The Aura Ascendant: A Knight's Unbroken Path

Black Sword's Kain Mourne vs. Kaelthorne's Jacob Bean

Verdant Thorn's Jira Waveborn vs. Obsidian Fang's Jin Fei

Solaris's May Dane vs Sacred Gate's Jean Fraser

The list continued as the first round of matches was listed for all 24 Academies.

"The match between Black Sword and Kaelthorn is a good match-up… You have to watch them, and you might learn something from their sword art. Don't bother too much about those others." Headmaster Mensa said as he knew very well that Hayden had limited knowledge about the various sword arts.

Furthermore, there were six stages in the arena. It means that 12 students would be fighting at the same time.

"I will, Headmaster." Hayden replied confidently. As a matter of fact, he wouldn't really have problems reviewing all the fights since with his Ocularis Lens, he wouldn't miss any detail of all the battles.

Soon, the arena fell silent as the duels were about to start.

Just like what the Headmaster said, Hayden decided to focus on Kain Mourne of Black Sword Academy and Jacob Bean of Kaelthorne Academy as they stepped onto the sand-covered dueling platform.

'They both looked simple… I wonder what's special about them.' Hayden mused.

Using his Lens, he could easily tell that Kain Mourne, a skinny young man, looked a bit too frail... He'd probably excel in his speed,d but his power might not be the best.

"A short sword, huh…" He muttered after seeing Kain's weapon.

However, it seemed that this short was forged using dark alloy… Lastly, Hayden noticed that his stance was low, like a viper ready to strike. It was completely different from other sword arts he had seen.

On the other hand, Jacob Bean was like a soldier. He had a disciplined posture like that of a royal guardsman.

Then, instead of a short sword, he was using a double-handed greatsword as it rested easily across his shoulders…

Soon, the announcer's voice echoed….

"BEGIN!"

In this stage, Jacob moved first… His greatsword swept forward in a controlled horizontal slash, testing Kain's reaction.

Despite seeing a heavy sword come at him, Kain didn't dodge.

Instead, he deflected the blade with a flick of his short sword, using the angle to redirect the force away from himself.

Thud!

A few people in the crowd who were paying attention to this battle gasped. Such a small weapon should have been overwhelmed by the greatsword's power, yet Kain's technique made it seem effortless.

'It's not just a blade technique… It's his Aura.' Hayden thought as his Lens confirmed that Kain was using a lot more Aura than Jacob.

However, it wasn't just that. Hayden's Ocularis Lens also recorded the subtle shift in Kain's wrist…

"Black Sword Art: Shadow Parry…" Headmaster Mensa said. "It is a technique that turns the opponent's strength against them. The principle is quite similar to Dawnbreaker, but it relies too much on their user's Aura."

Headmaster Mensa explained. No wonder he wanted Hayden to watch this battle.

"I see…" Hayden nodded as he allowed his Lens to analyze it as well.

In the meantime, Jacob frowned at this technique but didn't falter.

He adjusted his grip and launched into a Kaelthorne Combination Strike—a series of heavy, methodical slashes designed to break through defenses.

Normally, this technique was used against armored opponents, but this time, he planned to overwhelm Kain with this move!

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

However, each blow was met with Kain's almost perfect deflections, but Hayden noticed something—Kain was also being pushed back.

He's letting Jacob control the pace.

Just as Jacob committed to another overhead strike, Kain vanished.

Not literally—but his movement was so swift, so sudden, that for a split second, Jacob's eyes lost him.

Kain reappeared at Jacob's flank, his black blade was already moving forward in a swift thrust aimed at the ribs.

Jacob barely twisted in time, and the tip of Kain's sword grazed his side instead of piercing flesh.

There was already a thin line of blood that welled up because of that attack.

Jacob's expression darkened as soon as he realized what had just happened... It was definitely a dangerous move!

"You'll regret this…" He then reset his stance as his greatsword now held in a modified guard—Kaelthorne's Iron Wall Stance, a defensive form that minimized openings.

Kain smirked. "Going to hide behind that big sword now?"

Jacob didn't take the bait.

Kain attacked again, this time with a series of feints—his blade would feint left, then right, then dipping low before suddenly angling high.

Jacob, however, had adapted to his strikes. He knew very well that his defensive stance wouldn't be easily broken as long as he stayed calm.

Instead of reacting to every motion that his opponent made, he simply planted his feet and swung his greatsword in a wide, sweeping arc, forcing Kain to disengage or be crushed.

Kain, sensing the overwhelming pressure from the great sword, leaped back—but not fast enough.

Jacob's blade clipped his shoulder, sending him stumbling.

The crowd who were watching the fight had surely started cheering for Jacob as soon as they saw the move.

Hayden's Lens zoomed in—Kain's arm was bruised, but not broken.

'He's in trouble. He's lucky with that swift Aura Concentration.' Hayden thought as he also couldn't help but feel impressed by how fast Kain reacted. He confirmed with his Ocularis Lens just now that Kain's Aura, which was scattered all throughout his body, had actually concentrated on his shoulder at the point of impact.

Thanks to that, he didn't suffer any injury at all.

"Huuu~"

Kain exhaled as he rolled his injured shoulder. Then, his entire demeanor changed.

His Aura condensed around his arm as the dark alloy sword responded.

Headmaster Mensa nodded and spoke softly.

"Black Sword Art: Phantom Fang… Watch it carefully…"

Hayden nodded as he waited for Kain's next move.

Jacob seemed to have realized what was about to happen and raised his greatsword to block… He predicted Kain's overhead strike just now!

However, Kain still continued with his move!

"It's my win…" Kain said as his blade phased through Jacob's sword as if turning to smoke for the briefest instant before solidifying again.

Then, just like that, the tip of Kain's sword pressed against Jacob's throat.