Chapter 16: FRIENDLY CONTEST FINALE

Next fight

(Joshua vs Vondrel)

Joshua stepped on the stage with a smile. Vondrel came out from the healers hall and stepped on the stage with a somber expression.

He gave an heavy sigh, his body relaxing a bit after finding out that Rina was in good condition.

"Who do we have here, isn't it Vondrel the upcoming sword master" Joshua exclaimed sarcastically.

Vondrel continued staring into space without responding to his taunt.

"Oh...can you see that? The mighty Vondrel became dumb." he laughed out loud

(Fight)

Vondrel gripped his blades tightly while staring forward at Joshua.

' i should be cautious this time' He thought

I see, no words needed" Joshua sighed. "Let's end this then, i'm also tired already"

He released his aura and gripped his blade, without further, he slashed forward, immediately vondrel's blade emitted a faint glow, he also slashed forward. Their attacks collided and cancelled out each other.

Joshua ran forward while slashing multiple times, wind slashes after wind slashes came out while he followed behind.

Vondrel stood firm, then lowered his blades and when the wind slashes reached him, he swung his blades and took out every wind slash precisely, he immediately jumped back and avoided a downward slash from Joshua's blade.

He sent a kick out mid-air and aimed to hit Joshua on his cheek, but Joshua was quick enough to avoid the kick. Vondrel spin mid air and swung his other foot, it hit Joshua squarely on his tummy pushing him back.

Joshua stared at Vondrel for a second before his aura exploded and ten blades rushed at Vondrel, they didn't stop there as more and more slashes shot after him.

With unwavering resolve, Vondrel deftly parried each incoming attack, his feet moving with the fluidity of a dance. He skillfully sidestepped some blows, while others he neutralized with precision strikes from his blades, canceling them out with masterful technique.

It was like watching a skilled swordman against multiple arrows. Then suddenly he made is hands come together and slashed diagonally, a thick line came out and shot toward Joshua who raised his sword on time to deflect the attack but was pushed back by the impact.

Joshua descended upon Vondrel like a hawk, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. His movements were a blur, a testament to his mastery of the blade. Vondrel, anticipating the ferocity of Joshua's attack, stood firm, his feet shoulder-width apart and his blades at the ready.

His strike came in high and fast, a powerful slash aimed at Vondrel's shoulder. Vondrel raised his blade to meet the attack, their swords clashing in a shower of sparks. Joshua quickly recovered, his movements a fluid dance as he struck from unexpected angles. Vondrel deftly sidestepped each blow, his blades weaving a complex pattern of defense.

Joshua's skills were on full display as he unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one aimed at a different weak point in Vondrel's defense. But Vondrel was no stranger to the art of combat, and with precision and skill, he parried each blow. He deflected a low strike with the flat of his blade, then countered with a swift riposte that forced Joshua to leap back.

Undeterred, Joshua pressed the attack, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Vondrel countered each strike with ease, his movements economical and precise. He spun to avoid a swift kick aimed at his chest, then raised his blade to meet a powerful slash aimed at his head.

The two combatants clashed and separated, their breathing heavy, their eyes locked in a fierce stare. Joshua's face was set in a fierce grimace, his muscles tensed for the next attack. Vondrel's expression remained calm and focused, his blades poised to meet the next blow.

As the battle raged on, Joshua's mastery of the blade became increasingly apparent. His strikes were precise and calculated, each one aimed at a specific weak point in Vondrel's defense. But Vondrel refused to yield, his precision and footwork allowing him to stay one step ahead of Joshua's attacks.

Despite Joshua's skill, Vondrel's determination and focus allowed him to hold his ground. He deflected each blow with precision, his blades moving in a blur of motion. The crowd watched in awe as the two combatants clashed, their movements a testament to their skill and training.

Amidst the clash, vondrel thoughts were all over the place.

' what's going on, why is my body reacting as if I had gone through this before, it's as if I have been forged with skills but ....but I couldn't do it to this extent at the clan without my ATP.'

-- Your body isn't ordinary, don't hold back, I'll aid your body so you can bring the skill in you out to a normal level. You sure don't want the supervisors to have eyes on you.--

The voice in the kyokai said.

As the battle raged on, Vondrel began to adapt to Joshua's mastery of the blade. He studied his opponent's movements, searching for an opening to turn the tables. Joshua's ferocity and precision had pushed Vondrel to his limits, but he refused to yield.

With a sudden burst of speed, Vondrel closed the distance between them, his blades flashing in the light. Joshua, caught off guard, stumbled backward as Vondrel unleashed a flurry of strikes. For the first time in the battle, Joshua found himself on the defensive, his movements becoming more erratic.

Vondrel sensed his chance and pressed the attack, his blades weaving a complex pattern of strikes. Joshua parried each blow, but Vondrel's precision and footwork allowed him to stay one step ahead. He feinted to the left, then struck to the right, catching Joshua off balance.

Joshua stumbled, his sword faltering, and Vondrel seized the opening. With a swift and decisive strike, he knocked Joshua's sword from his hand, sending it clattering to the ground. The crowd gasped in shock as Joshua stood defenseless, his eyes wide with surprise.

Vondrel approached him, his blades poised for the final blow. But instead of striking, he offered Joshua a nod of respect. "You are a worthy opponent," he said, his voice filled with admiration. "But in the end, precision and strategy triumph over brute force."

"You are skillful I must admit, but underestimating your opponent can cause your death."

With that, Vondrel ended the battle, his arm raised in victory. The crowd erupted in cheers, acknowledging Vondrel's mastery of the blade. Joshua, meanwhile, approached Vondrel, a smile on his face. "You won this battle," he said, "but I will return, and next time, only one of us will walk away."

Vondrel smiled, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "I look forward to it," he said, his voice filled with respect for his opponent. And with that, the two warriors parted ways, their mutual respect and admiration for each other's skills clear for all to see.

(Vondrel win)

*Ding*

Initializing...

A screen popped up in Vondrel's sight, making him feel a little disoriented and it immediately vanished.

"What was that?" he thought to himself before stepping down the stage.

............

'I didn't know there was someone like this in this academy, I suspect that there more to him.' Miss Abby the supervisor that shunned the male instructor thought to herself.

' I need to keep my eyes on him ' a slight smile could be seen at the corner of her mouth

...........

Next the screen displayed

(Ruby Roger vs Vondrel Brightvale)

We'll take five mins break before proceeding to the final battle.

................

"Wow man.... you really pulled all that off most especially those scary stunts back there" Samuel exclaimed with a smile.

"Hmm, i'm having a feeling that this last match will be bloody." Vondrel said with a low voice.

"Isn't it bloody already?" Timmy answered with a raised eyebrow

"I mean someone spat out blood, making you almost peed you pant " he added which made everyone laughed

"I've an intuition that it's going to be more messier than before." Noah said while wearing a serious look

"Just be careful out there and don't push yourself too hard. Forfeit if you can't go on anymore. "Samuel said worriedly.

"Thanks for caring, but i've gone too far to think of forfeiting now " Vondrel replied

"That's the spirit, even I wouldn't want you to forfeit, but still, don't push yourself too hard. It's not as if there is one big price for this, even if there is, your life is more important to us." James chimmed in.

They all look at him with look of worry.

.................

It is time for the last battle, the two contestants name was still being displayed.

(Vondrel vs Ruby)

A chubby girl with a fair complexion with little muscles and a low cut, stepped on the stage while waiting for her opponent to come over. Vondrel stepped on the stage with a nervous look, he couldn't stop his nausea feeling.

'why am I having this nauseating feeling?' he wondered

(Fight)

"Common boy, let's get this over with." Ruby said, a large smile got plastered on her face as she added "Before that, i'm giving you the opportunity to forfeit now because when we start, I'll make sure you pass out with pains all over " she declared while gripping an heavy club.

Vondrel gupled seeing the club, but he didn't waver or reply.

' I wonder how the man who ends up with her will cope.' he shook his head in pity

"Very well then, don't blame me for breaking your frail bones." she smirked, thinking him shaking his head was a rejection to her offer.

She raised the club that is as big as Vondrel with a single hand, then she swung it downward on the arena.

'Boom'

The stage blasted to smirthreen due to the impact, the shockwave spreading across the arena, Vondrel immediatey ran from his position.

A huge crack appeared where he stood previously.

'Gulp'

Vondrel gulped seeing the huge crack, he shifted his gaze to stare at the person who was responsible for the crack, but he couldn't find anyone.

'Bang!

He was sent flying to the side, a cracking sound resounded around the arena

'Thud'

He landed on the stage with a loud thudding sound, blood poured from his mouth, he whimpered and gasped for breath. He could feel pain shooting through his body, telling him some of his rib cages has fractured.

'Blergh'

He spat more blood and struggled to stand up while gritting his teeth. He felt a kick by his side when he managed to get his footing.

"Ahh" a stiffled scream came out of his mouth. He screamed in pain because he was hit at the exact place where his bones were fractured, making the bones pierce his flesh.

Before he knew it, a hand raised him to his feet and a heavy punch landed squarely on his mid region.

"Blergh"

He vomited blood on Ruby's face, his blades were lying on the floor after the second hit.

"How dare you spit thrash on me, you useless container full of waste!!!" she shouted angrily.

'Bang!

Another punch landed on his mid-region, making him spit more blood, she raised him and hurled him forward. He crashed limply on the arena.

He groaned with tears in the corner of his eyes.

The wind had been cruelly knocked out of him. while rolling on the floor he caught a glimpse of his blades not too far from him. He summoned little strength and began to crawl toward them.

'Whack'

He was whacked away from the blades and then Ruby moved toward him and picked him off the floor before pummelling him with punches. She dropped him on the floor, he looked unrecognizable .....some of his teeth haven fallen off.

'Bang!

He felt a kick and was hurled backward, he crashed on the blades and separated them due to his momentum. His almost blocked eye could see one of the blades not too far from him, he reached out to it and tried to stand up with determination.

"What are you doing, just lose consciousness already!" Ruby shouted with frustration "do you want me to turn you into a meat paste before you either forfeit or lose consciousness?."

Vondrel stood up not caring about her words, he gripped the blade strongly with his weak hand, and he could see the other blade lying on the floor by her side.

"Hey kid why.....WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU?" The blade shouted loudly

Vondrel groaned and placed one hand on his head due to the loud noise in his head and the weakness he is feeling.

-You have suffered kid, try to get my other piece, and let's deal with this bitch--

Immediately he experienced an adrenaline rush

'Swoosh

Vondrel moved with speed and slashed multiple times at Precious, it was a weak slash, so she just brushed them off not knowing it was a distraction. A larger and stronger slash came out and hit her on her hand, it caused a deep cut, she groaned angrily and tried to locate Vondrel who already changed position.

She couldn't locate him, suddenly she felt a sharp pain in her back. A long cross-shaped wound appeared on her back while a kick landed on her side. It was a strong kick, but not strong enough to send her flying, she staggered. Standing in her previous position was Vondrel with his dual blades and a very sharp aura surrounding him.

"How dare you hurt me? I will make sure you are not able to stand on your feet again!." she screamed angrily.

'Boom!

Her aura burst out and crashed on Vondrel, trying to push him back, but the sharp aura surrounding him cut everything that came across him.

In a bizarre and ominous turn of events, Ruby's body began to undergo a sudden and terrifying transformation. She started to grow at an alarming rate, her muscles bulging as she doubled in size. Her eyes took on a feral glow, and a menacing growl rumbled deep within her throat. As she loomed over Vondrel, her gaze burned with a murderous intensity, though his face was obscured by a mask of blood, hiding his expression from her sight.

Ruby's massive frame towered over Vondrel, her presence radiating an aura of primal fury. Her growls grew louder, echoing through the air as she bared her teeth, ready to strike. Vondrel, still reeling from their previous battle, seemed frozen in place, his vision obscured by the blood streaming down his face. The air was electric with tension as Ruby's transformation reached its peak, her gaze fixed on Vondrel with an unblinking, savage fury.

She charged forward at Vondrel while sending her fist forward, where she stood blasted apart. Her fist tore through the air, but on getting to where her opponent was, there was no one there.

She immediately felt pains in her two legs, she swung her hands backward immediately, but her swimming g generated winds that pushed Vondrel back. They both stood and started inspecting themselves.

"She's too fast, big, and strong...all I have to do is to be faster, precise, and target her legs to weaken her." Vondrel thought to himself.

But he wasn't given the chance to.

With a deafening roar, Ruby unleashed her fury upon Vondrel, her massive frame barreling towards him with unstoppable force. The ground trembled beneath her feet as she charged, her claws swiping wildly through the air. Vondrel, still reeling from their previous battle, struggled to defend himself against the sudden onslaught.

The arena erupted into chaos as Ruby's attack sent debris flying in all directions. The wooden beams cracked and splintered, the stone floor shattering beneath her feet. Vondrel dodged and weaved, his movements a blur as he desperately sought to avoid Ruby's deadly claws.

Despite his agility, Vondrel couldn't avoid the full force of Ruby's assault. She struck him with a blow that sent him crashing through the arena's walls, the wooden planks shattering like matchsticks. Vondrel tumbled through the air, his body battered and bruised, as Ruby's rampage continued unchecked.

The arena was consumed by destruction, the once-proud structure now reduced to a smoldering ruin. Ruby's fury seemed boundless, her growls echoing through the wreckage as she tore through the rubble, searching for Vondrel.

But Vondrel had managed to escape the devastation, his body battered but his spirit unbroken. He stumbled through the wreckage, his eyes fixed on Ruby as she continued her rampage. With a fierce determination, he knew he had to end this battle once and for all.

He dashed forward and joined his two arms upward, he swung them downward directly at Ruby. Who raised her hand expectantly for an impact.

A long white line came out of the blades and struck her, digging deep into her skin.

"Ahhhhhhh....you bastard," she screamed

'slash' 'slash' 'slash'.....

Multiple slashes came from every angle, digging deep into her legs, hands, and body. She continued to swing her hands aimlessly and widely, just to whack the annoying fly that is pestering her.

Anger keeps building up in her while the barrage continued until a loud scream resounded and a large explosion occurred.

"Boom!

Ruby slammed her feet on the stage heavily and the shockwave from the explosion pushed him back. Everything became silent, the stage cleared and what came into everyone's view was a huge human covered in blood underneath the human was a small pool of blood, and more blood keeps dripping out of the huge figure.

As Ruby paused, her chest heaving with exhaustion, Vondrel saw his chance.

"Let's end this now before I puke out blood due to nausea." Vondrel said while sweat was dripping from his bloodied face.

"Roar" Ruby roared at the same time charging at him, she swung her fist while jumping in the air. Her hands burged until a popping sound resounded.

A white light flashed and a gashing hole popped on her shoulder. Her fist collided with her target.

"Boom!

The stage blasted apart, but unfortunately, her target was missing from his previous position. A huge pillar of slash fell on her hands, slicing it off as if it was cutting through the butter.

"Swoosh

Vondrel built his momentum before blasting forward with all his might and swung his blades against his opponent, the blades vibrated intensely with power ready to cut its opponent to pieces.

At the last second, he changed the trajectory of his attack and instead hit his opponent hard at the back of her head with the hilt of the blade.

"Bam"!

The hilt of the blades collided with their target.

'Thud '

A loud thud was heard as Ruby fell limply on the destroyed arena face flat. Standing over her was Vondrel breathing heavily.

( Vondrel wins the contest, he's hereby declared the winner of the friendly weapon contest)

After the hologram displayed that and the declaration was made, all the strength in him left him. The adrenaline rush in him died down, the pains he had ignored all came rushing back even more than before, and his legs felt wobbly, he fell and fainted.