The next day, after finishing my classes at the academy, I headed straight to the Duel Arena. Honestly, I wasn't sure if this method would awaken Brian's power or not. But... there was no harm in trying.
"Hey, hurry up! The fight between that spoiled noble Raul and Brian the Monster Hunter is about to start in the Arena."
"Yeah, I can't wait to see Brian smash that arrogant face of his!"
I overheard the conversations of my fellow academy students. It seemed like they were all eager to see me lose to Brian. Well... It's not like I wanted their support anyway.
When I arrived inside the Arena, I could see the spectator stands were already packed with students from every class. Even a few Instructors had shown up to watch the duel.
From a distance, I saw Brian entering the Arena with Ariel. They seemed to be talking about something. A moment later, Ariel flashed Brian a dazzling smile, the kind that would make any guy envious.
Looks like Ariel just gave Brian some encouraging words.
After grabbing a wooden sword, I made my way to the center of the Duel Arena. Brian did the same, but not before suddenly embracing Ariel in front of the entire crowd.
Seeing that sight stirred a little heat in my chest. At least I had grown used to Raul's jealous heart by now.
"I'll defeat you and make you apologize to Ariel, Raul!" Brian said confidently.
I ignored his words. Instructor Torun was heading our way, likely to serve as the referee for today's match.
"Are both duelists ready?" asked the Instructor, standing between Brian and me.
"I'm ready!" Brian answered enthusiastically.
I simply nodded to signal my readiness.
We didn't bow to each other in the traditional show of respect before a duel because, well, we hated each other.
"Begin!"
The moment the Instructor started the match, the cheers of the crowd filled the Arena. Most of the students were cheering for Brian, with only a few nobles supporting me.
Brian's wooden sword began to glow, a sign he had activated Temper, an enhancement spell. I did the same with mine.
Brian charged at me, combining the Acceleration spell with the Charging technique. It was the same strategy a senior member of the disciplinary committee had used against me before.
Brian appeared before me in an instant and swung his sword diagonally, but I blocked it with ease. Still, he didn't stop. He swiftly followed up with a stab aimed at my chest.
Thanks to my extensive knowledge of this game, I managed to dodge his quick thrust by jumping back.
"Tch, you dodged that too?" Brian grumbled, clearly irritated.
The move he had just used was Lunge Attack, a fast thrust technique that students weren't supposed to learn until their third year at the academy.
Had Brian been secretly training with one of the instructors? In the game, Brian wasn't supposed to have mastered that technique at this point.
This was proof that my presence in Raul's body was messing with the original story's timeline.
"A weak technique like that won't work on me."
Hearing that, Brian charged at me again. Judging by his movements, it seemed like he was about to unleash one of his signature techniques—Dancing Sky Dragon.
"Take this! Dancing Sky Dragon!" Brian shouted as he began his combo attack.
I dodged every slash with ease, as I knew the attack pattern of this technique. After his final slash, I countered with a strike aimed at Brian's left side.
"Arghhh!" Brian cried out in pain as he was knocked back by my counterattack.
"Take him down, Lord Raul!"
"Nobles should always be stronger than commoners!"
I could hear the nobles cheering for me. But I didn't care. I wasn't fighting for scum like them.
I slowly walked toward Brian, who was still lying on the ground.
"Is this all you've got? How arrogant of you to challenge me with such weak skills. Pathetic!" I taunted him. I had to make sure Brian awakened his Blessing during this duel.
"Don't underestimate me! I haven't shown you all of my secret techniques yet!" Brian shouted as he slowly got back on his feet.
"Accel!" A faint yellow light began to glow around Brian's legs.
Has he already mastered the Accel spell? Even if it's Brian, I doubt he can maintain it for long.
Brian dashed toward me again, his speed now twice as fast as before. He leaped into the air, clearly about to use the Leaping technique.
"Leaping Slash!"
I raised my wooden sword to block Brian's attack.
-Tak!
Our swords clashed, and I was pushed back slightly by the momentum of his strike.
"Take this!" Unfazed that I had blocked him, Brian continued launching a flurry of attacks.
How naive...
He's just wasting his stamina, throwing such obvious attacks.
I guess it's only natural for Brian who still doesn't have much fighting experience at the moment.
I easily dodged his attack.
"Tch, you keep dodging my strikes! You're such a coward, Raul!" Brian yelled, trying to provoke me.
I'm not as naive as you, blindly attacking without a plan. It looks like I need to teach you how to actually land a hit on your opponent.
"Acceleration ..." I activated my speed magic. This time, I'll take the initiative.
Brian braced himself for my attack, assuming a defensive stance.
I pulled my right hand holding the sword back, giving Brian the impression I was preparing for a lunging strike.
My plan worked. Brian adjusted his footing, ready to sidestep to his right, thinking I was going for a thrust.
But instead, I spun clockwise, executing a Spinning Slash toward his right shoulder. His face twisted in shock as I changed my attack pattern at the last second.
"Arghhh!" Brian cried out in pain.
I followed up with a swift kick to his chest, sending him flying several meters back.
See? That's how you attack an opponent. If you can't break through their defense with raw power or agility, you have to use deception and tactics to win.
This is common knowledge among veteran players like me.
"Damn it!" Brian cursed as he struggled to his feet.
He took a deep breath, exhaling slowly. This time, he gripped his wooden sword with both hands. It looks like he's preparing to use his strongest technique against me.
His hands and feet began to glow with tiny particles of light.
"Raging Blade..." Brian muttered the name of his technique.
Raging Blade is a move that combines power and agility. I designed it to be Brian's ultimate attack for taking down enemies in the game.
His strikes become heavier and more powerful, without sacrificing speed. This is an original technique that Brian created himself.
"Prepare yourself, Raul! I'll make you apologize to Ariel this time!" Brian shouted as he dashed toward me.
As he said, I readied myself for his ultimate attack. Even a single hit from that strike would be enough to take down a regular student.
"Haaah!"
Brian swung his sword low, aiming for my legs.
I jumped into the air to dodge, but Brian was quick to follow up, swinging his sword vertically from bottom to top. I had no choice but to block with my own sword.
Tak!
Our swords clashed, and I was pushed back from the force of his swing.
I landed on both feet, but Brian was relentless, giving me no chance to counterattack.
With his power and agility boosted, I couldn't avoid all of his attacks. I was forced to block strike after strike.
-Tak!
Our swords collided again. I blocked another of Brian's blows with my wooden sword.
This isn't good. If this continues, I'll lose—not because of my skill, but because my weapon will break.
I have to break the chain of his attacks.
"I'll defeat you, Raul! Take this!" Brian swung his sword in a horizontal arc.
I ducked under it and swept my leg, kicking his feet out from under him.
"Waaah!" He fell to the ground.
I immediately kicked him hard in the ribs, sending him rolling across the ground.
"Ugh... Ugh..." Brian coughed, blood starting to trickle from his mouth.
"Is that all you've got?" I taunted, walking toward his crumpled form.
I planted my foot on his head.
"Pathetic weakling." I kicked him again, harder this time.
Come on, Brian. How much longer are you going to stay weak and be humiliated by the enemy you despise the most? Awaken your blessing already and defeat me.
"Ughhh..." Brian groaned in pain.
The duel won't end until one of us surrenders or loses consciousness.
"Aggghhhh!" Brian screamed in agony as I kicked him again, treating him like a ball.
"That's cruel..."
"He's already down. Why doesn't he just finish him?"
The spectators began to sympathize with Brian. It seems they no longer expect him to win.
I glanced at the crowd, my eyes settling on a beautiful platinum-haired woman watching Brian with concern.
"Ariel! Why did you leave me for garbage like this?!" I shouted at her, kicking Brian again.
"Look at this pathetic man you chose!" I stomped on Brian's head, hoping to provoke Ariel.
I hoped Ariel's involvement would help Brian awaken his blessing.
Ariel began to cry, clenching her fists tightly. Suddenly, she jumped into the arena and ran toward us.
---
[Brian's POV]
My whole body hurts...
When did Raul become this strong?
I trained hard with Instructor Torun to become stronger, but for some reason, none of my attacks have landed.
It's like Raul knows exactly what I'm going to do. Like he can see the future, predicting every move I make.
I don't want to lose...
"Brian!"
Suddenly, I heard Ariel's voice.
The platinum-haired woman jumped from the stands and ran into the arena. What is she thinking, entering the battlefield like that?
"Get up, Brian! Didn't you promise me you'd defeat him!?" Ariel shouted, her cheeks wet with tears.
What am I doing? I promised myself I'd never let Ariel cry again, didn't I?
"Don't give up, Brian! If you lose now, your dream of becoming a knight will disappear, won't it?" Ariel's words echoed in my ears.
I struggled to my feet, ignoring the pain wracking my body.
"Thank you, Ariel... I promise I won't give up!" I gripped my wooden sword.
Yes... I've sworn to achieve my dream of becoming the strongest knight in the empire. To protect the weak from the oppression of nobles.
My dream would be shattered if I lost to Raul here…
I won't let that happen!
"Hooo~ You still refuse to give up, huh? Even though you know all your attacks are pointless," Raul said coldly.
"I won't give up, and I stand by my words…"
For some reason, the pain in my body suddenly vanished.
"I will never give up on any challenge I face…" A strange light started glowing around my body. "Because this is… my path as a Knight!"
A strange mark appeared on my left hand. What does this mean?
I don't know for sure, but I will defeat him and make him apologize for making Ariel cry!
"Raaahhhh!" I screamed as loud as I could, fueling my body with the fire of determination.
I dashed towards Raul again.
This is strange—my body feels so light, different from before. What's happening to me?
I channeled mana into the wooden sword I held, strengthening it. A golden light began to envelop the sword.
Right in front of me, Raul was smiling… What is he thinking?
Raul tried to block my attack with his sword.
-Crack!
However, with this newfound power, I shattered his sword with a single slash.
Raul's defense was wide open, and I unleashed a barrage of attacks on him. This time, he couldn't keep up with my moves.
"Feel this, Raging Blade!" I unleashed my strongest attack on him.
Raul's body was thrown back, crashing into the arena wall. A crack appeared from the impact.
Instructor Torun rushed to check on Raul's condition after I struck him with my most powerful move.
"The winner of this duel is… Brian!" the instructor announced.
There was a moment of silence...
"Woahhhh!"
"You're amazing, Brian!"
"What was that move he used?!"
I heard the crowd cheering, but there was only one voice I wanted to hear at this moment.
I turned around and saw Ariel, crying, her hands covering her mouth.
I walked towards her.
"I won, Ariel…" I said weakly.
"Yes… You're truly incredible, Brian," Ariel replied with a radiant smile.
Suddenly, my vision blurred, and my body grew weak. I collapsed into Ariel's arms.
"I'm so tired, Ariel…"