Chapter 76: A clash between Spears [7]
(○□○) Erica shot up from her seat so abruptly that the chair behind her scraped loudly against the ground.
Her eyes widened as she stared at the enormous phantom spear towering above Klein.
"I-Is that... what I think it is...?"
The Headmaster’s whole body stiffened, and his eyes shook in disbelief "...That’s most likely Spear Body Unity."
"The absolute pinnacle of martial artists... the state where the body, weapon, and intent become one flawless existence..."
"...something countless masters chase for decades... and fail to even touch."
The Mage Division Head felt a chill run down her spine as she stared at Klein and the overwhelming pressure from the arena pressed against her senses.
"You’re telling me that this... first-year student... has already stepped into that realm...?"
The Sword Division Head took a slow step forward, his eyes reflecting the phantom spear.
"...This is magnificent."
Eleanor, who had been watching the match without blinking, slowly inhaled, her eyes still fixed on Klein.
A faint warmth rose to her cheeks as the overwhelming presence he radiated filled the entire arena.
’He is so... cool...’
Her fingers tightened slightly against the armrest, and she could feel her lower part getting wet in the panties.
’No, No, No... I need to focus.’
Staring at the scene, Evelyne’s grip on her sword tightened ’...Seems like I need to work harder to stand beside someone as amazing as him.’
---
Gripping the spear tightly, Klein brought it down in a simple motion.
Yet the moment it began, the world seemed to bend around it as the enormous phantom spear above mirrored his movement perfectly, descending in absolute synchronization.
Standing there, Shui Yinran did not move.
Her eyes reflected the descending spear as she stared at the absolute masterpiece unfolding before her, the flawless unity between body, weapon, and intent, the culmination of everything a spearman could ever strive toward.
’...The absolute pinnacle of spearmanship.’
A slow smile spread across her lips.
Her grip tightened on her spear, and she raised it to block.
’I want to take it head on.’
The moment the two spears collided, the arena shattered.
A blinding explosion erupted at the point of impact with a compressed force that tore through the arena and the ground beneath them, disintegrating instantly as the shockwave expanded with unstoppable momentum.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM-!!!
Cracks spread across the barrier’s entire surface in an instant before it shattered completely and fragments of mana dispersed into the air as the full force of the explosion spilled outward.
The Mage Division Head dashed forward and created a powerful barrier around the arena to protect the students from the debris.
Dust and debris rose in a massive cloud, swallowing the arena completely as visibility dropped to nothing.
For several seconds, nothing could be seen.
Only the sound of crumbling stone.
Then slowly, the dust began to settle.
The ruined remains of the arena came into view, and the ground was now reduced to a massive crater filled with fractured stone and scattered debris.
And at the center, Klein was still standing.
His body was steady, though faint signs of strain ran through him as his chest rose and fell in controlled breaths.
His shirt was completely gone, torn apart by the sheer force of the explosion, revealing the marks of the battle across his body as faint trails of blood traced along his skin.
Yet he did not falter, and his spear remained in his hand.
Across from him, Shui Yinran was still standing amidst the destruction, though the ground beneath her had sunk from the impact.
In her hand, only fragments remained.
Her spear... was gone.
The broken remains of the weapon fell from her grip one by one, clattering softly against the ruined ground.
Looking at him, she smiled "You damn monster. My spear is destroyed, and I used mana to protect myself from that attack."
Her fingers loosened completely, and the last fragment of her weapon slipped from her grasp.
"It is my loss."
Cheers exploded from every direction as the stunned crowd finally snapped out of their disbelief.
Students rose to their feet as voices overlapped into a deafening roar, some shouting his name, others still struggling to comprehend what they had just witnessed.
"KLEIN FARESSS!!!"
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!"
"HE BEAT A DIVISION HEAD IN SPEAR!!!"
Before Klein could even fully settle himself, a figure rushed toward him.
"Klein!"
Erica leaped down into the ruined arena without hesitation and quickly closed the distance between them.
She looked at his body with visible concern as she reached out, her hands hovering for a moment before lightly gripping his shoulders.
"Are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere serious?"
Klein exhaled slowly, "I am fine, Master."
He then turned to look at Shui Yinran "I have some things to talk with you, I will come and see you later."
She nodded with a chuckle "I will be waiting."
---
Standing under the shower, Klein felt the warm water caress his skin, letting it cascade over his body.
The steam filled the small bathroom as he washed away the dirt, blood, and exhaustion from the fight.
The water soothed his muscles, and he stood there for a long time, letting the heat relax his body.
After a while, he turned off the water and stepped out of the shower.
He wrapped a towel around his waist, his hair still wet and dripping as he walked out of the shower.
He quickly changed into a simple pair of pants and a T-shirt.
As he stepped out into the living room, he saw Erica standing there, pouring juice into a glass for him.
"Thank you for letting me use the shower."
She looked at him with a soft smile and handed the glass to him "I thought you might be thirsty after all that."
Klein took the glass with a small smile, taking a sip of the cool juice.
"Thanks, Master."
As he sat on the couch, Erica sat beside him with a soft sigh "You did incredibly well today, Klein. I’m proud of you."
"The entire academy is talking about you now."
With a smile, he took another sip of his juice "She humiliated you; how can I let her go so easily Master."
Erica’s expression softened further "I know. But you didn’t have to go that far. I’m just glad you’re safe."
She watched him drink the juice for a moment before speaking again.
"I didn’t know you were so well versed and talented in the spear."
"The way you fought today... it was incredible. You moved like you were born with a spear in your hand. I’ve never seen anyone your age display that kind of mastery."
Her gaze lowered slightly, a hint of doubt creeping into her expression as she continued.
"Sometimes I wonder if you even need me as your master," she said softly.
"You’re already so talented. You should just focus on refining your spearmanship. I... don’t want to hold you back."
Klein set the glass down on the table and shook his head "What are you saying, Master?"
"I know everything about spears, but I know nothing about spirits. Only you can teach me that... Master."
"I don’t need anyone else as Master."
She looked at him in surprise, and her fingers tightened slightly in her lap.
"...You really mean that?" she asked quietly, and the earlier uncertainty still lingered, though now mixed with something warmer.
Klein didn’t look away "If I didn’t, I wouldn’t say it, Master."
Erica exhaled slowly, a small, almost helpless smile forming on her lips as the tension in her shoulders eased and the doubt that crept into her earlier gradually faded under the weight of his words.
"...You really are something else," she murmured, shaking her head lightly as if still unable to fully comprehend him.
She looked up at him with a soft smile "Alright... I still am not sure how I’m going to teach someone like you; you’re already far ahead of what I expected."
"But," she continued, exhaling quietly as her expression steadied, "that just means I’ll have to work harder too."
"I may not be able to guide your spear," she said, a small smile returning on her lips as she met his eyes directly, "but when it comes to spirits, contracts, and everything beyond raw combat..."
"I won’t lose to anyone."
With a soft chuckle, Klein nodded his head "Yes, Master."
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