Chapter 156

Chapter 156: End-of-Term Duel

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In the green-emerald Empire, at the back of the Borris family estate.

The usually quiet forest echoed with the sound of metal clashing and the quick movement of footsteps. Two youths were sparring with swords amidst the trees. One youth with golden-brown hair held a broadsword with both hands, causing gusts of wind to swirl around him as he wielded it.

The other youth, with short wine-red hair, wielded two thin swords, moving nimbly and using the trees to block his opponent’s attacks and change positions.

“Rock, take this!” The youth with golden-brown hair shouted, his eyes gleaming with a radiant light. The air around him swirled, creating an inexplicable suction towards his sword.

Rock felt the atmosphere pushing him closer to the opponent’s blade. If this continued, he would surely be slashed by that fellow. Seeing how seriously the other was taking it, getting hit would likely mean lying in bed for days.

But opportunity lies in danger; this was also a great chance. As an assassin, he sought those fleeting moments of life and death. He pushed off with his right foot, launching himself forward like an arrow from a bowstring, and his twin swords glowed red.

Two red glimmers crossed the air like intertwined stars, while his opponent completed his charge. The broadsword cut through the air in a crescent arc, and one red glimmer was swept away by the moon-like arc, producing a clear metallic ring. The other red glimmer, however, evaded the arc, circling around and following the sword’s path, causing a button to fly up and sparkle in the sunlight before landing among the fallen leaves.

“You lost.”

Rock stood behind Isaiah, holding a thin sword, whispering.

Isaiah glanced at his collar where his button had disappeared. He sighed, not too disappointed.

“Rock is still very strong.”

“The month is up, I won’t be coming tomorrow,” Rock continued.

“Mm, I know.”

Rock turned to look at this third son of the Borris family. He seemed different today. Usually, he would find excuses to extend their training period.

But he didn’t want to delve into the reasons behind this change. He picked up the sword he had been hit with earlier and prepared to leave.

“Rock has the final exam next week, doesn’t he?” Isaiah’s voice came from behind.

“Yes.”

“Are you confident about defeating Torklin?”

“It’s hard to say.”

Such things couldn’t be guaranteed. His opponent was also a genius, and he couldn’t simply crush him.

“Come on, Rock.”

“Hmph.”

The wine-red-haired youth walked away without looking back.

—

A week later, the Eks City Academy’s grand competition.

This city in the western part of the green-emerald Empire, though not a major center, was known for its nearby forests and orchards.

Despite the remaining snow on the tree leaves, the arena was bustling with people. Many were parents watching their children compete. Others took advantage of the winter sun to relax and watch the matches.

The contestants were mostly students from the city. They were divided into two groups: one group dressed neatly and attractively, while the other looked thinner and poorer, shivering in the cold wind.

“Haha, look at the one opposite, frozen like a duck,” one noble child pointed out to his companion.

“Indeed, but this one is okay. Look at the other one, what is he wearing? Like a ball, he might just roll on the ground soon.”

“That’s right, Hahaha. Can’t they dress properly? Just thinking about competing against these people makes me feel embarrassed.”

“Who knew the princess was so merciful, commoners used to have no qualifications to participate.”

“This year’s change, if I had been born a year earlier, I wouldn’t have to go through all this trouble.”

“Never mind, let’s not talk about it. I’ll go first, see you in the finals.”

Emanas Academy was the most renowned legendary school in the continent, coveted by many. Graduates were welcomed by various countries and organizations, becoming leaders within them. To put it bluntly, nearly half of the high-level Sequences on the continent came from this academy. Whoever could influence these students could indirectly impact the world.

Yet, the academy always maintained neutrality, never favoring or publicly supporting any side. This principle was established when the academy was founded, stemming from the chaos brought by the Catastrophe a thousand years ago. After nearly twenty years of warfare, the races united to defeat the enemy.

After the war, the sages of each race announced the establishment of an academy to cultivate civilization’s guardians and prepare for the next catastrophe. Admission slots were allocated based on regions and populations, and those who made significant contributions to the academy received special recommendation letters to enroll their own students.

Approximately 1,200 new students enrolled each year, with over 500 going to the green-emerald Empire. Most of these went to the high nobility, the church, and various organizations, leaving only about 200 slots for the cities across the vast land. Thus, a medium-sized city like Eks only got one slot.

Isaiah obtained a recommendation letter because his second sister married the current Wolfthorn Earl. The Wolfthorn Earl, as a direct vassal of the Griffin Duke, naturally had several slots. His loving wife persuaded her husband to get one from the Griffin Duke.

Therefore, Isaiah didn’t need to participate in the competition to gain a recommendation letter. It was thanks to his beautiful and peerless sister. One could even guess her appearance from his looks.

The grand competition at Eks City Academy wasn’t as spectacular as everyone imagined. Most weren’t geniuses, and only a few Sequence 2 fighters were worth watching.

On the empty field, several youths with unsharpened weapons faced off in rapid eliminations.

“East Field Three, Number 19 wins,” a judge waved his hand, signaling the end of the match.

“Cursed.”

A noble youth in red clothing slumped to the ground, clutching his arm, with traces of blood on him. He glared at the wine-red-haired youth opposite him, muttering curses, then slowly got up and left.

Ignoring the threats and curses from the other side, those weak words only bored him. Rock twirled his thin sword and returned to the resting area.

“Well done, Rock! Only you’re left in our class. Defeat Torklin next and you’ll be the champion!”

“Come on, Rock, show those nobles what we’re capable of.”

A group of classmates surrounded him, cheering excitedly.

“Sure, sure, I’ll do my best.”

Though he agreed, Rock wasn’t very confident. Torklin, originally a viscount’s child, fell into poverty after his father’s involvement in a dispute within a large noble family led to his disqualification. But his excellent talent and relentless efforts made him a loner in the academy, neither befriending commoner students nor associating with former noble companions.

Defeating him wouldn’t be easy, considering his diligent nature as a genius.

Thank you, Qing Feng Fu Yue, Wen Jing Qian Xiao, and Ling Guang Shan for your support.

(End of Chapter)