Rex's victory came as a shock to a lot of spectators, even the commentator himself. Clearly, he was already among the dark horses that were emerging during this graduation tournament.
For a long time, this sword genius was seen as a mystic energy imbecile that the thought of him defeating a powerful opponent like Jones of the mighty Magma family never crossed their minds.
Even though news came that he finally managed to awaken mystic energy, the rumors said that he only awakened it less than a week ago.
How can someone who just awakened mystic energy less than a week ago be so proficient at controlling it?
Rex's performance in the previous battle may not seem like much, but those who really understood mystic energy and how difficult it was to tame this mischievous energy knew that what they just saw was definitely not normal.
Rex's calmness in the face of his statistically superior opponent was chilling to watch, the way he fought like he had the whole situation in his grasp from the beginning to the end sent chills down the spine of every student who watched him.
Also, the sword that Rex used, which mystic sword was that?
The students who were spectating the battles to discover their future opponents were not blind. Rex's performance with his sword already revealed to them that his sword was a mystic weapon.
The only baffling fact was how did this miser get a mystic weapon?
In the Obedin Mystic Academy, Rex Vector was well-known even if it was mostly for a bad reason. Being the only student not of the privileged class who succeeded in becoming the best student of a battle department was no easy feat.
Besides, the fact that he was the object of bullying for most students was not hidden and was the main reason why a lot of students knew him.
Knowing him meant that most students also knew his financial situation. Rex Vector was a poor orphan who lost his parents at the age of 5, left with nothing to inherit but his ancestral home.
Due to his talent, he got a scholarship into the Obedin Mystic Academy but being a part of the nonprivileged class, he was discriminated which led to a growing sense of inferiority complex in him over time.
The only thing that gave him confidence was holding a sword, but this never cut the mark as he was among the students who never awakened mystic energy which was something that directly quenched all his achievements with his sword.
At least, this was what other students knew of Rex Vector for the 5 years that they spent in the academy. But now, this perception was changing.
Winning one battle was not supposed to have such an effect, but the fact that Rex won this battle against Magma Jones carried a lot more weight.
Rex's display was so dominating that a lot of students were intimidated.
Throughout the battle, he made very little use of his mystic energy, mostly making use of his impeccable grasp of basic swordsmanship and sword skills to overwhelm his opponent.
The most horrifying part was that despite having a mystic sword, a powerful opponent like Jones was not able to force Rex to use his mystic sword's mystic effect. This meant that he didn't even go all out in this victory.
The students who already qualified could feel the pressure increasing, another dark horse who could be a tournament favorite already emerged, again.
Originally, most students never saw Rex as an opponent to be wary of, but after this display, they would be a fool to still look at him in the same light.
Rex Vector's victory was surprising, but the spectators were still stoked. As much as they loved to see tournament favorites crushing their opponents, they even loved seeing dark horses crushing tournament favorites more.
Rex's victory set the mood in the spectator stands at a high as after allowing them to digest the previous victory, the commentator finally announced the next students to come to the battle arena.
"Well, the previous battle just showed us that nothing is set in stone".
"In the graduation tournament, anything can happen, even the favorite to win first place can falter to an unexpected dark horse like we just saw".
"We'll not be dwelling on the previous battle since we have a ton of more exciting battles ahead".
"Give it up as we welcome Timber Crook and Orlando Rim to the arena!"
While the spectators exploded in cheers, probably already forgetting the previous battle, Rex was escorted to the academy hospital by a group of medical personnel who kept on asking him questions about his present condition.
In the previous battle, Rex's performance could only be described as impeccable since he never received any significant injury from his opponent.
Despite this, he still suffered a few internal injuries. As a taijutsu user, Jones was a professional at targeting his opponent's body weak points as one of the professional courses in this department was studying the human anatomy.
Because of this, though he was unable to injure Rex, all of his few punches that connected dealt a significant number of internal injuries to him.
After getting to the hospital, Rex had a full medical checkup where it was confirmed that he only suffered a bit of internal bleeding that could easily heal with a few medications.
He received some medications from the nurse before he was discharged.
On going outside, Rex was surprised to see Magma Jones. Despite being severely more injured than he was, Jones was able to beg the nurse attending to him to allow him to come for this brief visit.
"Congratulations on your victory, Rex".
"That was a really nice battle, you surprised me". Jones complimented as he extended his right hand for a handshake.
Rex was pretty shocked, feeling that the current situation was ridiculous but he still took the handshake. "You too, I won only due to a bit of luck on my part".
"No need to console me, you really did good". Jones smiled. "I finally understand why you are the best student in the sword department".
"Thanks". Rex was flattered, suddenly unsure how to reply.
"If you can fight consistently the same way that you fought against me, I believe that you'll probably be one of the finalists of the tournament".
Rex just smiled in reply, still finding the situation ridiculous.
"I'm rooting for you, don't dare lose since you already won against me".
Hearing that sensitive word said in such a jovial manner, Rex's ears perked up as he chuckled before replying seriously. "I won't!"
"Good". Jones smiled before waving goodbye. "Then, Goodluck".
2 good solid minutes after Jones left, Rex was rooted to the spot as he still found the situation absurd. "Jones, a privileged, congratulated me?!"
"…Damn!"
All of a sudden, his motivation to perform in the tournament skyrocketed.
All his life at the academy, except when with his 2 friends and other nonprivileged students, he always behaved like he didn't give a damn about the privileged students. This was all an illusion though.
Though he never wanted to admit it, he always envied the lives of the privileged students, getting to laze in their ivory towers, worrying about nothing while their parents provided everything that they needed.
He had always wanted this lifestyle but unfortunately, fate screwed him over, and he had to work hard to make sure that he didn't starve for a meal every day.
Suddenly seeing one of these students that he always envied coming to congratulate him left Rex feeling so flattered that he was lost for words to say.
"Victory…, feels so good".
Rex left the hospital to go spectate the other battles for the day alongside Cassandra, he especially anticipated a particular battle.