"You showed up. Honestly, I figured you would turn tail and run like your father." With a neutral face, Valum spoke with no emotion. A large crowd of knights and students alike had joined to witness the match between us. Standing behind Valum were his two personal lackeys.

"You'll be the one turning tail when I am through with you." I drew my sword and held it to my side.

"A little hasty, aren't we? What's the fun in rushing a duel?"

"I didn't come to banter like an idiot. I just want to kick your ass."

"A man of few words and the spite to back it up. Let's make this interesting: if you can land one hit on me with your blade, I will call it your win. Sound fair?"

"Don't make me laugh. No, that isn't fair at all."

"Oh? Then should I set it so you'll win if you even breathe on me?"

"You don't get it, do you?"

"What?"

"I already told you. I am going to kick your ass and make you sorry for disrespecting my father. I vow to defeat you right here and now."

There is a moment of silence. The intensity of my words didn't meet any chuckles or laughs. I was serious, and the aura around me backed up my conviction. The nervous feeling from the morning had withered away. Right now, I was filled with nothing but total focus.

"Arlo, you'll be the one to signal the fight."

"Sure thing. You got this, Eckhart!" Giving a thumbs up, I smile briefly and raise my sword into stance.

Arlo stepped to the side and raised his arm in the air. Looking between us, a slight sweat dripped down his forehead. With a deep breath, he throws his fist down to signal. "Begin!" His wounds ring in my ears. I leap forward and clash my blade against his.

Sparks flicker off the blades as we pass each other. With a single step, I attack from behind. Valum reads my attack and parries, forcing my arm to be deflected. Left wide open, I shift my weight to my legs. Using the momentum of the deflection to roll to the ground. My armor was only a light chest piece with guards for my arms and legs, but I had enough speed to maneuver.

Drafting the idea of my approach against Valum, who is much better than me at fighting, I have to think ahead of my attacks. I stand up and charge forward; seeing that he is holding back, I will use it to my advantage.

"If all you do is charge, you won't land an attack," Valum speaks as he gracefully sides steps, showing off his skill and talent for combat; he doesn't attack back just yet.

"Not giving it your all is a disrespect that I will not tolerate." Focusing, I sense an opportunity to strike with his guard so low. With a deep breath, I focus on my trump card. "Burning Flash!"

A burst of energy expands my muscles, tearing into them and stretching them beyond their limits. A flash forward, the burning runes engraved into my blade light up. A surprised Valum, eyes wide, unable to react quickly enough to my sudden speed increase. Holding the blade with both hands, I quickly slash through his defenses and catch his blade with my own. Deflecting his sword, I make an opening for myself and turn my hands with the blade to strike again. The stress and strain of using the Sword Art rips into me. The burning blood in my body gorges me with pain. Pain that I allow to fuel my mind to act even faster, hoping to end this quickly.

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"Focus Strike!" Locking onto his chest, I aim the strike on the mark. Valum takes a step back and throws his arm up. My blade slashes through his arm, spraying onto my blade; he recoils in the sudden attack and gains distance. He was lucky to defend and sacrifice his arm without losing it, as I would expect from him.

The spectators all look with shocked expressions. Who knew a first-year new guy like me would land a good strike on Valum Aris, one of the best in the Scarlet Order? Flicking the blood off my blade, I stare at the wounded Valum with no remorse.

"I'll admit, that was surprising to see. But using both of those Sword Arts must have taken a toll on your body. You may hide it, but I can tell your breathing is off. Your arms are on fire, and you want to vomit. I know that feeling. It's good to feel something like that during battle. But you didn't get the finishing blow you wanted, and I still have one good arm left to fight with. You are putting everything into this. So, I shall, too." Adjusting and stretching his good arm briefly, he holds his sword firmly.

Without many words to express, I once again charge forward. Stepping forward to strike, Valum twirls his body to evade the strike and counter afterward. He misses my neck by a few inches and tries to land a kick, but I catch it with my torso and throw him back away from me to gain distance. Resetting our positions, we promptly read our movements carefully.

"Crimson Tide, Flash Strike!" Valum channels his strength and unleashes his Sword Art. Like a flowing tide of water, he unleashes a sudden and surprising strike that I barely react quickly enough. The strike slashes through my left side, hitting and cutting open my side. I feel the blood pouring from my wounds and promptly take a sword pommel to my face. I fall over and tumble to my side. The rich taste of blood fills my mouth as my lip is busted open.

I spit out the blood and get to my feet, unfazed by my wounds. The first round of our duel concluded in a draw of wounds and fatigue. I cough a bit before taking out a tooth. A slight grin spreads across my lips.

"Now, this is a challenge, something that no one could give me." A spark of pride burns deep inside my chest.

"Is that supposed to be good?"

"Fighting a stronger opponent for me is a first Valum. I am glad I get to experience this feeling just before I take you down."

"Then come and get it. I'm right here."

"Don't need to tell me twice-"

A sudden flash from Valum's blade slashes my chest. I could not notice the use of a Sword Art by him in that instant. He was holding it back until I was the most open to strike. My armor had taken most of the blow, but the blade did slash open my chest, and small streaks of blood slipped past and hit the ground. I sink to my knee and hold myself up with my sword, trying to breathe. A violent cough exits Valum's mouth. He also used up a lot of his strength, but he is nowhere near done. He seriously is the best, isn't he?

"What is this all for Eckhart? Just surrender and spare yourself the further loss in this battle."

"You don't get it, my pride and honor to defend... My father, my flesh and blood, will not stop me until I defeat you."

"If you don't surrender, then I think it's time to finish this."

"Yeah, you are right about that..." Forcing myself to my feet, I hold my sword tightly with my hand. Taking a deep breath, I am prepared to unveil my ultimate attack to defeat Valum. He is not holding back so much anymore; he used one of his strongest Sword Art's so his strength should be near my level. Now, it's all about having the skills and talent to be the better fighter.

I walk forward and charge with my blade to the side, swinging with a heavy arc, giving him enough time to deflect. He reads the attack, blocks the attack, and redirects my sword so my side is exposed for a counterattack.

"Arlo, now!"

Arlo throws a sword directly at us. I catch it in my hand and duck low to avoid the attack. Still having momentum, I slash upward with the sword, which cuts into Valum. It didn't hit deep, but it caused the damage I wanted. I twirl the blades in my hands and strike again, which Valum defends, only to roll to his side to escape.

"That can't be a dual wielder?"

"Surprised? I figured you haven't fought many like this, so I think this is my best chance."

"Full of surprises, of course, it was something else..."