『A Fight For Strength』

"Hmm...? My little brother did~?"

"Yes, it seems he is challenging the guy you mentioned that other time, president." The girl bowed, as she went on her way.

"Hah... It seems I have to go... really, I want to sleep~" The lethargic woman sighed, standing up.

As she jumped outside from her bedroom balcony, she began to float—it appears that she could fly. Apparently, If one learned the arts, they could move around in the air freely and for as long as their soul could handle it. Anyone could learn how to fly, though most see its practical uses when one reaches their 10th Star Node—when their Soul Nodes are robust enough to handle flight for long periods.

"Ever since he met that girl... he's frantically been cultivating and dueling when he can... that's good and all... but it's still trouble to deal with the aftermath~"

"Still... my little brother could make a face like that while being heavily injured... I really don't know if it was a good thing or bad thing~" She slightly smiled, as an amusing memory surfaced in her mind.

<<----------->>

"[Golden Ray]!"

As soon as Arthur announced that, light fragments began to emanate from his blade, illuminating it. That blade appeared to be capable of piercing any material—as if it could bend space itself. That's right, this was Arthur's signature move, making his sword appear as if it came from the heavens.

"One hit of that and I'm dead..." Naoki grimaced.

"Although you are protected by the Saving Grace Formation, you can still feel a little bit of pain—I am obligated to step in when I need to."

"Thank you so much, Instructor Fredia." Arthur said respectfully.

Saving Grace Formation

It was a Soul Formation that prevents one from dying anyone inside the formation—and minimizes the pain dealt by injuries. In short, it was perfect for competitions, as it lets them fight to the death without fear of killing the other person. Although, it isn't as omnipotent of a formation as one might think.

"Then, I hope you're ready—Naoki Ozawa!"

"—!"

Arthur had rushed forward, his speed was contrary to his heavy sword—it appears that he was not going to let Naoki have his way.

With Naoki's [Discerning Eyes] unlocking its second node from the recently vanquished Silver Monarch, he could tell that all it takes was one swing from Arthur and he would immediately lose. His sword was at least the power of an 8th star node practitioner—though it seems he can't unleash its true potential with his current cultivation.

*Boom*

"—that was close...!" Naoki panicked, he had immediately evaded to the side.

"It appears that your strength is not baseless as I had thought, very well."

"Heh, we'll see how long you can keep that regal talk for." As Naoki said that, he disappeared.

"Hmm...?"

Suddenly a wave of silence befell the arena, with Naoki nowhere in sight.

"Hey, did you see that!? Where did the commoner go?"

"Did he perhaps get scared and fled?"

"Hmph! It seems that he couldn't win fairly and decided to save his shame from suffering a crushing defeat."

"..."

"Hmm... that kid's got good control." The instructor silently praised.

Despite the protests, the audience still watched the center in great focus—as it seems that Naoki's opponent was doing the same. Arthur scanned his surroundings, checking even the tiniest trace of his soul—his sword prepared.

"Here!"

"Wrong."

Naoki appeared behind him, his close palm connected with Arthur's back.

"Wha—!"

Arthur was pushed back and almost lost his balance—briefly breaking his composure. It appears that as he cleaved his sword from behind him, Naoki appeared from the shadows—hitting him with all his might.

"Haha, it seems I've gravely underestimated you..."

"But... I can't afford to lose!" Arthur declared, his body glowing in immense bright light.

"Look! Arthur-sama is using [Supernova]!"

"This time, he's done for—he can't hide now that he has nowhere to go."

"..."

Naoki nodded, closing his eyes. As the audience surmised, it seems he can't escape that—as leaving the arena would result in a loss. He only had one option left, and if it fails—he will be defeated.

"Like I'll let you!" Naoki threw the Sacrificial Dagger at him—as it emanated a sinister aura.

"Mph!?"

*Shatter*

*Shatter*

*Shatter*

One by one his Soul Armor's barrier broke—though it seems it wasn't enough, the last 4th Soul Armor's barrier seems to be still intact. And athough it was Arthur's last layer of protection, it was his sturdiest one—as he is able to guard himself against a practitioner who was one-star node stronger than him.

"[Supernova]!" He exclaimed, a huge ray of light rushed at Naoki—seemingly trying to obliterate his existence.

"Haha, it seems it's still too early for me huh...?" Naoki laughed, seemingly at peace with the results.

Originally, Naoki was planning to use his dagger when he had already broken through all of Arthur's precious soul armors—though it seems that Arthur wasn't complacent, as he had decided to end things decisively. As the ray of light approached Naoki...

"That's enough~!"

"...?"

"Older sister...?"

"What just happened!? Arthur-sama's [Supernova] just disappeared in an instant!"

"It's the student council president!" The crowd cheered, as the person they all looked up to appear.

The mature silver-haired woman seems to have appeared onstage almost instantaneously—as if she was a phantom. While that was the case, everyone had recognized her—as her iconic face seems to be wearing the same old tired lackadaisical expression.

"I hope you don't mind... Instructor Fredia~?"

"It's still up to the competitors." The instructor dismissively replied.

"Okay... little brother, concede." She glared at Arthur, her expression was serious.

"That's..."

"Concede."

"Right, I concede. You have won, Naoki Ozawa." Arthur bowed, his face was unreadable.

"..."

Naoki could sense that Arthur was bothered—as his soul had slightly destabilized. Though that may be the case, he had sensed fear. It seems that angering the Student Council President would result in drastically negative consequences.

"Hah... might as well, Winner: Naoki Ozawa!" The instructor sighed as she declared that.

"Hah!? Instructor, are you just allowi—" One person protested.

"Shh! It's the student council president, don't you know? If you mess with her when she's that serious, you'll never be able to sleep—as she will haunt you even in your dreams."

"Come to think of it, Arthur-sama has been reckless lately—causing trouble from dueling some of the top 10 in our class. This is why he had dropped to the 17th place." A cynical woman analyzed.

The audience had mixed reactions, though none had dared to stop her actions—it seems that they won't survive if they do. She was both an idol figure and a person to be feared in the academy—as she was stronger than some instructors. Though that might be the case, she was also revered as someone who was very lax and informal—to the point that most of the girls in the academy have already interacted with her.

"...Well, it's good that I won—since I'll be getting more credits." Naoki said, though he still wondered why the student council president intervened.

[37th Naoki Ozawa, D-Class]

"Naoki Ozawa, was it...? I'm sorry for my idiot of a brother~" Eira apologized, though her face had reverted back to her usual demeanor.

"Ah, but I don't mind."

"This idiot brother of mine has been overdoing it in his matches you see... so it won't just end after one skill~" As she warned Naoki, the two siblings began to leave, with her dragging Arthur away.

"..."

While the formation minimized pain—it wasn't completely nullified. Arthur appears to have been merciless recently, not even allowing his foes to recover. Naoki couldn't help but wonder what had occurred to him recently to cause him to act this way.

"That pretty guy... could he be a sadistic freak...?" Naoki shivered at the thought.