Showdown: Confrontation

Aizen once again opened the first match in the quarterfinal round. His appearance in the arena amazed the audience, especially with the new weapon in his right hand.

The Dragon Breath was striking in red and intricately decorated with carvings of dragons and other mythical creatures. It harmonized with Aizen's dark-skinned appearance but didn't go well with his white hair and blue eyes.

Aizen's opponent this time was a student from the Class 1 Knight Division. Although not a descendant of a prestigious knight family like Lenheart, the student was quite strong.

However, Aizen didn't intend to remain silent like before. This time, he decided to take the initiative.

He stood in a ready position, with his left foot slightly wider and in front of his shoulder and his knee slightly bent. He had Dragon Breath in his right hand, held in a spear-like grip. His left arm was extended forward, and the spear was pointed directly in front of him.

Many spectators were surprised by Aizen's attitude, which was much different from the previous match as he was preparing to attack first.

"First technique? Well, hopefully, your student has the ability to fight back, Sir Greystone." Ainkrad said to Landon, who was beside him. Seeing Aizen in that stance, he knew that his student wasn't playing and wanted to finish the match immediately.

If he didn't or hadn't witnessed Aizen's fight with Abigail, then he would have doubts if Aizen would win against the student from Class 1. But now, he wasn't as worried as he used to be. Even though there was 20 kg of ballast, the current Aizen was much different and stronger, especially with a real spear instead of a wooden weapon.

He knew that the only ones who could go head-to-head with Aizen would be the Knight rank. It was no longer at the Apprentice Knight level.

So, if Landon's apprentice didn't have the strength or potential to reach Knight rank, then Aizen's victory was in the bag.

And sure enough, when Aizen released his fourth breath because his opponent hesitated whether to advance or not, the match was over in the blink of an eye.

The audience was once again amazed and confused, unable to follow the match in real-time. Aizen was finally declared the winner after a few seconds after the Class 1 student, who became his opponent, fell.

Aizen's attacks were fast and powerful, with double the thrusting force because he used two hands to attack. His opponent was unable to react and parry the successive attacks and had to suffer, having his skin and flesh ripped in several places by the spear strike.

Luckily, the healing mage rushed to stop the bleeding, though the injuries weren't fatal.

This time, Aizen's image was engraved in the heads of all the First Year, Second Year, and Third Year students as the number one knight candidate in the new generation.

Even the prestigious knight families couldn't stop smiling, praising Aizen's abilities. Which they thought were appropriate for a stage bigger than Raven Academy's school orientation period.

The grand event of the inter-school competition for the Knight Division. The Azure Inter-School Battlefield!

It was an official event held by several enormous and wealthy nations to become a scouting ground for new talents in the Azure Realm. All unconventional schools would be invited based on their quota and prestige. Not only among human beings but also various nations from other creatures. It was held at the end of the year in winter every year.

They were sure Aizen would raise the name of the Aslan Empire and Raven Academy in the knight's faction.

Even though there were families whose descendants lost in the competition festival, they were still relieved to see a student like Aizen emerge as a knight student.

To them, if someone had talent and quick wits, surpassing that of other students, it was worth celebrating because it meant the rise of the knight.

Well, although the real test was after that. The knight against the mage was the highlight of the event.

However, an unexpected incident occurred. Aizen never thought in his wild dreams that he would see the image he carved so deeply in his previous life.

Spectre tattoo!

Aizen only remembered the image of a flag in an empty factory. At that time, he came with Raijin and tried to raid the arms dealer. But as it turned out, no one was left in that place, and they had no clue where to look. Even that place didn't have anything that could indicate what the Brotherhood of Specters was.

There was only a white flag with a black painting of a supernatural being, Spectre. The creature had eyes and no mouth. It wore a large robe without covering the head, and both hands had shadow daggers. It had no legs and hovered above the ground. Its back has many black tentacles like big fingers ready to pounce on its prey.

Aizen initially returned from the arena to his seat in the Class 3 Knight Division's section. But his attention was immediately diverted when he saw a tattoo with an image he was familiar with. The tattoo was on the left arm of a man who looked like a servant.

Aizen was able to see that because the man accidentally collided with another spectator and accidentally flipped his left sleeve revealing the tattoo.

Even though it was a bit far and small, he didn't see the picture wrongly. He immediately straightened up, startling Ayduin and the other students.

"What's wrong with you? Standing up all of a sudden like that startled me." Ayduin said.

"I am withdrawing from this competition festival. Make my words clear to Sir Ainkrad. If you are in trouble, just say I ran away. The rest need not be complicated."

Aizen said while clenching his fists. His eyes were still fixed on the mysterious man, who slowly started to walk out of the venue. He then grabbed Dragon Breath and moved, following the man. However, Ayduin swiftly embraced him by the waist, holding him back.

"Are you crazy? How can you say something like that suddenly like this? The instructor won't be happy if you forfeit and leave for no apparent reason. Better change your mind now."

"Ayduin is right. It's better to think about it carefully. Moments like this are rare, and you shouldn't retreat for no apparent reason."

"That's right. You must win this competition. So, why the need to withdraw? Is there a more important matter than this?"

Ayduin and the other students try to persuade Aizen to stay. They didn't understand Aizen's reason for leaving and thought that it was the wrong decision.

But Aizen didn't flinch. He turned and looked at Ayduin and the other students.

"You guys and this event are trivial matters, even Sir Ainkrad. If there's any trouble, tell those who ask that I'll bear the risk later. Whatever punishment is meted out to me, or the worst case scenario is me getting kicked out of school, I'm ready."

Aizen said in a solemn tone and a flat expression filled with hatred. He didn't care about anything else because this moment was extremely rare. He didn't expect to see that image again in the form of a tattoo on a human body.

Ayduin and the students swallowed their saliva, sweating at Aizen's overly serious voice and words. They just trembled in fear and leaned their bodies backward. Because, at that time, Aizen's killing intent emanated from his body in a small circle.

Aizen then left with Dragon Breath as one who was about to fight for life and death. He hurriedly followed the man to the exit hall.

Even when he got outside the Raven Academy's school grounds, he didn't lose sight of the man in the slightest. Until they finally came to the end of a dead-end alley.

The place was away from the crowds, and Aizen also had no intention of sneaking along. Even if someone else with the tattoo was aware of his presence, he could act like he was got the wrong person.

But now, he was alone with the man without anyone else approaching. His nose and ears did not feel any movement from living things around that place.

"Brat, you are following me too obviously. How can I pretend not to notice?" The man said. He was a servant of an aristocrat who was invited to the Raven Academy along with Viscount Joe's flock. His name was Rashagul.

Rashagul then smiled slyly and folded the left sleeve of his shirt. "Does this tattoo make you interested in me?"

Aizen was surprised. He had not expected Rashagul to get straight to the point. "I don't think I was wrong. You must be a member of the Brotherhood of Spectre."

Rashagul stuck out his tongue and licked his lips. He spread his arms while saying, "Am I, yes. Hehehe."

Aizen was surprised Rashagul admitted that so easily and thought where such confidence came from. In the next moment, the look on his face turned grave. "I need you to tell me everything about the arms dealer, even if I have to sever all your limbs!"

"Try me," Rashagul replied with a gleeful smile.