Chapter 74 - 74
"Oi, just retract yourself from this stupid fight. I don’t want people to think that I’m bullying you," Ygriss warned, releasing a faint killing intent.
Unfazed by Ygriss’s intimidation tactics, Klaus maintained his composure and flashed a confident smile. "I’ll be the one doing the bullying," he declared boldly.
"We’ll see about that," Ygriss replied, stepping fifteen paces back from Klaus and awaiting the patriarch’s signal to commence the fight.
"This kid is too cocky; he needs a good beating," Ygriss muttered through gritted teeth.
Rick returned to the stage, retrieving Ygriss’s sword and replacing it with a training sword for the duel. While official duels typically allowed the use of real swords, the patriarch opted for training swords to prevent serious injuries in this particular match.
"Lucky kid, I wanted to sever at least one of your arms to teach you a good lesson," Ygriss thought bitterly as he swung the training sword provided by Rick. With swift and precise movements, he executed a series of rapid swings that blurred before the eyes of spectators lacking trained observation skills.
’Greed!’
As Klaus mentally reached out to Greed, he felt a twinge of annoyance at the silent response.
"Look, I’m not even bothered by you not warning me about Alex," Klaus continued internally. "That was my fight, not yours, so stop with this silent game."
Greed finally replied, but with a hint of reluctance. [What do you want?]
Klaus wasted no time. "What’s his core color?" he asked, referring to Ygriss.
Greed’s response dripped with sarcasm. [Do I look like your personal core detector?]
Rolling his eyes mentally, Klaus shot back, "Oh! Just say that you are not able to detect it, instead of throwing a tantrum."
Greed’s tone shifted abruptly. [Who do you think the GREAT me is? If I can even detect that father of yours core while even your stupid patriarch can’t, you think I won’t be able to detect a stupid light cyan core? AH!]
’I see, I forgot how great you were,’ Klaus retorted, masking his amusement at Greed’s outburst.
[TSSP!] Greed cursed, realizing he had said more than intended. He was furious with himself for letting Klaus manipulate him once again.
Meanwhile, Klaus pondered silently, hidden from Greed’s prying thoughts. ’So, Ludovic is hiding his power, hmm? Why though?’
Klaus’s mind raced as he assessed the situation. "Well, that’s a problem for another day. First, I have to defeat that guy. He has a high-tier cyan core, so he’s a full-fledged swordmaster," he reasoned. "I wanted to finish this duel quickly, but I guess it won’t be that easy. Well, if he’s a swordmaster, I can go all out and see the limit of my arcane core. He’s the perfect test subject for me to gauge my current level," Klaus concluded, a dark smile spreading across his face.
Ygriss tightened his grip on the training sword, a flash of irritation crossing his features as he noticed Klaus’s smile. "Is he smiling? That brat is underestimating me!?" Ygriss thought, his emerald eyes flashing with intensity. With a subtle glance at Roman, Ygriss silently communicated his readiness for the duel ahead.
Roman Lionhart observed his two grandsons with a calm expression, though a hint of intrigue flickered in his eyes at Klaus’s unwavering confidence. He knew Ygriss’s skill level well, and in his estimation, there was no conceivable way for Klaus to defeat him. Ygriss was not only a seasoned swordmaster, but he also boasted real combat experience against both monsters and humans.
’Well, I suppose this defeat will serve as a valuable lesson and spur his growth,’ Roman thought, contemplating the potential outcomes of the impending duel. Clearing his throat, he then boomed with authority: "START!"
BANG!
The thunderous clash of metal echoed through the arena as Klaus and Ygriss closed the gap between them in an instant, their swords meeting with a resounding impact that sent sparks flying in all directions.
BANG!
BANG!
Again and again, their swords clashed, each collision sending shockwaves rippling through the air. Despite Ygriss’s supposed physical advantage, Klaus held his ground, his body enhanced with magic to match his opponent’s strength. The speed of their exchanges was a blur, leaving onlookers gasping in astonishment at the display of skill and power unfolding before them.
"Crazy!"
"To think that he can match Ygriss’s speed and power at such a young age, that’s impressive!"
The members of the direct line couldn’t help but feel impressed by Klaus’s performance against Ygriss.
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
With each passing moment, the intensity of their clash escalated, their swords meeting at a dizzying pace of at least five times per second. To the untrained eye, their movements were a blur, their swords appearing almost invisible as they clashed, leaving only the brilliant sparks in their wake for the onlookers to perceive.
’This Kid!’ Ygriss seethed inwardly, a potent cocktail of rage and frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. With a swift yet deliberate motion, he infused his sword with a light cyan aura, a telltale sign of his readiness to escalate the duel to a new level.
Swosh!
The air crackled with anticipation as Ygriss unleashed a powerful strike, his sword cutting through the space with a resounding bang. Klaus, caught off guard by the sudden surge of energy, was propelled backward, his feet skidding across the ground as he struggled to maintain his balance.
But Klaus was no ordinary opponent. With a grace that defied his age, he executed a perfect backflip, his body twisting in mid-air before landing on the ground with the agility of a cat. Despite the force of Ygriss’s attack, Klaus remained unfazed, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
"Are you finally taking me seriously?" Klaus’s voice cut through the tension, laced with a hint of amusement as he locked eyes with his adversary.
Ygriss’s response was immediate, his features contorted with a mixture of anger and determination. "I’ll end you with a single slash," he growled, his voice dripping with venom as he channeled a surge of aura into his sword. The cyan energy danced along the length of the blade, casting an eerie glow that illuminated the intensity of his resolve.
The audience erupted into a flurry of whispers and murmurs, their voices a symphony of awe and disbelief as they witnessed Ygriss’s display of power. Continue reading at empire
"Light cyan aura?"
"Impressive."
"To think that he has a high-tier cyan core at such a young age!"
"So he is a swordmaster!"
"As expected of a direct line member!"
"But wait! Does that mean that Klaus can physically match a swordmaster’s speed and strength?"
"That kid keeps on surprising us."
"Just how strong is he really?"
The realization dawned on the spectators, their gazes shifting between Klaus and Ygriss with newfound respect and admiration. Klaus’s prowess had exceeded their expectations, and they couldn’t help but marvel at the young trainee’s extraordinary abilities.
Meanwhile, among the direct line members, an uneasy tension hung in the air, exacerbated by the murmurs of praise from the audience. Raoul Lionhart, in particular, felt a prickling sensation at the back of his neck, his discomfort palpable as he grappled with the implications of Klaus’s remarkable performance.
***
"Let’s end this!" Ygriss’s voice echoed through the arena, charged with determination as he closed the gap between himself and Klaus in the blink of an eye. The crowd held its breath as Ygriss’s figure blurred with speed, his sword shimmering with a brilliant cyan aura, promising devastation with every swing.
In response, Klaus felt a surge of anticipation coursing through his veins. His senses sharpened as he focused on the incoming attack, his heart pounding in rhythm with the intensity of the moment. With a swift and fluid motion, he infused his sword with arcane energy, a dazzling display of otherworldly power emanating from the blade. n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
As Ygriss’s sword descended with alarming speed, Klaus met the challenge head-on. His muscles tensed as he unleashed his own upward swing, the clash of their swords erupting in a symphony of metallic resonance. The arena trembled with the force of their collision, the air crackling with energy as sparks flew in all directions.
The clash between Ygriss and Klaus sent shockwaves through the arena, their swords locked in a fierce struggle as they poured their strength into the confrontation. The audience watched in awe as the two combatants engaged in a battle of titans, their every move calculated and precise.
Ygriss’s sword, infused with the power of his cyan aura, radiated an intense light that illuminated the arena, casting dynamic shadows across the floor. His determination was palpable as he sought to overwhelm Klaus with sheer force, his muscles straining with the effort of his downward slash.
On the other hand, Klaus’s sword shimmered with an ethereal glow, crackling with arcane energy as it met Ygriss’s attack head-on. But there was something different about Klaus’s energy; it was dark, swirling with shadows that seemed to devour the light around it. His eyes burned with determination, a fierce resolve reflected in his every movement as he pushed back against the relentless force of his opponent.
The clash of their swords echoed through the arena, a symphony of steel that reverberated with the weight of their intentions. Each strike was like lightning, cutting through the air with deadly precision as they danced the dance of combat.
For a moment, time seemed to stand still as Ygriss and Klaus locked horns in a battle of wills. The audience held their breath, captivated by the spectacle unfolding before them, as the outcome of the duel hung in the balance.
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