Surprise could be seen on James's face as he walked up to the ring. He never expected to be matched against Luke this early.
Both of them stepped inside the ring, walking towards the centre. The referee looked towards them and said,
" None of you are allowed to use means that kill or cripple your opponent. Keep your power and intention in check. The judges and I won't hesitate to interfere if such a need arises."
" However, for accidents you will not be incarcerated. Speak if you understand "
" Yes we understand. " replied both of them in unison.
Standard procedure before any match started, nothing much. James looked towards Luke who smiled as he looked at him. He could feel that this match won't be easy.
They released their weapons and stood in their respective stances facing each other, waiting for the signal. Both used swords, the blades shined in the sunlight.
Many amongst the audience were viewing their ring. How could they not want to view a match with a child of the royal family participating in it. Even the king glanced at their ring.
" It seems my nephew is fighting his quarterfinals " said Emmanuel.
" Hmm, he is a strong lad. But, his opponent is no less. I didn't expect both of them to be matched so early. Shame, I thought both of them would reach the top 4 at least. Now, only walks away with that chance. "
The king thought for a moment after hearing the headmaster and spoke,
" I was expecting Luke to win this one easily as well, I still do expect him to win. But since you say his opponent is someone worthy my old friend, then I shall watch this fight. "
" Begin! " said the referee and they charged at each other.
James wanted to test Luke's capability first so he didn't use qi as clashed with him. Their swords met and they stood evenly holding ground. This surprised James as it meant Luke also had a stronger physician self compared to others.
The only reason for this that he could come up with was the bloodline power bestowed on Luke. Their swords clashed again and again rapidly, none of them using qi, trying to figure out each other's capabilities.
Seeing the stalemate James infused qi in his blade struck at Luke. Seeing this Luke returned it with his own strike infused with qi.
" Not bad, but not good enough " said Luke as they met.
" Oh yeah? Well you have seen nothing " replied James.
" Be my guest then!" replied Luke. His blade suddenly had a red aura covering it. As James looked carefully he saw that it wasn't just any aura, it was fire elemental aura covering that covered the blade.
" You must have heard that I possessed bloodline power or the royal family. Well apart from a stronger physique it grants me greater control over the laws of fire. " said Luke.
His entire body gave of a fiery aura and he charged at James.
' Not good' thought James as he saw Luke charging. He used Wind Enforcer, dodging the blow as he turned his body to his right, jumping back and let out a qi wave at his opponent.
Luke was surprised at James's sudden speed and couldn't avoid the Gale Slash. However, as it struck him on his chest, it only created a small cut. James was surprised and steadied himself, he needed to win this one no matter what, otherwise he would fail to challenge Sean the next day.
Losing the bet like that was no-no for him. Luke charged again, but James met him head on, infusing qi in his sword. The swords struck again and again as they moved at fast speeds at each other.
The audience watched with rapt attention assessing the capabilities of the two juniors showing formidable potential.
" That must be the king's nephew, Luke. No wonder he's so strong for his age " said someone from the crowd.
" No doubt about that. The other kid seems pretty good as well. " said another.
" Hmm, Luke's accomplishment aren't bad at all compared to his brothers at his age. The other child though is pretty strong to match with him even though he holds a bloodline power. " said Emmanuel as he scrutinized them.
" You are indeed correct your majesty. James is one of the finest amongst the second years. He even the Virtual Test a few months back" replied the headmaster.
" Oh! That test. I remember that one. Ah those days as a student..... we had a desert location in my year, I was stung by the Sand Scorpion to death. " said the king as he faced up closing his eyes thinking about his days in the academy.
The royal family had always sent their children to Sky Blaze Martial Academy. From the first king who established the academy to the present all have been a part of it.
In the ring James was having a tough time combating Luke. His opponent's body and the aura around him had been increasing continuously from the time he had released it.
He was also getting more and more difficult to fight against as they continued to clash. He had a foreboding that something bad was about to him.
Luke's body was riddled with scratches from the Gale Slash released by James whenever they struck. His armor was damaged and his body had a few cuts, but he stood tall and charged in continuously not seeing to be bothered by it.
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He actually smiled at his opponent instead. Fights weren't only fought physically but mentally as well. Showing an unperturbed expression to get the opponent riled up was what Luke had wanted.
Seeing Luke smile James was disturbed mentally as he felt that his attacks weren't doing much to the opponent. He knew Luke was just playing the mental game, but it still affected him a bit.
He had researched about him before the tournament. Luke was a shrewd guy was what James concluded.
James was also not in a good condition. There were burn marks on his body as he clashed with Luke. Luke's movement technique and his flame skill was also quite formidable.
He was low on qi currently and he expected the same for his opponent. The match was about to reach its conclusion.
He had been holding back on his movement technique and had only used it to show that it he was still in the early stage of Wind Enforcer. He planned it as a hidden Trump card to surprise his opponent later. In his earlier matches he had never been at a point where he had to use it, but it seems that it won't be the same in this match.
He expected Luke to release a final strike soon as he saw the raging fiery aura covering him.
" Haha brother Luke crush that commoner! Show him his place! " said a member of the small noble group.
" James beat down his ass! " shouted Gus in response. He gritted his teeth as he watched the fight.
" Not bad James, however it is time for us to finish this. You must have notice the change in the aura covering my body. It is a special bloodline ability which is known as Dragon's Fury! "
" My ancestor was a Sage realm cultivator who possessed a mutated power of a dragon. The power you see is a bloodline ability inherited by me. "
" After activating it, it stores power and this power is obtained by battling. As we battle, a violent qi is formed in my body that transfers around strengthening me. "
" After reaching a certain stage, I can will it to power my blade and release a powerful strike. You are a good cultivator James, I suggest you give up. "
" Forfeit the match and join me. I don't want you to be injured by my next attack. If you join my group then I will make sure to smoothen your martial path."
" I'm not interested. Just get on with it. " replied James as he looked at him with a clam expression.
" Fine then let me show you the difference between us. This will open your eyes and makes you realize how small you are."
" I hope you haven't bet your entire stack of gold on this match because that would be a shame. "
Luke pointed his sword towards the sky. The fiery aura around his body suddenly started moving towards his blade. The sword now looked like a powerful glowing artifact as it shone brightly.
The audience watched in anticipation with bated breath. James's parents held hands nervously as they watched the proceedings.
James looked towards his opponent, to him his opponent seemed nothing more than the arrogant Fanged Bear, too high in his mind to think and act clearly. But this only benefitted him more.
He activated Wind Enforcer and charged at his opponent.
"Come! Come to your own demise! Rage of Astia!!!! " shouted Luke as he charged and swung his sword at James. Violent qi erupted from it as it reached him. James neared his opponent and accelerated suddenly with a huge burst of speed.
The ring seemed as if it was covered in flames as the strike landed. A sound of the cemented floor cracking was heard and the ring was filled it with smoke.
The audience were glued to the ring waiting for the smoke to clear out. The king looked carefully towards the ring, a smile could be seen on his face as he turned and looked at the headmaster who smiled back.
As the smoke cleared, Luke could be seen standing pointing the sword at an empty space. In front of him, a crack line ran through the ring with wisps of flames around it.
Around his neck lay a sword in James's hand. His hand behind Luke holding the sword, the blade on the left side of his opponents neck as he stood beside Luke.
" Its over. " said James looking at him with a sharp expression. Shock filled Luke's and the audience's face as they watched the scene unfold.
" You were right old friend that kid is indeed special. To have mastered our Emerald Force's Wind Enforcer to the mid stage already and to have hidden it to surprise the opponent and us all like this, Remarkable! " exclaimed Emmanuel.
The headmaster nodded in satisfaction as looked towards the ring.
" Winner James Walter! " said the referee. His voice breaking the silence making everybody to come out of their stupor.
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Notes - Hey all m back^^ sorry I am 3 days late :( after my exams I just didn't feel like writing and couldn't write (T T) m sorry. Here is the chapter, just finished it so if u see any mistakes do comment and tell. Btw the novel crossed 800 average views and over 100 followers yay! :) thank you all for your constant support to the novel. Enjoy!