"Oi. Looking pretty oday. Where'd you buy this new sword from?"

  "Just got it at Kano's. Thought I'd brush up my style today."

  "Hey～! I've been waiting for you! Over here～!"

  Noise, noise, and even more here was bustling and chattering adrift in the air, people of all races and ages gathering at a single pce, equipped with swords on their backs and hips, traces of excitement to be seen everywhere.

  Several lengthy liretched like slithering serpents, hundreds upon hundreds of people, fmes of passion and eagerness burning bright deep iheir hearts. The sun graced them with warmth as they moved along ever so slowly.

  Amongst them, a number of figures stood out, drawing curious eyes upon them evehey were just standing still. Be it beauty, strength, or pizazz, they stood out quite mupared to others.

  "Whew～! I didn't expect there to be this many. It's good tha we arrived here early. I don't want to get stuck here during noon." ［Grey］

  "That's right... I don't want to miss lunch as well." ［Yuna］

  "Yuna... I was talking about how hot it will be... No, never mind..." ［Grey］

  Of course, amongst those who stood out were Grey, Yuna, and Lisandra. Not only were they famous, they are also well respected because of their fears. Especially the way they trashed their challengers, it had bee the talk of the town.

  It had been a few days since Grey and Yued swordsmen after swordsmen, and the big event was just a single day away. The registration had already opened and it was time for the three of them to put their names down.

  As to be expected from the King's annou, the number of people had risen signifitly, many of the younger geions appearing more often to sign up for the Junior and Intermediate division, all raring to go.

  "Are you still nervous, Lisa?" ［Grey］

  "Yes... It's you two who are amazing... You look so calm and carefree despite this being your first time signing up..." ［Lisandra］

  "Fufufu! We've experienced all sorts of things, after all. It would take a True Dragon for us ro be shaken up." ［Yuna］

  "Urgh... Please don't say something so ominous..." ［Lisandra］

  One of the aspiring partits of the Intermediate Division was the Princess. She is 17 years old, just a couple months youhan Yuna and was also a Mid-Ranker. It would be of surprise if she passes the preliminaries without much difficulty.

  The way the ival of Swords work, the aspiring partits would sign up during the registration period and undergo a trial, one simple yet also challenging at the same time. Only those who rank iop 32 would be able to move on.

  However, even when she is uded as a genius in the Royal Academy, Lisandra still couldn't help but be anxious about the results, it was the first time she's signing up and she was trembling ever so subtly, hands cold and shaky.

  After all, although she fits the criteria, Lisandra was still amongst the younger end of the spectrum iermediate Division. There would be people far more powerful and experiehahe preliminaries were already difficult.

  "You're w too much, Lisa. Everything's going to be alright." ［Yuna］

  "Uuu... I don't know... There's many powerfulー" ［Lisandra］

  "You trained with us, remember?" ［Yuna］

  "... Ah, right..." ［Lisandra］

  They were only a few words, but they had a signifit impa Lisandra's will. A fountain or fidence sprung inside her heart as Yuna's smile bloomed bright. Her hands now calm, a sense of tranquility showing in her eyes.

  It was only for two weeks, but in that short amount of time, Grey and Yuna had taught her many things she wouldn't have learnt even with several months. She experienced a boost not even the best of instructors could provide.

  She has yet to master the teiques and swords arts they taught, but she was able to gain invaluable experiehanks to it. Especially after sparring with the two. She was now much strohan before.

  Moreover, it was hell. Just looking ba the past days, she could remember all the pain and breakdowns she had when sparring against the two spartan demons. If she could survive such hell, she could survive anything and everything else.

  "Lisa, you're thinking of something rude, aren't you?" ［Grey］

  "N... No... I just thought the sky retty..." ［Lisandra］

  "But you're looking down at the ground." ［Grey］

  There was o eborate any further. If Grey and Yuo learn even a shred of what her true thoughts were, she would surely be the oo suffer. She didn't want to shed any more tears because of them.

  The line moved slowly but surely until it was finally their turn. There were a number of reception desks at the front, receptionists divided into three, several for each division. All were wearing such friendly and professional smiles.

  ", please."

  Said the receptionist, and the line moved along aep. The line tio slither and the partits soon scattered, heading towards their respective training areas. Before long, it was finally their turn, then preparing their identity cards.

  "Y-Your H-Highness?!

  Of course, such a rea was to be expected. They have yet to hand in their cards and all eyes swam towards them once again. The receptionist didn't notice before, but now that she was in front of her, there was no way she could just ignore her.

  "Why... Why are you in line...? You could have justー"

  "No, that won't do. I'm not here as the Sed Princess, but as a swordswoman. It is only proper that I stand in line as well." ［Lisandra］

  "I... I see... Please pardon my sudden outburst."

  Lisandra was firm on her beliefs, seeing everybody else as her equal and not g about her status at the slightest. She was there to prove her skill with the sword, not to show off her social standing. A swordswoman through and through.

  "And... If we are talking about privileges, then why is His Majesty, the King, standing in line as well?" ［Lisandra］

  "Urk!" ［Ar］

  The princess poi a spiasked man, and the tter fli the suddeion, all eyes following Lisandra's finger. At the same time, their mouths fell towards the ground in agape, eyes wide open as their hearts almost burst open.

  The masked man soon heaved a sigh and took off his very strange and eye-catg mask, and surely enough, he was the King. His scarlet hair flowing like water and his golden eyes shining like the sun. There was no mistaking it.

  "Haah... How could you ruin my fun like that, Lisa? Do you know how much effort I spent in trying to make the perfect disguise?" ［Ar］

  "Father, you're the only one who would pick such a ridiculous disguise." ［Lisandra］

  "What do you mean ridiculous? That erfect. How did you evehrough me? My ag should have been perfect." ［Ar］

  "You're missing the point, Father...." ［Lisandra］

  The Royalty of Alfrione really was something. Despite all eyes befalling ohey still mao ighem and talk ever so casually as if it was the most natural thing to do, not batting ao anyone else.

  The nobility of Alfrione were already carefree, but the ones in Graystone were simply on another level. They could even afford to get drunk and brawl during a formal ball. They don't know whether their culture was just unique or they were just rowdy. Either way, they were very iing.

  "Anyway, Father! Please go away! You're disturbing the pea here!" ［Lisandra］

  "Hey, e on now. I'm just a little ways away. I should just register while I'm at it. It's just going to be a few mi best." ［Ar］

  "Father, why don't you look around before you say that?" ［Lisandra］

  "Hm? Is there something... wrong...?" ［Ar］

  The King looked around and surely enough, he found his answers. Tense smiles and stiff shoulders filled his eyes in the sea of people. He didn't eveo ask, they were unfortable with su important figure before them, some even shaking.

  "See you around, Father. Please don't cause any more trouble." ［Lisandra］

  Wallowing in overwhelmi, the King couldn't retaliate anymore and simply headed out. There rivate reception desk for important figures so there really was no need for him to stand in line. He simply headed there.

  "Right, where were we again, Miss Receptionist?" ［Lisandra］

  "A-Ah! Yes, Yhness! We were going to start yistration."

  "The's proceed right away. Here is my identification card." ［Lisandra］

  Meanwhile, the princess acted as if nothing happened, simply proceeding with the process after she handed in her identification card. She was simply something else, Grey and Yuna only able to break their lips with a wry smile.

  "Umm... Excuse me, are you signing up for the ival of Swords?"

  "Yes, we are... Is there a problem?" ［Grey］

  "Ah, well... The line for the Intermediate Division is over oher side. This line here is for the Senior Division."

  Meanwhile, Grey and Yuna were fronted with some teical difficulties. After all, no matter where the receptionist looked at them, they were still ieens. They stood out quite evidently, lining up in the Senior Division which were mostly filled with people ihirties or forties.

  However, there was no need for needless efforts. Grey and Yuna simply handed out their guild cards, their dark sheen shining with grandiose and gmor. It took the receptionist a while, but when she did....

  "P-Pardon my impudence, Yhnesses! I-I will begin processing yistratiht away!"

  ... She was in shod surprise, panig a little bit. Even then, she still did her job properly, moving her hands as she filled the paperwork, then handing them to Grey and Yuna with a nervous smile, trying to keep her pani showing.

  Grey and Yu a little bad for her, but they have gotten quite used to such ses already. The least they could do was hurry and fill up the forms to hasten the process and bring her some relief. They soon hahe form back, their mana signatures imprinted with their names.

  The processing was quid easy, the receptionist frantically handing them a pair of number cards soon after. With that, all that was o do was head towards their testing area and wait for a few more minutes again.

  "Looks like we still have some time to spare..." ［Grey］

  They soon arrived at their waiting area, and as luck would have it, there were still quite a handful of partits waiting for their turn, whilst some showed off their skills, sshing through the tiny orbs which were afloat in the air.

  The test retty simple. The examiners would trol 100 tiny orbs with magid have them bolt all over the testing area. All the partit had to do was hit as many orbs and as quickly within 1 minute.

  Of course, as it was a test for swordsmanship skills, every partit must lower their physical strength as advised. Anyone caught breaking the rules would immediately be disqualified without a sed thought regardless of status.

  "Oh. Looks like it's Lisa's turn. Should we watch how she's doing?" ［Grey］

  "Yes, please～!" ［Yuna］

  Grey waved his hands and mana da his tune. With the use of illusion magic, Grey showed Yuna what was happening iermediate Divisioing area with the use of his "Heaven's Eyes", the two watg excitedly.

  A lone princess was now standing at the ter, all eyes gazing at her with curiosity and i. Before long, the orbs were finally rebooted, rushing like preying eagles, only leaving blurs and afterimages at their wake.

  'Hooh... Take a deep breath... You do this, Lisa!' ［Lisandra］

  Yet the princess remaiill, breathing in and out whilst she closed her eyes. She listeo the buzzing sound of the orbs and the vibrations in the air, her hands by her side, ready to draw her sword at any given moment.

  "Ready... Start!"

  The examiner gave her signal and clicked the stopwatch, the princess opening her eyes soon after. The air suddenly got stern and heavy, blurring images refleg in Lisandra's blue eyes as the orbs darted before her.

  She poured her strength towards her legs, springing into the air with a single leap. She then drew her bde, mana gathering towards it like a vortex, gleaming brighter as she gripped it tightly, twisting her body as she brandished her sword.

  ??Silver Halo!?? ［Lisandra］

  A bde of silver shed in the air, thundering like lightning as it ected towards the tiny bolts. Many survived but their trajectories were rocked by the shockwave, slowing down signifitly as they wobbled about.

  ??Bck Star!?? ［Lisandra］

  Still h midair, Lisandra sshed and sshed, a star of darkness borne from her light. It roared and roared, taking down several more orbs with it, dropping like flies as the princess nded on the ground with a spring oeps.

  She didn't waste any more time and tinued her rampage, listening to the ti of vibrations and striking the moment it matters. All those who happeo lower their altitude were immediately sshed, her score increasing by the moment.

  ??Pierce!?? ［Lisandra］

  The priurned around and thrusted her sword, three down at the same time. However she didn't just stop there, as soon as her thrust ended, she then ged the trajectory of her sword, ging the thrust into a ssh.

  ??Starlight Blossom!?? ［Lisandra］

  Not just owior thrice, but she sshed and sshed whilst giving it her all. The flower of bdes soon bloomed and a whirlwind of destru rocked the testing area, catg the tiny orbs in its deadly maw.

  The sshing tinued and many more bdes ran rampant across the testing area. The other partits couldn't take her eyes off her, their hearts drowning in awe as they watched her dance along the clouds of dust and bdes.

  "Stop! Time is up!"

  The storm has passed and an orchestra of appuse echoed in the air. The princess breathed out a sigh of relief and disappoi, looking up upwards as she sheathed her bde. Some still remained...

  'Three more, huh...' ［Lisandra］

  It wasn't perfect, but her performance was excellent. Looking at her, Grey and Yuna couldn't help but smile. They wao gratute her if they could, but with things the way they are, as they could do was wish her well.

  "#244, please read iesting area."

  "Oh! Looks like it's my turn now! Wish me luck, Grey!" ［Yuna］

  "Alright, break a leg." ［Grey］

  It was finally their turn and Yuna headed to the ter of the testing area. Soon after the previous partit left, the staff quickly reset the orbs by recharging them with mana. Sinly a few had fallen, it didn't take long before they took the air again.

  All the previous partits were nervous and serious yet her could be seen in Yuna's attitude. On the trary, she was carefree as be, happily humming to herself as she awaits the signal of the examiner.

  "Hey... Isn't she a little bit too young? Why is she in the Senior Division?"

  "Huh? Don't you know who she is? She's Her Highness, Lady Yuna. She's an S-ranker, you dolt!"

  "Even then, isn't it alright to be that carefree?"

  The other partits were gossiping and the staff couldn't help but make a worried face. He had faced tless swordsmen, but it was his first time seeing one who looked like she was on a stroll. He couldn't help but feel worried.

  "Ready... Set... Start!"

  ??Bded Tempest!?? ［Yuna］

  There weren't any warnings from the young dy. As soon as the examiner clicked the stopwatch, Yuna immediately uhed her sword, a storm of mana brewing iesting areas soon after, getting stronger and stronger like a whirlpool.

  One... Two... Three... Four... The more she sshed, the more bdes appeared out of thin air, cyg ever violently like a hurrie until a tornado of bdes was birthed, scarring the ground and dig the air without a shred of mercy.

  No matter how far the tiny orbs were, they were all pulled in towards the raging storm of death, sshed and riddled with gashes as the spell grew. Tens... Dozens... And even more, the orbs couldn't flee from Yuna's destructive wrath.

  Yet despite all the violehe young dy shined bright, dang in the eye of the storm as she waved her sword, silver glimmers twinkling like stars. She halted her steps, and the storm died down, a rain ments falling soon after.

  "Wh-What the hell was that?! Isn't that way too quick?!"

  "Yeah... It should be less than 10 seds... No wonder she was so carefree..."

  The crowd which was once ced with worry and were now filled with awe as they watched the young dy walk away. The examiner was so in awe, he almost fot to stop the timer. It was all too beautiful.

  "Fufufu! Grey, it's your turn! Good luck!" ［Yuna］

  "Thanks. I'll make sure not to disappoint." ［Grey］

  He was just as carefree as his fiancée, not a shred of reflected in his eyes, even whistling as he walked towards the ter testing area. And like before, the staff once agai the orbs, ging the ones obliterated by Yuna.

  "Ready... Set... Start!"

  At the examiner's words, Grey immediately kicked the ground and leaped towards the air, s to the sky with the use of wind magi just a single sed, he was already more than a hundred meters in the air, eyes shining along the sun.

  He pulled his arms back, his eyes watg all the orbs at the same time. After all, what better angle was there to get the best vantage point than above?

  ??Fsh Rain?? ［Grey］

  His cold words rang out in the air, a downpour of bdes rushing towards the ground. It may not be as beautiful as Yuna's teique, it was just as effective, all the orbs pierced and crushed with every bde falling down.

  Not a single one escaped and all dropped towards the ground. The moment he was ba the ground, so were the orbsー or what used to be orbs. There were only thousands ments to be seen, mixing along the dust in the ground.

  Fufufu! Quire the show off, aren't we? That didn't even take 5 sed. ［Yuna］

  You're the st person I want to hear that from, Yuna, ［Grey］

  The two were casual and carefree, but the same couldn't be said for the others. They were so shocked, they couldn't even make out ents, everyone uo believe their eyes despite seeing it for themselves.

  "Ah! Grey, Yuna, you're done! How did your tests go?!" ［Lisandra］

  "Fufufu! It went well～! Should we get some snacks? I'm getting hungry." ［Yuna］

  Carefree as ever, the three left the testing area and the staff were still in shock. They simply headed outside and headed dowreets to taste some delicious delights. It was still early, but there was nothing wrong with celebrating their success.

  Time passed by and the sky had turned golden, the sun slowly sinking dowhe faraway horizon. Many people had left the testing area and the results were finally posted on the annou boards.

  Some were delighted, but many were crestfallen, heading out with their heads hung down. Of course, our protagonists were also in front of the annou boards, looking at the results with excited eyes, Lisandra holding her hands together as she read the names printed in front of her.

  "I... I'm in! Grey, Yuna, I'm in! I'm really in! I really made it!" ［Lisandra］

  "Fufufu! Good for you, Lisa." ［Yuna］

  It wasn't just Lisandra, Grey and Yuna's names were also in the finalists as expected. There were only smiles on their faces, as they watched the annou boards again and again. A few familiar names were also in there.

  Of course, the King's name was also in there, lined up along Grey's main bracket. He had always wao fight with them, and now he has a legitimate reason to. They don't know whether they should be relieved or not.

  "Grey, look! Look! We're in different brackets!" ［Yuna］

  "Then I guess we'll see each other in the finals, huh." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! That's right. Don't you dare lose to anyone else, got it?" ［Yuna］

  But perhaps the most exg aspect was that Grey and Yuna were in the farthest of brackets. If they want to fight against one ahey must defeat every single one of their oppos until they fae another in the finals. It was exhirating!

  The ival of Swords draws close!

  CHAPTER 319 END