Chapter 73: A clash between Spears [4]
The arena fell into a stunned silence for a few seconds before erupting into absolute chaos.
The crowd went wild. Students stood up, shouting and cheering, some in disbelief, others in pure excitement.
In the VIP section, the Headmaster, Professor Alden Voss, stood up with wide eyes.
"This is... highly irregular. Challenging a division head directly is not a simple matter. We must discuss this in private."
Shui Yinran quickly composed herself, forcing the same smile as she looked down at Klein.
"You are bold, young man."
"But a division head does not accept challenges from students lightly. You have proven yourself against my disciple, but that does not mean you are ready to face me."
Klein didn’t back down "Accept the duel or admit you’re afraid of a first-year student."
The crowd went wild again, cheering and chanting Klein’s name.
The atmosphere in the arena was electric and the students are completely hooked on the drama unfolding before them.
Erica, sitting in the VIP section, looked at Klein with worry ’W-Why is he challenging Yinran?’
The Headmaster raised his hand, trying to calm the crowd.
"This is a serious matter. We will discuss it in private. The duel will not happen today."
But the students were not satisfied. They chanted Klein’s name louder, demanding the fight.
"KLEINN FARESSS!"
"KLEINN FARESSS!"
"KLEINN FARESSS!"
The Headmaster let out a soft sigh, rubbing his temples as he looked out over the frenzied crowd.
"These young people... Always so eager for spectacle."
Shui Yinran’s eyes were cold as she looked down at Klein.
After a long moment of silence, she spoke, "It is alright to have a little duel."
"If the young man is so determined, I will accept his challenge. Let the academy see what true spear mastery looks like."
The crowd erupted again, even louder than before with excited shouts.
The Headmaster raised his hand, trying to restore order, but the excitement was too great.
He eventually gave in with another sigh "Very well. The duel between Klein Faress and Shui Yinran will take place today."
Erica stood up from her seat in the VIP section and dashed down to the arena, standing in front of him.
"Klein, please withdraw from the duel," she said urgently, her eyes filled with concern.
"You already defeated her disciple. That is already good enough. I am extremely proud of you. There is no need to risk yourself against a division head."
Klein looked at her and replied "I appreciate your concern, Master. But I can’t back down. It’s more personal now."
’Personal?’ Erica was confused and as she was about to ask, she heard Shui Yinran’s voice from behind Klein.
"Klein Faress."
He slowly turned his head and their eyes met.
The distance between them wasn’t large, but it felt like an entire battlefield had formed in that space.
Shui Yinran stepped forward.
*tap* *tap*
The sound of her heels echoed unnaturally loud in the silence.
Klein lifted his hand and used his telekinetic skill.
*swoosh*
His spear flew from the wall in the VIP section, tearing free and returning to his grasp as if pulled by an invisible thread.
The moment his fingers closed around it, the air around him sharpened.
Shui Yinran’s gaze sharpened slightly "Good. At least you’re not foolish enough to fight me unarmed."
Klein turned to Erica and uttered "Master, step back."
Seeing his determined gaze, Erica couldn’t help but oblige "Just... be careful. I’ll be watching. Don’t do anything reckless."
"I won’t. I promise."
With that Erica stepped back and entered the VIP section to watch the duel.
The crowd continued to cheer as the announcement was made official.
Standing in the Student Council corner, Evelyne had a slight frown on her face ’Klein might have better talent than Shui Yinran, but the raw strength between an SS rank and an E rank is enormous.’
’How is he going to bridge that gap...’
’Even if he blocked an attack, it would send him flying or instantly kill him.’
She extended her hand and a sword materialized in her palm ’If anything happens, I have to step in... he is my fiancé.’
Shui Yinran took a few slow steps forward, her gaze never leaving Klein, "You said it was personal. Then explain."
Klein’s grip on the spear tightened slightly.
The faint white aura of Spear Intent flickered around him, unstable for just a moment before settling again into something far denser than before.
"You should already know the answer."
"...I see. How do you know my Dark Moon technique?" she murmured.
His gaze narrowed in irritation "That should be my question, you damned cunt."
Hm? A cold glint passed through Shui Yinran’s eyes "Now, now, it’s not nice to call such names."
"Fuck off, bitch."
Shui Yinran’s eyebrow twitched in annoyance "...You rowdy brat. Seems like you need a serious beating."
She raised her hand and drew the weapon from the rack at the side of the arena-
*sleeeesh*
A long spear flew into her palm and the moment she caught it, a completely different pressure descended.
The students closest to the arena stiffened instinctively.
Even Klein’s expression shifted slightly ’...She got a good spear intent.’
Shui Yinran lowered her stance and spoke "Since you called for a spear duel, I will restrict myself from using mana."
"You can use all mana and any tricks up your sleeve."
As the match began, Klein dashed forward with full force.
BOOM
The arena floor cracked beneath his foot as he launched forward, his body blurring as mana surged through him, pushing his speed far beyond what he had shown before.
In a single breath, he was already in front of her.
His spear shot forward in a clean, direct thrust aimed straight for her throat and it was so fast that most spectators couldn’t even follow the motion.
But Shui Yinran didn’t retreat and tilted her spear slightly.
*clang*
Klein’s attack slid off course, redirected just enough to miss.
Before he could adjust, her counter came and she unleashed a short thrust.
No wind-up.
Yet the moment it was released, he twisted his body mid-motion.
*swoosh*
The spear passed by his ribs, grazing his clothes and the air behind him exploded.
THOOOM
A section of the arena floor several meters away collapsed inward, forming a deep crater as if struck by an invisible force.
The crowd gasped.
Klein slid back, his boots grinding against the ground as he created some distance.
"Seems like you rely too much on speed. It works against those weaker than you."
Her gaze sharpened "But against me..."
She disappeared *fwoosh*
Klein reacted instantly, twisting his body-
CLANG!!!
Their spears collided beside his head and the impact erupted outward in a violent shockwave that cracked the ground beneath them.
The force traveled through his arms, making his muscles tremble slightly.
’Heavy...’
Shui Yinran stepped forward and twisted her spear in a thrust towards his shoulder.
He blocked *CLANG*
But she followed up with a sweep toward his legs.
He jumped to dodge, but her spear shifted mid-motion, striking his side with the shaft.
*THUD*
The impact sent him skidding across the arena floor.
Klein dug his spear into the ground, stopping himself as a faint trail carved behind him.
A thin line of blood formed at the corner of his lips.
Shui Yinran’s gaze narrowed after the small exchange as she noticed his eyes ’His eyes are moving faster... but his body isn’t.’
A shiver ran down her spine ’This bastard... he can see all my movements and predict them, but he is limited by the physical strength of an E-rank.’
’His mind caught up with my movements but his body isn’t, it is holding him back. If only he is atleast A-rank he can keep up-’
*SWOOOOSH*
In the next instant, an enormous amount of mana exploded out of Klein’s body.
’What?’ Shui Yinran’s gaze shrank in surprise.
Gripping his spear, Klein stood up ’Mana Core Three: Release’
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