g g g

  Furious winds blew all over the Grand Colosseum, violent shes and hasty sshes giving birth to thundering explosions as bdes cshed against one another. One was a violent gale and the other a serene creek, glimmering uhe sky.

  Two figures ched their bdes tightly, creating shockwaves with ead every swing. As sparks flew in all dires, a storm of man brewed more turbulent, leaving deep gashes on the ground and pierg the clouds above.

  As the cm of swords rang out like the screeches of fals and roars of lions, the crowd only added to the excitement. They screamed and they bawled out their hearts, p every bit of strength as they cheered.

  ??Heavy Ssh!??  ??S Edge!??

  They waved their bdes and bdes of mana rushed out from their swords, another loud csh filling the air. The audience couldn't help but look at the beautiful exge of blows, hearts smiliily like the expressions they wore.

  They were still young, but their skills were polished as they came. They wielded their swords with years of experience, finally revealing their sharp and deadly glints in front of the masses, eyes burning passionately with determination.

  "And Lady Jimena strikes again! Breaking the gap in Lord Hark's defense! Will she be able to turide of the battle?!" ［Terry］

  "Looks like that's a hard no, folks! Lady Jimena's strikes may be fast but Lord Hark's recovery is even faster! He stands with pride yet again!" ［Konan］

  It was the final round of the Junior Division, and all partits had given it their all as they brandished their swords, one fierce duel unfolding after ahe crowd howled iement, raising their fists towards the sky.

  There was a little bit of when the decision of adding divisions were made, but seeing the reception or the popuce, it seems that those worries were all for naught, two figures screaming to the top of their lungs as they hyped the audience.

  "Kids these days really are something, aren't they, Partner?" ［Terry］

  "You're absolutely right! Even as I am now, I'm afraid I wouldn't stand a ce against any of them! Truly frightening indeed!" ［Konan］

  "Hohoho! These are Graystone's future! We're witnessing history unfold!" ［Terry］

  Their fmboyant voices thuhroughout the Grand Colosseum, drowned out by the excitement ahusiasm of the crowd. The ival of Swords had barely just started yet the atmosphere had already peaked.

  "Oh! She strikes and she scores! Lady Jimena is driving Lord Harks into a er with her rapid thrusts and merciless blows!" ［Konan］

  "Will this be the end, folks?! Will Lord Harks be able to make a recovery?!" ［Terry］

  "Haha! My blood is boiling in thrill!" ［Konan］

  Konan and Terry made such a loud racket, smming their desks iement as they peered towards the two testants. All eyes were owo youngsters, not blinking as the match sloroached its clusion.

  The young dy drew back her sword and pulled as much mana as she could. She grit her teeth and ched her heart, putting all her strength towards her arms. It was all or nothing, a final strike to end it all.

  ??Pierce!??  ??Barrier!??

  Harks pnted down his sword, ereg a barrier before him. Light swallowed the stage the moment Jimena thrusted her sword, the sound of gss shattering eg in the air as the two forces collided ever so violently.

  The light soon faded away, one figure remaining standing. She anting heavily, bullets of sweat trig down from her forehead and hands trembling ever so slightly and nervously, her sword pointing towards her fated oppo.

  "Th-The match is overrrr!! Lady Jimena has taken ahold of victory! Lady Jimena advao the round!" ［Konan］

  "What a beautiful dispy, folks! It may be the st, but it wasn't the least, I'll tell you that much! Let's give it up for Lady Jimena and Lord Harks for such a wonderful and awe-inspiring performance!" ［Terry］

  "Folks, let's give them a wonderful round of appuse!" ［Konan］

  "Hohoho! Such great youhey are!" ［Terry］

  Oained victory and one suffered defeat, yet despite the trastis, both only received praises from the audie wasn't just a duel, but a masterpiece of art where two people poured out their hearts to reach their dreams.

  The moment the matded, Jimeended her hand and lifted Harks off the ground with a smile on her face. They cluded the match with a handshake, relief blooming in their hearts. What beautiful and youthful sportsmanship.

  But perhaps the most delighted one was the King, seeing rays of hope for the future of the Kingdom. Seeing such a wonderful performance, he could rest assured that the Kingdom of Graystone will be in good hands, now and for turies to e.

  "Hohoho! The round of 32 was such a bst! I hought I'd see the day where such bright stars will grace the Grand Colosseum." ［Terry］

  "You said it, Parthere is nothing more refreshing than watg sutense aiful fights! You could only look forward to their future!" ［Konan］

  "Hohoho! I'm sure they will shine brighter than they do now! Not just in Avalon, but throughout the whole ti!" ［Terry］

  "Hahaha! I wonder if we're already watg the debut of a future hero." ［Konan］

  The entators talked with such a x and carefree attitude, talking about all the important happenings of the Junior Division, praising the brilliance of the younger geions and looking forward to the days to e.

  Everyone was in agreement, wishfully hoping that such days would e very soon. They could only keep on talking about them, bright and cheerful smiles on their faces as they recalled what just happened. A moment of pead enjoyment,

  "Well, with that folks, it's the end of the Junior Division's round of 32! We will be back after a short break!" ［Terry］

  "Make sure to fill your stomachs, because we will be in for another wonderful ride! up is the Intermediate Division's round of 32!" ［Konan］

  Still merry and jolly, the Grand Colosseum was soon cleared of people and the crowd soon dispersed. Everyone had a quick early lunch break to fill their stomachs before the set of duels ences, all wearied faces.

  But some, rather thaement, were wearing both determination and anxiousness, trying to lull their flutteris as they took deep breaths. They held their swords tight, clearing their minds of uainties and steeling their resolve.

  One of them was her than the Kingdom's very own princess, Lisandra. She is up first iermediate Division and she couldn't help but feel anxious, her hands trembling in cold and nervous sweat.

  "Fufufu! Don't worry too much about it, Lisa. This will be a breeze!" ［Yuna］

  "That's right. You just o enjoy yourself. Fate will do its work." ［Grey］

  "Uuu... Easy for you to say...." ［Lisandra］

  And a plete opposite to her were Grey and Yuna who were simply snag on some skewers and sandwiches as they calmed the young princess down. There was not a single shred of ay in their eyes as.

  "Tell you what, if you get to ehe semifinals, I'll fe you the best sword I could, and if you win the championship, I'll give you an item we got from our Labyrinth dives. What do you think?" ［Grey］

  "Then, I'll also brew you a good potion! Something you've never seen before! Doesn't sound pretty bad, right?!" ［Yuna］

  "That's a little difficult, but... I'll do my best! I will win!" ［Lisandra］

  "Furufu! That's the spirit!" ［Yuna］

  There was o think too much about it. All she o do was wield her sword and give it her beat. She had already experienced sparring against Grey and Yuna, so a match against anyone else would be but a walk in the park.

  Time passed and the clouds drifted away. The Grand Colosseum's seats were once again filled to the brim, excited crowds bringing snacks ahusiasm to the pce, eyes now afixed towards the stage.

  There, two figures stood in silence, looking one another in the eyes. One was the princess and the other was a young man, a scar streaking across his face. They both wielded longswords by their sides, tension and pressure h in the air.

  "Ohh! What aing match! Who would've thought the first match of the Intermediate Division would be with Her Highness!" ［Konan］

  "Hohoho! She may be a princess, but don't be fooled folks! She is trained in the quill and sword, winning gdiator matches with her own strength! The pride and joy of the Royal Family!" ［Terry］

  "That's right! The red rose who is as strong as she is beautiful! Let's give her a round of appuse, Princessー No, Gdiator Lisandra myr Lantre Graystone!" ［Konan］

  Konan was about to introduce her as the princess, but he suddenly cut off his own words. She came here as a swordswoman, and so, it was only proper that she is treated as a swordsman, one proud of her kind.

  "And fag her bravely is a young adventurer who has braced all challenges and has proven himself time and time again! A young man or vi and honor! The pride of the Adventurers! Lando!" ［Terry］

  The testants were introduced and the crowd was in turmoil. They ted both the youngster's names, many looking forward to their duel. It was their first time on such a massive stage, but wore posure over their faces.

  "Let's have a good match, Yhness." ［Lando］

  "I feel the same. May the swuide us." ［Lisandra］

  A short and friendly exge and the two shook their hands. They then headed to the other ends of the stage, fag one another with their hearts abze with the io win, reading to uhe their sword the moment fate calls for it.

  "Then, without further ado..." ［Konan］

  "Let the duel..." ［Terry］

  ""Begin!!"" ［Konan and Terry］

  The g and the stage thuwo figures uhed their swords from their scabbards and rushed towards one another, sparks flying out as their swords ected, metals screeg as they scratched against each other.

  Lando pnted his feet firmly towards the ground and drew out more strength, waving down his sword to resume his ssh. A bright glimmer shone oage, a heavy thud resounding as his sword shattered the tiles.

  Lisandra had no other choice but to dodge and leap a couple steps backwards, Lando chasing after her with indifferent eyes. He then performed a thrust, lunging his sword forward towards the young princess' left fnk.

  However, it wasn't fast enough. Lisandra simply parried his sword and deflected its trajectory with a simple swing, using the spin and momentum to draw closer to her oppo and prepare a terattack.

  ??Heavy Ssh!?? ［Lisandra］

  She twisted her body and brought forth for her strike. A silver glint gleamed iage as a horizontal ssh targeted Lando from his right. One he barely dodged by bending his body forward and pnting his sword to the ground to bance himself.

  Yet Lisandra didn't just stop at a sirike. Following her horizontal ssh, she then ged the trajectory of her sword. With another spin, a sword came rushing from above, bearing the forough to crush bones with ease.

  ??Heavy Ssh!?? ［Lisandra］

  Yet another ssh, yet another narrow escape. Lando used all his strength and pulled his body towards his sword, straining a couple muscles t himself forward. He then followed up with some simple acrobatid sprung up towards the air.

  There was no time to waste. Whilst Lisandra was still preparing for atack, he quickly pulled his sword, just in time to defend from a fierce strike, sparks once again flying in the air, drifting along the dust.

  g g g

  A series of cshes echoed in the air, Lisandra on the offensive and Lando doing the best he could to defend against her aggressive fury. He remained calm and collected, eyes watg every single movement without missing a beat.

  She strud she struck, and Lando tio defend. There are times when he terattacks, but they all miss without exception. His eyes tio observe and his hands tio blod parry.

  ??Raging Whirlwind!?? ［Lisandra］

  A sudden gust blew and a fury of bdes came raining down towards Lando, each strike packed with the io destroy, getting faster and faster as the sands of time tio trickle down the hss.

  With each strike, Lando's steps were pushed back, drawing closer and closer to the edge of the stage. The crowd cheered and bellowed, ting the Princess' name in support aement until all others were drowned out in the pandemonium.

  "Ohh! Looks like Her Highness is pushing back testant Lando! What a quid aggressive development!" ［Konan］

  "You're right, Partner! testant Lando is doing his best parrying all her strikes. He's being driven into a er with every moment!" ［Terry］

  "It had only been a minute, but the duel had already reached such a development! Will testant Lando be able to recover and make a eback?!" ［Konan］

  ehe two, fueling the excitement of the match. The crowd was in a ruckus, yet a few figures couldn't help but frown, looking at the match with stern and cautious eyes, not saying a single word and patiently waiting for the tides to turn.

  Grey... Lando's measuring Lisa, isn't he? ［Yuna］

  Yeah. He's just waiting for the moment Lisa makes a gap. No only is he stronger, he's also much more experiehan her. ［Grey］

  Mmn... This is going to be a difficult match then... ［Yuna］

  Well, we'll just have to wait and see. ［Grey］

  Grey and Yuna were perfectly right. Every movement, every strike, and every little gesture. With his "Observation (2☆)", Lando made sure to take at Lisandra's attacks pattern, taking note where there were gaps in her defenses.

  It may look like her fury of blows was impossible to breach, but there were tless gaps appearing here and there every time she struck. The time window was small, but a gap was still a gap no less. A little force, and her rampage would be broken.

  'There...!' ［Lando］

  And it didn't take long before a rge gap appeared in front of Lando. The moment he saw it, he immediately grabbed the opportunity and gripped his sword tightly, pnting his foot firmly and perf yet ahrust.

  Lando's eyes glimmered differently and a cold chill suddenly ran on Lisandra's spine. She didn't hesitate any longer and pulled herself away, trying to escape before Lando finished preparing for his terattack.

  ??Wild Thrust!?? ［Lando］

  He poured all his strength and his sword shoh brilliance. A shockwave rocked the stage, a sharp beam of light pierg the air and g with the barrier, a loud tremor driving the winds violent and amok.

  If it wasn't for her "Danger Sense", Lisandra would have been caught up in su attad received a couple wounds at the very least. At the worst, her stomach could have been pierced and she would have been out of the petition.

  However, there was no time to be relieved. As soon as his first attack missed, blue currents of electricity cd Lando's sword, his eyes shining white as he was donned with a veil of lightning p, thunder resounding with his steps.

  ??Cross Spark!?? ［Lando］

  He waved his sword twice, up and across, a cross of blue and white bolted towards Lisandra's dire. It was much faster and stronger, ready to devour the princess like a starving tiger chasing its prey.

  He didn't just stop there. As soon as Lisandra dodged the first attack, he followed up with another bde of lightning, leaving shallow gashes oage. A thundering boom resounded over the Grand Colosseum oer another.

  All the princess could do was run and keep on running, bending her body and waving her sword to escape the cws of the storm. The tide had now pletely turhe young man now gaining trol over the battlefield.

  "Urgh...!" ［Lisandra］

  Yet however much she dodged and parried, the cws of lightning still mao graze her. They were not much, but they were enough to make her flinch, giving her oppo enough time to unch yet another deadly strike.

  ??Cross Spark!?? ［Lando］

  And unched atack, he did. As soon as Lisandra aralyzed for a short while, he immediately brandished his bde, yet another cross cruising towards the princess' dire, bolting faster thaher's before it.

  It was already far too te to dodge. All the Princess could do was brace herself and grit her teeth. Darkness swallowed her hands and sword, fmes burning brighter deep inside her heart and soul, crag louder than thunder.

  ??Bck Star!?? ［Lisandra］

  A star of darkness was born at her wake, g with the cross of blue, a booming explosion resounding in the air. Clouds of dust filled her field of view, fragments of broken tiles flying in the air as the howling winds tio blow.

  "What a spectacur explosion! Truly befitting of geniuses!" ［Konan］

  "Hohoho! We are now in the climax, folks! Keep your eyes peeled if you don't want to miss a sihing!" ［Terry］

  The crowd was now even more excited, not anticipating the sudden turn of tides. The clouds of dust had yet to clear out, but they didn't keep their eyes off the stage, Grey and Yuing calmly as they watched the fight unfold.

  However, despite the princess destroying the enemy's attack, the chill has yet to thaw away from her heart. Lando had already vanished in front of her, and an even colder chill made her very being quiver, a sharp glint glimmering in the er of her eyes.

  ??Wild Thrust!?? ［Lando］

  He suddenly appeared behind her, his sword aiming towards her neck. She mao dodge it by a hair's breadth, the floors dyed red as she was wounded by a simple graze. She didn't wait any longer areated as fast as she could.

  "Wh-What a predit! The first blood has been shed, and the princess is now i straws! Folks! Looks like we're reag the clusion!" ［Konan］

  The battle was reag its st moments, two figures standing still as they gasped for their breaths. They have already poured out most of their strength into their fierd feisty exge of blows, muscles ag in pain.

  "Yhness! This is my resolve!" ［Lando］

  There was no time for hesitation, with all the strength left in his body, Lando poured all his power into a sirike, the air howling as lightning devoured the stage, his swlowing blue like a storm ready to hurl.

  The princess was the same. In kind, she also poured all she had left into her sword, darkness engulfing the other end of the stage and her eyes glowing a deep blue color like the vast o, massive waves brewing in her heart,

  ??Cross Spark!?? ［Lando］  ??Bck Star!?? ［Lisandra］

  A cross of blue and a star of blue. Two destructive forces bolted towards one a breakneck speed, violent winds blowing the debris away and the stage quaking, a number of cracks streaking across its surface.

  BOOOOOMMMM

  A loud explosion thundered, blowing away the tiles and leaving deep gashes in the arena. The stage was once agin veiled in pilrs of dust, obstrug everyone's views and filling their hearts with thrill and tension.

  The thick cloud of dust and debris tio brew and La his eyes peeled. He was already exhausted yet he kept his guard up, listening to the most subtle of sounds and watg out for the fai of shadows.

  'There...!' ［Lando］

  A sudden darkness appeared in the er of his eyes, and his guard rose up in a fra of a sed, gripping his sword as he prepared a thrust. It was just like what he did against Lisandra... Except that it was not.

  He thrusted his sword and the dust cleared out, yet there was no prio be seen. All there was iece of darkness, vanishing along the cloud of dust, the sound of footsteps soon eg as the mist of brown was unveiled.

  'Crap...!' ［Lando］

  "Hyaap!" ［Lisandra］

  Lisandra suddenly appeared from the opposite dire, her sword bearing at him. He tried to defend, but it was already too te, a resounding g reverberated in the air as Lisandra brandished her sword towards the sky.

  The very moment, Lando's sword was blown away by Lisandra's stroke, a series of gs and thuds resounding in the air as it nded afar. A silver glint shone once more, the princess' sword poi the young man before her.

  "It's my loss... gratutions, Yhness." ［Lando］

  "Thank you, that was a good match." ［Lisandra］

  They were both out of breath and riddled with pain and fatigue, but there were only bright smiles on their faces. It didn't matter who won or who lost, all they knew was that it was a beautiful match, a wonderful learning experience for the two of them.

  "Th-The Victor is Her Highness! Gdiator Lisandra has wod advao the round! Glory to Graystone!" ［Konan］

  "Whoohoo!! You rock, Yhness!"

  "That was a good match, you two! Long live, Graystone!"

  "You're our pride! Keep on fighting!"

  There was no division in race, gender, e. Everyoood in ovation and gave the two youngsters a boisterous round of appuse. They ted their names and sung praises for their bright smiles floating all over the pce.

  The Royal Family was especially proud, the King smilily as she looked at his precious daughter, now a full-fledged and respectable swordswoman. And so was the Champion, eyes filled with warmth, cheering for his younger sister deep inside.

  She breathed out a sigh of relief and shook Lando's hands. As her eyes toured the audiewo familiar figures caught her eyes. She looked at them, a smile on her face, showing them a thumbs up ever so cheerfully.

  "Fufufu! Look at her smile." ［Yuna］

  "Looks like we should prepare some sweets for her today." ［Grey］

  "Fufufu! We should～!" ［Yuna］

  Onwards, to the round!

  CHAPTER 321 END