333 First-Month Assessment 8

As the final participants gathered themselves, nervously and excitedly, into the stage, crowding against each other to make space for everyone, the array was one again activated to protect the audience.

At the hosting elder's start signal, everyone drew their weapons and immediately attacked whoever was closest to them. A few that perhaps knew each other formed alliances and took down other participants together. The boy standing next to Shen Tianyu swung his sword at her but she easily blocked it with her sword, not even taking it out of the scabbard yet. The boy's face twisted in anger at her calm expression, thinking she was looking down on him. She wasn't, not really, she just felt assured of achieving a place in the rankings.

She heard another whoosh behind her and she turned on her heels to avoid the blade, which whistled past her and scratched her first attacker instead. She kicked him while he was off guard and sent him off the stage. 

The array on the stage kept in only spiritual energy so physical attacks and bodies wouldn't be trapped inside. In order to achieve a point in this round, one had to either incapacitate their opponent or get them off the stage. The start would be easy as the stage was pretty crowded for 92 people, but as time goes on, they would have to really start battling. 

As she retracted her leg from her kick, she used the one still on the ground as an axle and spun around to force her second attacker back. Her feet had just touched the ground when she dashed forward and swung her sheathed sword, sending more than her attacker off the stage as the force of her swing caused him to roll into two others who were fighting. 

'Four points.' She counted in her head as she turned around. Seeing her take out four people when the start signal had just been sent out, the surrounding participants were more wary now and didn't dare approach her recklessly. Some chose to instead fight other prey that they deemed as easy pickings.

However, even if other people were trying to get away from her, she couldn't let them if she was to enter the rankings. Two seconds was not enough for her to show her potential and she knew she could get to the top so why shouldn't she? Sure, attracting attention might cause a few problems but as Zhu Wangfei, she couldn't embarrass her fiancee by being given a pity card now could she? Even if she had some personal problems, she still had pride in her abilities and training okay?

One of the five gave a shout at seeing his weapon broken and charged at her with empty hands. One of the senior students rushed up to stop the "zombie" and dragged him off the stage, kicking.

"Sorry for breaking your sword! If you need another one, just come find me!" She called after him. There were some poor students who had high potential but little money and, unlike how some naive people would have it, money makes the world go around. There's no point in having potential if you didn't even have the money to buy a weapon. Well, she had more than enough swords alone to equip a small private army. Giving a few away wouldn't hurt, since she was more of a jack of all trades.

She didn't stay to see if her words registered in his brain as the other four trudged behind the senior. She dived back into the fray, keeping her sword sheathed as she kicked and deflected attacks. It wasn't against the rules to use this kind of style, since she wasn't necessarily sneak attacking anyone. It was a war zone anyways so even if there was, it could be overlooked. Everyone had their own style after all and the rules only required you to actually have a sword and be able to use it. She wasn't unsheathing her sword but she could obviously use it.

In no time, the original 92 contestants had dwindled down to around 30, with three obviously standing out. There was a fourth a little behind them but he wasn't overshadowed by any means, just a little less experienced.

[1] not-as-bulky broadsword