As soon as the whistle blew neither of us made any moves, we stood in a defensive position while we analyzed each other's fencing, looking at Edward's positioning I can tell that his fencing is much more refined than most, but still I won't lose, that's because I have knowledge of fencing and fighting styles that have been polished to a peak, since neither of us were attacking I decided to be the first to make the attack, I ran towards Edward while watching his feet trying to predict where he would move.

As I got close enough to him to be able to strike him, he moved his feet, I was able to predict the direction he was going to move and just as I had predicted he dodged to the left, but unfortunately for him I was already moving in anticipation of him dodging, easily stopping my advance, I directed my sword trying to hit Edward, within seconds a sound of wood clashing was heard as my sword and Edward's collided into each other, i could see for a moment that Edward was looking at me surprised, but I don't space for him to be able to think about what just happened, without stopping my attacks I continue delivering blows one after another trapping Edward.

"You... how can you be so skilled... don't tell me you have been lying all this time... you... you are actually the son of some noble family focused on the art of fencing aren't you... I demand that you answer me"

Said Edward speaking in a euphoric and angry manner.

(I really don't want to answer but I also don't want to cause trouble)

"I am a commoner, as you all know"

I said while looking at Edward, hearing my words Edward's face became even more angry, totally different from his usual facade.

"That's impossible... I'm being cornered by a commoner? Me of all people? the crown prince of the great country of Storne, by a simple, lowly commoner?"

Edward was mumbling something I wasn't listening to, I wasn't particularly interested in hearing what he was saying either to be honest, I feel like all this guy thinks about and himself.

"Are you done yet?"

I asked as I pointed my sword at him, hearing my words Edward slowly stood up and started walking towards me, in a second, he started running at me with his sword raised, for some reason I felt he was aiming at my neck, although it is a wooden sword it still hurts if hit, not to mention that depending on the place it can end up causing a serious injury.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

"If it wasn't for you, if you just disappeared, everything would be going as planned, you and the cause of everything I've been planning is not going well"

Edward said as he tried to strike me in every way with his sword, although I didn't really understand what he meant, I could get the gist of his words, besides, with him like this his fencing had become extremely simple and ordinary, so simple that I could defeat him with one blow, and just as I was thinking I intercepted his attack with the sword and forced him backwards with a speed boost using my hips, not expecting it Edward was thrown backwards as I disarmed him.

"I won, I said as I pointed my sword at him"

Edward was simply looking at me with incredulous eyes not believing what was happening, his face clearly showed that he had never lost a duel before, i looked over to the audience and found Emi looking at me, her face showed that she was as surprised as Edward but for totally different reasons, this was quite a rare sight as Emi usually tends to have cold expressions, as soon as she saw the look on my face she smiled, that was enough for me, I didn't need congratulations or anything.

With that I left the "Ring" and sat down on the bench waiting for the other matches to finish, looking at the other "Rings" I see several people with several different styles of fencing facing each other, but none of these styles resembled the ones I had in my past life, within minutes Eric arrived at my side with a sweaty face and a satisfied expression, although I don't know what happened I am happy to see that he is happy.

"Hey"

I said as soon as I saw Eric.

"So how was it?"

I asked as I looked at him, hearing my question Eric cracked a smile and answered me.

"I lost, last year's senpais are really something else, but thanks to that I learned a lot"

Eric said with a smile.

"That's good"

I said with a soft smile on my face.

"What about you?"

Eric asked, i just made an ok expression with my hand and Eric soon understood.

"Oh, so you won from the prince, congratulations Ren"

Eric said with a smile.

"Thank you"

I said with a smile, after that all the fighting was over and Eric and I were getting ready to leave when a voice caught our attention.

"Hey guys, you were great, especially you Ren, who knew that a peaceful face like yours could hide so much strength"

The owner of the voice was flora who was approaching with Emi by her side.

"Hahaha, thanks flora"

I said embarrassed by the compliments, after that I turned my gaze to Emi and saw that she was also looking at me, moreover her cheeks were a little flushed.

"So..."

Emi began.

"Yes?"

I said in an anxious voice.

"... My congratulations... on the victory"

Emi said as her face turned red.

"Ah... thank you... Emi"

I said with a soft smile on my face, hearing my words Emi smiled as she looked at me, that smile would surely be etched in my mind for quite some time.