WHOOHOOO OOHHHHH WAAAHHHHH

  Excitement brewed and danced in the air, musical tunes bobbing up and down as they filled the arena, the sound of gongs bellowing all the while. The sun tio fall but the excitement had yet to die down.

  A few hours had passed since Lisandra's victory and the ival of Swords unfolded smoothly, without a sich. The Intermediate Division's 16 matches were all successful, the people appuding with bright smiles blooming on their faces.

  It was now time for the Senior Division, loud g rupturing the air as their swords cshed with one another, sparks and shockwaves unfolding from time to time. Their swings were heavy and their sword art was simply on another level.

  "Go, Sir Icarus! Show them the pride of a Royal Guard!"

  "Lord Javis, do your best! Don't let the enemy nd a sirike!"

  "Lady Margaret～! Go! You do it! We believe in you!"

  Ae having cheered and screamed all day, the people's energy has yet to die downー or rather, it only rose when it was time for the big guns to show up, shouting oop of their lungs and ting the names of their idols.

  Well, who wouldn't be? After all, more than a dozen of the partits were High-Rankers, and even those who aren't are on the pinnacle of k, swordsmanship already at the "High" level, and some even at "Advanced". They were monsters.

  "Lord Javis takes victainst Sir Lyle! He moves to the round!" ［Konan］

  Another round, another victor. The moment the annou rang, the audience's deafenihusiasm followed. They were all having the time of their lives, chatting merrily about the highlights of the duels as the swordsmen made their exit.

  "Hohoho! The Senior Division really is something else, isn't it, Partner? Only here you see what the true worth of the sword really is!" ［Terry］

  "I couldn't agree more, Partner! If it weren't for the barrier, we would have already been blown away. Hahaha! How truly fortunate we are!" ［Konan］

  "Hey now, don't say something so ominous. Let's just admire the Swordmasters and their swordsmanship. Hohoho!" ［Terry］

  "Swordmasters... I like the ring of that, Partner. It's only natural that we address them with the most honorable of titles. Don't you think so too, everyone?!" ［Konan］

  The stage was being repaired and the entators were ba their casual torying not to bore the crowd and rallying them with their words, everyone cheering in affirmation the moment Konan asked them a question.

  They talked and then talked some more. A couple mier, the stage was finally restored to its flory, not a single craor bump to be seen anywhere. Magic truly was a veool to have, both in battle and in everyday jobs.

  "Yuna, you're up , aren't you?" ［Lisandra］

  "Un! I think my oppo was anh-Ranker named... Umm... What was it again...? Li... Lis... Liz... Laz... Umm... Larks...?" ［Yuna］

  "Haah... At least remember your oppo's name... It's Lazareth...." ［Grey］

  "Un! That's right! It's Lazareth! He also uses the wind attribute like Grey!" ［Yuna］

  She was already up , but there was not a trace of worry on her face. Rather, she was happily humming to herself, mung on some meat buns without a care in the world, swaying her head left and right as she smiled.

  Lisandra already knew Yuna was a cheerful and carefree person, but she didn't think she wouldn't even flinch at the face of such a challe only make one wonder where the once meek and easily nervous Yuna had goo.

  "Fet it, Lisa. Yuna's just the way she is." ［Grey］

  "Just the way she is... Grey, you simply spoil her too much..." ［Lisandra］

  "Urgh... I 't retaliate about that..." ［Grey］

  Well, it's not like Grey was any different though. He was also calm and posed, looking forward to his match which was a few matches away from Yuna. He would also be up against anh-Ranker known to be the "Emerald Bde".

  "Oh... Yuna, stay still... There are some food stains on your cheeks." ［Grey］

  "Ah, thank you～!" ［Yuna］

  Well, rather than a swordsman, he looked more like a father taking care and doting over his daughter, only that he wasn't a father and the said daughter was actually his fiancée. Lisandra could only sigh at the sight of the two.

  Ba the audience areas, the excitement over the previous match was now over, people looking at the gates as they await for the entrance of the testants, keeping their eyes peeled and their ears perked, readying their heart for yet another wave of fun and thrill.

  "Ohh! Looks like we have an iing match up , folks! Aing duel I'm sure many have been looking forward to!" ［Konan］

  "Hohoho! I have also been looking forward to it, Partner! I've always heard about her, but I haven't seen her battle yet. I 't wait to see her in a." ［Terry］

  "Well then, you're in luck, Partner! Because you don't have to wait any longer! Here they e...!" ［Konan］

  Konan's voice echoed in the air and the gates resounded with heavy ccks. They were soon lifted, subtle lights shining from ihe waiting areas as two people made their entrance, carrying longswords by their side.

  The crowd cmored like a brood of chis, the two figures marg their feet forward towards the stage. They were both calm, eyes still like a stagnant ke all while bzing and furious fmes were fanned deep iheir hearts.

  "He is a man whose name has been sung by bards for decades! The hero of the east who subjugated a horde of Eartheaters and saved the city of Granados when he was still a ker, all on his own! A man donned by the moniker of 'Stormbde'! His Excellency! Lord Lazareth!" ［Konan］

  "Lord Lazareth! We love you～!"

  "Long Live Graystone! You're the best, Lord Lazareth!"

  "Master～! Do your best! I will be cheering for you!"

  His name was known all throughout Graystone, ae his old age, he was still loved by the people. He may not be as grand of a hero as Grey and Yuna were, but he was a hero heless. An inspiration to many,

  "And his oppo...! Hailing from the Kingdom of Alfrione, she had braced herself throughout tless adversities and quered the impossible! A prodigy from the heavens who achieved S-rank at the young age of 16! The 'Phantom' of Galderia! Her Highness! Lady Yuna!" ［Terry］

  "Lady Yuna～! Look over here～! Give it your all～!"

  "Lady Yuna, we're looking forward to your duel!"

  "Yhness, our shop is always open for you! We have new bread for sale!"

  Yuna's reception wasn't any less warm than Lazareth, though some were already promoting their products. They were the usual vendors she buys her snacks from. Still, support was still support heless, she could only giggle to herself.

  Good luck, Yuna. Let's celebrate ter, alright? ［Grey］

  Un! I want to eat some buffalo wings this time. ［Yuna］

  Of course, the most important cheer was her from her one and only, dearest beloved. He only said a few words, but it was enough to fill her heart with fidence. With hoy she was, not even a dragon would be able to stand her way.

  "Huhuhu! I hought I would be fighting against such a prodigy... This old man feels honored, Yhness." ［Lazareth］

  "I feel the same. Let's have a good match, Lord Lazareth." ［Yuna］

  A short exge ter and the two warriors shook their hands, soon heading towards their respective sides. They looked calm and indifferent, but both were ready to draw their bdes the moment the gongs ring.

  The audience couldn't help but anticipate the start of the match, all eyes now oage before them. The entators could only smile and ch their fists in hot and boiliement, grabbing their microphones and holding them high.

  "Hero against hero! Adventurer against adventurer! Swordsman against swordsman! Who will win this fateful battle?!" ［Konan］

  "Will Her Highness strike her oppo down in a sirike yet again or will His Excellency prevail and prove himself once more? Let us find out!!" ［Terry］

  ""Let the duel... Begin!!"" ［Konan and Terry］

  BOOOOMMMMMMM

  He may be old, but he was still a High-ranker. As soon as Konan and Terry's voices rang out in the air, Lazareth immediately closed the distaween him and Yuna, using wind magic to boost himself at speeds faster than sound.

  Lazareth had already seen Yuna fight before, and he knew full well he would be in big trouble the mome the young dy attack. The best strategy was to close the gap as soon as possible and nding a decisive strike before anything else.

  ??Rapid Ssh: Tempest!?? ［Lazareth］

  The winds bellowed at his words, violet winds ing his sword, creating bsts after bst, gaining both speed and power and the winds tio sh out. A sharp and deadly storm heading towards Yuna's .

  It was unbelievably fast and Yuna's speed was now limited, however, there was o dodge. She simply stood still and received the blow head onー or at least, that's how it seemed to be for the others.

  Lazareth couldn't stop his strike, a deadly tempest rushing towards Yuna at insane speeds. Both dust and smoke was blown away, creating a tornado ihe Grand Colosseum, splitting the tiles and thundering as it crashed towards the barrier.

  The people were shocked, eyes uo believe what just happened. Lazareth was especially shocked, eyes wide open. Shock whily grew the moment the clouds of dust cleared out, eyes filled with fusion and bewilderment.

  "Waah～! That was amazing～!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna was untouched, Lazareth sword leaving a deep gash iage under her. There was not a single hair of her body damage, smiling ever so happily as she admired Lazareth's deadly yet mystical masterpiece.

  As for what happened, Yuna simply activated her "Phaseless" the moment the match started, making her immuo any and all normal attacks. It was a broke, a rigged ability which could easily overturn the world at its very roots.

  Lazareth was shocked, but he posed himself soon after, withdrawing his sword to his side and not wasting the opportunity while Yuna still stood in front of him, drawing a rge amount of mana as he thrust his sword towards her chest.

  ??Point Bnk: Gale Pierce!?? ［Lazareth］

  The winds howled once more and guided his sword. A massive drill of wind adorned his bde, sharper than any dagger and rotating faster than any spinning wheel. His eyes glowed white as he gritted his teeth and poured all his strength.

  The barrier was rocked by a heavy force, a thundering echo resounding in the air. Yet it was all for naught. Yuna remaianding in front of him, not a single wound on her body, standing perfectly still with a smile on her delicate face.

  "Then... It's my turn, right?" ［Yuna］

  Asked Yuna, sending a cold shiver down Lazareth's spine. All fibers in his very being told him to run away, his heart rag erratically, galloping like a panig stallion. He ran away, not waiting for trouble to e at him.

  "I practiced hard just for this moment, so I hope you'll like my present to you, Lord Lazareth... Please brace yourself." ［Yuna］

  Yuna didn't o warn Lazareth. Even if she didn't tell him what to do, he would have raised his guard to the maximum, fully wary of the young dy before him. His head was ringing with panic, heart uo take a break.

  The once violent winds were now still and quiet, a cold breeze filling the air. As Yuna uhed her bde, the temperature immediately started dropping, powder snow falling from the sky, her breath painted white from the cold.

  ??Cleaving Crest!?? ［Lazareth］

  Lazareth's instincts were telling him to stop whatever was happening, but his efforts were all for naught. The moment his bde was in Yuna's ra was immediately frozen, soon shattering into pieces like broken gss.

  ??Silver Rush: Blizzard?? ［Yuna］

  Yuna opened her mouth and she disappeared soon after. The freezing wind blew and howled, a storm of white brewing ihe barrier, the frost gnawing away at the floor and walls of the arena. A cold and deadly wondernd.

  "Kugh...!" ［Lazareth］

  However, Lazareth has no time to be distracted. He suddenly felt a sudden pain and ess from his left arm. The moment he g its dire, he found a blue crystal tg on him, veins of red frozen insideー No, they weren't crystals, they were his blood!

  A silent storm was brewing inside, a sharp cut befalling on Lazareth. His wounds then bleed out, a fountain ushing forth only to be frozen by the pierg and deadly cold. Ice then devoured it whole, leaving a crystal of red, blue, and white behind.

  'Wh... Where the hell is shー Kugh...!' ［Lazareth］

  He couldn't even finish his thoughts, ainging and freezing pain inflicted on his aged body, not a sirace of the culprit to be seen. There was only a field of white, the air getting colder and colder as the snow fell.

  Once... Twice... Thrice... And many more times. Yu on inflig more and more wounds on Lazareth as she dashed forth unnoticed, the old man's body slowly covered in frost, pain ag all over his body.

  ??Bded Gale!?? ［Lazareth］

  Lazareth tried to swing his bde, but it was useless, he still wasn't able to hit Yuna. If anything, it only aggravated his wounds, a veil of red ice swallowing him whole as the blizzard of death raged on, his breath getting med by the moment.

  The entators were so fused, they couldn't even make out a single moment about the fight. All they could see was a one-sided beatdown, an aged man slowly ed by frost as his pained grunts echoed in the air.

  Yuna soon appeared from thin air, veiled by the falling snow and her swleaming before her. The air suddenly got colder and the frost pierced even the barrier, winds howling and bellowing as she id down her judgement.

  ??White Dream: Fluttering Snowfkes!?? ［Yuna］

  The already white stage turned even white, the snow turning into snowfkes, falling ever so graciously and dang along to the tune of the freezing winds. They turned and they nded, brewing up a storm of blue at Yuna's and.

  The young dy brandished her sword and a wave of blue filled the stage, ks of gcial blue dev the stage whole as they rushed towards the old man, engulfing him whole in deep blue ice. The match has beeled.

  "I... I don't really know what happened, b-but the winner is Her Highness! Gdiator Yuna takes ahold of victory and moves on to the round!" ［Konan］

  Everyone was still in shock about what just happened, but such shock was soon thawed by Konan's decration, an intense pandemonium of fused yet excited cheers rog the Grand Colosseum.

  Yuna... That was too over the top... ［Grey］

  Teehee! Sorry, I got a little carried away! ［Yuna］

  A little, you say... ［Grey］

  Grey was at a loss for words about his fiancée, only able to praise her doing a good jning himself with thinking too much about it. They already promised to fae another in the Grand Finals, so he must keep his promise.

  After the stage was ed up, the matches soon enced, and the fierce cshes tiwo sides exging heavy blows and shockwaves booming in the air. Walking disasters cshed time and time again.

  "The match has been decided! Lady Olivia achieved victory and advao the round!!" ［Terry］

  "Only to be expected from reat King! His Majesty, King Ar, struck down his oppo yet again and moves onto the round of 16!" ［Konan］

  "Yet another overwhelming victory! With a fierce temperament, Lord Ein crushed his oppo and heads forward to the round!" ［Terry］

  Of course, with each mates a well deserved victory, the entators doing their best to keep the audience merry and briement to their hearts, one victory at a time. The round of 32 tio unfold.

  With the passing of time, it was finally time frey to take the stage. His reception was just as warm as Yuna's, the entators introdug him with a number of titles, the crowd cheering eagerly for him.

  There was o tell more. Though not as broken as Yuna's match, Grey easily overwhelmed his oppo. His oppo was of the pnt attribute, a perfect prey for him who wields "Vul's Wrath".

  ??Deadly Stinger!??

  The man waved his sword, a verdant arc appearing before him. From su arc, dozens upon dozens of swords appeared, bolting trey without any mercy, pag both pooison which could easily take down Goblin Kings.

  Bang Bang Bang Bang

  However, it was futile. With a strike of his scorg swrey easily obliterated the flying swords, a series of tiny explosiing in the air. The fmes were s, it even burned poison, posing no threat to Grey.

  The enemy had already shot tless kinds of poison, but not a single one broke through Grey's defense. His physical strength may be limited but the resistance of a Camity-Css Ranker was not something mere poison could hope to breach.

  It was all or nothing. With all the mana he had left, the enemy poured his everything into a sirike to end it all, viridest light swallowing the whole arena, the stage quaking as weeds and flowers cracked the tiles and bloomed.

  ??Emerald Bane!??

  The jaded stage was shattered even further, massive roots emerging from the depths of the earth and rushing towards the man's sword, twirling and twisting as if they were being devoured by a whirlpool, dyeing the stage a dark green color.

  The swrew massive, verdant light emanating from it as the man raised it towards the sky. He brandished it with all his might, a sea of green surging trey and ready to engulf him like a fsh flood. A shark opening its maw.

  ??Scorg Crest?? ［Grey］

  Scarlet light erupted oage, soon turning pitch bck as "Hellfire" strengthehem. The burned bze and razed the ground, r like dragons and shing out like High Treants, a burning hell in an instant.

  A wave of bck rushed towards the sea of green. There was a clear differen size, but the former devoured the tter without mercy. It streaked across the stage, devastating everything in sight, not even ashes remaining.

  "Urk...!"

  CRASSHHHH CRACK THUD

  The oppo wasn't safe either. Grey's fmes bsted him away towards the barrier with such destructive force, a loud crash thundering all over the Grand Colosseum, a loud thud following it soon after. The man was now unscious.

  Nothing remained oage, only a charred ground and rampaging fmes. Grey soohed his sword, the fires extinguishing soon after it. He didn't break a single sweat nor was he out of breath. An overwhelming victory was what it was.

  "The match has reached its end! His Highness, Gdiatrey had triumphed over the 'Emerald Bde'! He advao the round!" ［Konan］

  The crowd ted his name and he exited the arena. It was a little underwhelming, but with it, he was oep closer to fulfilling his promise. A bright and radiant smile weled him as he returo the waiting area.

  "Fufufu! You sure were fshy, Grey!" ［Yuna］

  "I don't want to hear that from you." ［Grey］

  "Mou...! Let go of my nose, you bully...!" ［Yuna］

  Yuna tried to tease Grey, but she was the one who got teased instead, her fiancé ping her nose albeit gently. A se whily served to make Lisandra giggle to herself, all the while Yuna puffed her soft and plump cheeks.

  Time passed some more and the ival of Swords tio unfold, one victory announced after ahe crowd cheering with excitement. They really were balls of energy, not even tired evehe sun was about to set.

  But perhaps the match they looked forward to the most was the final match between the reigning champion and a Lt. General of the Kingdom. It was fierd feisty, but it didn't take too long before it reached its clusion.

  ??Heavy Ssh: Omega!?? ［Lionel］

  Just as the sky ainted amber, a massive and equally heavy sword came down from the sky, a heavy force weighing down o. General's shoulder. It was as if he ushing against a mountain, all to no avail.

  The Lt. General could hold out, but the same couldn't be said for his sword. Cracks ran all throughout and the sword shattered like gss, a massive sword crashing from above, f him towards the ground.

  Clouds of dust, smoke, and debris, curtaihe stage, a gigantic crater revealed as it cleared out. Only one figure remaianding, basking in the golden sunlight as the sun sunk down the horizon, his golden eyes, just as brilliant.

  "H-His Grace grabs the fg of victory by his hands! Gdiator Deltran, ning champion, moves on with an overwhelming victory!" ［Terry］

  CHAPTER 322 END