The Radcliffe family is a distinguished sword worshipping family. For them their god is swordsmanship.
Everything starts from the sword and everything ends at the sword. Their history dates back alongside the Swan family but where the Swan family vanished the Radcliffe family persisted.
They joined hands with the Foundation and became a part of their project.
And that gamble paid of well. Throughout the generations as technology and understating increased their understanding of the sword increased as well.
For they felt as if they were closer to their god.
But at some point they felt like they had hit a brick wall.
For their understanding wasn't increasing much further.
Either it had reached its completion or they had reached a bottle neck.
To resolve that issue. They decided to incorporate the mana principle with their sword. And their level surpassed the bottleneck it was once stuck at.
The reason for the bottleneck was very simple. The possibilities were countable. Each movement, each stance, each handling techniques, each stab and slash each cut deep or shallow, each injury inflicted, even weight of swords ds and the effect of different weights, material was studied very extensively.
Each form with all of these factors were recorded and stored in the Radcliffe archives for accessible to everyone. Even outsiders.
The speed and strength were independent factor differing from each swordsman.
And it was like there wwe nothing left. Even bizzare states like drunken swordsmanship or amputated swordsmanship, berserk state and dizzy, depressed and sedation state swordsmanship was considered and studied for further inspiration.
The decision was simple even swordsman ship needed to evolve further.
That's why at first they incorporated mana into their sword.
And it evolved to a much higher level. It became stronger faster more diverse it gained new forms and this was the biggest moment of the family.
Until once again they hit a roadblock. Most of the family members were just ordinary people who couldn't use mana thus they relied on mana stones for their practice. But even that started to become overwhelming over generations.
As mana stones are very unstable no matter which form they are used in.
They needed someone who can inherently use mana.
But finally Rena's grandfather birth a son who could weild mana. He shattered all the previous records set by his predecessor and when Rena was born it was discovered that she could also use mana. And then expectations increased on her and with expectations the pressure also increased.
Mana swordsman across the lands were called just to tutor in mana swordsman ship for Rena.
She is expected to be the next matriarch for the Radcliffe family. And she was trained for it. All the archival data was crammed in her head by the Leaner.
As practice she would refer the data inside her head to always pull out thru perfect moves in the predetermined circumstances.
She has sparred against 500 opponents and most of those matches were flawless.
But today something happened which ticked her off.
Expecting a perfect flawless match against an disarmed opponent. She couldn't even land a hit on him.
She used every move in her data base perfectly and flawlessly. Her anxiety and pressure piled up and she used mana slash. Which to prevent from hurting anyone else Jay grabbed the sword and absorbed the mana from the blade.
And accidently broke it.
A sword which is inherited by the future head of the family easily broken at the hands of a stranger.
Rena :
Why can't I hit you even once.
Jay looked at McElroy because he was worried what answer he should give.
Jay : lying through his teeth.
Well like you I am consistently improving myself just to keep up with everyone around me. I know if I stop just for a bit I'll be taken down by everyone here.
I was better than you this time. But I do not think I would be able to handle a rematch.
McElroy (inner thoughts, seen through the lies)
Is he trying to motivate her.
McElroy :
The winner of this spar is Jay Garrick.
McElroy had given a seal of approval.
If we compare their level then it would be like a peasant without any special attributes fighting a planet size Kai ju with just a plastic spoon.
Next spar :
Aiden VS Tara.
Aiden is a brawler who uses his fist while Tara uses Ranged attacks such as Bows, and guns.
Tara wins.
Next spar :
Donald vs Klara.
Donald used a spear while Klara used a double edged sword.
Both of their experiences got them through the end. But
It was a tie in the end.
First bracket completed.
Second bracket.
Jim vs Kent
Both of them were injured and were not able to continue.
Zen vs Lee
Due to a incendiary grenade both of them were knocked out.
Ren vs Hau
Ren won due to the time limit.
Some students has started anonymous betting. And even McElroy himself pitched in. As he correctly predicted each round. They students were utterly robbed and vowed to never gamble again.
The first bracket was dominated by Jay.
And the second bracket was dominated by the prisoner
Wen.
Final round : Jay vs Wen.
Wen :
We can use any tactic we like except magic am I correct.
McElroy :
Yes give it everything you got.
Wen :
I have seen you fight. Now I want to see how you win.
McElroy :
Fight.
Jay took one step forward and he slid across the floor.
Wen had rigged the floor with non flammable oil and made the floor slippery.
As Jay slipped from the unexpected attack he fell on the ground and as he saw the ceiling he also saw three incendiary grenades above him fully cooked and ready to explode.
Jay :
Cheap tactics.
And the grenades exploded. And there was smoke and Wen the prisoner jumped into the smoke with a dagger.
And Jay broke the dagger with his bare hands without any injuries.
Inside the smoke Jay flicked his opponent outside the field and as the smoke cleared he appeared to be limping filled with injuries.
Breathing heavily, limping.
Jay : heavy, harsh breathing.
I finally did it.
Jay fell on his knees and fell to the ground.
McElroy :
Medics take both of them under care.
McElroy :
Winner is Jay Garrick.
The students rushed to his care while The prisoner was left aside. Even though he won every match up including the end.
It is the truth that the history is written by the Victors.
But there was someone else watching this situation unfold.
In the Headmaster's office.
In front of the entire board of directors, secretaries and members and the guardian of the institute this feed was being played.
? :
This kid is very weak, he was barely able to win against the other students and the prisoners.
Wilcoxin :
I am not able to understand why these two pique the interest of our Lord. This is the strength of an ant in front of him.
Phoenix :
Is that how it looks.
For someone who was able to kill the Duke to be this strong it doesn't fit right.
Any untrained eye can see he barely won. But one should know what he is doing isn't that right director.
Director :
Indeed, this is interesting. To be able to outperform everyone. Maybe this is why Lord has him in the sights.
His is the one who holds the Miracle isn't he.
Classified info :
Most are unaware of the death of the God Luminos, Phizon,
Restriction rank : Right hand of the Heads.
Classified info :
Corpse of Sein.
Restricted rank : Board members, Headmaster and minimum secretary level.
Classified info :
Jay and McElroy case file.
Restriction rank :
Right hand of the Foundation Head.
Wilcoxin :
I need to know Phoenix why are the files related to them classified at the highest level.
Phoenix :
Headmaster, I am here just to observe them. I cannot divulge any restricted information.
Director :
Well then it doesn't look like they are under any restrictions.
To not divulge information.
Director :
Secretary please call my son Ray . Say I need to meet him.
Secretary :
Certainly.
Meanwhile in the outside world there was a village burning in flames as there were corpses and blood everywhere there was a man who beat single-handedly beat
A hundred men by himself. Under the instructions of the Foundation.
A swords master, and an excellent mage. The Underdog of Wilcoxin institute Ray Genase
He received a call on his implanted and through his eyes which showd off an AR visual there was a call.
Ray picked up the call.
Secretary :
Mr Ray I hope you are finished with the task assigned.
Ray :
Unfortunately, this was short and boring, all of them were weak can't you find someone strong.
Lately it's been clearing the heretics and soldiers of God.
Coming down from the heavens like Tigers and then scattering like the scared cats they are.
Secretary :
Fortunately we have found you such a task.
Please return to Wilcoxin Institute immediately.
Ray :
I don't want to return again. Dad forced me to learn last time.
Secretary :
There is someone in the institute who can pique your interest.
Ray :
Oh, then I'll be back by night. Bye.