The World's Greatest Egoist

Chapter 54: Duel Class ended.

’Impossible! I can’t lose.’

The duelers suddenly came to a halt, before following up with a series of flashy sword movements.

Their weapons formed crescent blurs that collided with each other, causing the sound of metal striking metal to echo throughout the training grounds.

Their Ego flared to life with each strike.

Golden and black streaks mingle with the blurry strikes that ravaged the air, seeking a chance at superiority.

The fight was brutal.

And the earth felt it.

The ground quaked. Stones jolted out and a crater began to form between them.

To the ordinary Explorers, this Duel was enough to take their lives double over.

In fact, none of them could imagine themselves fighting at such speed. Strength.

It was the kind of fight you see between Observers, but here, these two were replicating the same momentum with easy strides.

Fighting as if their lives were on the line.

The majority couldn’t even see their swords.

What they witnessed were curved streaks of white mixed with pale gold and black.

The sound was like thunder. Mild. But loud enough to alert the majority.

As for Tisane, the further she fought, the narrower her chances became.

Her thoughts churned.

’I can’t believe I’m being forced to use it.’

She immediately jumped back after a clash, using the rebound as a chance to open space.

Luca was about to move when he froze in place.

His eyes sharpened and his entire system went on alert.

Tisane had changed stance. Not the obvious kind, but the type with the subtle pressures that only those sharp enough can realise.

’What’s she?’

"Valestryn First Style of the Twin Dragon."

Luca’s eyes bulged.

He materialised his other sword– his Ego weapon which was yet to take shape.

He brought it closer to his body in a cross as Tisane charged.

Not in a straight line.

It was a curve. No, not a curve.

Luca’s eyes darted from side to side in an attempt to trace her movements, but no matter how quickly he did. No matter how sensitive her Ego energy changes were.

He couldn’t keep up.

Tisane flowed as if she were gliding through air.

Black ichor traced her wake as she manoeuvred erratically in a zig-zag format.

Whatever principle that wasn’t a straight line.

She bent so low, so quickly that by the time she was upon Luca, it was too late to do anything.

She came from behind, but Luca had sworn he had seen her directly below him. freewebnøvel.coɱ

What he didn’t realise was that she had glided underneath his legs to get a vantage attack from behind.

"It’s over!" Her chill voice swept the training grounds as the tip of her sword came for the back of his neck.

But before it could make contact, an erratic crimson Ego appeared and an arm clamped tightly onto Tisane’s.

Tisane was suddenly yanked back while Luca dashed forward.

Her sword missed Luca’s by a hair’s breadth as she fell to the ground.

At the same time, the tip of her sword struck the sandy grounds and a white, bright light in the shape of a dragon’s head burst out in a curved line into the air. A ferocious roar bellowed from its throat as it exploded in the skies.

The ground carved down ferociously.

A wide chasm that nearly covered half the training grounds as dust and earth flew into the air.

Tisane coughed as she stood back up while witnessing the destruction of her sword attack.

"Oh no." She whispered before turning to the side at the person who stopped her.

"Thalia."

"That was dangerous, Tisane. You could have killed him."

And she could have.

Family Styles were not to be joked with.

Some had the powers of splitting mountains, and a few could damage half the size of a small village.

They presented a core part of the Interface which many didn’t have– bloodlines.

"Geez, if that boy hadn’t infuriated me so much." She clicked her tongue and tugged her arm away from Thalia’s grip.

The Ardenthal daughter simply sighed and walked away.

The dust cleared and soon, Tisane could see the rest of the fields.

Every Cadet had their eyes on her and the destruction she caused.

Their eyes filled with a spectrum of fear, wonder or... strangely enough, longing.

It seemed like the majority had stopped their own duels just to get a proper look at theirs.

’I’m not some exhibitionist. What was Instructor Torquad doing while they stopped and watched?’

She looked around only for her concern to double.

’He stood and watched as well.’

He was surrounded by the very Apprentices he instructed to duel.

They had evacuated from the training grounds. So only a few remained as they were far enough to avoid the brunt of their clash.

As for Luca, he had sensed the danger of her sword style the moment her stance changed.

He had no plan of bearing any of it.

The yellow-haired boy stood in the fields with the other Cadets.

Shaking his head as they locked eyes.

"You’ve gone and done it." He said with a click of his tongue.

Half of the Cadets– mainly those of lower statuses had their eyes on him.

It wasn’t often you saw someone fight the way he did.

And for those who knew of his origin– it was even worse.

A farm boy was a farmer, even if you gave them a sword and taught them a few lessons.

Luca moved like an executioner.

Instructor Torquad seemed to have finally snapped from his thoughts as he approached from the edge of the sandy fields.

"I’m sure you understand, Miss Tisane." He said with a frown.

"You are not allowed to use Fighting Styles."

Tisane groaned while Luca smirked.

"I understand."

She said reluctantly.

’I can’t believe I’m going down the ranks because of a commoner.’

"Wait," Thalia called out, grabbing their attention. "Instead of a loss or win, I believe it should be a truce. No one won, Instructor."

Luca arched his brow.

’That’s dumb. She clearly cheated.’

He didn’t say it out loud, though, since he was curious about their decision.

Torquad tilted his head.

"She clearly used a Fight Style, no? And a powerful one at that.

The Valestryn Fighting Style is known for its destruction."

Thalia flicked her finger.

"You never stated the rules before the Duel.

It doesn’t make sense that it counts now that you mention it."

Luca sighed.

’If she puts it that way, they now have justification.’

Was he upset that they were about to take this match from him? No, not really.

He hadn’t won, and if they did give it to him, he wouldn’t take it as a win.

Luca preferred his own strength rather than technicality.

Torquad glanced at him.

"You understand where this is going?"

Luca shrugged.

"I do, but she still nearly killed me."

When he thought about it, it didn’t mean he should let them go Scott free.

"I believe some compensation is fine."

Tisane’s gaze flared while Thalia smirked.

"I agree." She responded quickly.

"Tisane and I will come up with the appropriate reward. You have my word."

"Your word means nothing in the grand schemes of things." He glanced at Torquad.

"But you said it in front of an instructor. I believe you are at least principled enough to carry out your own words with them."

"HEY!" Tisane yelled.

"I understand." Thalia giggled.

Torquad merely observed.

"Alright."

He turned around to face the others.

"If you had a partner and duelled, you would be dismissed. You are free to explore the City or retreat to personal lectures and lessons.

The library is within the building, so you can take a look at it and learn a style or two."

That got Luca’s ears twitching.

’They’ve got fighting styles in the library? Say no more.’

"Dismissed. The rest of you who are yet to duel, remain behind."

The group groaned as they dispersed from his instructions.

Torquad watched for a moment before adding.

"I already marked your faces, so do not be stupid enough to think you can evade me."

A lot more trainees who were walking out quickly turned back to the fields.

It seemed like some had really attempted to escape.

Luca moved slowly back to the entrance of the building. Already thinking about the fighting styles to learn and practice.

’There should be other fighting styles in the other Wings. If I can get my hands on a Brawler, Rogue or even Sniper Fighting Styles... I might be able to boost my strength further.’

He recalled the large beam of light from Tisane’s attack.

’That was brutal... and beautiful all at the same time. I must learn one!’

He quickened his pace when Taren joined from the side.

"Hey, Luca."

"Taren, what are you doing here?"

"I should be asking you." He replied awkwardly while scratching the back of his head.

"Say... were you serious about the gym making you stronger?"

Luca halted. "Yes, I was."

"Oh– Oh, okay. Maybe I’ll go give it a try."

He stammered while flicking his index finger together.

Luca nodded once. "Find a guy called Jorash and give him my name. He’ll set you up."

Taren’s lips widened into a smile.

"Thanks, Luca." And then he ran towards the gate.

Luca watched for a moment before he smirked and turned back to the building.

"Good luck."

Soon, he reached the doors which slid open and walked in.

"You’ll need it."

______

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