"W-W-What a sudden turn of tides!! In just a single moment, Her Highness had turned the table against His Grace and laid waste on the arena!!" ［Konan］
"Who could have seen it coming?! To think that she, who was covered in blood and wounds, could easily crush His Grace without much effort! An unbelievable feat! This is a first, I'll tell you that much, folks!" ［Terry］
"It was a duel with a number of twists and turns. But the one who rose to victory was Her Highness! Gladiator Yuna advances to the Grand Finals!" ［Konan］
There was confusion and there was disbelief, but such emotions soon turned to a hollering cacophony of excitement the moment Konan's announcement echoed all over the Grand Colosseum, people yelling to the top of their lungs.
They understood little to nothing about what just happened, but they knew full well that Yuna dominated the match. A throne of ice enveloped the arena, a beautiful young lady reigning over it, eyes cold as the piercing chills.
A certain chamber in particular was especially excited. There sat the Royal Family, applauding both Yuna and Elian for their wonderful performance, now in standing ovation after witnessing such an awe-inspiring sight.
"Haha... And here I thought Yuna would lose to Elian... Just as you would expect from the one who defeated me." ［Archen］
"Dear, you're putting quite a bit much confidence in yourself. Lady Yuna is simply bright and powerful." ［Miranda］
"Sure, sure, let's go with that. Still... She really is a monster..." ［Archen］
The King meant no harm in his words, only holding awe and admiration in his heart for the lone young lady standing on the stage. Had she used such a skill against him, he could only shudder at the thought of his own demise. Truly tightening.
His Majesty already accepted how far the gap between his and Yuna's skill was, but it seems that he was far too conceited. It was much wider than he imagined, a massive wall rising before him, soaring towards the heavenly clouds.
He may not be able to reach the fabled pinnacle of swords in this lifetime, at least he could witness someone who held the potential to. The way her swords fluttered in the air was graceful and mystical... Beauty amidst the violence.
"Dear, you're smiling..." ［Miranda］
"Hahaha. I'm just looking forward to what the future holds..." ［Archen］
The crowd continued to applaud, lauding Yuna's name over and over again. There was no end to the excitement, people talking about what just happened without a break, chatting merrily as if there was no tomorrow.
Soon enough, the medical and repair team headed inside the arena and fixed up all the mess. Yuna helped out in thawing the ice and repairing the stage, also healing her wounds while she was at it. She has become quite dependable.
"Thank you very much, Your Highness. We will now escort His Grace out of the arena. Please enjoy your rest."
"Un. Thank you. I will be taking my leave now." ［Yuna］
With everything done and dusted, Yuna then headed back to the stage, the audience still chanting her name. Two figures greeted her by the other side of the arena gates, faces filled with pride and joy as they welcomed the young lady back.
Well, they were happy now, but when Yuna was getting pushed back, they were both pale as can be, looking as if they had seen ghosts. One could only feel the relief and excitement they felt after seeing Yuna turn the tides of the duel.
"Congratulations, Yuna～! I knew you could do it! I knew you could beat Lord Elian! I always believed in you! As expected of my teacher～!" ［Lisandra］
"Fufufu! Is that so? I'm sure I saw you panicking just a little while ago though? You were so close to crying, you know?" ［Yuna］
"W-W-Wahh! F-Forget that already! H-How did you even see that?!" ［Lisandra］
"Fufufu! Have you forgotten already? I'm an S-ranker. There's only a couple of things that could escape my eyes." ［Yuna］
The young ladies were laughing and giggling, one with a face beet red like a ripe tomato, flustered and fidgety as can be, and the other with a rosy tint on her cheeks, clearly having fun teasing her dear friend.
As for the third figure, he only looked at them with warm eyes. He looked quite calm and composed now, but he was the one who panicked the most back then, almost rushing towards Yuna's side when Elian pummeled her with his blades.
He had already sworn to himself that he wouldn't act as impulsively and overprotective as before, but he still couldn't help it. Oh, the sweet contradictions of love... He once again realized how much of a fool he was... Just a fool in love...
"Grey, what do you think? How did I do?" ［Yuna］
"You did well... I'll make sure to make you something as a reward tomorrow. Just tell me if there's anything you want to eat." ［Grey］
"Oh? We didn't agree on this though? Is that really okay?" ［Yuna］
"Hm? Why are you asking for a reason...? Is there something wrong with wanting to reward my hardworking fiancée?" ［Grey］
Grey's sweet and sappy words shot like a heart-tipped arrow towards Yuna's heart, hitting it where it hurts, and making it race uncontrollably. Her heart skipped a beat, Grey sparkling with stars and roses in her rose-tinted vision.
The young lady's light rosy blush turned into a fierce red color, now blushing fervently and profusely, face feeling hot all the way to her pointy ears. The atmosphere quickly turned pink, love drifting in the air as two eyes gazed deeply at one another.
Amidst the rosy room was a young lady, her mouth wide open as cold chills ran down her spine. She may be friends with the two, but sometimes their sweetness was too much. She just wanted to curse them, a terrifying smile blooming on her face.
"Ahem! Are you two done now?" ［Lisandra］
It was only when Lisandra cut them off that the two returned to reality. Yuna hid her face and Grey cleared his throat, the two trying to hide their embarrassment. A sight which would only make any lovesick singles irritated.
"A-Anyway! Grey, it's your turn next, right? Are you sure it's fine to be that lax? You're going up against the Champion, you know?" ［Yuna］
"Hm? Are you worried about me now? You should know how my skills are." ［Grey］
"That's true... I guess that's true..." ［Yuna］
Just like Yuna, Grey's swordsmanship proficiency rose from 71% to 72%. It may only look insignificant, but that single percentage increase was something swordsmen would need months of training to achieve. He has grown quite a bit.
Well, compared to the Champion's 76%, it was still not quite there yet. He could only rely on his elemental magic, abilities, and battle sense to make up for the rest. All in all, it would be a fairly equal battle, both having the same chances of winning.
"With that said... Grey, I've kept my promise... It's time to do your part..." ［Yuna］
The young lady looked at Grey with eyes full of expectations and the young man in question replied with a bright smile. With her working so hard, it's only right that he replies in kind, flames of determination surging ablaze in his heart.
"Sure. You can count on me." ［Grey］
"Let us welcome back the final semifinalists to the arena! Give a round of applause to His Highness, Gladiator Grey! And His Grace, Gladiator Deltran!" ［Terry］
Just in time, the commentator's declaration rang out in the whole Grand Colosseum, the audience in a craze as they chanted their names. It was time for Grey to head out, his eyes beaming with excitement as he watched the stage before him.
"Then, I'll get going now. See you in a bit." ［Grey］
"Fufufu! Good luck, Grey! Don't forget our promise, okay～?" ［Yuna］
"I'm really conflicted right now, but I will also cheer on you! Good luck!" ［Lisandra］
Heavy, metallic creaks resounded in the air, the arena gates closing with thrill and exhilaration. The ever so gentle sunlight graced his figure once again, the sound of his footsteps subtly echoing as he walked towards the freshly restored stage.
It was already the third day, but the cheers of the crowd wasn't any less warm. They have yet to run out of voice nor energy, still screaming with vigor and enthusiasm. A cacophony of cheers not even festivals could hope to rival.
He walked up the stage, and in front of appeared the Champion. All one would need was a single look, and one could tell that they wore the same expressions on their faces, excited smiles extending from ear to ear as they faced one another.
"To think I could finally have a bout against you on this lovely day, you really didn't disappoint me, Grey." ［Lionel］
"I could say the same... And it seems like you can smile like this, huh? I thought I heard Avalon's Champion was a cold-hearted person." ［Grey］
"Well, who wouldn't be able to smile in front of such a strong opponent?" ［Lionel］
They shook one another's hands and the ground trembled ever so slightly. The mood in the air suddenly shifted into one filled with pressure and tension. They have yet to cross swords yet the Grand Colosseum was already quivering in fear.
As per usual, the Commentators did their introductions and the crowd showered them with praises. They soon separated ways, heading to opposite sides as they readied themselves to strike at the ring of the bell, eyes glowing sharp,
""Let the duel.... Begin!!"" ［Konan and Terry］
Their voices rang out and the gongs were struck. The very moment the signal turned green, Lionel unsheathed his sword and rushed towards Grey without a moment's hesitation. He was so fast, all the audience could see was a passing blur.
CLANG BOOOOMMMMMM FWOOSH FWOOSH FWOOSH
The first strike was landed, an explosion of sparks blasting through the air, violent shockwaves following it as the air boomed like thunder. It was still the first clash yet they already made an impact on the Grand Colosseum, literally and figuratively.
CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG BOOM
They exchanged blows again and again, streaking all throughout the stage and filling it with life. It was like watching a beautiful fireworks show, only that it was currently daytime and the sparks came from crossing swords.
With swift hands, Lionel lunged his sword towards Grey's aide, and the latter evaded with ease. Grey then counterattacked from below, aiming towards his jaws. An attack the Champion dodged with ease with but a simple sidestep.
A downwards slash, a thrust towards the heart, a horizontal slash, a piercing volley of blades and many more. Grey and Lionel's exchange only got fiercer and fiercer with the passing of time, neither of them giving in with from the other's strikes.
CLANG BOOOOMMMMM
They clashed with all their might, a shockwave sending tremors to the ground. The two were blasted away from one another, both landing on their feet with a bit of flipping and maneuvering midair, not breaking a sweat from their clashes.
There was no warning whatsoever. As soon as they landed, streams of mana lashed out violently as they were sucked in towards their vortex, turbulent storms brewing in the stage as the two poured their will and resolve into their swords.
⟨⟨ ⟨⟨Bladed Tempest!!⟩⟩ ⟩⟩ ［Grey and Lionel］
The storms grew more turbulently and aggressively as they brandished their swords, blades of mana revolving with them as the center. Two massive tornadoes formed in the arena, clashing ever so devastatingly, sparks flying out everywhere.
There was no mercy between the two, the freshly repaired arena once again ripped to shreds as long, deep gashes left their marks. Not even the walls could survive, a glaring claw-like pattern engraved on it as the tornadoes continued to spin.
It didn't take too long before the tornadoes of blades dispersed, yet there was no time to be relieved. The end was far from near, the two drawing back their swords as they once again poured copious amounts of mana to their swords.
⟨⟨ ⟨⟨Flash Rain!⟩⟩ ⟩⟩ ［Grey and Lionel］
Destructive torrents came from both sides, the center peppered with shockwaves as their thrusts collided with one another. They were perfectly in sync, the stage cleaved in half as the shockwaves continued to flog out, bearing the brunt of all their attacks.
Some attacks did manage to pass through, but with their insane reflexes, it didn't take too much effort to evade them, using magic to augment their strides, making what is thought to be impossible by others, possible.
"What an intense duel! It hasn't even been a minute and the whole arena is already destroyed! This is beyond amazing! This is terrifying!" ［Terry］
"You're totally right, Partner! And it doesn't seem like it's dying down anytime soon! I already anticipated something great, but this is beyond my expectations!" ［Konan］
"Hohoho! What do you think, folks?! Who do you think will prevail in this violent fury! Will it be our Reigning Champion, or would it be the young Hero of Oiros?!" ［Terry］
"Keep your eyes peeled! I'm sure you wouldn't want to miss a scene!" ［Konan］
Unlike Yuna and Elian before them, the match between Grey and Lionel was not one which started off relatively gently then building up more excitedly. From the very first clash, they already gave it their all, fighting with smiles on their faces.
The torrent soon stopped and the clouds of dust finally settled down. Yet the same couldn't be said about Grey and Lionel. Despite their already over the top clashes, they were still far from satisfied,
The Champion's blade glowed golden, the ground quaking before him. He raised his sword and boulders soared towards the sky, latching onto his sword until a massive sword extending 20 meters in length was reached.
On the side of the stage, the winds howled and bellowed at Grey's command, then gathering towards his sword, a furious tornado adorning it afterwards. The winds ran faster and sharper until the ground below him was filled with scars and diced up into oblivion, only dust remaining.
"Wait! That stance and pattern...! Don't tell me..." ［Archen］
There was no mistaking it. As soon as he saw Grey's movements and the stance that he took, he immediately recognized what the latter was trying to do. He has clashed with such techniques countless times, after all... It was Eliazar's...
⟨⟨Heavy Slash: Omega!⟩⟩ ［Lionel］
⟨⟨Blitz Symphony!⟩⟩ ［Grey］
Lionel brought down his sword and the ground trembled ever so violently, a golden shine swallowing the arena as a massive shadow was cast over it. The winds rang in terror, the ground already acing itself for impact.
Yet Grey remained unfazed. He simply slashed and thrusted, the winds carrying his strikes, connecting towards Lionel's attack from all angles and directions. He struck it where it was weakest, cracks echoing time and time again.
Crack Crack CRACK CRACK CRACK BOOOOMMMMMM
The cracks started out small, but after repeated peppering, it grew bigger and bigger, running along the surface of Lionel's sword until it was totally consumed. A massive explosion of dust and rocks thundered in the arena.
Lionel's attack was shattered into bits and pieces, thuds echoing across the Grand Colosseum as the debris fell like rain. Even the remaining force of the attack was neutralized, only leaving small craters peppering in the ground.
The Champion's attack may have been shattered, but the same couldn't be said for Grey's. He continued his deadly torrent, his blades carried by the rushing winds as they bolted towards his enemy, destroying everything in their path.
⟨⟨Raging Thunder Flash!⟩⟩ ［Lionel］
Lionel didn't just let himself fall prey towards Grey's curtain of swords. He quickly poured strength and mana into his feet and blade, darting like a thunderbolt as he rushed towards Grey, sword glimmering brightly.
The rushing blades were cut and the ground was laced with scars. He swiftly evaded all that rushed towards him, leaping towards the air as he raised his sword. Another metallic clang resounded in the air as he struck Grey's sword
CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG CLANG
Left, right, from above, from below, and from all angles. As he cruised like a bolt of lightning streaking across the sky, he landed fierce blows towards Grey without stopping, making sure to strike the most vital of spots without making any flaws.
However, his efforts were all for naught. With Grey's eyes, no matter where he struck, Grey would always ready without a second beat and defend against it. He parried all of them perfectly, even launching counterattacks at Lionel's gaps.
A final clang resounded in the air before the Champion bolted away. With things as they are, it was pointless to continue on pressing Grey. He would only be wasting time and effort, time going against him in a battle of attrition.
"I already knew that you are one tough opponent, but to think you would be able to defend against my attacks... You never cease to amaze me, Grey." ［Lionel］
"The feeling is mutual. Though, you're not giving up, are you?" ［Grey］
"Me? Giving up? Hahaha... Rather, I'm just getting started!" ［Lionel］
The winds screeched with his scream and the ground quaked more aggressively than before. Mana gathered and condensed into Lionel's sword, every fiber of Grey's body screaming of danger as he watched such a scene unfold.
Lionel slashed and slashed again, each blade packing power to cleave everything in sight in half. The once clear arena was now littered with a storm of dust and debris, only getting stronger, the mote Lionel brandished his trusty blade.
⟨⟨Thousand Blades Spiral!⟩⟩ ［Lionel］
There it was again! Lionel's most powerful sword art was unleashed in the arena, the advent of destruction flashing before everybody's eyes. It was a downpour of blades, not a single place in the arena safe from its reach.
A thousand blades laid waste upon the arena, loud and irritable screeches filling the air as its claws scratched the barrier. It was merciless and relentless, ripping everything to shreds, vicious and ferocious like a demonic beast on a rampage.
Grey shouldered the full brunt of the attacks, remaining calm as ever as he watched such a beautiful cascade of blades. Lionel's skill was overwhelming and all his blows were also sharp and precise, but there was something Grey possessed that he did not... Grey possessed cheats. Divine cheats, that is.
⟨⟨Executioner's Rush!⟩⟩ ［Grey］
With his eyes and mind, he copied Galahad's sword art from the day before. He also used the "Eyes of Destiny" to see ahead into the future and "Heaven's Eye" to see everything around him, tying everything with "Multitask" and "Autopilot".
Lionel's fury continued, and so did Grey's defense. It was a technique supposed to be impossible to defend against unless one was of higher level in swordsmanship, yet Grey broke such a principle, fending off everything without batting an eye.
His hands moved fast as lightning, his strides accurate and effective as can be, and his body maneuvering with the use of wind magic. The sound of shattering glass rang in the air as Grey broke the blades time and time again.
The storm soon let up and a scene of ruin was revealed to the eyes. Just like the day before, there was not a trace of the stage nor the arena anymore, only the barrier to be seen protecting the people. It was a scene of the apocalypse.
"What the... Impossible..." ［Lionel］
Yet in that apocalyptic scene, not just one, but two people remained standing. One was the harbinger of destruction who brought forth such destruction and the other was his target, perfectly unscathed, eyes remaining sharp and calm.
"Then... It's my turn, right?" ［Grey］
There was no warning whatsoever. Before Lionel could even recover from shock, Grey had already closed the distance between them, his eyes glowing an amethyst glow as he raised his sword towards the Champion.
⟨⟨Raging Thunder Flash!⟩⟩ ［Grey］
⟨⟨Cleaving Crescent!⟩⟩ ［Grey］
⟨⟨Wild Thrust!⟩⟩ ［Grey］
One... Two... Three... Four... And many more...
Grey juggled sword art after sword art as he unleashed his fury towards Lionel, all the while imbuing them with different attributes and striking from different angles, making use of feints and illusion while he was at it. An explosion of colors!
Lionel had already fought countless battles and duels but it was his first time fighting such varied and confusing styles. Let alone counterattack, he could barely defend himself from Grey's insane rhythm. It was simply too unpredictable.
"W-W-What an unbelievable style! His Highness is attacking His Grade with various sword arts and using different elements! I've never seen anything like this before in my life! This is simply a marvel to behold!" ［Konan］
It wasn't just Lionel. The commentators, the audience, the Royal Family, and all that were present were in awe at Grey's display, speechless and frozen at the same time. Only one person was different... It was none other than Yuna.
'Fufufu! He sure is flashy, isn't he～?' ［Yuna］
The Champion was able to hold up, but the same couldn't be said for his ring. The more Grey attacks, the more impact it received. Not to mention the lashing out of different elements. Cracks started to appear on it until...
Crack Crack Crack Shatter
It was a subtle sound, but both Grey and Lionel heard it loud and clear. The former suddenly stopped in his tracks, halting his sword, a pale expression painted on his face. Expression just as pale as the man before him.
"Ah... I'm in trouble..." ［Lionel］
He was in trouble, indeed. As soon as the ring broke, the illusory magic cast on the Champion was instantly dispelled. With the effect fading, Lionel's face slowly started changing shape and so did his color... Slowly but surely.
His white hair turned a fierce scarlet color and his green eyes turned a deep blue like the ever expanding ocean. He has returned to his original colors, his expression only spelling trouble no matter which angle one reads it.
"Huh...? Who is that...? Is that Lord Deltran...?"
"It can't be, right? Was he just faking it this entire time?"
"Hey! What's happening here?!"
Confusion brewed all over the Grand Colosseum and the audience was thrust into chaos as they tried to figure out just who the scarlet-haired man was, pandemonium spelled all over the place as the people argued.
Amidst all the chaos, a couple certain figures quickly identified who the man was. A certain princess in particular was in disbelief, eyes wide open in shock and hands trembling ever so slightly as she pointed at the man. A few words were spoken...
"E-Elder Brother?!" ［Lisandra］
CHAPTER 329 END