Chapter 131 - 131)A Rival?

The moment Luke was waiting for. It was his time, his fight against Ken. He hadn't felt that thrill, that excitement, that feeling where there was someone who could potentially surpass him. It was somewhat similar to what Jace and K felt when they faced off against Luke in the dojo.

It was a common misconception that the people at the top of their respective fields had everything. While that was necessarily true, those individuals often shared one thing they lacked, and that was the feeling of excitement, the feeling of competition. People tend to forget that it gets lonely at the top as well.

Was he feeling threatened? Was Luke, the person who beat two legends at the same time, threatened? Of course not. Ken was exponentially better at using the Tachi but that alone usually wouldn't incite a response from Luke. There were so many weapons Luke didn't know how to use or never heard of, obviously, there would be people who were better than him at using these weapons.

It was resonance, Luke felt Ken's style and technique, not to mention the world-class skill, resonating with him. In his previous fights, Ken barely showed any technique or anything that was considered worthy by Luke. However, in his fight with Aurora, he truly managed to surprise Luke, he made someone who barely pays any attention shoot up to his feet.

"I'm.....curious...I want to say Night's going to win but...we've seen the skill Ken displayed..."

"That water style...it was like a tsunami, how does one avoid that? First of all, is it even possible?"

"Forget about that, each of his swings was nothing short of perfect, you could see the air getting cut open, they were smooth and clean."

"I think you are forgetting about Night's fights...he has that weird skill where he can control arrows? and I heard rumors that he learned weapon aura...then there's that skill which makes him terrifyingly quick...."

"What about that huge-ass double-edged sword of his? Don't even get me started on that...."

As much as the audience wanted to believe Ken had a chance, deep down all of them supported Night. Well, he was a crowd favorite after all, while the one obsessed with the sword, Ken was mainly known for his impeccable rule over Relentless. 

"I assume you're ready," Luke said with a confident tone. He was standing face to face with Ken, they were currently standing on the stage. 

"Right back at you," Ken replied. Luke could sense the smile forming under his opponent's mask. The tension between them was enough to make the entire stadium uneasy, they stood there killing each other in their heads.

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'I guess I'll need to use my Glacial Bala-'

*SWOOOOOOSH*

Before Night could even finish that thought, he was interrupted by a weapon used by the samurai of Feudal Japan. The blade would've felt flesh and blood, perhaps even bones IF it were another player. But Night, well, It's Night, naturally, he managed to dodge the attack without too much difficulty.

'Beautiful...it's just like I thought it would be' Night could feel his body heating up from the excitement, the curved edge of the blade reflecting the sunlight, making the scene look even more picturesque, in his mind it was akin to a masterpiece.

'Of course, he dodged it as if it was nothing...' Ken smiled as he looked at Night who was now further away from him. 'And he's got that annoying double-edged sword out...'

It was Night's turn now, he dashed forward and closed the distance with no effort whatsoever, however, it was the same choice his opponent, Ken, had made as well, both of them were slightly amused by their thinking but all that had to put aside.

*KLAAANG*

The energy rippled throughout the arena, tiny pebbles and rocks were trembling from the clashing of weapons. The crowd witnessed two warriors dancing around while their weapons would continue to clash every time they converged. It was hard for the other players to believe this fight was between individuals who were of the same level as them.

It was extremely fast-paced, a fight between two individuals who were perhaps equally matched. Whistling noises were made by Ken's Tachi as it constantly cut through the air. Night would either dodge or counter with his double-edged sword, he would angle it in such a way that Ken's weapon would deflect off.

Neither of them used a single skill or spell, they simply enjoyed the technique and skill of the other. While the crowd was growing anxious by the second, the stressors, Night and Ken were having the time of their life. Night especially, of course, he could always change the style but then he wouldn't be having fun, as of now, he was more or less at a disadvantage, Ken's cuts were getting closer and closer to slicing off Night's skin. However, this was only because Night played in his opponent's playground on purpose, he had to power and skill to change IT to his at any time, or at least that's what Night believed.

Was it bliss he felt? When the tiny droplets of sweat falling were the only sounds that echoed in a silent arena. When his heartbeat was growing closer and closer to synchronizing with his movements. What was it that he felt?

"This....is exhilarating...." Night muttered as he wiped the sweat off his forehead with his hand, 'I never imagined I'd feel this way...but...it's missing something....what is it? I want to know what is it! no...I need to know....'

'This guy...he's the real deal...it may look like I have the advantage but that's only because he's making it seem that way...'

"Finish it....don't drag it out so long.." Nate muttered as he had a worried expression on his face.

However, he wasn't the only one who felt that way, somewhere in one of the VIP rooms, Jace Cirillo and K Johnson were looking at the large screen with a complicated look. While the latter was worried for his student, Jace was more curious as to what was going on.

"It might hurt him...he's only going to be met with disappointment...it is unfortunate..." K let out an exasperated sigh.

"Huh? what do you mean? what's going to hurt him? actually, is there anything that can hurt him?" Jace asked, he was genuinely curious as to who or what could hurt that little monster.

"He thinks he's met someone worthy...while that may be true, that's only the case because he's playing in his opponent's field. This Ken guy, he uses a Tachi. If I'm not wrong, the Tachi and weapons like it have a weakness. They are sharp and quick and each movement is precise and deadly, if he were to miss a strike then it leaves him completely open."

"I agree...but what does this have to do with the kid??" 

"Well, right now, Luke isn't able to take advantage of that weakness, more like he doesn't want to, subconsciously, he's holding back so that he can have fun which is why he should be feeling a void of some sort....but once he snaps out of it, he'll realize that even this Ken guy, is not strong enough..."

"I see....worst-case scenario, he's bloodthirsty and wants a challenge, hahaha, imagine he goes berserk and attacks anyone and everyone in the stadium ahahahah" Jace laughed.

"....What if he does..." K gulped as he considered the possibility.

"Huh? Then we'll st-"

"We'll stop him??!" K asked with a wry smile.

"Oh...I mean, he's not an addict right..haha.."

"...."

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"Enough! Let's get serious here, it was fun and all but it's time to go all out, we're here to decide who goes onto the finals, so let's do that," Ken said as he cleaned his Tachi.

"Alright," Night agreed casually, perhaps it was indeed time to switch things up. The battle as interesting as it was, was too monotonous. As soon as he said that, Ken sheathed his Tachi but he didn't let go of the handle. He closed his eyes and took his stance. The smell of salt entered Night's nose, a wave of water was spiraling around Ken as he held onto his blade and continued breathing.

'What in anime is this....' Night thought as he recalled a show where a young boy's entire family is killed by a demon, leaving only his younger sister as the survivor along with him.

"My turn I guess..." Night muttered as he allowed his Umbrakinesis to run wild. Dark Clouds emerged at his feet and slowly covered his entire body, leaving only his purple eyes to be clearly visible. He rotated his double-edged sword, Glacial balance and as he did that, the clouds followed along.

"The truth of the sword, the lies of this World."

"Oh, we're starting with that?" Night said as he looked at Ken put more force into his stance. The water that was revolving around him was now thrashing about violently.

"Water Style-The Calm Before the Storm"