As she spoke, she drew her sapphire-blue longsword from her waist, pointing its tip at Owen with a provocative air.
"Wind-Chasing Swordsman, Emily! It's actually her!"
As the woman spoke, the numerous mages gathered around Owen turned their attention to her, instantly recognizing her.
"I've heard her sword energy is so sharp it can cut through metal!"
"Not only that, but she's also the sister of Moonspring Kingdom's saint, Annie! A genius swordsman from Moonspring Kingdom!"
Many mages looked excited.
Previously, with Benedict and the Wolf Guard around, they hadn't dared to provoke House Ravenwood without any backing.
But now, with the notable Emily challenging Owen, Benedict surely wouldn't dare to touch her!
This gave them the chance to muddy the waters and attempt to challenge Owen themselves.
If they lost, it wouldn't be much of a loss.
But if they won, they could not only claim Owen's staff but also make a name for themselves as a prominent genius on the continent!
Most importantly, they felt they had a good chance of winning!
After all, Owen was only bronze-tier level 9. Many among them surpassed him in tier!
"Miss Emily, this challenge would be better postponed. Master Owen needs to return to the Duke's mansion immediately," Benedict said, recognizing Emily and not daring to be neglectful.
He bowed slightly and protected Owen behind him.
Owen squinted at the renowned genius swordsman, shaking his head slightly.
It was clear he had become a stepping stone in the eyes of many, a means to achieve fame.
According to the continent's rules, if a challenger won, they could claim the opponent's weapon, which in this case was the Godslayer Staff.
Their plans were well-made, but their strength was too ordinary.
Seeing Owen calmly hiding behind Benedict, Emily's face flushed with anger. She said,
"You've just become the Duke's prospective son-in-law, and you're already planning to hide behind the Duke's protection and live off others?!"
"I despise men who live off others. Do you have the courage to come out, or are you too scared to accept the challenge? If so, you'd better grow a tail and stay indoors from now on!"
Benedict furrowed his thick brows, worried that Owen might act impulsively.
He quickly tried to calm him, speaking in a low voice, "Master Owen, you are currently in the spotlight. It's best to stay low-key. Don't take this to heart; let us handle these matters."
Although Owen had defeated Miss Madelyn and demonstrated great strength, his tier was only bronze-tier level 9, which made them lack confidence in him.
Emily, on the other hand, was no ordinary opponent; her swordsmanship was exceptional.
If Owen were to lose, it would be a great embarrassment for House Ravenwood.
Moreover, the Godslayer Staff in Owen's possession was of utmost importance and must not be lost.
While Benedict watched, Owen's eyes suddenly brightened as if he had thought of something.
During their journey, he had been studying the body technique he had acquired—Obsidify.
This was an extremely powerful body technique, but also incredibly difficult to master.
It was divided into nine levels, and Owen had not even reached the beginner level yet.
The entry threshold was very high; Owen had not yet figured it out.
It required repeatedly pushing his magic to the limit, recovering, and then pushing it again to continually expand the meridians in his body.
In this state of physical extremity, he needed to combine mana with every cell in his body.
With so many challengers, Owen realized he could use them as stepping stones to practice Obsidify.
As Owen formed his plan, Benedict noticed his unflinching and composed demeanor, feeling a touch of admiration.
For someone so young to have such a mature and calm disposition was truly extraordinary.
Just as Benedict had this thought, he saw Owen step forward, gradually walking towards Emily.
"Genius swordsman? Very well, since you sincerely challenge me, let's do this!"
Owen's voice rang out.
Those who thought he would continue hiding behind Benedict and the others were initially stunned, unable to react. Then the crowd erupted into a buzz of conversation.
"He's accepted the challenge!"
"Once a challenge is accepted, there must be a decisive outcome. No one else can interfere, or it would be an insult to the challenge!"
"This Owen is still too young. Miss Emily's sword is renowned for its speed. Even mages of higher tiers often struggle against her swift sword, ultimately being found with a flaw and defeated."
The murmurs and discussions reached Benedict and the others, their expressions changing slightly as they prepared to persuade Owen against accepting the challenge.
"Master Owen…"
But just as they began to speak, Owen interrupted them with a shake of his head, "Don't worry, she's not my match."
Avoiding the challenge, leaving quietly, and heading straight to the dungeon for leveling up was indeed an option. However, he was long tired of laying low.
Transmigrating to this world was all about living a grand and unrestrained life, righting wrongs with boldness.
Why else would he train so hard?
Currently, he had no fear of challenges from his peers.
Moreover, being in the spotlight could also help him stay alert against any assassination attempts Leslie might arrange.
As Owen stopped a short distance in front of Emily, everyone could feel that his aura had become as steady and imposing as a mountain, giving them a suffocating sense of pressure.
"Master Owen may be a bit high-profile, but there's no denying he's a true genius!" Benedict and the others looked at Owen, whose demeanor seemed to have matured, with expressions of shock.
After all, enhancing one's temperament was far more difficult than simply improving one's strength.
That Owen could achieve such a transformation through a single challenge was truly incredible!
Across from Owen, Emily's expression grew slightly more serious after her initial surprise. "You're showing some manliness now. I won't bully you; I'll give you three chances to strike first. Draw your sword."
For Emily, Owen's swordsmanship in defeating Madelyn was the key reason she had come to challenge him.
While her words seemed gracious, she was actually probing Owen's abilities.
"You are not worthy of me drawing my sword," Owen said calmly.
With these words, a moment of silence fell over the crowd.
Owen then saw the veins on Emily's forehead bulge as she lunged forward with her sword.
"Arrogant!"
With a shout, her sapphire-blue longsword sliced through the air silently, giving a sense of fluid grace. It moved at incredible speed, reaching Owen in an instant.
Owen didn't use any skills or the Godslayer Staff.
Instead, at the moment of Emily's provocation, he employed the Obsidify technique, compressing and concentrating the mana within and around him onto the surface of his body.
The first level of Obsidify: Obsidian Skin!
Clang!
Emily's sword struck Owen's chest with lightning speed.
The sharp water magic tore through his clothes instantly, but when it touched his skin, it made a dull, metallic sound, with sparks flying off.
Owen staggered back, feeling intense pain in his chest as if he had been stabbed by a steel needle.
"What's going on? That strike was fast, but it should have been avoidable. Even if he didn't dodge, why didn't he use a magic skill?"
The crowd was bewildered, especially the seasoned mages who found Owen's actions incomprehensible.
"I have a feeling that Owen intentionally took that hit with his body, and he succeeded!"
Some mages who practiced dark magic were particularly astonished.
The human body is far weaker than a weapon, especially one enhanced with mana.
Yet Owen had done it!
Emily was equally surprised.
Though that strike was a probe fueled by her anger, it was delivered with eighty percent of her strength.
But it hadn't wounded Owen; it felt like hitting indestructible metal.
Does he have a defensive artifact on him?
Emily's sword aura surged around her. If that were the case, Owen's strength was far less impressive than rumored.
"Maybe his talent is strong, but his actual strength leaves much to be desired."
"I actually think he's impressive. Emily is silver-tier level 6, and her magic sword energy is quite formidable."