Chapter 30: Unexpected Rankings
Matches proceeded one after another, and the most excellent students among the trainees quickly stood out.
Iona took first place with three wins in the shortest time, followed by Baron, who drew lots with good luck and didn’t encounter any strong opponents. Mike also had three wins, but his first match against Regas was too grueling, consuming a lot of his stamina.
Although Suolin suffered one loss, he barely advanced to the second round with two wins.
“The champion should emerge from these four.” Viscount Xue Feng stroked his short mustache and had the maid serve cool tea water.
Near the mountain forest and grassland, people in the southern Regas Kingdom preferred chilled tea water rather than scalding hot tea.
“Aside from Iona being a sure thing, who does Scholar Heide think will take second?”
“I never speculate in advance.” Scholar Heide smiled and shook his head.
“However, I favor Mike and Suolin.”
“Haha, indeed, those two are a bit more diligent and hardworking than Baron.” Viscount Xue Feng nodded as well.
“However, my nephew Baron has prepared an extra trump card today.” He seemed to know something.
While the two were talking, the next round of matches began. After the first round elimination, five people advanced to the second round: Iona, Baron, Toss, Mike, and Suolin.
In the rest area, Xilutiya supported Komiya to sit beside Karen, letting the two lean back in their chairs to watch the remaining matches.
“If that guy Suolin weren’t so tough, I’d be in the second round by now.” Komiya was somewhat unconvinced.
“Alright, just behave a little now.” Xilutiya soothingly patted Komiya’s head.
Although the Phantom Curse Eye was powerful, with Komiya’s current strength, she could use it twice a day at most. Moreover, Suolin wasn’t an unprepared commoner; he was highly vigilant during the match. Defeating him took a huge toll on Komiya, leaving her no strength to use the Phantom Curse Eye again against others afterward.
“How about Karen, feeling better now?” Xilutiya brought some clear water and fed it to this classmate who could barely move.
“Better.” Karen’s face had been pale before, but now it had eased considerably.
The three sat on the long bench watching the fights on the stage.
Currently, Baron was defending the stage, with Mike challenging him; the two were locked in a fierce stalemate.
After several exchanges, Baron was somewhat exhausted. His breathing technique was only at the first stage, while Mike relied on the second order breathing technique, clearly superior in endurance.
Baron was panting with both hands gripping his sword, his eyes fixed tightly on Mike, slowly circling the stage to avoid direct confrontation.
How did this guy get so strong? he thought to himself, then glanced at Suolin below the stage and that golden-haired figure.
He couldn’t wait any longer; dragging it out might mean no chance at all. Baron flexed his wrist, one hand leaving the sword hilt to reach for his collar.
That was…
In the rest area, Xilutiya saw an invisible light spreading from Baron’s chest, the ripples and sensation just like what she had seen in Fir Village back then.
Sure enough, after being affected by the ripples, Mike, who had seized the chance to charge in, had his expression change abruptly. The breathing technique that had been rapidly circulating was instantly suppressed, feeling as if an invisible hammer struck his chest, then tightly choking his blood vessels.
His movements stalled, but Baron didn’t stop. Seizing this rare opportunity, he knocked Mike’s weapon flying with one sword strike, then swung back, smashing into Mike’s shoulder and splitting into the inner layer of his leather armor. In pain and with his posture deformed, Mike fell backward onto the ground. He tried to shift his body to evade the attack, but Baron gave him no time, stepping on his shoulder and pressing his sword against Mike’s neck.
“Give up.” He panted, revealing a hint of smugness.
“Pah.” Mike spat out some saliva and turned his face away.
“Baron wins.” The referee soon announced the result, and applause came from the audience seats.
Most commoners were completely unaware of the means Baron had used; only a few noticed the trick.
“Boring.” Iona shook her head and turned away with some disdain.
After defeating Mike, only three people remained blocking Baron’s path to first place. Toss was also a noble, on good terms with Baron, and knew his own strength was a cut below. He wasn’t in a hurry to take the stage. Iona also stayed seated below, somewhat disdainful of fighting Baron.
“So, it’s my turn now.” Suolin picked up his sword and slowly walked toward the high stage.
The two had been fighting since the first day of school, becoming sworn rivals—one the leader of the noble students, the other the leader of the commoner students. During this time studying under Scholar Heide, they competed openly and covertly, constantly comparing themselves.
In secret history classes, Baron had a better foundation and surpassed Suolin by a lot, while Suolin, trained by his father since childhood, surpassed Baron in physique and combat technique. Overall, the gap between them wasn’t large. Scholar Heide enjoyed this healthy competition and didn’t stop or interfere.
Approaching noon, the light was somewhat glaring. Suolin adjusted his breathing, focusing his mind on the match about to begin.
Having been overwhelmed and knocked unconscious by Komiya’s Phantom Curse Eye before, he still had some aftereffects, his head somewhat dizzy.
Though he wasn’t in his best state, Baron’s early use of his trump card made him aware, so he wasn’t unprepared. Now they were even.
“Baron versus Suolin, begin!” the referee announced loudly.
Neither attacked right away; instead, they cautiously circled the stage, probing each other, occasionally feinting to make the other react in vain.
Baron wanted to perform well in front of Iona, so he had to defeat Suolin and was very cautious. Suolin also hoped to place, to earn Viscount Xue Feng’s appreciation and make a name in Jiaoshi City. His background wasn’t as good as these noble children; if he couldn’t seize this rare chance, he might be buried.
After several probes, their patience and focus were nearly depleted. In another feint attack by Suolin, Baron didn’t react quickly this time. Suolin pivoted his step into a real charge, activating his power burst ability almost mid-sprint, making his speed extremely fast. Baron had no time to activate his trump card before Suolin closed in.
The rapidly swinging sword blade arced in the largest circle. After full acceleration and power buildup, it slashed down, the ferocious force directly smashing away Baron’s blocking sword body and striking his arm.
With a slight crack, Baron’s arm fractured, pain contorting his face. His body involuntarily buckled at the knees, snapping the wooden board.
After one move, Suolin was nearly exhausted, while Baron clutched his arm and knee, groaning in pain on the stage, his face twisted.
Seeing this scene, many noblewomen in the audience let out soft gasps, and then the referee announced.
“Suolin wins!”
The subsequent matches ended quickly.
Though he defeated Baron, Suolin’s condition was even worse, his whole body aching and unable to use his breathing technique, so when facing Toss, he was easily taken down by the opponent.
Finally, Toss faced Iona. He also admired this golden-haired noble miss, but with Baron ahead of him before, he felt he couldn’t compete and hadn’t shown it.
Today, not only did Baron suffer a crushing defeat and embarrassment, but his recovery time was uncertain. As the noble student with the second-best grades after Baron, Toss immediately sensed an opportunity. He bit a fresh red thorn rose and walked onto the high stage.
Facing Iona’s sword blade, he didn’t counter at all, instead offering the rose to express his admiration.
This romantic gesture made the noblewomen and socialite misses on the viewing platform applaud, but unfortunately, Iona wasn’t moved and directly turned and left the combat stage.
Final results: first place Iona, second place Toss, third place Suolin.
Though defeated, Suolin won honor; many at the scene saw his strength and potential, with some rich young ladies even secretly falling for him.
