The dignified master of the "Golden Exchange", the wealthiest merchant association in Darto, exudes an aura of refined authority. Draped in rich, flowing gold robes adorned with intricate jewellery, his countenance reflects cunning wisdom and experience, marked by a well-groomed brown beard and a piercing gaze that commands respect.
In the lounge, he sips his wine as he witnesses the battle between Nelson and Loi. Several powerful warriors stand guard around him.
His mere presence decides people's fate, he is but one of the ten monsters that oversees the balance of power, Master Vinch Castor.
"Interesting...where did that power come from?" Vinch mumbles to himself. Prior investigation yields basic information that answers nothing despite the Golden Exchange information branch's notable accuracy.
"A sleeping monster? Or a lazy monster?"
To hide one's power so well is admirable. Or was it perhaps motivation from Aiden's situation that forced Loi to blossom? It doesn't matter to Vinch. Loi is a once-in-a-century treasure.
As a fiancee to Prince Julius, Mina Yvelle essentially belongs to the royal family, a neutral party in the spectrum of power in Darto, and is out of reach.
Vinch places his wine down and waves his hand. A platinum coin materialises from thin air. A shadow spikes from underneath the couch and takes the coin. "With immediate effect, raise Loi Krist's priority to the highest," Vinch says.
The shadow retreats into the dark.
"The balance of power will tip soon. The one that brings Loi Krist to their side may be the true ruler of the land in the future."
Anyone honoured enough to be the highest priority of Golden Exchange will receive top treatment and discounts from any deals. However, it also meant high attention from Golden Exchange's scrutiny. A double-edged edge sword.
Loi's potential does not pertain only to Vinch. Other powerhouses have considered bringing the legendary treat into their arms, although many are sceptical of Loi's future achievement. Too little Information leads to great doubt.
Take a gamble and recruit him or wait and watch yet risk losing him.
Behind the excited cheers, a psychological battle sprouts.
==================
I easily win my fourth match and move on to the finals.
Night descended, casting silvery moonlight on the scars of numerous battles. Patches of dried blood stains and tattered ground of the arena witness passages of conflict. The air is heavy with the scent of sweat and metal, while discarded scraps of weapons glint in the soft moon glow.
The echoes of valour resonate through the atmosphere as Mina and I stand opposite the arena, sword and spirit in hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen! After countless clashes and unyielding determination, we now approach the grand culmination of this epic contest—the finals! The finalists, both of unexpected origins, now stand on the verge of glory! May the moonlight guide their blades and the grand winner shall emerge triumph from this final skirmish!"
The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
*DING!*
*BOOOM!!*
Two torrents of shockwave blast both contestants. Her aura violently erupts and explodes against mine, sending several trembles as a giant fireball ignites.
!!
The contest in strength propels both of us out.
I dig my sword into the ground to stop my momentum.
"Ugh..." I groan. Her aura is stronger than mine!
Mina smiles. "Haha!! Impressive aura!" She shouts.
With one stroke of mana from her finger, several lines of runes surround her. She instantly disappears behind me.
!!
I barely duck to avoid a monstrous slash of fire that blows across the arena. I kick her away before noticing her sword is engulfed in fiery flames.
W-What is happening?! Things are moving so quickly, that I barely have time to think! The sudden spike in difficulty!!! Is she going all out?!
We exchange a few more clashes when Mina closes the distance. Every collision releases volcanic heat.
As fire discharges with every barrage assault, I find it amusing to find zero flaws within Mina's swordsmanship. One slash from above feints into a diagonal cut, I deflect it and counterattack, she steps back, spins her body and swings her blade at my neck, I duck and cut up, she jumps back and goes for another attack. The intense cycle continues from one end of the arena to the other.
"W-What is this!? This is a battle between cadets?!" The MC exclaims. "T-The scale of conflict is miles ahead of previous matches. What am I watching!?"
She mixes martial arts with swordsmanship, something inexperienced people cannot execute.
I purposely go for a large swing, revealing an opening. Mina caught on and thrust her feet forward.
!
*BAM!*
I was forced to guard and was thrown back a few distances.
"Amazing! You are better than I expected!" Mina says. "You don't fight like a teenager would."
What...does she mean by that?
Her smile grows wider. "If so, should I hold less back?"
"Huh?" I gasps.
"Hm? You don't think I unleashed everything, right? I bet you are still hiding some trump cards yourself."
...
It doesn't feel like I'm fighting a seventeen-year-old girl.
I gulp.
Her demeanour reminds me of valiant commanders on the battlefield. A domineering vanguard.
Magic circles appear on her hands and feet, turning them into molten limbs. The tip of her hair combusts into flames, some strands turn red.
She brandishes her sword and steps closer, leaving a path of fire and fear.
Mina leaps towards me with a frightening momentum. When her feet touch the ground, using it as a pivot, she swings her weapon, carving a circular ring of flame. My flexibility saved me by the skin of my teeth as my body bends back. I escape her grasp by flipping back but she shows no signs of mercy, not giving me any chance to recover. I land on the ground and parry her. She uses the momentum to spin her body into another slash. Deflect her attacks and the cycle restarts, her spins only getting faster and faster, eventually fighting the force of a fiery tornado. Minor fire cuts rain on my body, each blood flow of burning wound sealed due to extreme heat.
Damn it! She's not losing momentum, with every strike, I had to exert the same increasing force to guard her attacks, further adding kinetic energy to the momentum system.
As if toying with me before, her last hit apply enough strength to bash me to the wall.
*BOOM!*
"ARCK!" I tumble to my knees, grasping my chest. "*cough* *cough* huff huff huff..." I can feel blood running down my face.
Ugh...I can't find the right time to use my attributes or sword art. A shadow emerges before me, signalling the end of the battle.
However, she extends her hand out to me.
!!!
"This is not all right?" She says. Her face lights up with an exhilarating mix of joy and intensity, her gleaming smile capturing the thrill of satisfaction from battle.
Mina...is not arrogant or merciful; I can see it in her eyes. She genuinely enjoys this fight with excitement.
At that moment, I can't help but think.
"Crazy..."
[https://img.wattpad.com/f29c2ffc95c0aa5600de0f92a16e54fd1cef808f/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f5f654d4769554b6847414f7936673d3d2d313430363839393736392e313761323734626661393034633538303631383834333232313534312e6a7067]