Chapter 326: Chapter 323: The Silva Clan’s Genius

The semi-finals began. First to enter the arena were Karda and Franz Silva.

Ronin returned to his seat and asked Reis Knight, who was beside him, “This Franz… he couldn’t be a descendant of the Magic Master from Amethyst County, Bellora Silva, could he?”

Reis Knight nodded. “You guessed right. He is the great-grandson of the esteemed Magic Master, Bellora.”

His eyes filled with admiration as he spoke her name.

“Don’t be fooled by his age—Franz is only twenty-three or twenty-four, but he’s not just a Bronze Knight. He’s also the youngest Great Mage at the Magic Academy.”

Ronin’s gaze fixed on Franz. He hadn’t expected him to be a practitioner of Magic and Martial Dual Cultivation, with both disciplines at the Fourth-level.

He couldn’t help but exclaim, “A true descendant of a Magic Master. I wonder if he can win this fight.”

“It’ll be tough.”

Reis countered, “Karda is incredibly fast.”

As they spoke, the announcer declared the start of the match. A Horn sounded, and the entire Battle Arena erupted in a wave of cheers.

“I’ve long heard that the Magic Academy has a genius Mage. Today, I finally get to see you in person.”

Karda didn’t attack immediately. Instead, he gave Franz a Knight’s salute. “It is my honor to face you in the arena today!”

“I, too, have long heard of your name, Sir Knight.”

Franz’s voice was elegant. “I must now cast my Magic. You may begin your attack.”

As he spoke, he was already beginning to trace the Magic Patterns in the air.

“It’s the Third-level Wind Attribute Magic, ’Rapid Speed.’”

Ronin identified the Magic at a glance. ’Against the incredibly fast Karda, a spell like this is a perfect choice.’

To Ronin’s surprise, however, Karda didn’t seize the opportunity to attack while his opponent was gathering Magic. Instead, he waited quietly for Franz to finish casting.

On a real battlefield, a Warrior would never wait for a Mage to finish casting. They would interrupt the spell long before the incantation was complete.

But this wasn’t a life-or-death battlefield, and his opponent wasn’t an enemy but the scion of a great noble house.

It was a rare opportunity for Karda, a commoner, to even participate in this tournament. While demonstrating his strength, he also needed to display a certain level of decorum. Even if he won, he had to avoid offending any nobles.

Knowing when to stop and showing appropriate deference were essential.

Soon, Franz finished casting. Empowered by the Swift Magic, his speed increased significantly.

“Thank you for your courtesy, Knight Karda.”

Franz said, “Now, we may begin.”

The moment he finished speaking, they both moved at almost the same time.

Ronin had carefully observed Karda’s previous fights. He rarely used offensive Combat Skills; his most frequently used ones were those that boosted his speed.

Karda’s entire body was instantly wreathed in purple Thunderous Fighting Qi.

Reis had explained that this was the Third-level, Thunder Attribute Combat Skill, “Thunderous Speed.” It stimulated a Knight’s physical vitality to drastically increase their speed.

And just like that, in the blink of an eye, he crossed over ten meters, moving so fast an ordinary person wouldn’t even be able to follow him.

But Franz, empowered by Magic, was not much slower.

CLANG! The two collided in the center of the Battle Arena with a tremendous crash.

The added speed made the impact far heavier. Compounded by the force of the Fighting Qi, Franz’s expression changed dramatically as he was sent stumbling backward.

Karda, on the other hand, was only pushed back three steps.

“Brace yourself!”

He didn’t wait this time, instead pressing his advantage and charging forward.

Franz tried to use the backward momentum to create distance, hoping to buy enough time to cast a second spell.

This time, however, Karda closed the distance aggressively, leaving him no time to cast. Left with no choice, he could only raise his longsword to defend himself.

Seeing this, Ronin knew Karda was about to win.

Franz may have come from a prestigious family, and he was talented in both Fighting Qi and Magic Cultivation. He could even use Magic to match his opponent’s speed. But his Power was no match for Karda’s; the gap was simply too wide for him to contend in close-quarters combat.

If he had been faster than Karda, he might have been able to create some distance and find time to cast another spell.

For instance, with the Fourth-level Magic, Wind’s Touch, he could have controlled his opponent and perhaps won the match.

But he didn’t have the time. His defeat was sealed.

This was the inherent disadvantage of a Mage; it was incredibly dangerous to let a Knight get close on the battlefield.

That was why, under normal circumstances, a Mage would always have a Knight by their side for protection, never easily allowing an enemy to get near.

It was over in just two or three more exchanges. After one final clash, Karda knocked his opponent to the ground, his longsword stopping just above the man’s neck.

If this had been a battle to the death, all it would have taken was a downward thrust to end his opponent’s life.

“I’ve lost.”

Franz said with a sigh, but then a smile appeared on his face. “You truly are the youngest and strongest Knight in Horn Bay!”

Karda sheathed his longsword and pulled him up. “If you were my age, I doubt I’d be a match for you.”

With another two years, Franz very well could have won.

Their mutual humility earned high praise from the announcer, and the entire arena once again erupted in fervent cheers.

Franz bowed elegantly to the audience and walked off the Battle Arena alongside Karda.

“You’re up next.”

Reis said, “Try not to lose to a Female Knight.”

Ronin laughed, left his seat, and walked toward the Battle Arena.

From the opposite side, a Knight in Silver Armor, face concealed by a Helmet, walked slowly into the Battle Arena.

As Missy took the stage, the arena exploded with the most enthusiastic cheers and applause yet.

One reason was that Missy Knight was the only Female Knight in this round; another was that, as a member of the Griffin Knight Order, Missy already had a considerable reputation in Golden Feather City.

Listening to the tidal wave of cheers, Ronin couldn’t help but be impressed. ’It doesn’t matter what world you’re in,’ he thought, ’powerful women are admired wherever they go.’

Karda’s gaze followed her figure intently.

Listening to the roar of the crowd, he felt the immense gap between them, and a great pressure weighed on his heart.

“The esteemed Miss Missy. I never expected to face you in battle,” Ronin said with a humble greeting.

Back at Wushan Castle, facing this Female Knight who arrived on a Griffin had been somewhat pressuring, but he felt much more relaxed now.

From beneath the cold Helmet, the Female Knight’s voice emerged. “I also never expected this opportunity, esteemed Count of Wubei.”

In the stands, Blanche watched them nervously.

One was her best friend, the other her beloved. All she could do was cheer for them both.

Though if one listened closely, she seemed to be shouting Ronin’s name a little more often.

After exchanging a few words, both assumed their combat stances.

Out of respect for Missy—and by extension, Blanche’s friend—Ronin didn’t go for a quick victory, instead choosing to exchange a few blows first.

As a member of the Griffin Knight Order, Missy’s fundamentals were excellent.

But against Ronin, she was in the same situation as Franz: the difference in their Power was too great.

“He’s been fighting Missy for a while now. Maybe this Ronin isn’t as strong as the rumors claim?”

“Beating ten men at once must have been an exaggeration.”

Some spectators, watching the back-and-forth exchange, made comments favoring Missy.

However, others could see the truth. Ronin clearly wasn’t using his full strength, and even so, Missy was still being consistently overpowered.

Finally, after one more exchange, Missy retreated several steps and did not press the attack.

“I’ve lost.”

She surrendered decisively. “You’re even stronger than I imagined.”

Missy had considered her Swordsmanship to be quite good, but she found that Ronin’s technique was so ingenious, both offensively and defensively, that she couldn’t make any headway at all.

As for Power and Combat Skills, clashing with him a few times had proven just as fruitless.

She couldn’t find any major openings in his defense. In fact, if he were to use his full strength, she knew she would be defeated in an instant.

That was why she chose to concede.

Ronin smiled and praised her, “You are the strongest opponent I’ve faced in today’s tournament so far.”

“I wish you victory in the final match.”

Missy gave an elegant salute and walked off the Battle Arena.

Her gaze drifted, seemingly unintentionally, toward Karda in the stands to her left. He gave her a slight nod.

Clearly, the two of them knew each other.

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