( Yuuki's POV )
With my transmutation I created a replica of my old fusion sword without any enchantments, the hero boy stood in front of me holding a long sword with both hands with a serious look on his face, that was a sacred sword that the church had given him, an ancient artifact, Rizu was also a hero but she was not easy to control so the church was not very generous with her.
Yuuki: Hey hero, have you ever held a sword before?
Kouki: I practiced Kendo for several years.
Oh I guess that's close enough.
Yuuki: Let me remind you that this is nothing like an official competition.
We both stared at each other and when we were given the signal to start the duel, Kouki launched himself at me, His speed was decent but I could follow his movements, I touched the ground with the tip of my foot and used my transmutation to create stone stakes that extended towards Kouki, he used his sword to block and at that moment I appeared next to him and swung my sword, without the hero being able to react, I placed the blunt side of my sword millimeters from his head.
The knights, the students and Kouki were left speechless by the outcome of the lightning match.
Yuuki: That was a good warm-up, want to go for another round?
Kouki: ...I'm not finishing.
Our second encounter started and Kouki went straight for me again, I raised my foot to use my transmutation and Kouki made a sharp movement to the side, a good try but if i could see him my skill could reach him.
I touched the ground with the tip of my foot and a hole appeared that caught one of Kouki's feet, he fell forward and I placed the tip of my sword against his neck.
Yuuki: Third time's the charm, what do you say?
Kouki: Again!
We returned to our initial positions but when we were given the signal Kouki stood still in his place.
Yuuki: Aren't you going to make the first move?
Kouki: You'll just use one of your tricks if I make the first move.
Yuuki: Tricks? I told you this wouldn't be like an official competition.
The people around us were very entertained by our encounter but at the same time they were eager for a longer battle, I looked at one of the balconies of the castle and saw the two princesses admiring the fight so I wanted to give them something more entertaining.
Yuuki: fine, We'll do it your way, I won't be using my transmutation this time.
Kouki: Very well, it will be a sword fight then.
Kouki rushed forward and our swords clashed, then we continued exchanging swings and when Kouki raised his sword to use a decisive downward slash I put my sword in a reverse grip and struck Kouki in the chest with the handle of my sword.
Kouki flew backwards and I threw my sword at him, it spun at high speed but Kouki was able to deflect it with his sword, although that didn't matter, I appeared next to him and sent a kick that sent him flying, to continue the combo I appeared where he was flying and threw a punch that sent him crashing against the wall.
Kouki: Limit break!
Tired of being thrown around like a pinball the hero used his most powerful ability, limit break was a skill that multiplied the user's stats and now all the hero's stats were above mine.
For the first time when Kouki moved, I couldn't follow him with my eyes but I could feel where his attacks were coming from, I ducked and in the next instant Kouki's sword passed over my head, Kouki kept swinging and I kept dodging as I moved towards where my sword had landed.
Limit break had a big disadvantage that after a few minutes it would lose its effects and the user would not be able to move for a while, I could wait for the effects of his ability to wear off but I wanted to defeat him when he was at full power.
I raised my sword and separated one of my swords to fight with two but this was not my original sword, only a piece of metal Kouki was able to damage with each swing of his sacred sword.
My swords broke when they received Kouki's blows and when it broke, he put on a small smile thinking that he already had victory in the bag.
When he was going to give the final blow I knocked his sword out of his hands with a kick and then I hit him in the face with my fist, Kouki fell on his back and he didn't get up again.
I walked away from the training grounds and waved to the princesses on the balcony as I walked.
The rest of the training went more smoothly and at one point it looked like that guy Daisuke was going to bother Hajime again but I scared him away with a murderous glare.
When training was over, Hajime called me to talk privately, and I had a feeling this had something to do with that bully.
Hajime: Yuuki, could you leave Hiyama alone?
I knew it, this was surely something he wanted to overcome himself, this was something I couldn't interfere with and I could only sigh at that.
Yuuki: *Sigh* You're stubborn at the weirdest of times.
Hajime: Well, that's to be expected considering who my brother is.
Yuuki: Hey, don't go blaming me for the way you are.
After that short chat with my brother, I went to the gates of the castle, where a luxurious carriage was waiting for me along with Princess Liliana.