22 - Breaking Expectations

"He's here."

"Raye showed up, pay up!"

"Gah! I thought he would actually run away!"

As soon as I entered the room, attention shifted to me, especially from the first-year students.

And then...

"..."

My eyes met Leon's.

He was on the other side of the room, glaring at me. I could tell he was determined to beat me up today.

Tap- tap- tap—

I ignored everyone and went to the back of the crowd, as usual.

And soon enough...

CREAK—

The doors opened once again.

This time, it was Professor Sariel who entered.

But not just him, several professors followed, and at the end of their group stood the headmaster of the academy, Bryan Blackwood.

"..."

The room went silent.

The headmaster stood tall, his gray-streaked hair swept back, accentuating sharp, discerning eyes that missed nothing.

His presence commanded respect, refined yet powerful, dressed in robes traced with silver. Even the boldest students felt his quiet strength, aware they were in the presence of one of the empire's most formidable figures.

And when he reached the front of the room...

"I'm here to witness your growth. Anyone can step forward and challenge a fellow student, regardless of class or year level. Challenges can be refused, but in the end, everyone will have to fight."

He announced that with a smile on his face.

"Oh, and you won't be judged on whether you win or lose. Instead, you'll be evaluated on your performance, opponent, and stats. So don't worry, challenge stronger students."

He added, addressing the students' fear of losing.

After that, he stepped back and took a seat alongside the other professors.

Following that...

"Hello again."

Professor Sariel stood up and spoke. He would manage this event once again.

"You heard everything you need to know from the headmaster. So, without further ado, step forward if you want to challenge someone."

The professor exclaimed.

And as soon as he finished...

Tap—

A footstep echoed throughout the room.

Tap- tap- tap—

It continued, with no hesitation in the steps.

Looking toward the source...

'Ugh... already?'

I saw Leon confidently marching toward the arena.

Everyone was looking at him. The students, the professors, even the headmaster!

"It's finally gonna happen..."

"Ugh, I know Raye is gonna lose, but I'm still excited to see the fight."

"I bet my allowance Raye won't last five moves."

The first-years started whispering.

Meanwhile...

Thump- thump- thump- thump—

My heart was racing like crazy.

Soon enough...

Tap—

Leon stepped into the arena.

'Really? No one else stepped up except him?!'

I grumbled in my head.

I could feel everyone's eyes on me, so I put on my poker face, pretending to be unfazed by the whole thing.

"Well, if it isn't Leon."

Professor Sariel muttered, approaching Leon.

"Who do you want to challenge?"

He asked him.

And without missing a beat...

"Raye Alvah."

Leon responded, pointing at me.

'Fuuuuuuckkkkk...'

*****

Tap- tap- tap—

Raye slowly made his way toward the arena.

He could hear the students murmuring as he did.

He ignored them, and soon enough...

Tap—

He stepped into the arena.

"Pick your weapons."

Professor Sariel said.

Leon went and picked a wooden sword, as usual.

'Is it a bow again?'

He wondered, looking at Raye.

The other students were thinking the same.

Though, contrary to Leon's and everyone else's expectations...

"Huh?"

Raye picked up a wooden dagger and casually made his way back to the middle of the arena.

Leon followed after him.

"Why didn't you use the bow?"

Leon asked Raye when they met in the middle.

Raye looked at him, shrugged, and replied...

"I'm better with daggers."

Leon frowned, but before he could say anything else...

"Get ready."

Professor Sariel spoke.

Immediately after, Raye walked to the end of the arena.

"..."

Leon then went to the opposite end.

After briefly looking at both of them to ensure they were ready...

"Start."

Professor Sariel announced the match!

Bam!

Leon dashed forward as soon as the fight started!

'I'll finish this quickly!'

He thought.

Then holding the wooden sword above him with both hands...

'Celestial Forge Style, Meteor Crush!'

SWOOSH—!

Leon unleashed a heavy vertical slash!

It was so fast that the students missed it.

'It's over!'

They all thought in unison.

BAM!

CRACK—

Then Leon's attack hit the ground.

"Wha..."

That's right. Despite his speed, Raye managed to avoid his strike!

The next thing Leon knew...

Fwiish—

A wooden dagger was near his face!

"Ugh...!"

Bam!

He jumped backward to avoid it.

But while in midair...

"[Wind Blast]"

Leon heard Raye's voice. Instinctively, he placed his wooden sword in front of his body...

Thwack!

And he blocked Raye's spell!

Tap—

Leon landed on the ground, looking at Raye.

He saw Raye looking back at him, calm as ever.

'How...'

Leon asked himself. He'd focused on the speed and accuracy of that strike.

His stats were several times higher than Raye's.

So he was confused...

'How was he able to dodge it...?'

Leon couldn't find an answer.

'Probably just a fluke...'

He thought Raye was just lucky.

With that, he gripped his wooden sword tighter...

Bam!

And rushed at Raye again!

'Celestial Forge Style, Tempest Breaker!'

This time, he used a technique with five consecutive attacks!

Nearing Raye...

Swiish—

Leon slashed horizontally.

Fwip—

And Raye avoided it by squatting down!

'?!'

By now, Leon was sure that Raye could somehow see through his attacks!

'So what?!'

But he continued his attack nevertheless.

Swoosh—

Leon followed with a diagonal attack, aiming at the top of Raye's head, his blind spot!

But as if he could see it...

Swoosh—

Raye swung the dagger in his right hand up.

Thwack!

And it collided with Leon's wooden sword, blocking the attack!

"!"

Leon was surprised. He was sure there was no way Raye could've seen that coming.

But as he was thinking...

"[Gust]"

SWOOOSH—

"Urgh...!"

Raye cast a spell, sending Leon flying back!

Tap—

Leon landed safely. The strong wind merely pushed him away, causing no damage.

But his mind was in shambles.

His technique, with five consecutive attacks from blind spots...

Was stopped on the second move by Raye, of all people!

'It's not like he's seeing my attacks. It's more like he knows my next move and reacts in advance. But that's impossible...'

Leon thought, looking at Raye with newfound vigilance.

Meanwhile, Raye...

'That was Celestial Forge Style, Tempest Breaker. Cool.'

...was literally doing what Leon thought was impossible!

'So, what's the next move gonna be?'

Raye thought as his lips arched into a small smile.

And well...

"..."

The students were silenced, they all thought the match would end as soon as it started.

They didn't expect Raye to be able to dodge and even block Leon's attack!

So in unison...

'Wait... is he actually a decent fighter?'

They all thought that maybe, Raye is actually stronger than what he appears to be.

Gulp-

And this just added excitement to the students who were watching.