NOVPUBAt this moment, the midday sun shone through the wooden windows, casting a faintly golden light on the dust-covered floor.
A gust of wind blew over, causing the door to the hall to creak.
On the left side of the hall by a worn-out practice area, there was a large sparring platform. Due to its age, the platform appeared somewhat battered, bearing marks and cracks of many years of use.
Standing on the practice area were several martial artists, their figures emitting an aura of confrontation.
"Though we take this fight seriously, it doesn’t mean I’ll stoop so low as to bully you on two levels."
Cervini pointed at Frey and said with righteousness and integrity.
Even if she, as one of the top fighters in her third year, wanted to win, she wouldn’t resort to such unfair tactics against a first-year newbie. That would be against her martial virtues.
Afterward.
Cervini gestured, and a burly fighter stepped forward, his face revealing a strong desire to thrash Frey.
"He’s our deputy leader, a second-year student and a fifth-order fighter. So let him give you a lesson."
Once Cervini finished speaking, she folded her arms and stepped out of the sparring area.
The practice field fell silent. The dimly lit space quickly filled with tension.
The two martial artists facing each other had a serious expression as they began their warm-ups and preparations.
Simple, small jumps whispered their readiness upon landing.
Their eyes were fixed on each other, as if the rest of the world had disappeared.
Observation is an important part of hand-to-hand combat.
Frey, loosening his coat, nonchalantly twisted his neck to ease his shoulders, confidently facing his opponent.
The rest of the people gradually moved back.
They needed to ensure enough space for the duel.
"Shall we?"
Cervini looked at Lanci, who stood on the other side, asking him if they could start.
"Begin." Lanci nodded in acknowledgement.
"Begin now!"
Cervini’s voice echoed within the dilapidated hall.
As her words ended, the tense atmosphere exploded.
The burly man’s roar cleaved the silence, and he lunged at Frey like a wild beast!
He transformed into a flash of lightning, his muscles exploding into action, aiming to deliver a devastating kick to end Frey!
Frey seemed much calmer. He watched the burly man charge him, static as a mountain facing a fierce storm.
Frey’s hands were already in a defensive position, apparently prepared for an attack.
Even the fighters in the back couldn’t help but hold their breath, and all eyes focused on that moment.
The outcome could be determined in an instant!
Just as the two were about to clash, a split second before their fists met,
The next instant —
Frey swiftly drew out a sphere sparkling with the glow of a Demon Crystal from his coat pocket and hurled it with force, simultaneously diving to groundwork in an experienced soldier’s defensive pose.
The sound of an explosion like thunder echoed through the hall, causing it to slightly tremble.
Smoke and sparks flew into the air, the deafening sound of the explosion seemed to freeze time for a moment, with sparks dancing in the air.
The burly fighter was suddenly thrown into the air by the explosion. He traced a large arc through the air before collapsing to the ground like a bird with broken wings.
He somersaulted a few times before landing in a corner of the hall.
Lying unconscious on the ground, the fighter’s body was completely charred, his eyes tightly shut, and puffs of black smoke came out of his mouth.
The old hall which had a moment ago been silent with tension was now silent with shock!
All the fighters were gaping, bewildered by the sudden turn of events.
"...Lanci!" Hyperion murmured in a low voice gritting her teeth. She felt that a big problem was about to occur!
Even if the fighters hadn’t completely understood what was going on, Hyperion knew what Frey had pulled out: a small explosive from the Magic Engineering College used for demolition, capable of knocking out a fifth-order fighter point-blank!
Lanci smiled faintly at her, as if he didn’t see it as a big problem.
Off to one side of the field, Frey dusted off his clothes, unhurt, and stood up.
"It seems I’ve won."
Frey casually dusted off his collar, a bright light sparkling in his eyes. In a calm voice, he said,
"Times have changed, and the Spirit of Martial Combat needs to catch the winds of the times and step onto the Sky Giant Ship known as magical engineering."
"You damn!!"
Understandably, the rest of the fighters were in a state of extreme rage.
Hyperion felt the terrifying anger building like a rumbling volcano.
Although she was a bit scared, she was also amazed. With such a simple move, Frey would soon push the rest of the fighters to the brink, making them all potential targets for Lanci’s Great Love Poet!
But, they couldn’t let Lanci cause chaos in the schoolyard with the Great Love Poet, especially in a situation meant to resolve conflicts in the school!
"Frey!! You have some nerve to mention the Spirit of Martial Combat!!"
"To use a concealed weapon during a fair fight!! When did the Knight College get someone as lowly as you!!"
It seemed the fighters could no longer bear it and were about to rush up to beat Frey, but they also feared that Frey might pull out more explosives.
Especially since, Frey’s previous explosion had damaged a wooden beam of the house, causing it to sway precariously.
The fighters feared if they allowed Frey to continue his destruction in the guise of self-defense, the entire hall might crumble entirely!
Frey frowned in response to the accusations,:
"But, none of you said that I couldn’t use modern weapons in a fair fight."
"Shut up! Battles between knights are not supposed to involve bombs!!"
Though unwritten, the rules for the Knight College duels are based on mutual understanding.
But no one had ever used something as outrageous as an explosive from the Magic Engineering College in a duel before!
Both sides kept their distance, arguing incessantly.
If it continued this way, surely a big fight would break out in the midst of the rage!
Just then.
Lanci, who had been watching from the back all along, finally stepped forward. He walked past Frey and exchanged a brief glance with him.
"Let’s all calm down. It is better to handle things peacefully. I understand where your differences lie."
Lanci looked at everyone, and said calmly and composedly,
"From the beginning, there were differences in understanding of the rules by both sides, which led to today’s situation. So, I suggest that this round should not count, and we should have a rematch. However, before the rematch, we will sign a contract listing all the specific terms. That way, no matter who wins or loses, everyone will be satisfied."
He spoke with reason, and his bearing was one of fairness and integrity.
It seemed to everyone that it was his inherent duty to arrive at a peaceful solution to the problem.
