Klaus called the three contestants for the Martial Arts Division, bringing them out to the stage.
Edward, along with Xavier Denmark and Eben Lustriel—students from the Middle and Upper Class respectively—all climbed the platform for contesting, facing the moderator as he spoke the rules.
“You will now pick lots. Your placement in the battle will be determined by the numbers you have chosen.” Klaus declared, bringing out their tags from his breast pocket.
The students conceded and took their respective tags from Klaus. Once each of them had gotten one, the adult amid them instructed them to open the folded piece of paper and view the contents within.
“State the number written in your tags!”
The students could most likely make a guess concerning the relevance of their respective figures and obeyed without hesitation.
“A” Eben Lustriel said.
“B” Xavier Denmark muttered.
“C” Edward Karl Leon, my comrade, finally retorted.
“Good. Edward, leave the stage for the two of them to have the first round.” Klaus stated.
The boy did as instructed, but I could see an impatient flame burning in his eyes. He most likely wanted to be first, yet he had been shifted to the last to fight.
Well, it was only a matter of time anyway. With this line of thought, I cast my gaze away from Edward who stood at the sidelines, and focused on the two who were about to fight.
As usual, weapons were provided for them, and coincidentally… both of them had swords for weapons.
The Middle-Class student had a broadsword, well versed in its strength and cutting-edge swiftness. As for the Upper-Class elite, his katana was wielded with elegance. It was way longer than the broadsword, but its thin layer seemed so fickle that it could break upon impact with the opponent’s sturdier tool.
“Begin!”
As soon as Klaus commenced the exchange, both contending students became a blur and charged swiftly at each other. They both took their Martial Arts stances and moved their bodies in like-manner.
The broad-sword wielder, focusing on strength and speed, fortified his legs and twisted his body to generate enough force that would break concrete.
Mana leaked from his body, further enhancing his power. Pressure filled the hall and I was certain the technique packed great strength. With such a powerful striking attack as the first strike, it appeared the Xavier kid was not planning on holding anything back due to the nature of his opponent!
As for Eben Lustriel, his nimble body sharply transversed their distance, grabbing his blade with both hands. His sharp gaze was focused on Xavier, rather, on a particular spot on the boy’s body.
Mana burst out of the elite, causing the one that manifested from Xavier to look like a small pond compared to a bustling ocean. It would be enough to break a person’s fighting spirit, but since the boy was already in ‘the zone’, he didn’t let go of his broadsword and swung it with all his might.
The look on his face was as of a hopeful prayer that his attack would connect.
VWOOOOOOSSSSHHHH
The blade neared Eben at a frightening rate, enough to make anyone’s heart stand in excitement. Unfortunately… it missed.
Eben lowered his height at the last minute, cleanly avoiding the strike that nearly missed his short hair, while still gripping his Katana with both hands.
With the window of opportunity presenting itself before him thanks to the opening Xavier currently had, Eben moved even closer for the kill.
I watched his lips move in a whisper and deciphered the words that came out of them.
“Great Swallow Fountain Strike…!!!”
In a flash, even for me, I saw the katana’s edge move in a swift diagonal line. The swiftness was completely transient, not even making a sound as it instantly achieved its goal and caused the wielder to twist before rising at the opposite end of his opponent.
The moment the strike concluded, that was when a sound burst forth.
“Guarkkk!!!” Xavier gasped, both in shock and pain, falling to the ground in defeat.
‘Oh, wow… a single hit, uh?’ I smiled in anticipation.
The boy, Eben Lustriel, had a very swift blade technique that was also powerful enough to render someone who was coated with Mana unconscious in a single hit.
That was one impressive blade technique!
“Winner, Eben Lustriel!” Klaus declared.
The moment this announcement was made, I heard a thunderous cluster of shouts echo from all across the hall.
The sudden noise caused me to wonder what the big fuss was, especially since the audience had been silent in other victories. Increasing my heightened perception, I began listening to the whispers around and probed for more information.
“I can’t believe I got to see such a magnificent Technique!”
“I couldn’t even see it! The movements were too fast!”
“That’s the famous Swallow God Fountain School for you. They’re not one of the Three Great Martial Houses in the Kingdom for nothing.”
Once I achieved what I wanted, I returned my hearing to normal.
‘Oh? So that’s how it is…’ An amused smile spread across my face.
So, Edward’s next opponent would be someone who came from another well-established Martial family. The only difference between the both of them was thY Edward’s Martial heritage was completely unknown.
But, if he was to clash with Eben, the chances of his techniques being recognized would soar. He could one day revive his Martial School!
I was certain the boy would take this chance for sure.
“Next, Edward Karl Leon. Please come to the stage.”
The staff members, who lingered around, carried the fallen student away from the stage and gave him treatment while Edward climbed the platform.
His eyes were only focused on his opponent, Eben, as he took every step.
Now a couple of distance from each other, both boys were caught In a staring contest, with Klaus being the middleman.
“Ready… Begin!”
The moderator got off stage and went in the direction of the fallen boy, most likely to ensure he was ready before the third match commenced.
Whether Edward won or lost here, he would still have to fight with Xavier Denmark in the third round.
He could choose to forfeit the match and obtain an easy victory with the Middle-Class fodder, but I knew my comrade’s personality more than anyone.
He wasn’t going to quit!