Chapter 36: Victory

Besides, in this world there were countless types of strange Transcendent techniques. Just because one was brutal and bloody did not necessarily mean it was demonic.

Besides, she was a rank 2 Transcendent Priestess of the Holy Church of Dawn. How could a mere apprentice hide his demonic aura in front of her?

Putting those potentially catastrophic accusations behind her, Priestess Celestine continued watching the duel, but this time with a new hint of genuine interest.

…..

Besides Priestess Celestine, another person was watching the aftermath of the explosion with a keen interest.

That person was, of course, Kellen.

It's just that, with his strength being much weaker than Priestess Celestine's, he couldn't see inside the smoke cloud to properly make out Oswald's situation.

'Did I get him?' Wondered Kellen as he looked at the smoke cloud in front of him.

Just as Kellen was about to rejoice at his victory, he suddenly flinched.

A chilling sensation crept up his body, as deep within the cloud of smoke he could make out what seemed to be two burning green flames.

'Shit!'

Before Kellen could act, the cloud of smoke swirled as a blurry figure shot out at speeds almost untraceable for the regular man.

Oswald instantly appeared in front of Kellen as his sword, now encased in the silver glow of the Steel Knight battle aura, struck down at Kellen.

"Bang!"

A loud metallic clang resounded as Oswald's silver blade was quickly met with a golden barrier.

'Tch! Divine magic.' Frowned Oswald as he looked at the barrier now blocking his blade.

Kellen, who had just narrowly escaped this attack had a face covered in sweat as breathed a sigh of relief.

He was fortunate to have noticed something wrong just in time to deploy a defensive Divine spell just in time. But Kellen didn't just stop after this. His reputation as a genius was not unfounded, as despite just narrowly escaping a devastating blow, Kellen launched a fierce attack.

It's just unfortunate for Kellen that the person he was facing was a person whose genius matched, if not even surpassed, his own!

The second Kellen launched an attack, Oswald quickly brandished his sword, showcasing a perfect mastery of black sparrow swordsmanship.

His sword was elusive, fluttering through the air like an untameable sparrow.

With such a masterful sword technique, it was only a matter of time before Oswald made a breakthrough.

Oswald's sword swooped around Kellen's warhammer with the grace and elegance of a gliding sparrow and surged towards the man's neck.

"Bang!"

Again Oswald's attack was met with a golden barrier. And this time Kellen didn't hesitate for a second and completely ignored Oswald's offensive and sent out an attack with his warhammer.

But before Kellen could move his hammer any distance, he felt a terrifying restrictive force and was completely shocked to find Oswald grabbing the handle of his warhammer , making it unable to even move an inch.

But even with this, Kellen didn't let it stop him as his free hand shot out, sending a terrifying punch straight towards Oswald's chin!

It's just that to Kellen's horror, he found that even this attack was stopped as Oswald quickly dropped his sword to easily grab Kellen's fist.

For a few seconds, the two men remained in a stalemate as each party tried to overpower the other, but slowly Kellen's strained expression changed into one of pure horror and disbelief as he found himself being slowly overpowered and subdued before Oswald's might.

Kellen knew he couldn't remain in this situation or else his defeat would be inevitable, but just as he was about to make a move, his mind shook as his body folded in on itself.

"Boom!"

Before Kellen could react, a devastating force hit his gut as Oswald sent out a brutal kick sending the man flying across the duelling ground.

Sensing his chance, the blood in Oswald's body surged as devastating heat eradicated from his body.

In an instant, Oswald's body appeared over the fallen Kellen as giant python-like veins wrapped around his tensed arm.

Digging his feet deep into the ground, Oswald punched down with a devastating force!

Kellen desperately tried to form a barrier of divine energy, but Oswald's fist paid no respect to his desperate efforts and completely obliterated the half-formed barrier crashing straight into Kellen's chest!

"BOOM!"

A devastating explosion sounded out as the ground around the two men shook, causing a cloud of dust to surround the site of impact.

The crowd of watching onlookers held their breath as they watched such a devastating scene.

As the smoke cleared, they could see a tall, blonde-haired man standing over a miniature crater.

If one looked into the crater, they could see a completely unconscious Kellen sprawled inside.

Oswald looked at the unconscious man at his feet and breathed a sigh of relief.

The fight wasn't easy, but he had finally done it. He had defeated the paladin genius Kellen Galloway!

Completely ignoring his tattered clothes and shocked looks cast in his direction, Oswald slowly walked in front of the duel referee.

It was only once Oswald stood in front of her that she snapped out of her stupor.

"Wi-winner, Oswald Blakewell!!"

Now that Oswald had won the duel, he still needed to keep up with tradition.

Taking the handkerchief from the referee, Oswald slowly walked towards Priestess Celestine as his calm green eyes looked directly at her.