The outcome of the 2nd semifinal battle came as a massive shock that took Obedin City by storm. After an unforgettably intense battle, the Darkhorse, Rex did it again and emerged as the victor against the revered Wind Fairy.
The Darkhorse indeed made it all the way to the final of the tournament!
While the city was still reeling over and trying to recover from the shock, Rex and Morgana were hospitalized due to the injuries that they sustained in the battle.
Depending on the state of the 2 students who qualified for the final of the graduation tournament would the principal of Obedin Mystic Academy declare the day for the final battle of the tournament.
A day after the battle did Rex finally wake up after the exhaustion of the semifinal battles, and Principal Dominic finally released the date for the finals.
"The Finals would commence 4 days from now which is on Friday".
Once the principal released the date, Obedin City started buzzing again as the hype for this final battle flew through the roof.
It took another day after Rex woke up before Morgana finally woke up. Once she woke up, the first thing that this warrior lady demanded was to see Rex.
On seeing Rex, she smiled.
"You earned my respect from our battle, Rex, you completely deserved the win". After saying this, the smile left her face though as she turned serious.
"Though you won, don't ever get complacent".
"I don't give a damn about the outcome of the finals, but you better train hard because I'll be trailing just behind you. I'll definitely defeat you someday!"
Rex smiled on hearing that. "I'll be waiting".
With that, these 2 students shook hands like respectable warriors before they separated.
…
On finally getting home, Rex was treated to a great surprise.
Using the remaining money that they earned from killing the mystic pig, Ben and Cassandra organized a small-scale home party to commemorate their best friend's qualifications for the final of the graduation tournament.
Rex's victory wiped away all the sorrow that was induced by Cassandra's defeat in the quarterfinals. Cassandra was so sincerely happy for her friend that his victory made her forget the heartbreak of defeat.
After feeding Rex to the brim, the 3 friends had a nice time together as they did every single thing that they loved before sleeping that day feeling fulfilled.
Of course, before Rex could sleep, he gave Berserker his daily dosage of food which was his daily sword practice.
The next morning, Rex woke up to a different Bowling Town than he was used to. All his neighbors were a lot more polite to him as every single individual in this town vouched for him to win the graduation tournament.
Even in Obedin City, everything calmed down as every citizen of this massive city anticipated Friday when the final of this exciting tournament would show down. A solemn anticipatory atmosphere filled the air.
The finals of the graduation tournament was the best event in Obedin City every year, and the citizens of this city revered it.
Their emotions and attachment to this tournament gave it a lot more significance, and it only increased the pressure of emerging as the winner to the 2 peak students who qualified for this stage.
Rex felt the pressure and started an intense training schedule like usual. He trained from morning till he was tired, then at night, he left for the Sloth Bar.
On getting there, Master Fixten waited for him like usual. Today, Master Fixten was not like his usual self as he asked Rex a question.
"How do you improve so fast? It is illogical".
Once his master asked this, Rex finally started reflecting on himself. In hindsight now did it dawn on him how his rise to hegemony had been extremely abnormal. Like, just a week ago, Morgana could thrash him 10 times out of 10.
Rex was also confused, he could only attribute this abnormal growth to his special family, Berserker, and the strange visions and dreams that he had.
Till now, Rex had no idea what the blood battlefield and his dreams meant.
"I don't know". Rex finally answered sincerely.
Master Fixten sighed like he already expected that. It would have been abnormal for Rex to know the truth when a master like him was clueless.
Before the training began, Master Fixten visibly hesitated a few times like he wanted to tell Rex something but, in the end, he said nothing.
Master Fixten supervised Rex's training for the next 2 days till the eve of the finals finally came. Today, there was no training in the Sloth Bar, Master Fixten sat Rex down and revealed some truths to him.
Master Fixten looked at the stars in the sky from the balcony as he spoke. "Originally, I'm not supposed to tell any student this but you're my apprentice so I thought it right for you to have some privileges over others".
"Do you know what a sword domain is?"
"Yes, Master". Rex turned to look at his master. "According to what I was taught, sword domain is the first major upgrade and step in the mysticism journey of swordsmanship".
"Yes". Master Fixten smiled.
"Swordsmen learn to make use of and know their sword from a young age. We learn this all our lives, and the motive is to become one with our sword".
"When we are one with our sword, nothing can separate us and this is when mystic swordsmen can fight at the peak".
"Normally, you'll only get to know this after you enter the army but the progression chart of swordsmen is divided into 3 major stages, the sword domain, the mystic sword domain, and the ultimate sword domain".
"The sword domain can be achieved only after becoming one with the sword".
"The mystic sword domain can only be achieved after discovering inner peace".
"While the last and hardest ultimate sword domain can only be achieved by discovering your true self".
"In history, there has only been a handful of swordsmen who ever achieved the ultimate sword domain but each one of them are powerhouses who had led wars against the most powerful mystic beast armies".
"Right now, there is no living swordsman with the ultimate sword domain achievement, this is why mystic swordsmanship is declining".
"The last 2 are not exactly relevant to you now but the first is what I want you to take home from this last session with me before the finals".
"Remember, sword domain can only be achieved by becoming one with your sword".
"That is all for today".
Master Fixten smiled again. "Good luck Rex".
After Rex thanked his master, as he turned to leave, Master Fixten hesitated if he should tell him again but, in the end, he just sighed.
"I can't let his belief waver now".
…
After the session with his master, Rex got home and started conditioning his physical and mental state for the battle that would start tomorrow.
Apart from the recognition of being the winner of the graduation tournament, Rex had a personal reason that motivated him to give his all to win this final, Turan Elliot.
For a long time, though he never admitted it even before his 2 friends, he had always seen Turan as his secret rival who he strived to defeat in battle.
Yes, he was the best when it came to swordsmanship but Turan basically dwarfed him in every other category and this made him feel a bit inferior.
This final, not only victory was at stake, his confidence was at stake too.
After all the bullying from Turan's lackies, after enduring the disdain from this much stronger student before, now Rex had the best opportunity on the best platform to pay Turan back in full and he was not about to hold back.
Rex was determined to win the finals, he trained harder that day.
…
Bam! Bam! Bam!
While Rex trained, Turan also trained with his all, preparing for the finals of the graduation tournament under the tutorship of his master.
Just like Rex, he also had a personal reason that motivated him to win the finals of the graduation tournament by all means.
Though he was affected by the pressure from his father, that was not the main reason for his motivation. He was motivated to win both to erase the shame of losing to Rex in swordsmanship and to prove his half-brother wrong.
Turan was ready to prove that Bruno's prophecies were not omnipotent. Just the thought of Bruno's smug look was enough reason for him to train 24/7.
Under this pressure, Turan and Rex trained hard till they got tired and slept.
The night was swift, in the blink of an eye, the golden rays of the sun that heralded the dawn of a new day pierced through the veils of darkness into the skies.
A new day was here, the day of the finals was here!
The day of the clash between Rex and Turan was here!