The Aura Ascendant: A Knight's Unbroken Path

Hayden gently nodded as he already knew about these basic rules… They were actually taught in the Etiquette Class after all.

Then, after confirming from Hayden and Laxus that they understood the rules, the referee gave a signal to start the duel.

Laxus unsheathed Stormfang. The blade may not show any magical reaction but Hayden could feel its aura.

"Shall we?" Laxus asked.

Hayden drew his own sword—a well-balanced blade, but it looked no match for a named weapon.

The crowd fell silent and even Headmaster Mensa frowned after seeing this… He had given Hayden a good sword that was forged with materials for Aura Users. However, Hayden brought a very simple-looking blade.

It doesn't even look like it was suitable for Aura Knights.

Laxus, on the other hand, expected that Hayden didn't have a better sword than him, so he wasn't too surprised.

"Alright… Let's test your skills…"

Laxus immediately tried to show his skills as he closed the distance between the two of them so swiftly…

It definitely shocked the crowd who were watching but they were even more surprised as soon as they saw Hayden's Ready Stance!

Instead, instead of the Dawn Sword Technique that the Academy teaches or the Dawnbreaker Sword Style that the Headmaster taught, Hayden's position was actually the first stance of the twelve basic sword movements!

Nonetheless, they didn't have the time to react to that as Laxus' first strike came!

However, it was only a feint… Hayden saw through it and dodged the real attack. This happened a couple of times but Laxus wasn't disappointed.

"Good… You should have this skill at the very least." He said with a hint of satisfaction in his voice.

"You're also not that bad." Hayden replied and this was certainly not something Laxus had expected.

"Very well." Laxus muttered as he soon triggered his Aura and controlled it to increase his leg strength, speeding him up in the process.

Thud!

Laxus struck with his sword aiming, to strike Hayden's shoulder.

It was certainly fast but Hayden was able to move… He barely twisted away in time to dodge it, but the follow-up slash that came out of nowhere grazed his sleeve.

The strike wasn't that strong but he almost retaliated with the Mind Sword, the special Aura Technique he had learned from the Aura Crystal.

However, he didn't want to expose this technique since he felt that it would be recognized by the Headmaster and Captain Rygar. After all, he hadn't fully mastered the technique yet and it would leave some traces. He wanted this ability kept under wraps for some time since he also knew that there was a Sorcerer who was aiming for this unique Aura Technique.

Laxus smirked. "One."

The crowd murmured.

'Ahh… Is that considered a clean strike already?' Hayden doubted it but as he looked at the referee, it seemed that it was indeed counted.

Hayden could only shake his head at this since it was definitely not a "clean strike."

"Fine…"

Hayden took a deep breath as he decided to attack this time…

'I need to see more of his movements…' Hayden thought as he knew that his Lens required more information about Laxus' movement patterns.

This was in order to predict his opponent's sword style and for the Lens to guide him with better accuracy.

As Hayden attacked, Laxus parried effortlessly, redirecting the blade before attempting to kick Hayden on his ribs…

'He's really good.' Hayden thought as he could tell that Laxus wasn't called a genius for no reason. He was able to follow Hayden's movements and also attack his weak spots.

Of course, Hayden was able to swiftly back away and dodge the knee… At most, it only hit his clothes.

However, to his surprise, Laxus didn't press the advantage. He stepped back and smiled.

"Two."

"Huh?" Hayden was definitely not hit just now. He was able to back away in time and only grazed his clothes.

However, the referee seemed to not care and gave a point to Laxus.

'I see…' Hayden thought as he realized what was going on… It seemed that he really had to beat this guy up…

'Alright… You're experienced in this kind of duel. I'll give it to you… But that's enough.' Hayden thought as he saw Laxus attack again—but this time, Hayden was ready.

The Lens had already calibrated and was able to read Laxus' movements!

'Quick Draw Sword Technique, huh… I guess it's really fast… It just lacks some power.' Hayden thought as he could certainly say that the Sword Technique was good.

However, it was simply not enough against him…

Whoosh~

Hayden sidestepped, letting the Stormfang whistle past him—then he countered with his sword slashing upward.

Clang!

Laxus immediately blocked, but his eyes widened. He finally felt Hayden's Aura and it was heavy!

Hayden actually realized that using basic stances against Aura Users like Laxus was indeed too tough… He had to change his plan.

On the other hand, Laxus planned to play around at first, so he could humiliate him in front of a huge crowd. However, he didn't expect Hayden to have such a heavy Aura on him!

"You—"

Hayden didn't let him finish. He pressed forward and this time, his strikes were faster, guided by the flow of Aura in his body…

Thud!

Laxus was forced back! For the first time, he was on the defensive.

Hayden's Aura spike was quite unexpected…

'Wait--No… His Aura isn't as much as mine… He's just controlling it the way he wants!' Laxus realized as he focused on his senses to familiarize himself with Hayden's Aura movements.

'He's not that strong… I can still overpower him…' Laxus thought although his composure cracked a bit.

After all, he didn't expect that much Aura behind a nine-year-old kid's attacks.

"Fine… Let me see how good you really are with your Aura!" Laxus declared. He simply could not accept someone who was about five years younger than him would have better control over Aura!

"Good… Show it to me…" Hayden calmly said.