NOVEL NEXT Chapter 110: Best Weapon
As soon as Jacob saw the sword at his throat, he knew that he had lost.
He didn't even have to admit his defeat as the arbiter announced the winner on their stage.
"Winner of the first stage... Kain Mourne of Black Sword Academy!"
It was only at this point that Kain withdrew his sword.
Jacob's grip on his greatsword slackened as he swallowed hard, having the tip of a sword pointed at his throat was definitely not a good sensation.
Just like that, the students of Black Sword Academy celebrated. It was their first win, and they felt that they would be able to continue winning with this momentum.
Mensa, on the other hand, just looked at Hayden to see if he learned something.
However, Hayden wasn't showing much reaction as he simply leaned back while his Ocularis Lens replayed the fight in slow motion and with better quality.
'That last technique… it wasn't just a feint. His sword's alloy has Aura-disrupting properties. It briefly destabilized Jacob's guard… No… It felt like cheating… What kind of technique is that? It's closer to magic at this point.'
A sword that could phase through another sword was definitely a magical thing. However, as the Lens continued to analyze it, he realized that the sword didn't really phase through Jacob's sword…
'I see… So it was like that…' Hayden mused as he realized that it was more like an Aura Technique or Ability that the black sword could produce by using a certain amount of Aura to create an illusion of another sword.
'What a tricky swordsmanship… However, now that I have learned about it. My Lens should have no issue picking this up if I'm in a similar situation.' Hayden thought to himself.
Of course, he filed the information away with his Lens' assistance.
If he faced Kain, he'd need to fight differently.
***
Soon, Hayden heard the cheer of the crowd as his eyes settled on Jira Waveborn of Verdant Thorn Academy and Jin Fei of Obsidian Fang battle…
Seeing them on the stage, Hayden couldn't help but cheer on Jira… Well, Jira was slim and also used a slender rapier in hand, while Jin Fei was like a mountain of muscle wielding a massive claymore that looked like it could cleave stone.
He couldn't help but hope that Jira could win her speed…
Hayden's Ocularis Lens locked onto them, already analyzing their stances.
At this time, Jira struck with her rapier as she dashed forward so swiftly…
However, Jin Fei didn't dodge.
He tanked the hit, and the rapier's tip sank into his shoulder, only to be stopped by his dense muscle and reinforced Aura.
Jira's eyes widened as she realized that the previous block was not some lucky move. She really couldn't pierce through his defense even after pushing her Aura to the limit!
Then Jin Fei swung.
The claymore came down, forcing Jira to leap back, barely avoiding being split in half.
Bam!
The crowd gasped as they felt worried about the skinny girl.
Hayden couldn't help but feel impressed.
'Jin Fei isn't even trying to counter techniques. He's just… overwhelming Jira with brute force.'
Jira had no other choice but to switch her tactics. She began darting around Jin Fei, his rapier flashing in a barrage of pinpoint thrusts—wrist, thigh, elbow—anywhere he could find an opening.
But Jin Fei didn't flinch.
Each strike either glanced off his Aura-reinforced body or was met with a powerful counter-swing that forced Jira to retreat.
After three minutes of quick assault, Jira was already panting, and her movements were slowed. Jin Fei, however, looked like he hadn't even broken a sweat.
Then—he decided to end the match…
He clenched his fist, and his Aura erupted… It was reaching the peak of a Knight Candidate in terms of Aura Accumulation.
Jira tried to backstep, but the shockwave slammed into her, sending her skidding across the sand.
Before he could recover, Jin Fei was already upon him, his claymore was raised for a final, non-lethal—but bone-breaking—downward smash.
Jira rolled, but not fast enough.
The flat of the blade hammered into his ribs, sending her crashing onto her back.
"Winner by knockout—Jin Fei of Obsidian Fang!"
The crowd cheered at his victory, but others roared in disappointment…
Hayden wryly smiled at this battle.
'No finesse. No technique. Just raw power.'
But sometimes, that was all it took. So he didn't really mind.
***
Soon, Hayden focused on a battle that was already underway.
It was May Dane of Solaris Academy vs. Jean Fraser of Sacred Gate. It had already been more than five minutes since they had started their battle.
May Dane was a red-haired young woman with a twin-bladed spear this time. Her fighting style was Whirlwind Spear Art, and it was something that Hayden had read before.
Well, there weren't a lot of Spear Arts that used twin blades after all.
Then, there was Jean Fraser, wielding a chain-whip sword—a hybrid weapon that could shift between a rigid blade and a flexible, snapping whip mid-combat.
'This…' Hayden was a bit shocked that Aura Knights would actually use this type of unconventional sword.
May's spear was fast and her spins and thrusts came in rapid succession. Her opponent would surely hesitate to get closer with this type of ability.
Nonetheless, Jean wasn't worried as he met the attack head-on… He moved between her strikes while his chain-whip sword would also lash out in unpredictable arcs.
CRACK!
The whip-form snapped against May's forearm, leaving a stinging red mark. If not for her Aura Protection, it would surely hurt a lot…
She then adjusted her grip and launched into an aerial spin…
This time, she finally forced back Jean, and she continued to gain momentum.
Hayden noticed something about Jean's Sword Art, but suddenly, he heard a voice beside him.
"If you're curious why our Academy doesn't teach other weapons… Then the answer is that the sword is still the best. All the students must focus on it instead of branching off." Headmaster Mensa said as he looked at Hayden.