The arena was buzzing with excitement as the next matchup appeared on the Aetheris devices, displaying the names of the two combatants: Ash Braker versus Gaius Vale. Gaius was a noble from the prestigious Vale family, one of the most powerful families in the academy. His reputation as a skilled spearman preceded him, and many of the students whispered about the outcome of this match, already betting on the noble to win.
Ash stepped into the arena, his usual calm and joyful demeanor present. In his hand, he held a sleek black sword, forged by one of the blacksmiths from his home in the outer settlements. The blade had a black hue with intricate golden rune-like symbols etched along its surface. The cross guard was a mix of wood and metallic materials, silver and gold in color, while the handle was wrapped with a dark red leather band, giving it a rustic yet elegant appearance.
On the opposite side, Gaius Vale stood with a smug grin on his face. He looked down at Ash's sword and scoffed. "That's your weapon? Some crude, old-fashioned piece of junk?" Gaius's voice was cold and mocking. "What backwater village did you crawl out of?"
Ash chuckled lightly, unfazed by the noble's condescension. "Yeah, it's not as fancy as yours, but it's got its own charm," he said, his easygoing smile never faltering.
Gaius sneered. "Charm won't save you from getting humiliated, commoner."
The countdown began, and the bell rang sharply, signaling the start of the match.
Gaius wasted no time, raising his hand as the Wrap Ring on his finger glowed, summoning a technologically advanced spear. The long shaft was sleek, adorned with embedded Mana shards that pulsed with power. Gaius twirled the spear effortlessly, its edge gleaming in the sunlight, a testament to its sharpness and lethality.
Without hesitation, Gaius lunged forward, spear aimed directly at Ash's chest. Ash barely managed to dodge the first strike, the tip of the spear grazing his side. Gaius followed up with a flurry of rapid thrusts, his spear moving with precision and deadly intent.
Ash was on the defensive from the start, his black sword clashing against the spear as he tried to block the relentless attacks. Gaius was fast, his movements fluid and practiced, each strike aimed to kill or incapacitate.
He's good… really good, Ash thought as he parried another blow, sweat starting to form on his brow. The spear was long, giving Gaius an advantage in reach, and every time Ash tried to close the distance, Gaius would push him back with another powerful thrust.
The first round was tough—Gaius had complete control, and Ash was struggling to find an opening. The noble's skill with the spear was undeniable, and Ash had to admit, Gaius was more formidable than he had initially anticipated.
When the bell rang, signaling the end of the first round, Ash stepped back, breathing heavily. It was declared a draw for now, and the crowd murmured in confusion, wondering why the match hadn't ended yet.
"Could it be an error in the system?"
"Nah, the professors wouldn't be that stupid to make an error like that."
"It's most likely to test the promise of the new students attending this year at Valtherion."
"Could be…"
...
As the second round began, something in Ash's demeanor shifted. He seemed more relaxed, bouncing lightly on his feet, his sword at the ready. He even smiled, which only served to further irritate Gaius.
"What's with that smile?" Gaius growled, raising his spear once more.
Ash simply chuckled. "Just getting into the groove, that's all."
Gaius's eyes narrowed as Ash began twirling his sword in his hand, the movements fluid and natural. He hadn't shown much in the first round, but now Gaius was starting to feel something… off. Was Ash playing with him?
The second round began, and this time, Ash was faster. He darted forward, closing the distance between them with a series of rapid, precise strikes. His Raven Style swordsmanship, a technique he had honed back in the outer settlements, was a blend of adaptability and defense. The movements of his sword were unpredictable, seamlessly incorporating elements of Gaius's spear techniques into his own attacks.
The clash of weapons echoed through the arena as Ash's black blade met Gaius's spear. They moved quickly, their feet dancing across the arena floor as they exchanged blows. Ash's speed caught Gaius off guard, and for the first time, the noble found himself struggling to keep up.
He's adapting… even copying my moves, Gaius realized, gritting his teeth. Each time he tried a new technique, Ash would counter it almost immediately.
The second round was longer, more intense, and evenly matched. Ash's swordsmanship was fluid, almost like water, flowing and adapting to every strike Gaius made. The ground shook subtly beneath their feet with the force of their clashes, and students watching from the stands stared in awe as the two fighters seemed to move faster than humanly possible.
When the bell rang once more, ending the second round, both Ash and Gaius were panting, their clothes drenched in sweat. The crowd was silent for a moment, before breaking into murmurs of excitement. The match was unlike anything they had seen so far, and many of them couldn't take their eyes off the battlefield.
As he stood in the center of the arena, Ash's gaze flickered upward to the top of the stands. There, watching intently, was his mentor, along with several other professors. They had been observing the match since the beginning, and Ash felt a surge of determination swell in his chest.
I've made it this far… i can win this, he thought, tightening his grip on his sword. His Raven Style swordsmanship had proven effective so far, but now he needed to push even harder if he was going to come out victorious.
His eyes locked onto Gaius once more. The noble was clearly frustrated, his breathing heavy, but there was no mistaking the determination in his eyes as well. This was it—the final round.
....
In the crowd, Seraphina Lysandor watched the match with quiet interest. Her sharp eyes followed Ash's movements with a calculating gaze. She had seen many swordsmanship styles before, but Ash's was different. It wasn't flashy or overly aggressive like many nobles' techniques. Instead, it was precise, adaptable—a style that shifted and molded itself to counter its opponent's every move.
It's refreshing, she thought, her lips curling into a small, almost imperceptible smile. He's not relying on brute strength or magic like the others.
Her gaze shifted to Ash's opponent, Gaius, who was clearly growing more frustrated by the second. It was obvious now—Ash was in control, despite how the match had started.
Who is he, really? she wondered. The more she watched, the more curious she became about Ash's identity and his background.
...
The bell rang for the third and final round, and the air in the arena seemed to thrum with tension. Ash and Gaius locked eyes, their bodies tense and ready.
Gaius, clearly desperate to regain control, began to augment his body with mana. His muscles bulged slightly as the power coursed through him, and his spear glowed with a faint blue light as he infused it with mana as well.
Ash, however, remained calm, his sword still gleaming with that faint golden hue. He knew Gaius would come at him with everything he had, but Ash was ready.
The battle that followed was nothing short of extraordinary. The speed at which they moved was almost too fast for the untrained eye to follow. The ground shook with each clash, and cracks began to form in the arena floor as their weapons met with devastating force.
Ash's swordsmanship, however, was far more precise. While Gaius's mana-enhanced attacks were powerful, they lacked the finesse that Ash's Raven Style provided. Ash weaved through Gaius's strikes, dodging and parrying with ease.
The turning point came when Gaius, in a desperate attempt to land a final blow, overextended himself. Ash saw the opening immediately. With a quick, fluid motion, he sidestepped the spear thrust and brought his sword down in a swift, powerful arc, disarming Gaius and sending his spear flying across the arena.
Gaius staggered back, shock evident on his face as Ash stood before him, sword pointed at his chest. The match was over.
…..
Meanwhile, in the academy bathroom, Lucius sat on the toilet, deep in thought. He had chosen not to watch Ash's match, deciding instead to avoid any further involvement in the main plot.
Maybe I should've gone to watch, Lucius mused as he stared at the ceiling. But then again… nah, too much drama. He sighed, resting his chin on his hand. Plus, I've got other things to worry about… like surviving the rest of this tournament.
As if on cue, Lucius sneezed, causing him to grumble. Ugh…..am I getting sick or something?
Reaching to the side for some toilet paper, Lucius froze. His hand grasped onto nothing, and his heart sank.
Oh no….
There was no toilet paper.