The Arcanum academy regularly organized class activities to foster camaraderie and competitive spirit among its students. One such event was a sparring tournament designed to showcase the students' combat skills and strategic thinking. The upcoming event had gathered particular interest as it included a match between Leo and the Vice President of the Student Council, Marcus, a proud and skilled student known for his influential family background.
As the day of the tournament approached, the atmosphere at the Collegium was charged with excitement and anticipation. Students talked animatedly about the upcoming matches, especially the one involving Leo and Marcus. Marcus, whose father was the renowned Duke Elon, often boasted about his lineage and the resources at his disposal, which he believed guaranteed his superiority in the tournament.
Elaine, standing by Leo during one of their training sessions, couldn't help but express her concerns. " Marcus has been bragging about how he's going to 'teach you a lesson.' Don't let his words get to you, Leo."
Leo, focusing on adjusting the grip on his scythe, smiled reassuringly at Elaine. "Let him talk, Elaine. The arena is where we'll see the truth. That's where real character and skill come to light, not in words."
The day of the spar, the academy's main arena was filled with an eager crowd. Students and faculty members lined the stands, the air buzzing with energy. Marcus entered the arena with a swagger, his entourage of fellow noble students cheering loudly.
Leo walked in calmly, his demeanor composed. Elaine was among those in the crowd, her hands tightly clasped as she whispered words of encouragement, though too far for Leo to hear.
As the match commenced, Marcus was quick to show off his well-practiced skills, wielding a beautifully crafted sword that gleamed under the sun. His attacks were sharp and practiced, each move a demonstration of his rigorous training.
Leo countered with the fluid, sweeping motions of his scythe, his style unorthodox but effective. The match was a striking contrast between Marcus's precision strikes and Leo's sweeping, graceful maneuvers, each anticipating and countering the other's attacks.
During the clash, Leo felt a surge of energy, a familiar sensation that now heralded the awakening of new powers within him. As Marcus lunged with a particularly aggressive thrust, Leo's instincts kicked in, and he tapped into his Soul Reaper abilities.
First, he used Soul Shield, a defensive skill that conjured a spectral barrier just in time to absorb the impact of Marcus's sword. The crowd gasped as the shield shimmered briefly before dissipating, giving Leo the split second he needed to regain his stance.
Emboldened by the success of the Soul Shield, Leo then unleashed the Echo Strike, where he swung his scythe in a broad arc, sending a wave of spectral energy towards Marcus. Caught off guard, Marcus staggered back, barely blocking the energy wave with his sword.
Seeing an opening, Leo executed his third new skill, Revenant's Grasp, a technique that briefly summoned ethereal tendrils from the ground to entangle Marcus's feet. With Marcus immobilized, Leo ended the spar by lightly tapping his scythe against Marcus's chest, signaling a conclusive victory.
As the crowd erupted in cheers, mostly in awe of the unexpected display of new and powerful skills, Marcus freed himself from the tendrils, his face flushed with a mix of embarrassment and respect.
Leo offered him a hand to help him up, which Marcus accepted after a brief hesitation. "Well fought, Leo. I underestimated you," Marcus admitted, his voice carrying a newfound respect.
Elaine rushed to Leo as the arena cleared, her face beaming with pride. "You were amazing, Leo! Those moves, how did you—"
Leo, smiling, squeezed her shoulder gently. "Thanks to you, Elaine. Your support made all the difference. And as for the moves, let's just say, I've had a good teacher," he said, thinking back to the historical strategies and his own past life experiences that had shaped him.
The victory not only enhanced Leo's reputation at the academy but also solidified his relationships with his peers, including some who had been skeptics. Even those who had envied him could not help but respect the skill and humility he displayed.
As he walked back to his quarters with Elaine, Leo felt a profound sense of accomplishment and purpose. He knew that his journey was about more than just proving himself in duels; it was about learning, growing, and preparing for whatever lay ahead in his extraordinary life.