"Why haven't you left the arena yet?"
As he heard Instructor Darius's voice, Adrian looked up and spoke. "We still want to fight, that's why."
"Huh? What is he saying?"
"Didn't they already fight just now?"
The onlookers whispered among themselves, waiting for the show to continue.
"Instructor Valerie, didn't you teach your students the rules?" At this time, Merel, who just thought her plan had worked, intersected. "Hmph, I thought you were better than this."
Adrian stepped forward, his voice cutting through the murmurs and Merel's condescension. "Rules? There wasn't a rule stating that one team could only fight once."
The arena fell silent, the tension palpable. Adrian's calm demeanor and sharp words caught everyone's attention. Not to mention his words were correct. It's just that nobody mentioned or noticed it before because no team said this.
"Besides," Adrian continued, his gaze locked on Merel, "Instructor's petty warning isn't going to stop us. If anything, it only shows your lack of confidence in your own teams."
"Woah! That guy really has confidence!"
"He is talking back to the instructor!"
"Now that you mention it, I seem to recognize him!"
"Yeah, isn't he the dark horse of this year's admission?"
"He looks cool!"
Gasps and murmurs spread through the crowd. The second-year students bristled at Adrian's taunt, their pride wounded.
"Are you afraid to send a stronger team?" Adrian continued, his voice loud and clear. "Or are you content with hiding behind your mid-rankers to avoid embarrassment?"
"Huh?!"
"What did you say, you brat!"
The second years' anger flared, their pride and competitive spirits ignited by Adrian's words.
"You talk big for a first-year," one of the second-year students shouted, their voice dripping with indignation. "We'll show you what real strength looks like!"
Reina, who had been silently seething at Adrian for his earlier rude attitude, turned to Merel, her eyes blazing with determination. "Instructor Merel, let us fight them. We'll put these lousy first-years in their place."
Merel, caught off guard by the sudden actions of Adrian and the second year's eagerness, hesitated for a moment. But the fervor of her students and the intensity in Reina's eyes convinced her. She couldn't afford to appear weak or hesitant in front of the entire school.
No, wait... She could use this chance to crush the first years, their teacher once and for all.
"Very well," Merel said, her voice cold and authoritative. "Rowan, your team will take the stage. Show them the difference between first and second years."
Rowan, who has been sitting beside Ceil with an calm expression nodded his head, slowly rising. Another two of the seven elites followed after him, one of them Reina, the other one a young man called Kane.
Two other students, one girl, and one boy, joined them as they headed to the stage.
"Oh yeah! Rowan is gonna fight!"
"It will be really interesting!"
"Dark Horse versus Gray Serpent!"
"Reina can match against Princess. She is known as Black Blade you know"
"There's also Kane, the Golem Mage."
"I can't wait for the match to start." Searᴄh the Novёlƒire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.
Rowan Ironheart, a towering figure with a reputation as one of the strongest second-year students, stepped forward with an air of confidence. His team, composed of equally formidable members, exuded a palpable aura of strength and skill. Reina, still fuming from Adrian's earlier comments and actions, stood beside Rowan, her resolve unshaken.
Kane, the third elite, radiated a calm intensity, his eyes locked on the first-year team.
The crowd's anticipation reached a fever pitch. This was the showdown everyone wanted to see now — the elites versus the dark horse, the princess, and their team.
"Instructor, we are ready," Rowan said, his voice steady and unwavering.
Instructor Darius nodded and looked at Adrian.
"We are ready as well." Adrian calmly spoke, his eyes locked with the gray-haired young man in front of him.
The first years gulped in both anxiety and anticipation, while the second years wore smiles as if they had already won the fight.
"The match begins."
As Instructor Darius announced the start of the match, the arena fell into a tense silence, everyone holding their breath in anticipation. Both teams moved into position, their expressions calm and focused.
"Rowan, let me take care of that guy, please," Reina muttered her hand resting on her weapon's hilt.
"...Be quick," Rowan replied, not even bothering to pay attention even who she was talking about.
"Thank you," Reina muttered, her voice a low, grateful whisper.
The moment Instructor Darius announced the beginning of the match, Reina exploded into motion. Utilizing her secret movement technique, she appeared right in front of Adrian in the blink of an eye. Her blade descended in a deadly arc toward his head, a cold smirk playing on her lips as she anticipated a swift victory.
"Idiot," Adrian muttered just before the blade could connect.
In an instant, he vanished from his spot, leaving Reina's blade slicing through empty air. Her eyes widened in shock, but before she could process what had happened, she felt a sharp impact against her back.
"Boom!"
"Swoosh!"
"Thud!"
Adrian's powerful kick sent her flying across the arena, crashing into the ground and skidding to a stop. The crowd gasped, stunned by the unexpected turn of events. Reina, one of the seven elites, had been overpowered in the opening move.
"Woah! Did you see that?"
"How did he do that?"
"Unbelievable! He took her down in one move!"
Adrian coldly looked at Reina who was already standing up, her eyes filled with disbelief and anger.
"Didn't your 'precious teacher' teach you not to underestimate your opponents?" Adrian commented. "But..."
"Swoosh!"
"Clang!"
"Mine did," Adrian said, after slicing the arrow which was just about to hit him.
"...."
The whole Battle Arena went silent as Adrian effortlessly deflected the arrow with his daggers. What made them silent was it was a sneak attack, and he couldn't see it since it came from his back.
"..."
"Woah!"
"Amazing!"
"He didn't dodge but parried it!"
The arena erupted in cheers and gasps as the spectators witnessed Adrian's incredible reflexes and action. However, they went silent once again as Adrian shifted his focus to Rowan.
"Let's fight for real now."