Rye's blade thrusts through the air.
It barely scratched through Lisa's left belly.
She managed to quickly avoid the follow-up swing of the sword by stepping on the right side as she waved her right arm. By snapping her left wrist, her katana moved to block the third slash, and then she rotated her body to connect the swing to a frontal attack.
However, Rye saw through her movement and quickly stepped back to avoid the slash. Both of their attacks are actually considered to be very lethal, but that didn't stop them.
Lisa moved her left leg onward with a little bend of her knee. She maneuvered her sword by slashing the air two times, left and right, and then bringing it back on her lower hips. The cheers of the audiences echoed on the battlefield. They were surprised by the sudden intense match.
Lisa composed herself once again as she made a stance.
"You move very well." Rye complimented her with a soft yet menacing tone.
"Thank you, and you move very well too." She replied with a smirk.
Rye forcefully made his way to get closer to Lisa. He swung his sword upward using both of his arms and then made a strike to the ground. The impact created a rippling effect on the floor and a couple of rubbles lifted up and bounced.
"Tsk!" It was very close. Lisa jumped backward to avoid the impact as well.
Rye stepped in front and wielded his sword again. Numerous heavy slashes entered Lisa's depth of perception to the point that they became unstable and unpredictable. She didn't attempt to strike back or even clash her sword with Rye. Instead, she kept on stepping back and evading every slash he makes.
"What's wrong? You seem to be rather defensive. If you don't attack, the board won't be able to monitor your skills, and you will not be able to pass this exam." Rye taunted her. He kept on attacking Lisa without any hesitation.
"I know that, but if I let my guard down, it will just speed up my loss for this match." She replied with a struggling expression.
The audiences are more fired up than usual with this current match. The impacts, their movements, and their ability to fight each other without stopping are pretty intense and it is making them excited.
Aran on the other hand doesn't perceive the match as something that is pretty exciting. There is no doubt that he knows that Lisa is having a hard time fighting Rye as he noticed something when they were clashing.
The heaviness of Rye's sword should have been a disadvantage over Lisa's speed and reflexes but he was still able to connect his swing faster than average. Proof of that was stemming from the fact that Lisa is becoming more defensive because she wouldn't able to react quickly if she was barraged by swings from left to right.
Countering or parrying his blade would be an option but the lightness of her katana will get her to lose. Its blade wasn't firm or strong enough to block Rye's blade.
As he connected the lines, Aran's expression became timid, a balanced amount of worry and support overtaking each other. His fists are clenched and he is sweating really hard.
Prior to this, he shakes whenever Rye is about to swing his sword on each second. It is indeed, a nerve-wracking experience for both him and Lisa.
With his forward slashes, Lisa saw an opening on Rye's left shoulder. She noticed that his form was about to switch from swinging on the left, up to the right side. With this in mind, she quickly stepped back two times and vanished through Rye's plain sight.
(What?!)
Lisa gradually forced herself near Rye's left shoulder and with a fast reflex, she managed to land a clean hit using her feet to his left body. Rye flew across the arena and the whole crowd suddenly went beyond shouting.
"Yes!" Aran was glad for that attack. If it wasn't for her fast thinking, she couldn't have stopped his barrage.
Lisa didn't waste any time as she swing her katana once again and this time, she is the one who's showering him with slashes.
Rye stood up very fast and immediately grabbed his sword.
The two blades of these fighters clashed within the arena.
Without breaking their concentration, sparks that are generated through the contact of the two blades are dispersed around the air.
The crowd exaggerated their cheering by intense clapping and shouting.
Lisa's performance was very proper and well-executed. With each swing of her katana, it would put Rye at a disadvantage as her speed is gradually increasing every time she connects them.
The Alliere's Sword Technique was designed to utilize its host's speed and reflexes. With the proper stance, any swordsman can execute a critical strike while boosting their abilities. Instead of clashing, the technique was fine-tuned to corner the enemy and to drain their stamina by producing unpredictable slashes at any angle.
However, the real secret technique of the Alliere style was still hidden. And Lisa was trying her best to bring out its full potential.
Lisa didn't rest, one by one, every strike on her katana landed through Rye's body parts causing him to bleed out a little. This made it harder for him to wield his sword better and after a few swings, Lisa managed to land a punch on his face.
"Argh!" Rye slid through the floor.
"Hmph! Time for the counter-attack!" Lisa declared.
Rye gritted his teeth and decided to clash with her again. This time, he avoided all of the smears and he managed to strike Lisa's katana causing her to move backward because of the intense impact.
"You may be a woman, and I commend you for dealing this much damage to me. But I won't play any more games now. This time, I'm going fight you seriously." Rye said while panting. He changed the direction of his handling, and his stance was more firm than ever. He used his weight to loosen up his arms and be brought all of it the sword.
"Hou? So you're saying that you are holding back all this time? You're actually a good and a bad liar." Lisa was irritated by his words. She dashed again to have a close combat clash with Rye.
Their swords clanked against each other.
The fight was becoming more intense as it goes on.
Aside from that, Lisa's nervousness seems to have dissipated because of the adrenaline she is currently undergoing.
The confidence that she has for fighting plus her resolve made her do a better and proper fight. And that in itself can be seen because she is smiling while fighting. It is a very rare expression among the warriors.
While watching, Aran was bumped by a guy on his back. This caused him to lose balance and drop himself on the ground.
"Ouch!"
"Oh! I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to do that! I was pushed by these annoying people." The guy raised his left arm and extended it towards Aran on the ground. Aran grabbed his hand and helped him stand up.
"No, that's okay. Haha, it can't be helped. The fight was very intense and it is making people go berserk." Aran replied while rubbing his clothes to remove the dirt.
"Yeah! This match is better than the others. Like seriously though, a woman who's fast versus a guy who has a big space for strength. It is definitely a battle of speed versus strength." The guy replied while enjoying the view. Aran smiled and chuckled for a little.
"By the way, my name is Huck! Huck Revera!" Suddenly, he introduced himself to Aran. He raised his right-hand midway. Aran raised his right hand as well and they shook hands together.
"I'm Aran. Aran Crossford."
"Are you an acquaintance of that woman who's currently fighting?" He asked.
"Oh uh... Yeah, we went in together. I'm her friend." Aran answered.
"Heh? She's a real beauty, she's my type of woman. Beautiful and strong, like a battle maiden! It is unfortunate that I didn't get to fight her. Oh yeah, since you are her friend, are you strong as well?" Aran was a bit uncomfortable when he mentioned the 'type of woman' thingy but then he snapped back when he heard the question.
"Not really, she has a trainer and I just started practicing my own fighting style. But why do you ask?" Aran replied but he is confused about why Huck is questioning him about his strength.
"Well, I like strong people. It makes me excited and I want to fight them and win. I want to be the strongest fighter in this arena. It seems like everyone here is kinda weak, but your friend has settled for the win." he answered.
(Oh, that makes sense. I guess it is not weird if a few people here were to ask Lisa later. She literally became popular the moment she started fighting.)
Aran was confused about what he was referring to but then he realized that it is a fact that Lisa was gradually becoming a threat for everyone here in the entrance examination.
Including Huck, he expected that there are multiple groups who would be asking Lisa to join them later on. It would be really sad if Lisa were to leave him just because she got asked.
(I feel like an insect here. I'm here with a friend that is so strong and beautiful. Is it really okay for me to stop her from joining the other groups? No no no! What are you thinking, Aran?! Lisa is a warrior, of course, she would be joining strong groups. She wouldn't stick with me for that long anymore. And I guess that is okay... probably.) Aran cursed himself inside.
There was a hint of disappointment in his expression as he was expecting that Lisa will eventually leave him for stronger groups.
"And you said you're 'not' actually strong, right?" Huck continued.
"Yeah..." Aran replied in a gloomy mood.
"Well, try not to get eaten in this exam. I don't like weak people in my stead." His tone went completely different from a nice guy, shifting into an arrogant person who just wants to nitpick weak people.
(He must be confident with his strength if he can talk like that. But I don't like that kind of attitude...)
Aran glared at him for a few seconds while clenching his fist. But then he realized that he cannot actually prove himself to be strong even if he gets mad and resented him. There was no signal or indication that he can beat Huck if they battle each other. It was obvious to him that his technique for fighting isn't refined yet even after receiving harsh training from Nash.
After the serious glare, he sighed and made a smile, inducing positivity in his expression and lightening the mood. He knew that Huck must be telling the truth since Aran knows himself better than anyone and comparing him with Lisa is like asking the difference between an ant and an elephant.
"Hmm? That's a surprise..." Huck was baffled by Aran's composed mannerism.
"What?" He asked.
"Usually, when I nitpick people like you, they instantly become hostile and aggressive and they will suddenly attack me. And then I tend to beat them up using my strong fist. Hahaha!" He answered with a laugh.
"Well, you're not actually wrong though. I am indeed weak, I have no skills or techniques to present in the match." Aran didn't deny it.
"Hmm?" Huck stared at him.
"But you know what though, I don't need to need to be strong to beat someone, because I'm one hundred percent confident that I will beat them using my knowledge." Aran's words were calm but the tone and his aura suddenly became hostile and menacing to the point that it made Huck step back for a little.
He noticed the same killing intent that Aran showed when he was still a kid to Nash.
If there is one thing that Aran is confident at, that would be his knowledge and wit. His strength may not be that intense, but it was pretty chilling if he can make opponents dance on his palm.
"Heh! Well, there are some cases that people get beaten because they are not smart enough to handle a fight. All they do is fight but not strategize. But I'm not one of them." Huck replied with a chuckle. Aran made it clear to him that he is not someone to be disregarded despite his inferiority.
Meanwhile, there are only thirty seconds left before the match ends.
Lisa has a small scratch on her arm because of Rye's constant impact from the contact of their blades. They started wearing each other's stamina and the fight was becoming more exhausting than ever.
Lisa dealt a lot of damage to him but her stamina wouldn't last long if she keeps evading every little attack.
Rye is exhausted because he was injured and bleeding. It was not a critical hit so the judges wouldn't be able to stop their fight. And it seems like Rye can still fight even while possessing numerous scratches.
"Let's finish this... I am not going to lose..." Rye declared. He dashed across the arena.
While he approaches her, Lisa calmed her nerves down by inhaling and exhaling slowly.
She sighed with a menacing glare in her eyes.
She made herself composed while waiting for Rye's attack followed by a stance that she has been hiding from everyone in the arena. Finding her resolve to use it, it was finally time for her to unleash a secret technique of Alliere's style.
By composing herself, she returned her katana into the sheath and placed her right leg in front with knees bent. She placed her right hand on the handle.
"Alliere's Sunflower Sword Technique Number Three: Inflorescence!" Lisa quickly drew her sword at a godlike speed while Rye is approaching.
After drawing it, she instantly made multiple thrusts that are beyond her usual speed in all directions in front of him. Rye gets stabbed multiple times in his arms causing him to drop his sword on the ground and was eventually followed by him.
"Times up!" The guy who wears a red coat halted the match. Rye fell on the ground.
"The winner of this match is... Lisa Alliere!"
The whole crowd raised their voices partnered with their joy and excitement. All of them clapped and shouted like there's no tomorrow.
Lisa was panting really hard as she sheathed her sword. She gazed around and saw Aran with a smile on his face. Her expression was the same as she returned down from the stage.
Even the grandmasters on the balcony who's watching clapped their hands because of Lisa's well-executed battle.
She reached out to Aran and hugged him. Aran embraced her as well as this is their first victory.
"Great Job! You passed it, Lisa. You're so awesome." Aran complimented her.
Hearing this, Lisa got flustered. She suddenly embraced him without thinking so her face went red instantly. She decided to let go of him but her flushed face was still obvious.
"Hmm? What's wrong?" Aran asked.
"O-Oh! Nothing, I'm just so happy and I can't explain it!" She replied with a little stutter.
"Oh!" Huck approached the two while clapping.
"That was really magnificent, Miss Alliere. So this is the legendary technique of the Alliere house, huh."
"Umm, who are you?"
"Ah forgive me for not introducing myself, my name is Huck Revera. Your match was certainly interesting. You've caught the heart of many warriors including me. If it is possible, would you like to have a tea with me and then talk about sparring?" Huck presented himself in a gentlemanly manner.
Aran gave him a subtle glare but he kept quiet. Lisa noticed that he was affected by this so she smiled and brushed her hair.
"Thank you for the invitation, but I must decline as I don't think your little presentation for strength is worth my time." Lisa rejected him in a discordant manner. Huck suffered a serious heartbreak.
"Eh?!" Even Aran was surprised by this.
"C-C-Can ask why?" Huck didn't give up, he lost all of the strength in his showy attitude and he was torturing himself.
"Let's see... I'm here because I need to support him." Lisa tapped Aran's back. She winked at him before facing Huck.
"We're now down to the last 4 candidates who would proceed to the match. I will now pick another application form so for those who are not yet fighting, brace yourselves."
Huck, Aran, and the other two who are currently waiting on the shed braced themselves.
The crowd's noisiness was instantly depleted after hearing that the next match will now start. Two forms were taken from the box, Aran clenched his fist once again. Lisa looked at him and she held his hand.
"Hey..." She whispered.
"You got this..." Aran nodded.
"The second to the last match will be..."
Engulfed with fear, Aran sighed in order to calm himself down.
"Aran Crossford versus Huck Revera!"
"Woah..." Everyone in the audience made a similar reaction that is pretty strange.
"That's him, right?"
"Yeah. The most arrogant warrior in our town..."
"Damn, the guy he will be fighting sure is unlucky."
Numerous murmurs can be heard and Aran paid attention to every one of them.
"I see, I understand. Well then, I have a magnificent idea!" Huck made a decision.
"What?"
"Miss Alliere, if you would be so kind to give me a chance. If I managed to win this match with Mr. Crossford, you will be accepting my invitation to have a tea and a match. Does that sound good?"
(This guy...) Aran was flabbergasted by the idea. He knew that there are slim chances of him beating the arrogant man standing right in front of him.
"I see... Well, certainly you can have that match. Very well, I will let you talk to me if you beat him." But instead of declining, Lisa accepted the arrangement easily without giving it some thought.
"What? Lisa—" Before Aran can complain, she shut her mouth by placing her index finger on it.
"It's okay." Aran saw the expression.
There is only one meaning behind it. She believe that he wouldn't lose.
"Hahaha! Well then, it is settled! Come forth, Aran Crossford!"
Huck walked through the path with people giving him space like he was some sort of a superstar who's popular. His demeanor was different when he talked to Aran.
His straight body posture and the slight smirk on his face tell that he is very confident that he would win the match.
Meanwhile, Aran slowly stepped on the stairs until he reached the right side of the Arena.
He analyzed the mood of everyone else who's watching them and he noticed that they are neither excited nor happy. There wasn't any reaction that is particularly solidified.
After hearing that Huck Revera was his opponent, everyone's attention garnered around him.
"I didn't expect that you will actually be my opponent for this battle." Huck smirked, his words dominated Aran's concentration and made him uncomfortable.
"Yeah, same here. It is actually scary that a strong guy will be fighting a wimp like me." Aran replied while forcefully making a smile.
(This is bad. If I don't beat this guy, he will take Lisa away from me and she doesn't want it. Why would she have that much trust in my own capabilities in the first place? Lisa should know that I'm not really good at fighting! Well, whatever, I guess I would have to fight seriously.)
"You know, there's something I want to tell you. You might be wondering why these people are rooting for me instead of you. It is because I'm what they called 'The Prince of Iron Fist'." Huck made a stance with his arms crossed, he then began to switch from a defensive form to an offensive form wherein his left arm is positioned on his front and his fist is slightly rotated.
"Iron fist? I see... That's pretty cool." Aran commended him.
(I'm so unlucky. Why do I have to fight a guy whose title is somewhat very awesome?)
Hearing this, Aran became more unstable. He moves slower than usual and all of the confidence that Lisa gave him suddenly vanished in thin air. The beat of his heart gradually increased.
He slowly picked up his old blade that is pretty bad and rough.
"Hey hey hey! Don't tell me you're going to fight me with that crappy dagger?!" Huck laughed.
Aran didn't pay attention to what he was saying. He made a wimpy stance and his movement are sluggish.
"Well then, let the match begins!"