Chapter 202: Challenge II

"Who is she?"

Rufus asked. 

The referee's presence wasn't quite normal. None of them could easily identify her due to the cloak covering half of her face, however, they can tell that she has a muscular body compared to other women. 

Just her standing there felt intimidating.

"Not sure… But I heard that they invited a Four-Star Hunter to be a referee…" Lexi answered as she curiously looked at the charismatic lady at the center of the arena.

This is her first time, most likely for everyone in the Tower, to see a genuine Four-Star Hunter…

Although most of the Hunters do not possess an Arcana, they wouldn't dare to belittle their ability…

They are Hunters and their specialty is killing Evil Beasts whether it is day or night… They are also not committed to using a single weapon as they mostly fight together with various Potions, Enhanced Items, and including Traps… 

The fighting style of Top Hunters like them also changes depending on the environment they were in which makes them very unpredictable.

"I will be the referee for this match… The six practitioners, step forward."

Her voice was cold almost as if she's unhappy to be in this arena.

"Do not hesitate and show your full strength…"

"Even if they get injured, we can heal them… Don't hold back!"

"Show them who's the boss!"

"Nika! Don't let them catch your bullets again! You can do this!"

The red-robed Arcanists behind Rufus's group encourage them as they stepped forward. The reward for this match is unannounced and it will most likely be given by the Administrator or perhaps by the two Second-Class Arcanists themselves…

It may be an item or perhaps a favor from them… 

It is the same with the opponent. It would be up to their organization what reward they'll give after the fight… 

So the six Arcanists were still motivated to start this battle and take this seriously.

"Calliope, you have two swords but you have more Magic Items, don't forget to use them if necessary."

"Terrence… Do not be nervous. You are skilled, just don't panic… Your teammates are reliable…"

"Diether… You're known for your aggressive style but try to match with Calliope… If you find an opportunity… Just eliminate him as quickly as possible…"

Oliver, the Knight-Lieutenant behind them, gave his final advice as he watched them enter the Arena…

They already formed a strategy for this match and gathered information about their opponents. It is now up to the three to show the results of their training.

As the six young arcanists got closer to each other, the female referee reminded them about the rules of the battle.

"Try not to kill each other. But accidents can happen, so keep that in mind… Also, don't surrender… It's boring. Give everything you got and don't stop until you're dead---I mean unconscious! Go, move away… Keep a thirty-meter distance."

The muscular lady told them in a low voice…

All the six participants didn't know what to say to this lady… She's surely different from other referees they've seen so far.

'Is she allowed to say that? Oh… Is that why she's whispering?' 

It seems that she also realized that she's not saying the right words for a referee so she decided to whisper.

Everyone smiled wryly at this as they backed away from each other.

Anyway, they will fight with everything they got so it still the same.

The lady smiled at them and as soon as they were at the right distance from each other, she announced the start of the fight.

"Nika, Rufus, and Lexi from the Arcanist Tower versus Calliope, Diether, and Terrence from the Sun Fire Knights… Fight!"

Everyone saw the lady smiling. It appears that she's also looking forward to the start of this match like everyone else.

***

The six young Arcanists pulled out their weapons. 

"Eh?"

Everyone was quite excited to see the weapons but they noticed something off… Two Arcanists, one from each side, were actually using a wooden sword…

They can feel that Diether's sword is not an Arcana even though it looks quite menacing with its full black color. 

Some of them know that he already completed his Bestowal Ceremony and received an Equipment-Type Arcana just recently… However, some of the Arcanists here were thinking that the Knights Order should've at least given the boy an ownerless Arcana before sending him here.

On the other hand, Rufus was using a bamboo sword that seemed to be unable to kill even a rabbit. The Knights were curious about this sword except for Tristan, the man who recruited Diether in Farahn Village…

"Mhmm… That sword… It has been a while since I saw one… Is it a rare product or something?"

Tristan muttered to himself.

The shinai has a unique appearance and was quite difficult to forget once it was seen. It has a white cap, a white leather strap on the middle, a long and white grip, and strips of bamboo stacked together.

Its appearance can easily draw attention especially in a battle with real and sharp blades…

Even Diether's sword is very sharp since it is made of Eternal Tree's branch and is being well maintained by professionals.

'Maybe its main function is to cast Arcane Magic instead of being used as a sword…'

This is what mostly thinks after analyzing Rufus's sword in his hand.

Bang!

As the crowd was checking out the weapons of each participant, they heard a sound of an explosion from the arena. No—It is actually Nika's Revolver!

Those who had only seen the gun in action for the first time were all astounded by the explosive sound…

Bang! Bang! Bang! 

A total of four fast and powerful bullets were shot and none of it requires casting time! All Nika has to do was pull the trigger as long as she has bullets on that cylinder inside… It is a fascinating Arcana!

Clang! Clang!

All those bullets were targeted at the black-haired Calliope… 

However, she managed to defend against them by casting an energy barrier from her Magic Item…

Crack! 

Boom!

Her manifested shield was destroyed after the fourth bullet… Aside from that, she would also be unable to cast the same Arcane Magic for the next 20 minutes!

Haa! 

Terrence broke out from their formation and turned to the left side.

Lexi, with her battle-axe, stood close to Nika while she kept her eyes on Terrence… Nika will handle their long-range battle, while she will fight for her when they got closer.

Clank! 

Boom!

Diether's wooden sword and Rufus's bamboo sword met each other and it was followed by a shockwave…

They both moved aside and went away from the other participants…

"Hoo~ Are you guys thinking of isolating me as well?"

Rufus couldn't help but ask after noticing that Diether is going along with his movements…

Apparently, they planned to eliminate Diether or at least deal some significant damage to him before going back to help the two girls.

The reason they went with this plan was due to their confidence in Rufus's sword skills… They know, through the gathered data from Sir Kael, that Diether is a swordsman with a unique sword style and he has an equipment-type Arcana that he just received recently.

This may prove to be difficult especially with their Hazy Flash Steps but they know the Rufus can deal with it as long as he won't be interrupted by the other Knights in his match against Diether.

On the other hand, Nika may be able to assist Rufus if she found an opportunity to shoot his opponent…

Diether only smiled at Rufus's question as he held his sword up high…

Jodan no Kamae!

'Tsk! As a Kendo Practitioner for years, he must've mastered all those difficult footwork…'

Rufus didn't feel comfortable seeing the Jodan being used against him.

However, with this stance, the best thing that he can do is use the Chudan and wait for an opportunity… 

For some reason, he didn't want to use his other Magic Items yet… He wanted to see it. He wanted to experience Diether's Kendo!

"Come!"

Rufus shouted as he was ready to face his opponent… Diether noticed his resolve and moved forward.

Ayumi-Ashi…

The movement was swift and Rufus almost failed to react…

Bang!

He immediately stepped back and avoided Diether's head strike… The strike only hit the shinai as he managed to move away from Diether's range…

However, Rufus had serious look on his face…

His hands went numb from that overhead strike… If he was hit directly, the match would've ended already…

'What a scary child… So this is Master's first student… Kuku~ I'll surpass you!'

Rufus shouted in his mind as he used the move that he practiced for the past couple of days.

Tsuki!

It may be unrefined but there is still one thing that he's confident with…

It is his ability to adapt and adjust his movements based on his opponent's actions! 

As a previous dagger user, he was used to sudden and sharp movements.

Master! Watch me! 

Rufus shouted in his mind as he stabbed his sword at Diether.