'What is this?' Emma thought, seeing her sword getting blocked. 'My sword is getting blocked?' She was not able to understand why this was happening, as her sword kept getting blocked. After all, she was one of the highest-ranking students in the academy, and her specialty was a sword. It didn't make sense that this hateful guy before him, who was known for his magical capabilities, was able to withstand her attacks.
She was already in a bad moon thanks to Arthur and his slippery personality, but now that her attacks were getting blocked, the fire in her heart and her anger were directed at the man before her.
'Callius. Callius. Callius.'
The way those cold red eyes gazed through her made her remember the past, her childhood… The memories she wanted to forget.
'Father…' Because, whenever she saw him moving, in her mind, it was the man with white hair smiling appeared….
Anger, longing, and frustration dwelled in her heart.
She felt a surge of emotions she hadn't experienced in a while, which made her angry. But as they continued to clash swords and spar, her anger slowly fell off; even she could feel it.
After all, she was a swordsman above everything. A swordsman that would make everyone before her kneel down on the battlegrounds in the future. Fiery Goddess would be her nickname, though she had no way of knowing that for now.
'His movements are well-refined… He is a seasoned swordsman.' She immediately understood from the way Callius fought and swung his sword. The way he spared no unnecessary movements was enough to show that he was a great swordsman.
"Ho... You are good," Callius remarked, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and annoyance. Emma's annoyance grew at his words, and the fact that he looked at her with a relaxed smile only scratched at her pride.
"Shut up!" she snapped, venting her frustration through her relentless swings of the sword.
But as time went on, a change started to occur within her. The intensity of their spar awakened a different sensation.
Emma couldn't help but feel a sense of exhilaration. 'What is this? This is... fun?' Her thoughts trailed off as her anger slowly transformed into a mixture of excitement and determination.
The clash of their swords became a dance, each move fueling her desire to improve and prove herself. At that moment, the world around her faded away, leaving only the exhilaration of the battle.
The fiery determination in her eyes matched the intensity of her opponent, and she unleashed her full potential with each strike, channeling her inner Fiery Goddess.
She moved gracefully as Callius did; her moves matched his own. After all, they both came from the same household, and they both learned from the same tutor at a young age.
Even though the guy in front of her was the very person she disliked the most, the very person that stole her father, the very person that she thought she would be in his place….
Even though he was such a guy, weirdly, just at this moment, clashing swords with him was the happiest moment in her life.
'This is so good.'
And unintentionally, a smile bloomed upon her face… A very wide and crazed smile…
But, in the end, one thing crept up on her heart as she recalled the sensation of the past, suddenly remembering a certain time when she was looking down on this very person before her.
"How are you this strong?" She asked, her eyes locked on the young boy.
"Does it matter?" But the answer that came from him was not something she was expecting.
"In the end, aren't you here to win?" As those cold words filled her ears, she finally noticed the crazed smile on his face.
It was the same smile of her own reflected upon her blade. 'Ah, that's right. The past doesn't matter…. The things he has done don't matter…. I want to win… That's it.'
"I am."
As her words left her mouth, she saw his smile widening.
"Then, don't bother with useless thoughts. Come."
It was at that point that she knew this duel would end right here, right now.
'Father… I can finally use it….'
As she remembered what her father had shown, she lowered her body, taking her posture.
"Sword of Lightning, Trick of Light."
With that, she flashed….
******
The blade of the young girl approached the young man at a rapid speed as the young girl's mouth curled up, a crazed smile on her face.
The boy was no different, as he, too, had a crazed smile on his own.
/SWOOSH/I think you should take a look at
The blade grazed his body as the audience held their breaths. Yes, an audience had already been formed since most of the students finished their spars.
Arthur, who was watching the spar, had a look of envy on his face as his hands were clenched.
Even the instructor watching the scene couldn't help but hold his breath, as he knew he was about witness an incredible sight.
/CLANK/
Then, suddenly Callius' body moved at a rapid speed as his sword was raised, sending sparks everywhere with the sound of clashing echoing in the training grounds.
/THUD/
And following that, in an instant, the sound of something hitting another could be heard.
/SPLURT/
Followed by the sound of a liquid pouring from a narrow wound.
The trajectory of Callius' sword seemed to defy logic, contradicting the direction of Emma's blade.
Confusion and astonishment filled the air as the spectators struggled to comprehend what they were witnessing.
"What happened?" The question hung in the air as the audience turned to each other, searching for answers.
But only Callius and Emma knew the truth behind the mesmerizing display of swordsmanship. As the clash concluded, a sudden spurt of blood and the sound of a body hitting the ground shattered the silence. Emma, with a wounded shoulder, fell to the ground, her eyes wide with disbelief.
There was only one other person in the room who truly understood the intricacies of the duel. Instructor Alder's eyes widened, a mix of astonishment and pride reflecting in his gaze. He had witnessed a display of skill and technique that surpassed his expectations.
'Such skill, such precision,' he mused to himself. 'Callius' mastery of his sword is truly remarkable. The way he saw through Emma's illusion and countered with his own technique... it was nothing short of extraordinary.' (N1)
As he replayed the clash in his mind, Alder couldn't help but feel a sense of pride swelling within him. He had seen countless battles and trained numerous students, but this display of skill and strategy left a lasting impression.
'The way Callius executed those rapid slashes, making it seem as though he had only struck once... It was a sight to behold,' Alder thought, his eyes shining with admiration. (N2)
'His control over his body and sword, the fluidity of his movements... It speaks volumes about his dedication and countless hours of practice.'
Even though he knew Callius was a mage, he couldn't help but wonder how he could have such precise sword control. 'I need to report this to the headmaster.'
He thought to himself as he observed. After all, the talent this young man possessed in swords was something to take note of.
But of course, he didn't forget the young girl whose wound had already healed thanks to the formation of healing.
He couldn't ignore the surprise and pain in her eyes as she fell to the ground, wounded by Callius' decisive strike. He knew the defeat must have been hard for her to accept, especially considering her own prowess as a swordsman.
But, contrary to his thoughts, the emotion he saw on her face was nothing like despair, he assumed. No, it was different. The thing he saw was the fire.
A fire was ignited in this girl's heart, and he was the first one to witness it.
????????????????????????????????.????????????
As his gaze went past the girl who was glaring young boy with an intense gaze, he couldn't help but ponder to himself. 'Youth, huh? It has been a while since I witnessed such intense gaze.'
'As their instructor, it is my duty to guide and support them,' Alder reminded himself, his voice filled with determination, as he clapped his hands.
"Attention, everyone," Alder's voice resonated with authority, silencing the murmurs and bringing focus to his words… Just like that, the duel concluded as the students couldn't help but look at the two…
------------------------------A/N-----------------------------
N1: The Augustride family swordsmanship technique known as "Sword of Lighting, Trick of Light" employs a deceptive maneuver. It creates an illusion that the sword is targeting one specific area, while in reality, it is directed towards a different location altogether. This technique confuses opponents and allows the wielder to strike with unexpected precision, catching their adversaries off guard.
N2: Callius has adapted this unique sword technique called "Annihilation Sword, Unseen Sword" from his family's swordsmanship, infusing it with his own style. This technique involves executing two rapid sword strikes in quick succession, creating the illusion that only a single attack was made. The seamless and swift nature of this move deceives opponents, as they perceive a single strike when, in fact, they are facing a dual onslaught.
I hope you enjoyed the previous chapters. Next, we will have a practical session on magic that should run smoothly, followed by another exciting story event.
Check out my new book if you are interested.
This time it will have a modern hunter theme, where MC will be driven by the feeling of vengeance.
The name is; Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest
You can check my discord if you want. You will be able to see the illustrations here and engage in a conversation with me if I am available.
https://discord.gg/XJEgBRM3C
