When Asher saw Rex Kane, a boy with spiky black hair, a bad eye, and sharp features moving toward the ring, he used Insights to check on him.
Name: Rex Kane
Level: 2
Bloodline: Dustowl
Titles: Nil
Traits: Dustfeather
Skills: Owl's Echo, Dustcloak
Power: Minor
Profession(s): None
Familiar: None
Summons: None
Strength: 7
Agility: 9
Physique: 6
Aether: 90
Intelligence: 8
Affinities: Shadow, Earth
Looking at the information, Asher guessed that Rex was a rare commoner with a bloodline. Although it was a low-level bloodline, it provided him with significant advantages and traits. Rex's Dustfeather trait and skills allowed him to move silently and remain undetected, especially at night.
As both Asher and Rex entered the duel ring, Rex drew two daggers from the sheath on his back. Seeing that his opponent was duel-handed, Asher became more focused. He tightened his claws and took a stance, placing one hand near his pocket.
Many were curious about the fight, especially Asher's former classmates. Aurora, Ethan, and Lyra were paying close attention. Asher was the only special student from a non-prestigious family, and it was widely known that he was a two-trait awakener.
Asher could feel all eyes on him, and Rex felt the pressure as well.
Asher closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and then opened them slowly. In that instant, observers like Mr. Darius, Ethan, Lyra, and Aurora sensed a palpable shift in Asher's presence. When they gazed into his calm eyes, they saw an expression of indifference and calculation, as if he could anticipate and overcome any challenge. The change in Asher was subtle but unmistakable, an aura of quiet intensity that seemed almost otherworldly.
Unbeknownst to Asher, this transformation was a result of his first duel without relying on his skills. His traits and title unconsciously imbued him with a prudent and prideful aura, creating an impression of surreal confidence and control.
Mr. Darius, with his extensive experience, recognized that Asher was instinctively surrounding himself with the aura related to his traits. Though momentarily surprised by the display, he quickly focused on the duel. As both competitors were poised and ready, Mr. Darius raised his voice "Alright, begin!"
As soon as Mr. Darius announced the start of the duel, Asher observed that Rex didn't charge at him. Instead, Rex stood his ground, his eyes fixed on Asher as if daring him to make the first move. Although Asher didn't consciously realize it, Rex's challenge triggered a shift in him. His prideful aura intensified subtly, a change so nuanced that even Mr. Darius couldn't detect it.
Asher's gaze locked with Rex's, causing the latter to pale slightly under the weight of Asher's cold, indifferent blue eyes. With a deliberate step forward, Asher swung his hands, sending a silver streak hurtling toward Rex. Rex, sensing the danger, swiftly moved aside. The throwing knife struck the invisible barrier surrounding the ring with a loud clang, reverberating through the air.
Rex, visibly pale and now fully committed, lunged at Asher, aiming for his sides. Thanks to his Dustowl bloodline and the agility it bestowed, Rex moved with the speed of a blur, making his daggers appear as flashing streaks to the spectators. However, Asher, though not relying on his Insights, dodged and parried each strike with instinctual precision.
Rex's daggers continued their relentless assault, slashing through the air in rapid succession. Asher's movements were a study in calm efficiency. He sidestepped a vicious swipe and parried a thrust with a deft twist of his claws. Each of Rex's attacks was met with a calculated counter, Asher's response as swift as it was deliberate.
In a decisive maneuver, Asher swept his clawed hand to the left, hooking one of Rex's daggers and sending it flying out of the ring with a forceful flick. Without hesitation, Asher's other clawed hand shot toward Rex's neck. His attack was precise, guided by an almost instinctive sense of the trajectory. Rex, momentarily disoriented by the pain in his hands from losing a dagger, was caught off guard. His face went ashen as Asher's clawed hand drew perilously close.
With a final, desperate attempt to defend himself, Rex could only watch as his fate was sealed. In a flash, he was teleported out of the ring, his expression one of shock and disbelief.
The screen overhead flickered and displayed: "Winner: Asher Embers".
The entire training ground fell into silence. Though not as swift as Lyra's match, Asher's duel left most students in awe, their faces reflecting the shock of witnessing his indifferent demeanor. Even those who had known him as a quiet, unremarkable student felt a chill run down their spines.
Ethan, Lyra, and Aurora were especially struck by the spectacle. They observed how Asher didn't need to look at his actions to react with flawless precision. His movements were so swift and instinctive that they felt slightly threatened by the shifting aura around him.
Mr. Darius finally broke the silence. "That was an excellent example of battle consciousness," he declared, his tone filled with admiration.
Asher acknowledged the praise with a nod and returned to his previous spot. Although he felt no different than before, a subtle shift within him mirrored the sensation he experienced after his manifestation.
He glanced at the ring and saw the next match being announced. After a few more duels, the combat assessment concluded. Nearly three hours had passed since the beginning of the session.
"Alright, I have a rough idea of each of your combat skills. After a review, I'll assign individual exercises for each of you."
"Don't dwell on your losses. Instead, analyze what went wrong, how you could have prevented it, and how you could have counterattacked. For those who won, don't get complacent. Remember, you were likely matched with opponents who suited your strengths. Consider how you'd perform against different opponents and learn from both your actions and those of your opponents."
"That's all for today. From tomorrow until next week, you'll be focusing solely on your combat and weapon skills. We'll move on to using skills only after that. You're also welcome to visit the library to study combat techniques related to your chosen weapon. If you have any questions about these techniques, you can ask me in the next class. Alright, off you go!"
With that, Mr. Darius gestured for everyone to leave. Asher stood up, since he wanted to learn claw techniques he headed towards the library.