NOVEL NEXT Chapter 83: The Duel ( Part 2 )
Laxus exhaled sharply as his grip tightened around Stormfang…
Soon, Hayden noticed that Laxus' aura flared. This time, it was with the assistance of the sword he was using!
There was no doubt that Laxus was about to use the advantage of having a special Aura Sword.
Just like that, Hayden felt that changes in the air as the pressure of the invisible Aura was coming for him.
"Let's see how long you last now," Laxus chuckled before pouncing forward.
His next attack was indeed brutal. It was a swift sweeping slash meant to cleave through Hayden's guard. The force behind it was enough to send shockwaves through the ground, kicking up dust as it moved…
This was definitely a dangerous move and could kill Hayden if he wasn't careful.
But Hayden was ready.
Hayden didn't block. He didn't even dodge as he trusted his Ocularis Lens to read Laxus' movements!
Instead of going into a defensive stance, Hayden stepped into the strike!
The moment he moved forward shocked many but the next thing that happened surprised them.
Hayden's body seemed to have blurred!
This time, Headmaster Mensa finally showed a grin on his face.
Apparently, Shane had just used the Twilight Footwork he had taught him!
It was a technique designed to make the user's movements unpredictable and of course, it worked a lot better at dusk. However, even if it was not, it could briefly confuse his opponent the first time he used it.
It was a matter of timing!
'Good…' Headmaster Mensa thought as he watched the battle.
Laxus' blade passed then through where Hayden should've been—only for Hayden to reappear at his left side…
Slash!
Hayden's sword scraped across Laxus' ribs!
However, with Laxus' light armor and the Aura in his body, it wasn't a big issue at all.
"One," Hayden said as he looked at Laxus…
He was just returning from the experience…
The crowd roared as they realized what had just happened.
Even with Laxus' strength, Hayden's speed was unmatched!
Laxus groaned as he immediately waved his sword against Hayden… However, the latter was already gone…
Hayden appeared on his right but this time, Laxus sensed his Aura and used his sword to block!
Thud!
Laxus wanted to laugh at this as he thought that he already grasped Hayden's speed.
However, Hayden simply continued on his attack…
Laxus was able to block it again but this time, he had almost failed!
If not for his Aura Sense being mastered for more than six months now, he wouldn't be able to notice Hayden's attack…
Realizing this, Laxus got mad as he decided to use his speed and strength and finish this quickly! After all, he only needed a few more clean hits!
This time, he wanted to change the momentum as he attacked with a rapid series of thrusts, each one with Aura, strong enough to put a hole in someone's body…
However, Hayden had already studied his patterns.
He deflected the first, parried the second, and it continued for a few more strikes and then—
Crunch.
Hayden's elbow smashed into Laxus' wrist, forcing his grip to slacken. Before Laxus could recover, Hayden's sword flicked upward—
Tap.
The tip grazed Laxus' chin.
"Two. Or maybe three?"
Laxus staggered back, his face twisted in fury. "You little—!"
Now enraged, Laxus abandoned finesse.
His previous training, plan, and how he should reserve his Aura in the battle were completely forgotten! He channeled his Aura into Stormfang, and the blade started getting hot!
"Ha!"
He then swung the sword downward in a swift overhead strike. Even the audience could tell that Laxus was getting out of control.
As a matter of fact, they were also sensing the warmth brought by the Spell even from where they stood.
Nonetheless, Hayden didn't retreat.
He met the blade head-on…
"You! That's Stormfang!"
"Your blade with be cut in half!"
"Reckless!"
"That's a bad move, Hayden!"
The students and even some professors realized that Hayden made a wrong move. After all, clashing against Laxus, who had a better quality of sword would definitely not end up good for Hayden.
After all, they believed that Hayden's sword was just a normal sword or only slightly better than the average sword that could be purchased in the city.
It seemed nothing special to their eyes.
It didn't look like it was made by a renowned Blacksmith or it contained some sort of special material at all. It didn't even emit the same level of intensity that Laxus' sword could emit.
Because of that, they believed that it would be best for Hayden to simply avoid direct confrontation and dodge the attack with his speed just like before.
Even Headmaster Mensa was worried that the sword could break even with the technique he was about to use…
However, Hayden didn't care as he used his own Aura and executed the Dawnbreaker's Reversal—a technique meant to redirect force rather than absorb it.
This technique was part of the Dawnbreaker Sword Art and one of the sword movements that Headmaster Mensa personally taught.
CLANG!
The impact sent a shockwave through the arena, but Hayden twisted his wrist, guiding Stormfang's momentum past him—
What others didn't know, was the fact that the sword he was using was something he obtained from Professor Althea…
After giving birth to her child, she had actually started making Hayden's sword just after a few weeks of rest.
Furthermore, she had mentioned that this sword was the best she had ever made. It may not be as great as those swords enchanted by magicians, but it was still very well made for Aura Users as it channels pure Aura perfectly.
Seeing that Hayden's sword didn't break, Laxus was definitely shocked. He aimed to break it after all! He knew that once Hayden's sword was broken, he would be able to easily win since no breaks or respite was allowed in this type of duel!
"Ha!"
It was at this time that Hayden slammed his shoulder into Laxus' exposed chest.
Thud!
Just like that, Laxus hit the ground hard, gasping for breath!
Hayden's sword hovered over his throat.
"How many was it? Three? Four?"