Chapter 328: Chapter 325: Flame Knight

Generally, neither Knights nor Mages use Combat Skills or Magic that surpass their own Level.

The reason, simply put, is that their Spiritual Power is insufficient to provide the massive amounts of Fighting Qi, Magic Power, and Spiritual Power required to cast high-level Combat Skills or Magic.

However, this isn’t always the case.

For example, some Knights simply possess vast reserves of Fighting Qi, exceptional control over it, and a powerful aptitude for learning. A combination of these factors can make it possible to master a Combat Skill beyond their Level.

At this moment, Karda was like a fountain of power. Purple Thunderous Fighting Qi surged from his body, coalescing at the tip of his sword into a massive ball of lightning. CRACKLING arcs of electricity shot out in all directions, striking the ground and leaving scorched black spots.

From the stands, Broel analyzed, “Thunderbolt Flash requires a massive amount of Fighting Qi and exceptional control. Karda hasn’t managed to concentrate all his Power; the stray arcs of electricity are the best proof of that.”

This proved Karda was not a Golden Knight.

However, his tone shifted. “But even an unfocused Thunderbolt Flash possesses a might that no ordinary Fifth-level Combat Skill can match.”

Ronin tightened his grip on his Flame Stream Sword. He could feel that his opponent’s attack now posed a real threat to him.

However, he was ready for it.

“Bring it on!”

Ronin let out a low growl. His Flame Fighting Qi, amplified by the Flame Stream Sword, surged violently. It compressed and condensed above his longsword, forming an enormous, spectral sword shadow whose power was breathtaking.

In an instant, the two brilliant colors of flame and thunderbolt filled the Battle Arena, making the surroundings pale in comparison. The intense spectacle drew gasps from the audience. A battle that reached the Golden Level was a rare sight, and today’s tournament for the younger generation was truly a feast for their eyes.

“Go, Ronin!”

“Karda, take him down!”

The spectators pumped their fists, shouting at the top of their lungs. Their hearts pounded in sync with the rhythm of the battle, a mix of tension and excitement.

The two combatants moved at almost the same instant.

Karda thrust his longsword forward. An impossibly brilliant beam of light shot out from within the sphere of lightning, as if it had pierced the ball from the inside out. It surged toward his opponent, threatening to destroy everything in its path.

At nearly the same moment, Ronin unleashed his Blast Flame Slash. The spectral, sword-shaped flame, imbued with an explosive Trait, collided with the Thunderbolt Flash.

The two energies of different Attributes clashed, erupting in a deafening roar.

The Thunderbolt Flash was astonishingly powerful; its Thunderbolt Power seemed bent on total annihilation. But Ronin’s Blast Flame Slash was not to be outdone. The Flame Sword Shadow, like a burning meteor, charged his opponent with devastating force.

The two powers met mid-air, instantly triggering intense Energy fluctuations.

BOOM!

In that instant, the entire Battle Arena was consumed by a torrent of intertwining flame and thunderbolt, like a magnificent natural phenomenon unfolding.

The visual overload was so intense that the ordinary spectators could not look directly at it; they all raised their hands to shield their eyes from the blinding light.

“Ronin… he’ll be alright, won’t he?”

Blanche’s face was pale, her heart caught in her throat.

On another side of the stands, Missy Knight watched the battle with a calm expression, but the hand gripping her sword hilt betrayed her tension and worry.

The air around the Battle Arena seemed to be Tearing from the Power, forming swirling vortexes.

The two powers were deadlocked for an instant. Then, Ronin’s Blast Flame Slash suddenly swelled, as if erupting with an even greater Power. It completely devoured the Thunderbolt Flash and swept toward Karda with its remaining might.

’So strong!’

The color drained from Karda’s face.

Though it takes time to describe, the entire sequence—from the unleashing of their Combat Skills to the clash’s conclusion—happened in a mere instant.

Karda had no time to dodge. He was sent flying by the aftershock of the Blast Flame Slash, carving a trench dozens of meters long across the ground before crashing into the edge of the stands.

HUFF… HUFF… HUFF…

Karda gasped for air. The Armor on his chest had blocked part of the impact, and since it was only the aftershock of the Blast Flame Slash, he was battered but not seriously injured.

However, using a Combat Skill above his Level had completely drained his Fighting Qi. The resulting exhaustion was far worse than his injuries.

Ronin’s chest rose and fell once. He let out a slow breath, and his breathing stabilized.

Blast Flame Slash consumed a great deal of power, but he was a Golden Knight. The Fighting Qi in his body had already liquefied, giving him several times the reserves that Karda possessed.

He could use Blast Flame Slash another five or six times without any issue.

A brief calm fell over the Battle Arena.

Karda pushed himself up from the ground and slowly got to his feet. “I have lost this battle.”

He had said before using Thunderbolt Flash that if the attack failed to defeat Ronin, he would concede.

In truth, given his current state, he couldn’t have continued fighting even if he hadn’t conceded.

Cheers erupted across the Battle Arena.

“Ronin! Ronin! Ronin!”

The crowd chanted Ronin’s name with fervor. Those who had bet correctly on him stood up, holding their hands out to their companions. “Hahaha, pay up!”

Those who had lost their bets looked sour, turning their displeasure into criticism of the combatant they’d backed.

“As expected! A commoner isn’t worthy of our trust!”

Regardless of whether they were cheering for him, Ronin bowed to the surrounding crowd in thanks. Finally, led by the announcer, he came to stand before Bruno’s viewing platform.

His Majesty the King stood up, beaming.

Although he had anticipated that Ronin had a high chance of becoming champion, he hadn’t expected the young man’s performance to so greatly exceed his predictions.

“You have conquered your opponent with your flames and captured the attention of all! It is my honor to declare you the champion of today’s tournament!”

He proclaimed in a booming voice, “Furthermore, I bestow upon you the title of ’Flame Knight’! May you use your flames to burn bright and conquer all your foes, providing warmth and protection for the Oduin Kingdom!”

A Titled Knight. This was another vanity afforded to an Honorary Knight.

To show his gratitude and respect to Bruno, Ronin knelt on one knee. “For His Majesty, and for the Oduin Kingdom!”

“Hahaha!”

Bruno laughed with delight, raising a hand and shouting, “Let us cheer for the Flame Knight, Roning Wushan!”

In an instant, the Battle Arena erupted with unprecedented cheers. Even the disgruntled nobles who had lost their bets responded to the King’s call.

Amid the cheers, Bruno took the Laurel Crown from an attendant and presented it to Ronin.

“Go, my Flame Knight. Share this victory and honor with the one you deem the most beautiful person here today.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Ronin replied, accepting the Laurel Crown.

This was Ronin’s honor, a part of the victory celebration.

He scanned the crowd, and his gaze came to rest on Blanche.

It was Her Highness Princess’s birthday, she was his betrothed, and she had mentioned this tradition to him before.

Thus, Ronin didn’t need to think twice. He walked slowly until he stood before Blanche. In that moment, to her eyes, Ronin seemed to radiate a captivating light.

“Her Highness Princess, please allow me to present this Laurel Crown to you.”

“Thank you, Flame Knight. It is my honor!”

Blanche’s heart pounded and her face flushed. She leaned forward almost imperceptibly, allowing Ronin to place the Laurel Crown on her head.

Immediately, the entire arena echoed with Blanche’s name.

She had never imagined that a crowd would one day chant her name like this.

In that moment, she felt the dark cloud that had loomed over her life finally beginning to dissipate.

“Thank you, Ronin,” she whispered.

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