The payment they will receive after sparring with the Arcane students would depend on their performance.
If they fought equally against the students, they will have 1 gold coin. If they lose, they will receive 3 silver coins as compensation.
However, if they win against the students, they will receive 5 gold coins!
It was no wonder that many hunters decided to participate in this sparring.
"Do you think that the kid has a chance?"
It was Wang Lin who just arrived at the plaza. He asked Yewon who just lost against Alexander.
"Urgh… No way… That brat's sword technique was too unique. I'm unable to follow the sword's flow that's why I lost. Tsk…"
"Mhmm… But that kid should've seen it as well."
"Maybe Diether- I mean Reiji, thought that Alexander can't continuously use that sword technique?"
"Oh… You have a point. If the guy could no longer use it again. Our fellow hunter might have a chance on this."
They tried to think positively as the battle between Diether and Alexander was about to start.
Most of the viewers favor Alexander since he just showed his skills in front of everyone. Unlike Diether who just showed up out of nowhere…
"Urgh! Is he really using that sword?"
"W-wait… It wouldn't be disastrous if it was cut in half while he was trying to defend, right?"
"Call the healer…"
"Don't worry, leader Wang. There are two from the Arcanist Association waiting on the side."
Everyone was surprised after seeing Diether boldly held his wooden sword in front of the sharp sword held by Alexander. It wasn't even just a normal sharp sword but it is a genuine Mythical Arcana that rarely appears in this world.
"Are you mocking me?!"
Alexander was furious seeing that he was being treated like that. The fact that he pulled out the sword from its scabbard shows that he recognizes Diether's skills. However, the latter seems to be thinking the opposite.
Haa~
Diether concentrated as he raised the shinai. It was his favorite form, Jodan-no-kamae.
He ignored the viewer's bewilderment and Alexander's misunderstanding. Everything would be revealed once the battle started so he didn't mind it. Of course, Reiji's advice also helped him calm in the situation.
Alexander stated that there will be no usage of Arcane Magic in this battle and will only be pure sword techniques. However, it was obvious that he used his Spiritual Energy when he defended against Yewon's multiple strikes a while ago.
So Diether didn't hesitate to move his energy around his body to back his shinai with more strength.
Huuu~
Diether let out a long breath as he calculated the "ma'ai" as his Master Reiji called.
The ma'ai is the distance between his opponents. Though not just the physical distance but also the spiritual and temporal distance.
Having a good grasp of ma'ai would allow him to be advantageous in their battle.
'Hmph! What's with that tiny sword? I can just ignore it even if I was hit… As long as I can slice him with my sword, it's my win.'
Alexander thought as such and immediately acted. He took three wide steps and entered Diether's range. Of course, it also means that he can reach the kid…
'I'm not scared with your wooden sword… Take this!'
He attacked using a simple slicing motion where he aims to severe Diether's head.
However…
Pah!
A clear and resounding impact was heard as he tried to slice Diether.
"Ahh!"
Alexander felt pain in his hand as he almost dropped the Arcana he was holding.
'How did he—'
He wanted to understand what happened but he felt that Diether would strike him again if he lost his focus.
On the other hand, the others watching the battle expressed their thoughts.
"W-what was that?!"
"Did you see what happened?"
"It's so fast… I only saw the kid raising his arms again while Alexander's movement staggered."
"Y-yeah… I think that Alexander was hit by the wooden sword but..."
The audience was baffled by the first exchange. Diether's sword was too fast…
"Ahh! I see it now! He was using a light wooden sword to enhance his speed. To compensate for the destructiveness that it lacks, he uses this sword since it will allow him to have an almost invisible sword strikes…"
One of the students voiced his thoughts and was approved by many since this is the best explanation they could get.
Alexander realized this so he felt even more furious… But deep in his mind, he was sure that without the Spiritual Energy protecting his body, that one strike would cripple his hand.
Hmph!
He ignored the pain on his hands as he launched another strike. Since his energy could somehow protect him from his opponent's strike, he no longer has to worry about getting heavily injured!
This time, Alexander aimed to slice the wooden sword that Diether was holding. But since it was held up high, he baited him with an attempt to cut his body using the tip of his sword.
Alexander wanted Diether to defend using his wooden sword so that he can slice it in half…
Pah!
This time Diether used a standard sweeping technique!
This is a technique normally used in kendo to break the stance of the opponent by sweeping their opponent's swords away.
It was perfectly timed!
Now that it was swept away in a different direction, it was the perfect opportunity for Diether's counter-attack…
His next attack happened so fast as he points the tip of the shinai on Alexander's throat!
Haa!
As Diether was about to thrust his sword forward, Alexander felt the danger that he was about to meet. Even if it was only a wooden sword, if he was hit on the throat with that much force, he will surely suffer from grave injury.
Hmph!
Luckily, he has better control of his Spiritual Energy as he used the accumulated force on his feet to back away.
"W-what?! Alexander just back away!"
"Did you see that? He got scared facing that wooden sword…"
"What happened? Why would he back away when he's holding a Mythical rank arcana with him?"
"Right… It doesn't make sense…"
The audience only saw that Diether parried Alexander's sword strike and swept it in a different direction. After that, Diether casually pointed his sword to Alexander which made the latter jumped away…
It was an unbelievable sight.
Alexander heard their comments but he ignored them. He didn't mind such words since he has the heart of a real swordsman.
He calmed himself as he planned his next attack.
He realized now that Diether was good in return techniques. With this in mind, he decided to defeat him with the same style.
He raised his sword like how Diether held it up high!
This stance seems to look even more dangerous now that a sharp sword was held in this position.
He was sure that if they strike at the same time, Diether would be the one dodging or defending…
However, Reiji, who was watching the entire fight, looked at Alexander with contempt… He didn't have to tell Diether about what he should do as the kid was also excitedly closing the ma'ai between them.