For the last three hours, the three purple-robed disciples were calling name after name. Kira had long turned a dead ear towards the hundreds of names.
Kjell had long stopped talking and was sitting in meditation cultivating.
Kira had taken out her Weapon technique manual Lightning Sword. Immersing herself in the thick book trying to understand the hundreds of different body movesets and sword movements. The additional Qi circulation routes that had to be applied to every move didn't make it any easier. This martial art was definitely on another level of complexity compared to her other ones.
"How long is this going to take? You would imagine cultivators to be somewhat more efficient, don't you agree?" Kjell questioned with a yawn.
"I guess. Maybe it serves a purpose. They could have told us the announcement the same way they told us that we should gather in the arena. And this registration could also be done when the tournament starts when we all already have to come here." Kira wondered.
"Well I see no purpose in that." Kjell chuckled grimly.
"It doesn't matter in the end. We have no other choice than to do as the higher-ups say and wait." She lamented.
Kjell's bored chestnut eyes starred in her emerald ones. "This sucks!" He exclaimed.
Like a blessing from heaven, after he spoke those words, the cultivator in the middle shouted: "Kjell Faro!"
"Finally!" Kjell exclaimed. "Sorry Kirra but when I am done I will head home for practice. Don't be mad, please." He said while making puppy eyes.
"Fine. I wouldn't have waited for you either." She said nonchalantly.
Kjell looked at her with fake hurt in his warm auburn eyes. Then smiled and headed for the pit.
Kira watched him for some time as he stood before the purple-robed cultivator. And then left in a hurry. Waving in her direction before leaving the pit through the main entrance.
Kira resumed studying her Sword manual.
Lightning Sword:
The Lightning Sword focuses on channelling controlled bursts of lightning Qi through the body and sword. Practitioners strike with precision and power, timing each attack like a lightning bolt, swift, efficient, and devastating. It's a style that marries speed and force, valuing endurance and refined control over flashy displays, embodying the philosophy of "Power in Precision."
Spark Step Slash:
A basic technique utilising quick footwork to close the gap between the user and their opponent. The sword strike is accompanied by a slight surge of static energy, shocking the enemy on contact.
Thunder Grip:
The practitioner channels lightning Qi through their muscles, strengthening their grip strength and slashing power. It allows for faster, heavier swings, and can slightly paralyze the target with each blow.
Charged Blade:
A technique where the user infuses the sword with a low amount of Qi, causing it to crackle and hum. The Qi reinforces each cut, making it harder for the opponent to block without feeling pain.
Stormbreaker Lunge:
The practitioner gathers Qi in their legs and sword arm, launching themselves forward with incredible force. The impact of this thrust, backed by the user's refined body, is like a lightning bolt striking its target.
Thunderous Crash:
The practitioner delivers a powerful, overhead strike, using both their physical might and a burst of lightning Qi. This technique can break through armour and defences.
Philosophy:
This Martial Art teaches restraint, patience, and precision. Teaching that even in combat, overwhelming power is not the way, refined, precise strikes are the path to victory.
Lightning is neither wild nor uncontrollable, it strikes where it is needed most, with force and purpose. Strength lies not in the storm, but in the bolt that finds its target.
Kira desperately tried to push all these techniques into her brain.
'I can't wait to be done here and practise.' She planned.
"Kira, no family name!" The disciple to the right bellowed.
'Yes!' She cheered mentally.
As the cultivator in the pit spoke that name, a wave of buzzing went through the spectator ranks of the arena.
They were talking about her.
Kira looked around perplexed. As she walked down into the pit.
Getting glances shot at her from various directions.
She clutched her fist so hard that her fingers turned white.
'What is going on? They can't possibly be talking about what I did to Kresa. How fast did these rumours spread?' she asked herself.
As Kira walked up to register herself. A pair of ice-blue eyes fixed her from across the ranks.
„Mizu why are you staring at that peasant so intently?" asked Hari from the side.
"Hmm? What?" stuttered Mizu ripped from her thoughts.
"I wasn't starring." she declared. Her eyes wandered to Kira's frame once again.
"What is everyone murmuring about? Did I miss something?" Mizu asked.
"You haven't heard? I guess not, you were too invested in cultivation." Hari lamented.
"Heard what? Something about Kira?" She asked with concern.
"Cute, naive little Mizu. You are too kind to those people, even remembering their names."Hari chuckled. "You remember Kresa right?" She asked.
"Kresa? Do you mean one of the daughters of Lord Shira? Yes, I think I met her a couple of times at the royal court. Why?" Mizu replied.
"Well," Hari said mischievously, "Kresa and this Kira were assigned to the same quarters and this peasant tried to kill her. She attacked Kresa like a wild dog and crushed the bones in her upper left body. How crazy is that?"
"What? No way! Why would she do that?" Mizu asked shocked.
"Who knows, what is going on in their brains." Hari sighed.
Mizu returned her gaze to Kira who was just approaching the disciple tasked with registration. A deep disturbed contemplated look in her icy eyes.
'She seemed so nice. Those are just rumours, I bet. Hari is blowing it out of proportion as usual I guess.' She reassured herself. Uneasiness spreading in her heart, that the girl she couldn't stop thinking about would do such a thing.
"Come closer, I don't have all day." The purple-robed cultivator drawled.
"Kira, right?" He asked. Pulling a staple of papers from seemingly nowhere.
"Yes. Senior Brother." She answered.
"Kore Zahn:" he shot back. While flying over the documents in his hands.
Kira noticed a light smile and a twinkle in his eyes when he stopped at a certain paragraph.
"So it is you. The newbie who beat up her roommate." He chuckled.
'Shit the higher-ups do know what I did, Shit.' Kira's fear of the last few days rose in her stomach again.
"Relax!" Elder Brother Zahn chuckled. "You are not in trouble."
She breathed a sigh of relief. "Why not? I injured her quite badly." Kira asked, not quite believing him.
Her back was drenched.
"Why should we? In the eyes of the sect, everyone is responsible for themselves. And triggering the wrath of someone with higher cultivation? It is her fault. As long as you don't murder someone. The sect won't care." He reassured her.
Kira felt her understanding of this world deepen. After getting away unpunished after nearly killing someone. 'The weak can only blame themselves.' She surmised.
"You made yourself a lot of enemies. You hurt a girl from a well connected noble family. So be alert, the noble's revenge will come someday. I suggest you keep up your cultivation." He suggested.
Brother Zahn glanced at her for a brief moment and raised an eyebrow.
"Body tempering stage two. Very good, very promising. Work hard and keep this pace of advancement and you have a real possibility to get into the top 100." He praised.
"Don't let yourself get distracted. Your cultivation speed will slow down significantly with every breakthrough. Don't let that discourage you. You have good talent."
"Thanks. I will keep it in mind." Kira thanked him. She felt her cheeks flush a little at the praise.
"Here is your tournament token, with your number. When the tournament starts the backside will display the number of your opponent and the number of the fighting stage." Zahn explained.
"One thing, in the tournament deaths are not uncommon. So you better get yourself a weapon." He advised her with a cruel smirk on his face. "When the moment comes don't hesitate, never hesitate."
Kira's heart skipped a beat and she felt her stomach turn. Cold sweat dripping down her back.
"Yes, senior brother. Thank you for the guidance." She bowed.
He nodded with an encouraging smile.
Kira turned around and started to head for the exit.
"Mizu Mikuna!" The disciple in the middle called.
Kira twirled around on instinct, searching the arena for Mizu. Her heartbeat rang in her ear.
Then her eyes found her. Kira was stunned that she was even more beautiful than in her Memory.
She wanted to talk to her so badly. But the words of Elder Brother Zahn rang in her ears "Don't let yourself get distracted!"
'I can't, I have no time. I need to cultivate and find a shop to buy a sword, so I can start to practise the Lightning Sword.' She told herself.
With a heavy heart, she turned around and disappeared into the pathway of the exit. Passing the Duell register stand.
When she walked through the gaping maw of the Dragon. She heard a shout as sweet as honey.
"Kira, wait!" Mizu called after her.