Chapter 363: Knight vs Master [2]

Chapter 363: Knight vs Master [2]



"Begin!"

The moment the referee's voice fell, Julien and Leon turned serious.

'Fight me fairly. Don't try it with your psychological warfare.'

'The hell...?'

Julien frowned as he looked at Leon. What did he take him as?

Psychological warfare?

What sort of nonsense was he spouting?

He was borderline almost offended. It was a good joke...

Their previous playfulness disappeared as Leon quickly recovered from the damage that he had previously sustained and pressed his foot against the ground, shooting toward Julien like

a comet.

Bang-

A powerful blast swept through the surroundings as Leon's figure blurred.

Staring at the incoming Leon, Julien remained calm. Though he couldn't see him, he didn't need to as an image appeared in his mind.

A green field stretched out before him, a gentle breeze sweeping through. In the distance, mountains loomed, while nearby trees swayed and rustled under the soft wind.

It was a distant memory of his.

...A memory of a time he felt most peaceful in his darkest times.

A time when he felt...

"Jo-"

Julien was never able to fully get his words out as Leon appeared right before him, sword raised in the air.

Swoosh!

In one fluid motion, he slashed down at Julien who pursed his lips.

The vision in his mind shattered and he raised his hand as he stepped forward.

'Step of Suppression.'

Leon instantly felt his sword become heavier. The speed at which he slashed increased, and his muscles popped outwardly.

"Ukeh!"

This sudden change was enough for Julien to avoid the incoming slash by a tiny margin as he felt something sharp graze the tip of his nose.

Not minding the pain his eyes grew red.

Cra Crack-

His entire body convulsed as his muscles swelled to twice their size, radiating an immense, terrifying power. With a roar, he brought his fist crashing down toward Leon, who remained calm, unflinching in the face of the oncoming blow.

Swoosh!

Tearing through the air, the fist reached Leon in a matter of seconds.

A faint glow manifested over Leon's sword as he looked at the approaching sword.

Then...

He thrust his sword toward the incoming fist.

Clank!

A deafening explosion echoed as Julien's fist collided with Leon's glowing sword. Fist and blade entwined, gray eyes locking fiercely with hazel ones, each refusing to give an inch.

Their muscles squirmed and tensed as each side tried to push the other back.

This went on like this for several seconds as neither side budged. It was then that an image appeared in Julien's mind.

The nursery was quiet and dark, filled with people lying silently on the beds.

All of a sudden their bodies raised, exposing their white eyes. Their mouths opened and they screamed.

'Hieeek-'

"Surpr―"

Bang!

Leon slammed his foot into the ground, releasing his grip on the sword for a brief moment as he lowered his center of gravity. In a swift motion, he shot toward Julien's side, his fist clenched tightly as he drove it straight toward Julien's torso.

'Tsk.'

Once again, Julien had no choice but to stop.

Even if he did end up affecting Leon with his Emotive Magic, it wouldn't stop his attack which

would put him at a disadvantage.

A purple orb appeared in his mind.

Julien reached out for it and his body suddenly trembled.

At the exact moment, Leon's fist closed in on Julien's torso, his spine tensed, and he unleashed all his accumulated power in a single explosive surge.

Swoosh-

The air funneled around his fist as he threw the punch.

However...

Swoosh!

It ended up phasing right through Julien's as his body started to fade into the air. Leon's eyes constricted, but he remained calm.

He had already seen this ability before.

...There was nothing surprising about seeing this ability.

What he needed to fear was his 'green' ability. That one, coupled with his touch was Julien's killer combo. He needed to be extremely careful.

Bang!

Stomping his foot against the ground, his sword bounced off the ground and back into the air. Twisting his torso, he reached for the blade, gripping it firmly as he darted to his right,

straight toward Julien's figure

With perfect control of his body, he managed to perform all of this in one fluid motion.

The movements flowed so seamlessly that in the span of a single heartbeat, Leon was already in front of Julien, who had just returned to his usual state.

His expression changed then as his eyes grew red.

Booom-

Leon's sword once again connected with Julien's fist.

"....!"

Leon felt his sword vibrate in the aftermath of the attack, feeling his body shake as a result as

well.

He was still doing better than Julien who took several steps back, his fist bleeding as a long red line appeared.

Though he looked unharmed, this was all Leon needed to take the momentum of the match.

He didn't let it go.

"Ump!"

He pressed forward.

A faint glow manifested over his sword as he aimed for Julien's heart.

Clank!

Narrowly, Julien managed to block the attack by using a combination of [Step of Supression]

and his domain, but Leon was relentless. If one attack failed, he'd try again.

Clank, clank-

Leon held his breath as he continued to slash.

He had no choice but to.

Sweat poured down from the side of his face as he continued to push forward, but this was

necessary in order to not give Julien any breathing space.

His scariest ability was his Emotive Ability.

So long as he could deal with that then he'd be able to have a greater chance at beating him.

"Hm...?!"

of the audience's hearts.

Boom!

The ground exploded and he arrived before Julien who stared at him in silence. Leon's eyes turned ethereal, the star within vanishing once more as he exploded with power.

Julien's clothes and hair fluttered under the immense pressure as the audience held their

breath in anticipation. Julien soon closed his eyes, his entire body being in total peace despite the looming threat.

The audience leaned closer at the sight.

Was he going to show something unique again? Was he going to display some incredibly

powerful move?

A new move perhaps...?

Everyone held their breath upon reaching such thoughts.

And soon...

Julien's eyes opened, revealing a familiar red hue.

Immediately the audience felt their heart sink. While this move was strong, there was no way

he'd be able to defeat the current Leon with it. Especially since he could only use it for a short

burst.

'Anger'

Julien rapidly murmured in his mind, pressing his hand against his chest.

His muscles popped and cracked as his body started to squirm. An oppressive montum burst

forth from out of his body, towering over everything in front. Everything but Leon... who moved with the momentum of a train.

He shattered everything in his path and soon arrived before Julien. The two crossed gazes and

threw a punch at the same time.

Booom-

Silence ensued for a brief moment as neither side budged before a terrifying explosion burst

forth as the fists remained glued together.

A wave of pressurized wind burst forth from their clash, causing their clothes to flutter wildly.

As the dust settled and the aftermath of their battle became clear, everyone could finally see

the result of their confrontation.

"A draw."

Johanna murmured,

"....It was even."

Indeed, both Leon and Julien were standing at the center of the stage with both fists

connected, neither side having budged an inch.

But..

"Julien needs to regather his strength, unlike Leon. I'm afraid..."

And just as she said this, Leon moved his fist back as Julien's eyes returned to normal. The

audience watched this with pale faces as they all looked at Julien who suddenly felt so small. "Hooo." Turbid air escaped from Leon's mouth as his spine tensed and his fist shifted forward. His head felt light, and in such moment he looked at Julien and the corner of his lips curled. He

felt strangely happy.

'I'm going to win.'

Boom!

He threw another fist, aiming for the shoulder his sword was stuck in.

Julien remained calm as the fist approached. Its momentum was terrifying, and knowing that

he couldn't use his domain in rapid succession like Leon, Julien could only throw a regular

punch with his only working hand.

It was just that...

...He couldn't gather as much power in such awkward angle.

Boom!

As expected, he was immediately flung away.

"Uhk."

Like a broken kite, he was hurled backward, skidding over a dozen steps. By the time he came

to a halt, Leon was already standing in front of him.

Bang!

The two clashed fists once more, sending Julien scattering further back.

"Uekh...!"

He didn't Julien any breathing room.

'Yes!'

Leon felt adrenaline rush through his body as he rushed forward.

Bang, bang, bang-

His every movement was filled with more and more power as he pushed Julien further and

further back. Be it him or the audience, everyone could tell that Julien was on his last leg.

Leon was about to pull a victory!

"Ah!"

Leon shouted, his arm tensing as he threw another fist forward.

Bang!

The two clashed once more, and Leon felt his heart jump in joy as Julien staggered back,

almost falling to the ground.

"Hahaha."

He laughed out loud, his laugh reverberating throughout the entire Colosseum and shaking

the audience out of their daze.

"Hahaha."

Leon continued to laugh, no longer rushing toward Julien as he stumbled back up.

Seeing the state Julien was in, Leon felt an undeniable rush of joy reach every part of his body

as his lips pulled into a wide smile. Finally... He was going to beat Julien.

Finall-Uh?

Leon stopped, his eyes blinking slowly. A strange silence befell him as his ears picked up every

sound within the Colosseum.

From the faint murmurs of the crowd, Julien's rough breathing, and...

Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump! Ba... Thump!

His incredibly fast heartbeat.

'What the..'

Leon pressed his chest, realization dawning on him as he raised his head to look at Julien who

looked back at him.

This time, it was his turn to smile as he raised his fist.

Though he didn't say anything, Leon could understand exactly what his gaze was saying,

'Just because I can't speak nor touch you doesn't mean I can't affect you.'

"Ah."

Leon clenched his teeth, a small laugh escaping his lips despite not finding the situation

amusing at all.

"...Fuck."