In this world, only nobles who receive the Holy Task as a swordsman or knight will inherit sword skills from their family. Just like Eron who inherited the Flash of Genius-four sword slashes in quick succession. Meanwhile, those who are not of noble origin, but get the Holy Task as knights or swordsmen will learn techniques from the nobles, which are called Copy Skills.
Like Ciel who learned the Rune sword technique, or Ash who learned the Ceane sword technique. However, this rarely happened because few nobles would allow their family's inherited sword techniques to be learned by others. But, even though his sword skills were only imitations of Rune's techniques, Ciel felt that his abilities had become more flexible than other nobles.
Yes, because he could copy the techniques of everyone he saw.
Eron used both hands to lift the sword. Unlike Ciel, Eron's sword was small and thin with a pointed tip. The blade seemed to be surrounded by light, which was a skill that slowly activated automatically once the user grasped the sword.
A light and fast rumbling sound swung through the air. Eron had formed a slightly bent posture with both hands holding the sword. Meanwhile, Ciel began to raise the sword with one hand. Although Ciel had no inherited weapons or skills, he had done a lot of real combat during his journey to this city. He met travelers or swordsmen who were no less formidable than the students at the academy.
Those memories slowly surfaced again as he considered what moves he should use at the moment. If he was hit by four consecutive slashes from Eron, his Health Points would definitely be reduced quite a lot. Moreover, since Eron's skills focused on speed, there was a possibility that he might fail to dodge. In that case, could he just endure the movement?
Unfortunately, there was no time to think. Ciel immediately formed a solid posture when Eron started moving towards him while letting out a roar. The pointed tip of Eron's sword was quickly aimed at Ciel.
Before the pointed tip hit his head, Ciel immediately moved. He took a strong step and blocked the first strike perfectly. As the loud metallic sound rang out, Ciel felt his sword being pushed back slightly, but it was not as heavy as when Rune's sword struck his sword.
The students and some of the high nobles around probably thought that the winner of this duel had already been decided. They thought that Ciel was already cornered when he tried to counter Eron's second slash. However, Ciel deliberately made Eron and the other spectators think that way.
Instead of counterattacking, Ciel strengthened his posture and waited for a good opportunity to strike. Eron's second slash went from the top right to the bottom, which Ciel again successfully blocked. This time, the attack power was much stronger, but the speed of the slash had decreased.
Ciel bent down slightly when Eron was about to slash horizontally, then Ciel swung his sword sharply upwards. The sound of metal clanking was heard again. At the same time, the light wrapped around Eron's sword grew brighter, signaling that the final combo skill was about to be launched. However, before that happened, Ciel immediately activated the skill.
A dark blue light began to shroud his sword. Ciel moved quickly to issue the first attack towards Eron's abdomen which did not have any protection. Unlike Eron's Flash of Genius, the skill Ciel learned from Rune had a high level of movement sharpness and attack power.
Ciel's attack hit Eron hard in the gut. The man took a few steps back with one hand clutching his gut. As if not to let Eron counterattack, Ciel swung the sword again. This time, Ciel aimed for Eron's empty forearm.
However, a noble who possessed an inherited skill could not be underestimated either. As the name suggests, Eron's movements have incredible speed. Even before Ciel's blade hit his arm, Eron desperately deflected the attack.
Ciel and Eron both stepped back. It turned out that Ciel's calculations were correct. Noble pride would definitely not let Eron get two consecutive attacks without a fight like earlier. It would be very embarrassing if he got two attacks from a commoner like Ciel. However, that was also what made Ciel confident in his other calculations.
Ciel admitted that Eron's speed was indeed above average. But, the man's attack power was still far away when compared to Rune or Ceane who were focused on attack power and fatal points. Because of that the only hard task Ciel had to do was to look two seconds faster than Eron's movements. It was not something difficult as he had done it when blocking Eron's attack the first time.
They postured again. This time, Ciel decided to go ahead. He raised the sword in his hand at the same line as Eron's face with his feet firmly planted. When using sword skills with strong attack power, foot position and timing were very important as it involved balance and focusing on a vital point.
The tip of Ciel's sword swung, clashing with the thin blade of Eron's sword. This time Eron's counterattack had more attack power than before. Ciel had expected that Eron would focus more on finding an opportunity rather than starting four slashes in a row like the beginning of the fight. This man would surely be embarrassed if his family's inherited sword skill could be swatted away by the same person twice.
On the next swing, Ciel's much heavier strength returned to attack Eron's thin sword. The man desperately tried to defend, but Ciel knew Eron's legs were slowly pushed back. The light enveloping Eron's sword began to flicker. It looked like Eron was activating the passive sword skill buff to deflect Ciel's attack.
Both Ciel and Eron could not let go of their positions because if they turned or stepped back, the opponent's sword would instantly slash at them. Also, Ciel was sure that his sword would bounce off. Ciel desperately pushed away Eron's sword, but his legs were slowly pushed back. And at the same time, Ciel felt a light pat on the shoulder as if to give him strength.
Ciel unconsciously smiled. Yes, he was not fighting here for money or anything like that. For the sake of his friend and the only person he admired, who understood his unusual thinking, as well as the person who became his destination in life.
One thing Ciel was sure of, he could not lose here.
With purpose, Ciel pushed his right leg back so that Eron's sword position was a little above him. The man smiled wickedly, as if he had guessed that the duel would end with him as the winner. However, that was also what Ciel had been waiting for.
With one swift movement, Ciel released his sword and rolled to the side, letting Eron's attack fall to the ground. As if not wanting to give Eron a chance to counter, Ciel quickly got up, then unleashed a final attack with an overhead slash. The blue aura that covered Ciel's sword intensified, right towards Eron's unprotected shoulder.
However, before the strike landed on Eron's shoulder, a sharp sound from outside the arena rang out.