Chapter 11

"And the match begins!"

A loud voice came from the spectator seat.

At the front, there was a table with two people sitting behind it.

The table was tagged [Commentator].

Commentator 1: "I'm actually excited for this month's duel. What do you say?"

Commentator 2: "Yeah, last month's duel was heated due to the change in rules, but now it seems the participants have completely adapted."

Commentator 1: "Yes. And of course, as usual, there's one person most people are paying attention to. It's none other than the crowd's favorite, [The Weakest Undefeated]."

When the referee gave the command, all fifty participants simultaneously activated their [Sword devices], donning their dress gear.

Like the rest, Rayto and Lux donned their dress gear.

The backs of their Drag-Machines against each other, as everyone around the ring began eliminating each other.

"Rayto-san, what should we do?"

Lux, clutching his Drag-Machine's [Scale blade], asked as he looked around, guarding his front.

"Defend and counter. Don't waste too much strength. The real battle would begin in the later half." Rayto responded.

However, he was somewhat surprised.

Someone as experienced as Lux would ask him for tactics, having knowing that Lux had participated many times.

But he gave his own opinion while side-eyeing Lux, who agreed with a nod.

"Yes, Rayto-san."

"You agreed rather quickly. Any complaints?"

"No, your plan is perfect, Rayto-san."

For someone like Lux, whose expertise is playing defense, this strategy would have been tough on him if he's always on defense.

Plus, being famous meant Lux had several opponents who would interrupt, seeking some kind of duel.

Naturally.

Lux was fully aware that their interest stemmed from the fame associated with such a nickname—Weakest Undefeated.

However, having someone guard his back was a great relief.

Besides, his gut kept telling him that Rayto was strong.

Commentator 1: "Wh-what is this! A sneak attack!"

"—Eh?"

Lux having being a little distracted.

Someone among the crowd of participants took the opportunity to sneak attack Lux.

However, he managed to block it by holding his sword in a defensive position.

"Kuh." Blocking his opponent, he was about to counter—

"—Kuack!"

But before Lux himself could counter, the opponent was sent flying backward—towards the barrier—by an air pressure.

'[Howling roar]?'

A little surprised, Lux looked back.

[Howling roar]: A Drag-Knight's basic technique which flips the enemy throwing attack by means of a shockwave generated from the [Force Core].

It was Rayto who had, surprisingly yet unsurprisingly, countered.

As if understanding Rayto's intent, he nodded before focusing back on the battle.

The tactics haven't changed.

For someone like him, who is the target of almost everyone, he receives the most attention because of how skilled he is.

At this point, there is no veteran participant present here who doesn't know Lux.

He was that iconic as someone who had the highest participation and wins.

However, this month's mock duel was different than the previous one.

"[Weakest Undefeated]! Face me!"

Two more Ex-class Drag-Knight dashed at Lux from mid-air as Lux readied to take them on.

And as they were descending down, they got blasted away again.

"What!?"

However, their rank as an Ex-class wasn't for nothing.

Both had already summoned their barriers seconds as the [Howling Roar] hit them.

Feeling the shockwave coming from nowhere, they both summoned their barriers just before it hit.

However, even with their barriers up, they still took damage.

"Kuh. This much damage from an [Howling roar]?"

"How... haah... Absurd."

They indeed took damage, but thanks to their somewhat good timing, it was minor. 

Then, at the same time, Lux had already taken advantage and attacked, effectively eliminating the two.

"Aghhh!"

Normally, they would be opponents that even Lux would have to deal with carefully.

But now, as if a burden had been lifted off his shoulders, he was a little relaxed, knowing a competent partner like Rayto had his back.

Commentator 1: "This is a rather surprising turn of events. As expected, the Weakest Undefeated is the number one priority for elimination."

Commentator 2: "However, it seems like the Weakest Undefeated isn't alone this time."

Commentator 2: "Just who is that participant?"

There was a tense air among the spectators behind the barrier.

Most were focused on the participants representing the Four Great Nobles, while the rest were focused on the Weakest Undefeated.

But hearing such comments focused solely on the Weakest Undefeated now garnered attention from all.

Commentator 1: "Ah..."

The first commentator paused as an official approached his table, submitting a paper before taking his leave.

Commentator 1: "I've just received news. Apparently, the participant fighting alongside the Weakest Undefeated is a new participant. This is his first time participating!"

The first commentator said, holding the paper he had just received from an official with widened eyes.

To say he was surprised was an understatement. Even the second commentator beside him mirrored his surprised expression.

Commentator 2: "For a newbie, he seems to be holding his ground pretty well. Moreover, fighting side by side with the Weakest Undefeated."

Commentator 2: "Which means he's someone fans of the Weakest Undefeated should look out for!"

The second commentator announced as the cheers among the crowds increased even more.

Anyways—Back to the fight, both Lux and Rayto continued using the same tactics.

Lux would draw the aggro, then Rayto would lurk behind Lux to counter them.

Once he had done so, if Rayto's attack didn't knock them out, Lux would finish it.

Commentator 1: "T-this is?"

And slowly, other participants began to notice the duo's effective teamwork.

"Lux, we might be in trouble."

Rayto said, backing up, to Lux who also did the same. Both were already surrounded by more than six Drag-Knights on all sides.

"Both of you, give up!"

"You're already surrounded."

Both's precise combination and teamwork had taken out more than twelve Drag-Knights.

Those Drag-Knights would have been a pain in the ass to fight under normal circumstances, as they're tenacious.

In other words, they were true veterans—though they had not participated as long as Lux, but were still notable people.

—Lux had participated and more than hundreds of this mock duel—

Yet, they were all swatted by Rayto who continuously spammed consecutive [Howling Roar] in such a short span.

And still, there was no physical tiredness coming from him.

The [Weakest Undefeated] was one thing, but now, there's another super rookie that can match up with the said strongest.

"We must not allow this to continue!"

A Drag-Knight, wearing a green-colored Drag-Machine, clenched his [Scale blade] tightly, ready to charge.

"Don't blame us. Both of you are threats to us."

Commentator 2: "It looks like they're coming together to eliminate the duo. What a turn of events!"

The second commentator used the situation to draw attention to Rayto and Lux's fight, further increasing interest from the four great nobles and the Queen herself.

"Lux!"

"Yes, Rayto-san."

As they dashed towards them, Lux plunged his [Scale blade] sword into the ground, putting both hands forward.

Rayto did the same, increasing the output of energy from their force core to at least more than fifty times over.

"Kuh—This is!"

"This is bad! Everybody, move away!"

However—

""[Howling Roar]!""

They were too late.

Both Rayto and Lux had charged their attack, generating a shockwave.

With them at the center, the shockwave had even spread to other unlucky participants nearby.

Normally, a fifty percent charge wouldn't generate such a potent shockwave.

However, after three days of gaining a deeper understanding of the [Force Core]—

—Rayto was more proficient in dealing with any energy dealings with the [Force Core] thanks to [Origin].

Rayto could generate a stronger shockwave using [Howling Roar] than most, coupled with Lux's stronger control.

Both complimenting each other perfectly.

With Rayto releasing a more potent charge and Lux spreading the energy shockwave, it was only inevitable.

Commentator 1: "Amazing! This is truly a heaven-sent duo!"

Commentator 1: "In a matter of seconds, both duos have eliminated tens of people alone!"

The crowd went wild at such a scene.

Even the four great nobles had lost their composed faces at this moment.

"This is..."

"The Weakest Undefeated is one thing, but this rookie—"

"—Just who is he?"

"Interesting." A man with slicked-back blond hair chuckled with interest.

After saying those words, he paused, turning his gaze slightly to the woman sitting on her high seat — Queen Raffi.

She looked to be a beautiful young girl in her early twenties, with flowing blonde hair and somewhat unsettling eyes, evident by the black swirls in her eyes.

Though she sat there elegantly, her eyes were fixated intently on the match, precisely, on the duo, not even the representatives of the so-called "Four Great Nobles."

Back on the ring. Rayto grumbled with dark lines above his head.

"Lux, I'm freaking spent."

"Huh?" Lux looked back seeing Rayto's face that had slightly yet oddly gone pale. "Rayto-san!?"

[Rayto Nyonteh]

[Agility: 29 + 0.6] — [29.6]

[Origin: 17 + 3] — [20]

[Condition: Overspent, dumbfounded, exhausted.]

[Main Quest:]

[Rewrite the fate and history of this world. Make your name known, and feared throughout the world.]

[Progress: + 5.3%]

End of chapter.

Author's note:

I forgot to mention. For some reason, most don't recognize Lux outside the mock duels.

I don't know how, but it's cannon, I think it's something that has to do with—Don't worry anyways, it's a spoiler, for those still interested and hasn't read the LN.

Just remember that most people don't really recognize Lux outside the new kingdom's colosseum, it's somewhat complicated.

Lux is a fraud and at the same time not a fraud.

Fugil is the real goat TT