Chapter 327: Chapter 324: Fierce Battle

“Three Thousand Gold Coins! I’m betting on Ronin to win!”

“I’m putting my money on Karda! He’s faster!”

“How can a commoner beat one of our nobles? I’m betting on Ronin. He can’t lose!”

“Hahaha, a noble’s strength isn’t necessarily proven in every single duel. I have faith in Karda’s power!”

His Majesty the King hadn’t organized any official betting, but that didn’t stop the nobles in the stands from making private wagers.

This was the final championship match, and it was hard to tell which of the two opponents was stronger.

It was the perfect time for betting. Winning the wager all came down to who had the better eye for talent.

…

Ronin listened to the voices, secretly lamenting that these were all small betting circles. ’It’s a shame I can’t join in,’ he thought, ’or else I could win a fair few Gold Coins.’

While the crowd was placing their bets, his opponent stepped into the arena.

Karda was just as polite to Ronin as he was to other nobles. “I’ve heard your story and I watched your previous match. You are a powerful opponent!”

Ronin returned the courtesy and praised him with a smile, “That’s what I wanted to say to you. However, I hope you’ll give it your all in the fight to come.”

He wanted to recruit Karda, so naturally, he had to display the qualities of a leader worth following.

And to win him over with strength, it had to be in a battle where both sides were going all out.

To ensure victory in this battle, Ronin had already spent all the Attribute Points he had accumulated recently. His Knight Level had now reached Golden Level (1196/2500).

He was approaching the mid-tier of the Golden Level. Even without the aid of Magic, he was confident he could defeat Karda.

“I will!” Karda said in a low voice.

WHOOO~

The low sound of a Horn echoed, and the final match officially began.

Just as before, Karda shrouded himself in lightning and charged forward.

Only in the heat of battle could one truly appreciate his speed.

’Thunderous Speed truly is the Combat Skill that grants the greatest boost to speed!’

Ronin exclaimed in admiration as his Flame Stream Sword clashed head-on with his opponent’s Knight’s Sword for the first time.

Huh?

Karda’s expression changed slightly. He hadn’t expected their first clash to be an even match.

He hadn’t used his full strength in any of his matches today, including this one.

“Show me what you’ve really got, Karda.”

Ronin pressed forward with his Longsword, the immense Power forcing his opponent to retreat.

Seeing this, the nobles in the stands erupted in a frenzy of cheers.

Those who had bet on Ronin to win were already chanting his name.

“You’re stronger than I imagined!”

Karda gritted his teeth and began to exert himself, trying to overpower his opponent.

“That’s what Missy Knight said, too.”

Ronin maintained the downward pressure with his Longsword. “I hear you want to join the Royal Knight Order but can’t get in without a recommendation. Why not serve another noble? My Wubei Territory needs a talent like you!”

No one would have expected Ronin to try and recruit someone in the middle of a duel.

It was purely because Ronin was worried someone else would extend an olive branch to Karda before he could.

His voice was drowned out by the cheers, but Karda, standing right in front of him, heard him clearly.

“You want to recruit me?”

His voice held a tone of surprise, but it was also laced with bitterness and resignation. “I’m afraid you’re not qualified.”

Ronin frowned slightly. He hadn’t expected such a discourteous remark from someone who had been so humble until now.

’Is he looking down on me, the Little Count of Wubei Territory?’

“Whether I’m qualified or not is a discussion for after you’ve beaten me.”

Ronin stopped the power struggle. With a sharp slash of his Longsword, he forced his opponent to retreat. At the same time, the Fighting Qi in his body surged, and a brilliant fiery light erupted from his Flame Stream Sword.

WHOOSH!

A dense cloud of fire swept across, filling the air with the smell of smoke.

Karda’s pupils constricted. He could feel the power of this attack.

“Thunderbolt Battle Armor!”

He let out a low shout as purple Thunder Fighting Qi swirled around him, forming a Thunderbolt Light Wall to withstand Ronin’s cloud of fire.

BOOM!

The collision of fire and thunder produced a blinding flash of light and a powerful shockwave that made the arena tremble.

The audience cried out in alarm. They were getting serious now!

The tournament today had mostly featured clashes of Swordsmanship, with Combat Skills used sparingly. No one expected Ronin and Karda to resort to Combat Skills after just one exchange.

SWISH!

Karda held nothing back with his speed, turning into an afterimage as he circled behind Ronin and launched a fierce attack.

Ronin’s mind sharpened. He was confident of victory but had never underestimated his opponent.

He spun around quickly. The flames on his Flame Stream Sword died down, replaced by a current of wind.

“Storm Blade.”

In an instant, a dozen Wind Blades shot toward his opponent, letting out sharp, piercing whistles as they cut through the air.

Karda also sensed that Ronin was different; he activated his Combat Skills faster than an ordinary person.

He quickly retreated, the Thunderbolt on his Longsword surging.

“Thunderous Flash!”

He slashed out. Crackling Thunderbolt tore through the space, colliding with the dozen Wind Blades in mid-air, once again erupting in a blinding light and a massive shockwave.

A strong wind swept across the stands, and the crowd, while crying out in shock, grew even more interested in the match.

This no longer looked like a friendly match. If they weren’t careful, it could result in serious injury, or even death.

“Philemon, have the Light Physicians get ready.”

King Bruno said to the Guard Knight beside him.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

His gaze fell upon the two combatants.

He knew of this young Knight, Karda. To be precise, he had once considered recruiting him into the Royal Knight Order.

However, due to the pleading of an old minister, he ultimately decided against it.

But as long as Karda could become a Golden Knight before the age of twenty-eight, he believed that his Minister of Finance, Luther Cox, would have no further objections if he were to recruit him then.

Karda had over two years left. Judging from this fight, however, he was already approaching the strength of a Silver Peak, so he had more than enough time.

What surprised him was Ronin. It was unexpected that he could hold his own against Karda for so long without relying on Blast Flame Slash.

“Father, will Ronin get hurt?” Blanche couldn’t help but ask worriedly.

Bruno laughed heartily. “In a sparring match, who can guarantee they’ll never get injured?”

His words only made Blanche worry more.

As they spoke, Ronin and Karda clashed several more times.

At this moment, Ronin was completely immersed in the battle. He could feel himself becoming one with his Flame Stream Sword, every attack brimming with Power.

And Karda was the same.

His Thunderous Fighting Qi erupted continuously, clashing with Ronin’s Wind and Fire Combat Skill. The roar of explosions in the arena never ceased.

But Karda was not having an easy time.

At first, he could still contend with Ronin head-on, but as the fight dragged on, his opponent’s Power and the might of his Combat Skills grew noticeably stronger, and he found it difficult to cope.

Even his vaunted speed wasn’t enough to leave his opponent in the dust.

The impact of another clash forced them apart. Karda was breathing heavily. He flexed his sword hand; the violent collisions had opened a cut on the web between his thumb and index finger, and it was bleeding.

He stared at Ronin with a grave expression, not expecting to be gradually overpowered even when using his full strength.

’I heard Ronin is only eighteen. How can he be this strong?’

Ronin’s breathing was also a little heavy. It had been a long time since he’d had such a thrilling, unrestrained battle.

“Excellent!”

Ronin praised him loudly, his eyes gleaming with excitement. “Your strength is more than satisfactory, Karda! Now, are you ready to consider my previous offer?”

A previous offer?

The audience was puzzled; they hadn’t heard what the two had said to each other.

Regardless, they were all deeply shaken by this spectacular duel.

“That guy… how is he so strong?”

In the stands, Facundo, Harrington, and the others who had a grudge against Ronin all looked rather grim.

They had once managed to push Ronin back by joining forces, and they had thought that was the extent of his power. But now, they wondered: could their combined attack that day truly have suppressed him?

Conflict and hesitation flickered across Karda’s face. However, he didn’t answer Ronin’s question directly. Instead, he took a long, deep breath and said gravely:

“This next move is my most powerful one. If it still can’t defeat you, then I will concede this match.”

Ronin replied in a low voice, “Then, bring it on!”

Karda slowly exhaled. He pointed his Longsword to the sky, and the Thunderous Fighting Qi in his body erupted, rapidly gathering and compressing in the air above his sword’s tip to form a small ball of lightning.

But soon, the ball of lightning expanded rapidly, becoming a massive sphere of electricity a meter in diameter in the blink of an eye, its power awe-inspiring!

“Impossible!”

Many knowledgeable Knights in the arena cried out, their voices filled with shock.

“That’s the Sixth-level Combat Skill ’Thunderbolt Flash’! He’s only Silver Level, how could he master a skill beyond his Level?”

A grave look appeared in Ronin’s eyes as well.

Lurans possessed the Thunder Attribute, so this Combat Skill was included in the Combat Technique Manuals he had given to Ronin.

Thunderbolt Flash was not only a Sixth-level Combat Skill, but among sixth-level skills, it was one that was difficult to master and consumed a vast amount of Fighting Qi.

Never mind a Silver Knight; even some Golden Knights found it difficult to master.

’This guy… has he actually reached Golden Level, or did he manage to master a Combat Skill beyond his Level?’

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