Chapter 95
Chapter 95
The long-awaited friendly match began.
Under the blue moonlight pouring down, two men walked onto the training ground.
They were Ron Winterbell of the direct lineage of the Winterbell Ducal Family and Adrian Helios, the youngest of the Helios Family. These two would be the ones to open the match.
With thousands of ice crystals shimmering in the air, their figures looked as magnificent as a painting.
Ron’s blue formal attire swayed under the moonlight, while Adrian’s red attire glowed darkly like blood. Pride and tension were simultaneously evident in their steps. A faint moonlight illuminated the path they walked.
“…….”
“…….”
The air of the training ground was still cold due to the Makina Arkan had activated. Ice crystals sparkled in the air as if celebrating the arrival of the two knights. Those seated in the audience finally seemed to relax and began talking among themselves.
“Who do you think will win?”
“Hmm……. I think the youngest young master of the Helios Family will win.”
“And why do you think that?”
“I’ve heard Ron Winterbell is quite talented, but Adrian Helios is said to have single-handedly subjugated a high-ranking demon.”
“A high-ranking demon……. My thoughts differ.”
“You think Ron Winterbell will win?”
“Yes. If their mana weren’t sealed, I couldn’t be certain……. but this friendly match is purely a contest of swordsmanship. As you probably know, the direct descendants of the Winterbell Family—those born with Winterbell blood—are born with bodies incomparably stronger than ordinary people.”
“Are they really that special?”
“You know one thing but not the other. In a situation where they can’t enhance their bodies with mana, do you not understand how their innate physique would come into play? I’ve personally fought against a Winterbell before. Their monstrous strength surpasses the realm of humans. In a match like this, it will inevitably work to their advantage.”
“Hmm……. That does make sense. But by that logic, wouldn’t the Helios Family be the same?”
“What do you mean?”
“If the Winterbells are born with absurd strength……. the Helios Family has beast-like dynamic vision and reflexes, don’t they?”
“That’s true. You’re right.”
Aside from those exchanging opinions like this, there were also many nobles from the imperial side. Since they were not martial artists, rather than discussing martial arts, they started betting on who would win this match. They had plenty of money, and in their view, a match like this wouldn’t be complete without gambling.
Of course, they didn’t openly set up a gambling den. No one had the nerve to do such a thing in Winterbell territory.
They simply started betting discreetly in the shadows, careful not to draw too much attention. In truth, the Winterbell Family was aware of this, but they tacitly allowed it.
However, the gambling scene proved more popular than expected. Even some members affiliated with the Winterbell Family began visiting it.
The one who placed the largest bet was Izumi Winterbell.
I bet 50 million gold coins on Ron Winterbell.
The odds were 4 for Ron Winterbell and 6 for Adrian Helios. It seemed Adrian Helios had the higher reputation.
Everyone was watching this historic moment.
Ron Winterbell slowly drew his sword from its scabbard. The cold moonlight flowed along the blade.
It was the famed sword passed down through generations of the Winterbell Family, the 'Clear Mind Sword'. Fine frost patterns were engraved on the blade, reflecting the moonlight and emitting a mysterious glow.
“That's a fine sword.”
Adrian also drew his sword. The ruby embedded in its hilt glimmered faintly under the moonlight. It was the 'Flame Sword', imbued with the tradition of the Helios Family. The blade was decorated with patterns that looked as though flames were flowing across it.
“Yours is fine as well.”
The two stared at each other with expressionless faces. It wasn’t their first meeting. They had seen each other once in the past, but that didn’t mean they were acquainted.
They had only heard rumors about each other.
‘So the rumors weren’t exaggerated. Even with his mana sealed, I can feel an extraordinary presence from him now that I’m facing him in person. It feels like I’m standing before a finely honed blade.’
‘I heard he recently entered closed-door training…… but he’s far stronger than what’s known to the public. I thought it wouldn’t be too difficult, but I might end up having a harder fight than expected.’
The two were evaluating each other far more highly than expected. In the end, rather than relying on rumors, they judged with their own eyes.
“I look forward to this.”
“Likewise.”
Arkan Winterbell’s cold voice rang out.
“The first match is Ron Winterbell versus Adrian Helios.”
The two slowly faced each other. Ron’s cold gaze clashed with Adrian’s fiery one. Their footsteps echoed across the training ground. With each step they took, the tension intensified.
The ancient patterns engraved on the floor of the training ground faintly glowed under the moonlight. The young swordsmen of two families with thousands of years of history stood upon it. This was not merely a duel, but a clash of pride between two great families.
Without either taking the lead, their swords cut through the air at the same time. It was a gesture of respect, yet killing intent was already embedded in the movement.
The trajectory drawn by Ron’s 'Clear Mind Sword' resembled cold moonlight, while Adrian’s 'Flame Sword' was like a blaze in the darkness.
Someone in the audience inhaled sharply. Anticipation for the imminent clash was reaching its peak.
A pure contest of swordsmanship, with neither mana nor Makina.
The first battle between the young knights who would lead their families was about to begin.
“…….”
“…….”
The distance between them gradually closed. They were now close enough to hear each other’s breathing. Moonlight reflected off their blades, the light connecting them like threads of fate.
Arkan’s voice rang out across the training ground once more.
“Begin.”
At that moment, the eyes of both swordsmen sharpened further.
Their steps traced circles as they moved. Like a dance, they probed each other, never letting their guard down for even a moment. Their blades shimmered under the moonlight.
Ron’s Clear Mind Sword moved first. It was a light probing strike.
Adrian deflected it smoothly. The arc of his Flame Sword left a red afterimage in the darkness.
A faint smile lingered at the corners of Ron’s lips.
“The swordsmanship of Helios is indeed flashy.”
Adrian did not respond.
Instead, his sword answered.
‘A rapid series of consecutive strikes flew toward Ron.’Ron parried them all with minimal movement. Each time their blades clashed, the moonlight seemed to shatter.
“But…….”
Ron stepped forward.
“Flashiness alone is not enough.”
This time, Ron’s blade shone coldly. The trajectory drawn by the Clear Mind Sword contained not a single wasted motion.
It was the orthodox swordsmanship of Winterbell.
Adrian narrowed his eyes as he blocked the strikes.
The two had completely different styles of swordsmanship. Ron’s style was like a fierce winter wind.
There wasn’t a single meaningless movement, and every attack was domineering and lethal.
In contrast, Adrian’s swordsmanship was like an ever-burning flame. It bewildered his opponent with unpredictable trajectories.
Adrian spoke for the first time.
“…As expected, the swordsmanship of Winterbell lives up to its reputation.”
Before his words even finished, the Flame Sword sliced through the air. Ron Winterbell twisted his body and evaded it.
The distance between the two instantly closed and widened again.
Each time the Clear Mind Sword and the Flame Sword brushed past one another, the sound of air being torn apart echoed across the entire training ground.
Exclamations burst from the audience.
“Woooah!”
“Incredible!”
Though it was pure swordsmanship without mana, their movements were more than beautiful enough.
It was a fantastical dance of blades unfolding beneath the moonlight.
The sword of winter and the sword of summer.
The sword of ice and the sword of the sun.
A sword dance where fire and ice sang together.
Ron’s Clear Mind Sword moved once more. This time, it was a deeper, more penetrating attack. Adrian received it head-on.
Clang! Clang!
The two swords collided, sending sparks flying. The cold energy of the Clear Mind Sword and the blazing force of the Flame Sword clashed. Though neither man used any mana, the sheer collision of raw strength created a strange phenomenon.
Adrian’s gaze sharpened.
“I think it’s time we begin in earnest.”
“…So the probing phase is over?”
“Wouldn’t that apply to you as well?”
The trajectory drawn by the Flame Sword became more intricate. Like dancing flames, its movements were impossible to predict. Yet Ron’s Clear Mind Sword blocked everything as smoothly as flowing water.
There wasn’t the slightest disorder in the Winterbell sword.
If it were his original temperament, he would have pressed forward from the start to end the match. However, perhaps due to what he had realized during his closed-door training, he did not act hastily and instead observed his opponent carefully.
‘He’s not revealing his strength right away either. He’s trying to read my sword path through this probing phase. But there’s no need for me to rush either.’
He restrained his strength as much as possible, eliminating unnecessary movements.
A sword meant purely for probing.
It was far removed from Ron Winterbell’s usual swordsmanship.
Because of that, Adrian was confused.
‘Is this Ron Winterbell’s style? Or is he concealing his strength to throw me off? The balance between offense and defense seems appropriate… but it leans toward defense. This can’t be his true ability. Is he planning to maintain this approach until I make the first move?’
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Little by little. Gradually.
The speed of their swords increased. The once noisy audience had become so absorbed in the duel that they forgot to speak, watching in silence.
The breathing of the two swordsmen grew heavier. Though it was still a probing exchange, killing intent already lingered in their movements.
“Adrian Helios. Isn’t this getting frustrating? Show me your true skill.”
“I heard that Winterbell is more domineering than anyone… but judging by Lord Ron, it seems that was a lie.”
“Your tongue is sharp as well.”
“You’re no different.”
The two swords danced, cutting through the cold air of the training ground. The cold trajectory of the Clear Mind Sword and the blazing trail of the Flame Sword intersected.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The flawless precision of the Clear Mind Sword and the unpredictable attacks of the Flame Sword clashed endlessly.
Their movements grew faster and more lethal.
Then—
Ron Winterbell, who had maintained a defensive stance the entire time, abruptly changed his posture. The muscles in his arm bulged explosively, as if roaring.
In the next instant, a strike at an entirely different level of speed than before surged toward Adrian’s shoulder.
“…!!”