Moving with them toward the area to purchase a soda he didn’t notice someone moving around toward where he was stationed. Someone that looked actually ashamed. He never noticed Tarnished Tiara, and he didn’t see the package she was carrying. He didn’t pay attention because there was someone inside of the armor keeping check.