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Swisshh!! Swisshhh!!

The sound of air being sliced could be heard, as the huge blade danced relentlessly in the air. Orycon swung that heavy-looking sword with ease, as if it was as light as a feather.

Emery didn't have the time to appreciate the extraordinary prowess of the other party, as he could see another swing was already heading towards him.

He immediately shifted his body to the side to dodge the sword, as he didn't have enough time to cast [Blink]. A droplet of sweat unknowingly rolled down his forehead when he saw the sword sweep past him.

Immediately after, he cast [Blink] and appeared a distance away. However, Orycon seemed to have expected this as he immediately gave chase to him and swung his sword once again.

Emery gritted his teeth and spun his body to dodge the diagonal slash aimed at his shoulder, using the maximum acceleration his body could exert. Afterward, he used [Blink] behind Orycon and tried to retaliate, only to be nullified by the other party.

This sequence of actions went on for some time, where Emery dodged Orycon's attacks with his speed and [Blink], while also continuously trying to attack the latter.

In fact, the huge acolyte was not only stronger or faster than he looked. If one were to pay close attention to him, they would realize there was no waste in his every move and action: everything he did was concise and to the point, making his approach efficient beyond belief.

When Emery managed to move five steps away, the man would proceed to catch on within three steps.

Emery cast another [Blink] after turning his body to the side to avoid Orycon's thrust. This time, he chose to appear a lot further away to give him some leeway to catch his breath.

This kind of continuous, fast-paced fight where he was overwhelmed was a little too much for Emery to take. He badly needed a moment of respite.

Currently, Orycon was fifty meters away from Emery and should be unable to attack the latter. But it was clear the distance between them didn't affect him, as he smashed his broadsword to the ground and Emery could see a bolt of lightning charging toward him while tearing the ground deep in the process.

It was fast, but still manageable for Emery, as he quickly moved out of the way. But even though he managed to dodge it, the residual sparks managed to make their way to him. He could feel the numbness sensation as the attack hit him.

[Nature Blessing]

Emery quickly cast the spell. It took him a few seconds to push the lightning out of his body, which proved how fearsome it was. On the other hand, Orycon stood motionless where he was, seemingly having no intention to chase after Emery again.

He then suddenly opened his mouth.

"I have shown you some examples of my [Nine Thunder Sword Skill]. If you're still planning to keep running, you'd better give up right now!"

Emery was silent. He took a deep breath after he finally expelled all the lightning energy coursing the energy and began to think.

The man was faster and stronger than him. In addition, his swordsmanship was superb. Emery reckoned the only way for him to be able to overpower the other party was to use his third stage of [Fey Transformation]: the shaman form.

The boost the shaman form provided should give him enough battle power to match Orycon's heavy swing as well as increase his [Blink] spell casting speed. The additional magic resistance would certainly be very helpful in resisting the other party's lightning.

However, Emery decided to take out his [Moon Dagger] instead.

What Emery did quickly made Orycon laugh. "Alright... If that's what you wish!"

Orycon tightened his grip on his sword and dashed towards Emery brandishing it. On the other hand, Emery unexpectedly chose to do the same.

Everyone watched with bated breath as the two battling figures swiftly approached each other and finally clashed.

Clankkk!!! Clankl!!!

Quickly, it became the same story all over again with Emery being pushed to and fro, forced into defense by Orycon's storm-like attacks. The other acolytes who saw this started to sneer at Emery, mocking him for being so arrogant and thinking that he could beat Orycon in his preferred game.

If Emery could hear what these people were thinking, he would definitely just shake his head in response. Sure, he could definitely give Orycon a run for his money if he utilized his trump cards. But is it worth it?

For him, there was no need to do so - exposing his real strength that is. There was no real benefit for himself to win the fight using shaman form. This was just practice, after all.

Even so, Emery planned to use this opportunity to improve himself even further. It was an opportunity to use Orycon as a grindstone for his own swordsmanship, polishing his still imperfect Dao divine sword techniques.

Clank!! Clankk!!!

By now, he understood that using continuous [Blink] to escape Orycon's attack wouldn't be enough. He had to control the flow of the battle.

Orycon was stronger and faster, hence he bravely attempted to carry out his very bold and near-insane idea. With the Dao focused on the balance, Emery tried to neutralize the former's heavy attacks with soft parry, while negating his speed with slower pace.

Swwiishhh!! Swiisshh!! Splaattt!!!

Blood splattered from Emery's chest as he miscalculated Orycon's moves, causing the latter to successfully land a hit.

Seeing that, Orycon shouted in disbelief. "What are you doing?! Do you wish to die?!"

He couldn't imagine what Emery was trying to do and he didn't want to accidentally kill him for a stupid reason like this. However, the sparr still continues with Emery's weird techniques.

Clank!! Clank!!

The other acolytes, even Thrax, started to panic. "Since when did he become so suicidal?"

Clankk!! Clankk!!!

Emery ignored the growing noises around him as he focused his entire concentration on what he was trying to do. He knew there were no shortcuts to perfect his skill, so he gave his best to test his understanding of the Dao Divine and further improve it.

Clank!! Clankk!!

Slowly but surely, what Emery was trying to do unwittingly changed the pace of the battle.

"What sword technique is this!"

Orycon also seemed to be aware of what his opponent was trying to do. His face gradually turned serious when he realized whatever Emery did was extraordinary.

Gradually the huge acolyte felt his heavy swing were absorbed by Emery's sword as if hitting mud instead of a sword and Emery gradually discovered he could predict the amount of strength Orycon used for each swing of his sword.

In trance, he proceeded to parry one of them with just enough strength to tilt the blade.

Then, he immediately released the control he had and utilized his as well as Orycon's force in a seemingly inexplicable way, sending the sword back to its user.

Spalllttt!!!

Orycon's sword was flung away by Emery's action and caused the former to receive a wound. This time, it was Orycon who got to bleed.

Unexpectedly, the huge acolyte laughed. "Hahaha!! Amazing!"

The two, or rather, Orycon immediately resumed the clash. They drew close to each other and traded dozens of attacks against each other. The exchange between the two individuals was fierce and intense.

As time passed on, Emery couldn't help but be amazed by his opponent. Orycon really deserved to be called a genius in the art of sword. It didn't take long for the man to start changing and modifying his moves to counter his attacks.

Emery couldn't lie: although tiring, he really enjoyed this fight. He received a few cuts here and there as a consequence of his choice, but he did manage to repeat what he had done earlier.

There was only one thing Emery had yet to achieve. He still couldn't understand how exactly Orcyon moved, how he could easily dodge and close in on him with a few simple-looking steps.

Unfortunately, he wasn't given the chance to dig further as Grand Magus Silas suddenly shouted.

"That's enough! We don't have all day!"

The two people who were fighting immediately stopped their steps. They were both gasping for air, but everyone could see the satisfied smiles on both of their faces.

Orycon approached Emery and extended his hand. "You won this round, but this is not yet over! I expect a rematch!"

Emery took the hand and shook it with a smile. "Of course."

All of the class 7 elites realized Emery, a lower realm acolyte, had taken the title of the strongest in the class again. Unknown to Emery, everyone in the class was burned with the motivation to grow stronger as they stared at him.

Grand Magus Silas who saw the situation inwardly smiled and nodded in satisfaction. Outwardly, he maintained his serious expression and opened his mouth.

"Now, I will brief you all on what is to be expected this year at the academy."

To be continued