The forest god festival (4/?)

The scythe blocked the wind as the boy willed the scythe to make a hole in the shield to throw a poison needle at Xue, who used her Fan to block it

the clink of the fan caused the boy to retreat.

although the paper fan seemed to be made out of paper, the paper wouldn't be able to block a full force needle.

the runes shined when the needle hit the fan, causing the boy to sigh

the fan was all metal, with it being the weight and appearance of paper to lure the foolish people in. the curved edged of the fan were a lot more dangerous now the boy knew that as he once more ran to Xue, who decided to use a technique her clan had made

a graceful dance, enchanted with mana as a tornado filled the battlefield, the elders creating a forcefield around the temple to make sure the audience isn't disturbed by the tornado

Xue was betting her last amount of mana on this tornado in an attempt to knock the boy out.

the boy showed a crack of a smile on his face even if he didnt feel happiness. Paraona taught him this when he was young. he was supposed to smile when something good happens to him or something was meant to amuse him.

the tornado's meant that the needles were useless as they were quickly swept away.

the boy needed something with more stability, and he had got it.

the boy quickly closed the distance, causing some people to wonder if the boy had gone mad. who would like to run into that tornado?

quickly using mana to stick his feet to the ground at the cost of the speed, the boy quickly started walking to Xue, who was still doing her dance.

seeing the boy walk up to her, she lifted her fan and flung it down, causing the tornado to shoot at him and blow him in the sky.

but that's exactly what he wanted.

the boy didnt throw a needle in the air but quickly flung something down his sleeve, causing a vine to go down and shoot at the girl. the vine was decorated by countless needles that went down its plant body.

the vine seemed almost alive as it clung to the young lady, its long spikes only inches away from her neck

"I admit defeat," Xue muttered, pulling the vine away from her neck carefully

"That boy managed to take down two of the clan's next leaders..." A man muttered

Envy, hatred, jealousy and other emotions didnt just come from the crowd, but from the clan leaders and elders that sat under the patriarch of the island, who simply gave a smile and said

"That boy there has won."

An unexpected outcome as Xue was rushed by medics, with a smile plastered on her face, weird for a person who had just lost

"Hey, big sis do you think she's a Masochist-"

Paraona quickly swiped at her younger brothers head, causing him to shout "OWW!"

"Where did you learn that phrase?" Paraona questioned her younger brother, who shrugged

"I read it out of this weird book that had the term M & S-" Juugo said, getting another swipe on the head "What was that for?"

Paraona only sighed, before looking at Elias who getting checked upon by the medics

"It's your turn next, Juugo."

the large boy stepped down from the podium and walked down with his sword.

he had been learning some swordsmanship from a retired veteran soldier who offered to teach him some because of his great Constitution and talent for swordsmanship.

Juugo wasn't stupid, he knew he wasnt going to win the whole tournament, instead, he looked at the crowd and looked towards a girl

Paraona traced his glance and muttered "Poor Juugo."

The Sofi clan, the clan they lived in had their own chief of the tribe, and the girl Juugo was in love with was the daughter of the chief

it was most likely that she would marry another clan, causing Paraona to mutter

"Hm?"Juugo looked around, before looking at Emila, who walking down

Juugo laughed, before muttering "Your fighting too huh?"

Emila gave a soft smile, before nodding with a quiet expression which made Juugo's heart go Doki Doki

The young master of the Arnar clan walked down, causing Juugo's expression to instantly sour.

it wasnt the first time they had met, one time they fought eachover when they were 5 and Juugo was embarrassed. this time, it will be different

"Young lady, please take off the people around us, ill take care of Young master Roshi here and then I'll forfeit."

"A true knight." Paraona jested, causing the people around her to giggle

"Are you sure...." Emila said with a hesitant face, her liking for Juugo showing

"Yeah, your good at Area of effect magic, aren't you?"

The Chief of the Sofi tribe wasnt happy. he was planning on marrying Emila to the Arnar tribe to sweeten the relationship between them. this body shoved a wrench in his plans, causing him to frown.

The clan master reached for something in his sleeve, causing the Patriarch of the island's eyes to fall upon him

"Now now, Sofi tribe leader."

the Sofi tribe leader felt the hairs on his spine raise from just a glance, and his hands were removed from his sleeve

The soft clan leader coughed, before looking at the battle before him

Emila quickly started to flail the innocent kids around while rapidly apologizing in a quiet manner

Juugo and Roshi stared eachover, both hands-on their respective items, a sword vs the Arnar clans signature weapon, a Katana that they had made a deal with the Hiro country to get their hands on. its blade was perfect for both stabbing and slashing, although the method of slashing was better in the eyes of the Arnar clan

both had Subconsciously agreed not to use magic to embarrass eachover, Juugo wanting to not use magic to impress Emila while Roshi wanting to embarrass and easily defeat Juugo to boost his own pride

Juugo used a standard steel sword he had brought with the money Elias had given him with a gift, while Arnar used a custom made sword.

The Arnar clan disdained runes, thinking that borrowed power is weaker than one's own.

this is questionable, but some people chose not to argue.

both of the people stared eachover down, with Juugo doing the breathing technique that his master has taught him

breathing could greatly improve the bodys strength under the constant oxygen getting absorbed by the countless organs of human body, if maximized oxygen is spared, the oxygen would flow to the blood vessels and let them absorb the oxygen, making so the strength of the human body is temporarily able to be strengthened. although the duration ends up depending on the person, Juugo is a natural talent with swords. this technique was rapidly used in the clover kingdom army and was powerful enough to secure an advantage over the rough position the clover kingdom has over its borders.

both people got into their respective stance, with Emila and the crowd watching in silence as the two youths looked at eachover

the tension was high as Roshi put his Katan in an overhead stance, his shoulders on the same level at his nose and the curve of his katana facing downwards.

it was considered a defensive move, as a quick parry by the katana means a counterattack by slashing upwards could achieve an easy victory

Juugo knew this and laughed

Juugo rushed up to the boy and pretended to strike, before retreating and throwing a rock at Roshi

Roshi blocked the rock, but didnt expect Juugo to rush with twice the speed he did before

juugo did a vertical slash, which made Roshi recover his footing and block it with the edge of his sword

"Not bad."

"Shut up," Roshi replied, thrusting his sword down and forcing a clash between the two

"Oh? want to go against me in the strength department?"

Juugo suddenly breathed in, causing Roshi to desperately end the clash and go for a quick blow, but was parried by Juugo.

Roshi's fingers were numb from the impact of the blow, and rapidly retreated from Juugo, who laughed

"Why are you running young master?" Juugo smirked, running up to the boy with great speed

Emila gave a smile, seeing Juugo winning, causing Roshi to click his tongue

the boy suddenly flipped his Katana around, with his handle facing the sky

he would show Juugo whose swordsmanship was really the better one