"Mikhail Samil? So he's the son of Adam Samil?"
"Yes, but, it was proven that he has no aptitude towards Magic. Then what kind of energy did he just use on the battle against Aaron Fate?"
"I've never seen that kind of Martial Arts before—at least not the one that is that strong."
Michael Morninglight, Headmaster of Orion Magic Academy, smiled in his seat. Hearing the teachers now talking about Mikhail has clearly piqued his interest. Oh, he know that Mikhail is strong. He has lived long enough to know that the kid is strong just from a glance. He did well trying to hide it. But he won't escape his eyes. Though, being strong at a young age is a good thing—it's also bad at the same time.
It's true that Mikhail is strong—strong enough to garner the attention of many people be it from the teachers from the academy, the nobles, and even from some of the royalties that are present right now. Michael lightly tapped the armrest of his chair. What kind of training that Mikhail had gone through to become that strong?
It was a question that he need to find an answer soon. While Mikhail's father—Adam Samil—is one of the strongest Magic-Knight that the Arian Empire have. His father never showed any skill in Martial Arts. At least not the one that are similar to what Mikhail used. All in all, it was a strange Martial Arts, everyone who watched Mikhail's match knows that.
Especially that strange energy that gathered in Mikhail's hand. It feels natural like it came from nature itself. A bit hard to explain because he doesn't know for sure what kind of energy it is. But he know that it's not Mana for sure. More things to be researched, and new knowledge to be found—all thanks to Mikhail Samil.
That aside, everyone that is strong enough has probably detected the strange energy that Mikhail used. Those who are greedy for power will surely target him and kidnap him. Michael knows that all too well. Same thing almost happened to him long ago, though, it's because he was smart and people wanted to use his intelligence for their own purposes. Unlike Mikhail that showed the world an entirely new energy and perhaps ways to get stronger without using Mana.
Michael smirked and nodded his head. He will do what is necessary to protect Mikhail from the dark. But, he will let some people who are at least at tolerable level for Mikhail to fight against. He wanted that unique student of his to be strong. Strong enough to stand on his own against the world.
He would be waiting for the day where Mikhail will be strong enough to take this world by surprise.
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No matter how much she thinks about it, Carla still can't believe what she just saw previously—the match result between Mikhail Samil and Aaron Fate—it was still shocking even for her. All of her judgement of Mikhail completely got thrown out of the window. How did Mikhail—that can't wield any Mana—move that fast and deliver strikes that powerful?
Everybody watching the fight is probably wondering the same. Especially the participants. Now, they have to be careful when fighting against Mikhail. Because, nobody expected an unknown variable to come out suddenly. To dominate one of the strongest candidate to win this second stage of the Test without using Mana. Who wouldn't be cautious when they knew that?
Even Carla can't help to be worried for herself when she finally has to face Mikhail. She know that he will reach the final stage with that ability of his. And they will definitely meet each other on the stage. Not like it was anything bad, that means she could go all out with her abilities, there's not a lot of occasions where she can do that.
"Earth to Carla, is anyone responding?"
Carla snapped out of her daze when she find Mikhail standing in front of her. She smiled a little when she saw Mikhail's golden eyes staring at her. She find his eyes are somewhat pleasant to look at.
Now that is something new—even for her.
-------
The next round of matches doesn't have any excitement as the previous matches. Reasons being with the fighter being too mediocre—or it just ended too fast. The spectators hoped that they will at least see another miracle happen right in front of their eyes. Just like when Mikhail fought against Aaron.
Sadly, none happened again. True, the fight against those that came from noble families are somewhat more exciting. But there's nothing to be seen aside from them showing flashy techniques. Some of the spectators that are experienced Magic Knight or Mage even find it hilarious when they see those children showing flashy spell or techniques.
Because what's the point of looking good when you can't even win?
Though not all of them are like that. One of the example are Carla. She doesn't show any unnecessarily flashy techniques. But instead, opted to finish the fight with a strong technique right off the bat. Not giving her opponents any chance to fight back or even breathe. For Mikhail, he likes to take his time, not because he underestimated his opponent though—but more of observing how they fight and how to handle them the fastest way. Only finishing it when he deemed that they have no more thing for him to learn.
From what he has learned before, people usually stored Mana in a place right beneath their heart. In a place similar to a Dantian where he stored Ki. Not only that, the Mana flowed through their whole body, as if it's their own blood. Because of that, Mikhail wanted to test his theory about the effectiveness of his attacks if he attacked their meridians.
Lo and behold—it was effective.
In one of the matches, Mikhail purposely attacked the meridian of a Mage he was facing. Turns out, he was unable to use any Mana for a short period of time, rendering him useless. Sure, his opponent also used a shortsword and are pretty good at it. But trying to fight Mikhail in close combat is just suicidal.
And now, it was time for the semifinal, Mikhail leaped to the stage and landed gracefully. He stretched his body—unintentionally showing off his muscles. He have a pretty toned up body even though he is still young. Many girls that used to mock him now has fallen head over heels for him. But not like Mikhail cared for them.
His opponent the walked up into the stage. A woman with the same age as him. If he remembered correctly, her name is Isabelle Voringad, another kid from a noble family. Although a little arrogant, she have the strength to back those arrogance, so Mikhail would not comment much about her. Beside, he's also a bit arrogant, so it would be a little hypocrite if he decided to comment about her arrogance.
"So we've finally met. This is a fight worth remembering." Said Isabelle, who then brandished her spear towards Mikhail.
Mikhail smiled, he then twirled a wooden staff in his hand, this was the first time that everyone has seen that Mikhail wielded any forms of weapon. Though, it was only a wooden staff, everyone did not underestimated him. Considering what he's able to do in previous matches. So they waited in anticipation with what Mikhail could do with that wooden staff.
"Well then—shall we?"
Mikhail and Isabelle nodded their heads. They then readied themselves. But Mikhail looked more relaxed—the exact opposite of Isabelle.
"And for the next battle! Mikhail Samil versus Isabelle Voringad!"
People cheered for the fight that is going to happen. Especially those nobles patiently waiting in their VIP booths, they wanted Isabelle to at least make Mikhail show more of his abilities. Because, in the previous matches, he doesn't show any new abilities or just used those that he already showed before.
"Ready?!"
Everybody held their breath. Mikhail and Isabelle stared at each other. They each holding their respective weapon tightly in their hands. A smirk hung on both of their faces.
"Fight!"
In a flash, Mikhail and Isabelle already clashed in the middle of the stages, their weapons locking onto each other preventing either side from attacking. Everyone could see the grin in Mikhail's and Isabelle's face. They clearly enjoyed this fight. Because finally, they could fight against someone worthy, someone who they could unleash their full power on.
"Get ready, Mikhail! Spear Arts of Voringad: Splitting the Heaven!"
Mana enveloped Isabelle's spear. She then jumped back, and at the same time—slashed vertically towards Mikhail—sending an energy arc made of Isabelle's Mana.
Just like the name of her skill, the effect of it managed to almost split the arena into two. But, when it almost reached Mikhail, he made no movement to dodge the attack. But instead stood in his place and held his wooden staff firmly. Slowly covering it with his Ki.
"Hallyang Style, 8th Verse: Beggar's Song Dance. (거지의 송 댄스, Geojiui Song Daenseu)"
Mikhail quickly swung his staff around him like a sphere. Deflecting Isabelle attack somewhere else. Luckily, there's a barrier covering the arena where the participant fight, or else a stray spell or skill will hit unfortunate spectators.
"Just as I thought—you're a more formidable opponent than the others."
"What can I say? Practice makes perfect."
They then moved again. Trying to gain superiority over each other. But, even with the help of Mana, Isabelle realised that Mikhail is slowly gaining an edge over her. So she jumped back and landed a few feet from Mikhail. Her stance lowered, the tip of her spear pointed the ground, her amber eyes focused on Mikhail's golden eyes.
A burst of Mana from Isabelle managed to get her behind Mikhail in a flash. Mikhail widened his eyes, he didn't expect for her to be able to moves this fast, looks like he still underestimated these Magic Knight. He must be careful from now on and in the future.
Mikhail turned around and used his staff to block an incoming slash from Isabelle. And, to everyone surprise, she managed to make Mikhail move from his place. There's little to none participants that are able to make Mikhail move or even flinch when he decided to be on the defensive. But Isabelle managed to do so.
"Not bad." Said Mikhail, smirking towards Isabelle. "But let's see if you can handle my next moves, yeah?"
He then dashed towards Isabelle. A flurry of attacks aimed at every body part of Isabelle's. But she found out that she can't dodge nor block any of his attack.
"Hallyang Style, 13th Verse: Serpent. (13 절 : 독사, 13 Jeol : Dogsa).
Everyone thought that they're seeing things. Because, they saw that Mikhail's staff managed to bend flexibly even though it shouldn't be able to bend like that. Everytime Isabelle tried to block an incoming attack, Mikhail's staff would just weave around it and hit her, and not like Isabelle could run away or dodge either. Because Mikhail would either chase her or his staff would just follow her movement instead. As if the staff itself are alive.
"Not done yet! Hallyang Style, 17th Verse: Ryuck Geung. (17 절 : Ryuck 근, 17 Jeol : Ryuck Geun)."
Mikhail squeezed all the muscles in his body. After he is done squeezing all the muscles in his body, Mikhail then slashed downward towards Isabelle. Even if the attack doesn't involve any Ki—it was enough for him to knock Isabelle to the ground and knock her out.
"Winner, Mikhail Samil!"
Everyone cheered on him. An unprecedented dark horse that managed to take everyone by surprise. Somebody who have the Red Light result but managed to beat every one of his opponents. Some of them even came from noble families that are reputed to have strong martial prowess.
The medical staff quickly came up to the stage and carried Isabelle out of the arena while Mikhail quickly walked to the resting area. For the next battle, it was the final, he would be fighting against Carla in the next match. Everybody knows how strong Carla is. Be it either in Magic or Martial Arts. She is another people that Mikhail need to be look out for.
Can't wait for the final fight.
------
"So, your next opponent is me, are you afraid of me yet?"
Mikhail laughed when he saw who are talking to him. Carla then approached him and sat beside him. She then grabbed his hands that are bruised and healed it with a healing spell before slowly massaging it.
"No, why should I be afraid of you?"
"Heh, good, that's what I like to hear from my opponent. Just because our parents know each other—doesn't mean that I will go easy on you. And I will ask you to do the same. I will hate you if you hold back when fighting against me."
Mikhail stared at her and pondered silently. Not like he planned to go easy on Carla anyway. With his current power now, he would still be unable to beat Carla easily, even then he almost got defeated by Isabelle had he not reacted fast to her sudden attack. So the only way for him to go all out.
"Fine, you got your wish, just cover me when your parents come knocking at my door when I beat you down."
Carla chuckled and pulled Mikhail's arm into her embrace and rested her head on his shoulder. Earning a confusion from Mikhail with why she is so clingy right now and at the first stage of the Test. Even though Mikhail is damn sure that Carla is cold towards him the first time they met.
"Then you do the same to me."
He sighed and patted her head before resting his head on Carla's head. Well, not like he disliked her being affectionate like this. And beside, he is sure that his mother is planning for them to get close like this. Well, not this fast, but he think she would be glad nevertheless.
Whatever, it doesn't matter in the first place. He just need to get some rest before the next round started.