Swordsmanship Duel Training

First-year students, Gray and Leonhardt, stepped forward for their one-on-one duel training—the instructor then gave directions that in this duel, one of the participants would lose either by being pushed outside the arena line or by admitting defeat. And so, the duel began.

At that moment, Gray launched the first attack at Leonhardt, attempting to stab his sword directly into Leonhardt's stomach. However, Leonhardt dodged the attack using a basic defensive technique that all first-year students learned—Iron Guard. He then tried to counter the attack, and their wooden swords clashed.

CLANG!

Leonhardt grinned, showing that he had the upper hand in the duel. But Gray wasn't willing to lose—he immediately launched a series of counterattacks while saying,

"Hey... show me that noble swordsmanship talent you're so proud of. Is this all you've got? How laughable, haha…." Gray said with a mocking and arrogant tone.

Leonhardt responded with a counterattack, using the basic technique Rising Talon, aiming directly at Gray. Gray was slightly late to block it, resulting in him getting hit by the strike.

Leonhardt then replied to Gray's words with a confident smile, "Hehe… laughable? That word suits you more, Gray!"

Gray gripped his wooden sword tighter. "This isn't over!"

With incredible speed, Gray leaped forward and performed an unexpected maneuver—faking a horizontal slash that suddenly turned into an upward thrust from below. Leonhardt was slightly surprised by the unexpected attack, but in a split second—he twisted his body and blocked it perfectly.

Unwilling to be outdone, Leonhardt quickly retaliated with a rapid series of strikes, utilizing his footwork and agile wrists. Forced on the defensive, Gray had to retreat and block the incoming flurry of attacks.

"Truly fast attacks, Leonhardt… it seems you really are my true rival," Gray said, sweat dripping down his forehead as he felt cornered.

With a powerful movement, Leonhardt spun his body and slammed his sword toward Gray. Gray had to block it with both hands gripping his sword. However, the strength of Leonhardt's strike was overwhelming, causing Gray to lose his balance and be pushed out of the arena boundary.

The training room fell silent, and the instructor raised his hand, saying, "The winner is Leonhardt Vaelion!"

Realizing his loss, Gray looked at Leonhardt with a shocked and frustrated expression. He turned away, ignoring Leonhardt's offered hand at the end of the duel.

But before leaving, Gray said, "You win this time, Leonhardt. But remember! One year from now in the academy arena battle… I'll make sure I'm the greatest among all the students in this academy—from first years to third years."

Leonhardt only responded with a confident smile. "When that day comes, I'll defeat you again! But if my opponent isn't you, then you'll be defeated by someone who might be far stronger than me."

The first practice duel ended—and was followed by other students' duels. After several duels, it was finally Aria's turn to step forward. The instructor called Aria, who walked into the training arena. However, Aria's opponent was Reinhart Vesperian, from the Vesperian family, known for their swift swordsmanship. All the students who heard this already assumed Reinhart would win, because no one cared about a student from the slums. To them, someone from the slums was just a bit lucky to have the chance to enter the academy.

Aria and Reinhart then prepared for the duel.

The instructor gave the signal to begin. In that instant, Reinhart dashed forward with such speed that ordinary eyes could barely follow. In a flash, he was already in front of Aria and attempted a precise slash toward Aria's chest.

At that moment, Aria prepared to activate his eye technique out of curiosity to see if it could be used in sword combat. Divine Visio was activated, and in that moment—Aria saw Reinhart's movement in slow motion, as if a shadow of his action played before him. Aria was surprised he could use this eye technique in conjunction with swordsmanship.

"Hoho… amazing. So this eye technique can also be used to see enemy attack patterns—it's like I can see the future for a split second," Aria said, both surprised and delighted.

Reinhart's fast slash missed, as Aria had already moved to the side before the blade even approached. Reinhart was visibly shocked but quickly adjusted and attacked again with a complex and unpredictable combination. However, with his eye technique, Aria could see every movement—dodging each one at the last moment, as if he already knew them all.

"What… what's going on?" Reinhart muttered, frustrated that none of his attacks hit Aria.

"You're pretty fast, Reinhart," Aria said calmly, not even breaking a sweat. "But I can see all your moves."

Reinhart clenched his teeth—then tried to increase his speed. He used a footwork technique so fast it appeared as if he teleported—Shadow Step, a basic swordsmanship movement. Reinhart disappeared and reappeared in front of Aria, unleashing deadly attacks from every direction. He continued this technique repeatedly, hoping one would land.

But Aria just smiled. He tilted his head slightly to the right, dodging a surprise attack with ease using Divine Visio. Then, with swift movement, Aria twisted his sword and struck Reinhart as he approached using Shadow Step, successfully landing a counterattack.

"Ugh! How… how can you see my fast movements?" Reinhart staggered backward from the counter, panting heavily.

The students watching supported Reinhart. To them, Aria only dodging looked like cowardice, as if he was afraid to fight back. They began calling him a coward who just evaded attacks.

Then, as Reinhart attempted another relentless attack, Aria, using his eye technique, suddenly vanished from Reinhart's sight—his body seemingly disappearing in an instant.

"What?! Where did Aria go?" Reinhart exclaimed, his attack hitting nothing.

In a split second, Aria appeared beside Reinhart, his sword aimed at Reinhart's neck.

"You've lost. I'm the winner." Aria said calmly.

The instructor raised his hand. "The winner is Aria Veridian!"

All the students fell silent, even the instructor was surprised that Aria could use swordsmanship skills that students normally only achieved in their second year.