Free Web NovelChapter 107: The Second Trial
"State your names for the sect records before you begin your evaluation," the elder Liang instructed. He pointed a wrinkled finger at the two students standing in the center of the training ground.
The muscular boy from the Vanguard house tightened his grip on his wooden broadsword. He puffed out his chest and lifted his chin proudly. "My name is Maximus Thunderstrike."
Solomon rested Eden’s Penance against his shoulder and tilted his head. "Is that your real name or your streaming name?"
[LazyCat: lmao Maximus Thunderstrike?]
[GamerGuy: bro definitely made that up.]
[BloodKnight: A warrior should proudly state his true title.]
[User12: Solo Man asking the real questions.]
Maximus narrowed his eyes while grinding his teeth together. "Are you making fun of my name right now?"
"I am just trying to figure out the rules," Solomon responded. "I want to know if we are supposed to use our actual names or our made-up names while we are training here."
[1Fizzy: he is totally mocking him!]
[NewbHunter: Solo Man has zero filter today.]
[Skeptic: trying to play mind games before the fight even starts.]
Maximus took an aggressive step forward and aimed his wooden weapon directly at Solomon. "Maximus Thunderstrike is the name my parents gave me at birth."
Fortunately, Solomon nodded and adjusted his footing on the dirt floor to avoid escalating the argument further. "Got it. My real name is Solomon."
Suddenly, the translucent blue interface hovering near the bronze owl exploded with a rapid flood of new messages.
[LazyCat: wait... your real name is Solomon?]
[GamerGuy: AND YOUR STREAMER NAME IS SOLO MAN???]
[User12: bro has zero creativity.]
[GoonLord: YOU JUST ADDED A SPACE AND CHANGED ONE LETTER!]
[LoreMaster: Solo Man... Solomon... I actually cannot believe I missed that connection.]
[NewbHunter: that is the most unoriginal alias in the history of the academy.] frёewebnoѵēl.com
Solomon read the scrolling text and sighed. He turned his attention back to the center of the ring.
Liang gestured toward the wooden racks lining the dirt field. "Pick your tools, Maximus. We will begin the evaluation immediately." fгeewebnovёl.com
Maximus trotted over to the perimeter. He discarded his wooden broadsword and scanned the available equipment. He eventually grabbed a sturdy wooden spear and a circular wooden shield.
Returning to the center of the ring, he banged the spear shaft against the rim of his shield.
Solomon kept his hands on the hilt of Eden’s Penance. He watched Maximus bounce on his heels. A new thought suddenly crossed Solomon’s mind.
He glanced down at the pristine steel of his greatsword. Since claiming the relic, he had exclusively fought rotting undead, dungeon bosses, and monsters.
He spent fifteen years trapped in the paladin’s world doing nothing besides fighting to the death. The concept of holding back during a spar eluded him with a dangerous reality for a friendly match.
He genuinely worried about injuring Maximus or worse, killing him.
Solomon adjusted his footing and formulated a safer plan. He would strike with the flat side of his blade first. A blunt hit would let him gauge his opponent’s actual durability and skill level without causing lethal damage.
He stepped forward to initiate the clash. He raised his greatsword and prepared to swing.
Across the dirt ring, Maximus stood perfectly still. He stared directly at his own floating bronze owl. A series of rapid messages scrolled across his translucent blue screen. Maximus widened his eyes. He darted his gaze from the glowing interface to Solomon’s sword.
"I surrender!" Maximus yelled. He tossed the wooden shield onto the ground. The spear followed a second later, clattering against the dirt. He raised both hands high above his head.
Solomon froze mid-step with his weapon still raised. He blinked in confusion. He looked at the discarded wooden gear and then at Maximus.
The chat interface hovering near Solomon’s shoulder immediately flooded with text.
[LazyCat: LMAO HIS CHAT WARNED HIM!]
[GamerGuy: Maximus checked his screen and realized who he was fighting.]
[BloodKnight: A wise retreat. Survival is the greatest victory.]
[GoonLord: THE FRAUD FOLDED BEFORE A SINGLE SWING!]
[NewbHunter: his viewers definitely told him about the S-rank boss.]
Solomon brought Eden’s Penance down and rested the blade on his shoulder. He had secured a victory without launching a single attack.
Elder Liang stared at the discarded wooden shield on the dirt. He shifted his gaze between the retreating first-year student and the silver-haired boy holding the S-rank relic. A deep frown creased the instructor’s forehead.
"It seems your reputation precedes you," Liang noted. He waved a hand toward a nearby sect worker standing by the weapon racks. "Go fetch the top second-year student from the sword pavilion. We need a proper evaluator for this match."
The worker bowed quickly and jogged up the mountain path.
Solomon rested his greatsword on his shoulder. He tapped his foot against the dirt while waiting for his new opponent. The translucent blue screen hovering near the bronze owl immediately scrolled with fresh messages.
[LazyCat: they are bringing out the seniors already.]
[GamerGuy: Solo Man is about to style on a second-year.]
[BloodKnight: A veteran student will provide a much better test of your foundation.]
[GoonLord: DO NOT GET COCKY AND LOSE!]
A few minutes passed before the sound of boots crunching on gravel echoed from the upper stairs. The sect worker returned alongside a young man wearing the tailored Live Streaming Academy uniform. Similar to everyone else, but a different color.
Solomon turned his head to inspect the challenger. The newcomer possessed defined facial features and styled peach hair.
Marco Alfoy stepped onto the training ground and stopped a few paces away.
The two boys locked eyes. Marco’s gaze dropped to the executioner’s sword resting on Solomon’s shoulder. A noticeable twitch developed under the second-year student’s left eye. His jaw muscles tightened.
Liang gestured toward the weapon racks. "Pick a weapon, Marco. You will evaluate the new arrival."
Marco kept his hands firmly planted at his sides, taking a half-step backward before shaking his head. "I refuse to fight him."
