Chapter 31 Martial Arts Tournament Finals

Chapter 31 Martial Arts Tournament Finals

The main event of the Ephania Empires martial arts tournament.

Unbeknownst to most, the finals had already ripened to their climax.

Surprisingly, instead of the adult division which should have garnered the most attention, it was the boys division that captured the audiences eyes.

The reason was none other than Kradd, the protagonist of rumors said to belong to the Night Crow.

The boy with a crow perched on his shoulder and his eyes a narrow slit.

His power was as intriguing as his appearance, never once drawing the sword at his waist throughout the whole tournament, overpowering everyone with his fists alone.

It was to the extent that people began to wonder if the sword was merely for show.

With various suspicions gathered, the final match began.

The moment youve all been waiting for!

Wowooooo!

A thunderous cheer erupted, shaking the boys division stadium.

The largest indoor stadium in the empire was packed full, everyone eagerly anticipating the final match.

We will now commence the last match of the boys division for this martial arts tournament!

The announcer bellowed as he raised his left arm exuberantly.

The first of our two finalists! A boy from a rural village with the ambition to one day stop world erosion and protect world peace! Pelei!

As the announcer called out, a boy entered the arena.

Approaching with a timid posture, he was a simple-looking boy of fourteen.

Pelei, go for it!

Hey man, dont lose to some Night Crow!

Several people cheered more than expected because he was like a beacon of hope for the common folk.

Unlike the nobility, he was a plain boy from a rural village who had trained with the sword to reach the final round of the martial arts tournament.

The commoners were inspired by him and supported him even more vigorously.

And his opponent is the announcer continued, perfectly capturing the crowds interest with a sly smile, infamous for being associated with the underworlds renowned family, rumored to belong to the Night Crow!

Kradd!

Following the announcers shout, suddenly a crow took off from the contestant entry tunnel.

Caw!

The crows intense call drew the attention of the crowd as it took flight.

Crows, a symbol of ominousness, had heightened the anticipation for a moment, and then silence fell.

Thud thud

From the entrance, a boy slowly emerged.

Beneath his jet-black hair, eyes closed neatly, it was impossible to guess what he was thinking, and the aura about him created an odd tension.

As he ascended to the stage amidst that atmosphere, the crow in the sky slowly alighted upon his shoulder.

Understood. I wont make you do this again.

Muttering to himself, as he raised his head, the crowds cheers surged once more throughout the stadium.

Night Crow!!!

I bet on you winning first place! Win!!!

Show them what an assassination house is all about!!!!

Cheering emanated from all sides as Kraush looked forward. Pelei came into his view.

That ordinary-looking boy he was seeing again.

But despite his appearances, Pelei was part of the Sky Generation and had even attended Rahelrn Academy.

I didnt expect to face him here.

Those hopeful eyes were just as vibrant now as they were in the past.

Kraush remembered clearly the day that light had faded from Peleis eyes.

Unfortunately, right now, he had other matters to attend to than facing him.

Kraush had already achieved his set objective.

Kradd.

At that moment, Pelei suddenly addressed him.

Are you really with the Night Crow?

Such innocence.

Instead of answering, Kraush simply loosened his neck.

After all, his end of the competition was essentially complete.

The remaining task was to stir things up so that the other side could spring into action on a grand scale.

It would be better for you to come out and say it then.

Unexpectedly, Pelei blurted out something surprising.

The reason for this martial arts tournament is for the Ephania royal family to recruit additional students for Rahelrn Academy. Since you and I have made it to the finals, well surely get the chance to enroll.

This information had spread far and wide already.

While it wasnt particularly newsworthy anymore, Pelei relayed it as if proud of the fact.

Rahelrn Academy is an independent institution, immune to interference from any nation. There, youll be able to escape from the Night Crow.

A story filled with dreams and hope followed.

Regrettably, Rahelrn Academy wasnt quite that resplendent a place.

Still relatively new, Rahelrn Academy didnt possess significant power.

Thats why, except for its initial stage, it eventually got tossed about in the power struggles between the empire and various kingdoms.

Looking back now.

There were several reasons why Rahelrn Academy had been swayed in such a manner.

But resolving this wasnt immediate, nor was it of interest to Kraush.

Pelei.

Dull Sword is a sword technique that takes the opponents space.

The opponents sword might be headed somewhere, but this technique seizes the space first.

Ironically, Dull Sword suited Kraush better than anyone else.

He needed to take everything to rise above.

Urgh, ihrk!

Peleis choked sounds echoed.

Surely it was he who was on the offensive.

Yet he kept retreating step by step.

No matter how vigorously he swung his sword, he couldnt advance forward.

Because Kraushs sword had seized all the space he possessed.

Kraush was slightly shorter than him.

Yet, for some reason, whenever his sword was blocked, his presence seemed to grow larger and larger.

Pelei felt the same sensation of swinging against a rock when facing Kraush.

Could he ever split this rock?

That immense feeling consumed him.

Pelei.

At that moment, Kraushs voice echoed.

As Pelei lifted his head, he suddenly saw that Kraushs sword was already before his throat.

Hah, ha.

Pelei gasped for air.

The sword that Pelei swung advanced only about 1 cm from his throat.

Although it was Pelei who swung it.

The cold sweat running down Peleis cheek reached Kraushs sword.

They were that close.

Grow stronger.

And to Pelei, Kraush spoke.

So that even if your hope shatters, youll still leave behind an ember.

Leaving behind these enigmatic words, Kraush then drove his fist into Peleis solar plexus.

Inch Power

With two resounding impacts, Pelei spit out saliva and collapsed.

With that, Kraush turned around.

Using Dull Sword also impacted Kraush, his breath filling his mouth, jabbing his lungs haphazardly, but he maintained his poker face.

And at that moment.

Woaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!

An unprecedented cheer erupted throughout the stadium.

It was indeed an overwhelming display of Dull Sword.

Nobody could watch that and not shout.

Ah, the winner is

Coming back to his senses belatedly, the announcer raised his hand.

Kradd!

The announcer declared the victory, and another enormous cheer blasted through the stadium.

Kr, add!

At that moment, Kraush turned his head toward a voice he heard behind him.

He hadnt expected Pelei to regain consciousness so quickly after being hit with Inch Power.

Will we, meet again?

Really, its no wonder you were part of the Sky Generation.

Seeing him doggedly hold onto his consciousness, Kraush said.

Yeah, if its the academy.

Go, t it.

With that, Pelei completely lost awareness.

They would meet again.

Although, it might not be in the same guise next time.

Thank you. Kraush, Ill work harder than the curse you took from me. Ill show you I can protect the world.

For a brief moment, a memory surfaced.

It was what Pelei had said when he returned cursed with world erosion, and Kraush had stolen his curse away.

It was a thanks he hadnt heard in a long time.

But just a month later.

Pelei slowly met death, torn limb by limb by the worlds erosion perpetrator.

Kraushs fists clenched tight.

Dont worry. Pelei.

Then, slowly, Kraushs head lifted.

This time, its my turn to protect.

Not others, but himself.

And for that purpose.

Sigrid.

He would have to thwart her plans.