After Kray yelled, he fixed his stare on Kael Vane. He knew he couldn't keep running. If he did, his reputation as the nine-star "Thunder Sword" Kray would be finished.
He'd probably get a new nickname—something like "Kray the Runaway." He'd rather die than hear that.
"You neck-hunting freak! Let's settle this!"
BOOM—!
Powerful magic burst from Kray's body.
Zzzt! Zzzt!
Blue-white lightning wrapped around him, cracking the ground beneath his feet.
Kray slid into a fast-draw stance.
"Haaaaaaaaaah!"
He roared, pouring out his magic. He knew trying to beat this monster in a clean sword fight was suicide.
The only way to win was to gamble everything on his strongest, fastest move—end it in one hit.
He had one chance. If he couldn't finish it in a single blow, then he would be the one finished.
He was betting everything on this attack.
『Oooooooh!』
『There it is! Kray's ultimate move!』
『He used this technique to kill a nine-star beast in one hit—Is he going to do it again?!』
"Thunder Roar: Flash!!"
BOOM—!
The ground under Kray exploded as he shot toward Kael Vane like a bolt of lightning.
"Sun Breathing, Fourth Form: Parhelion Rainbow!"
Kray reached Kael Vane—only to see him still standing there. Kray's mind flared with excitement.
I won!
Slash—!
Kray's sword cut straight through Kael Vane's body—yet he felt no resistance at all.
His heart dropped.
No—an afterimage!
He was a master of speed himself. He knew instantly he hadn't hit the real body.
"Where?! Where is he?!"
Kray snapped his head around, searching—nothing.
Then a calm voice came from directly above him.
"Sun Breathing, Tenth Form: Fire Wheel!"
Kael Vane dropped from the sky like a spinning vortex of flame, his blade carving down in a high-speed, fiery arc.
BOOM—!
The arena floor exploded.
"Aaaaaaaargh!"
Kray screamed. His clothes shredded, and his body was hurled across the field. He hit the ground and didn't move.
『It's over!』
『The winner is… Yoriichi Tsugikuni!』
The announcer's voice cracked with shock.
『In one exchange—Kray is down!』
『A nine-star swordsman, finished in a single strike!』
『Yoriichi Tsugikuni wins!』
"Sword God! Sword God! Sword God!"
The crowd chanted, almost shaking the stands. Nine-star had always been the highest standard. Everyone believed it was the peak.
But this man had just torn that belief apart. There was a higher level to the sword.
"So strong!"
Erza's eyes shone. She never thought swordsmanship could reach this point. Even watching from a distance, she felt like she'd learned something.
If she could fight him once, how much would her own skills improve? She wanted to test herself against him more than anything.
Arthur clenched his fists. His chest burned with excitement. He had to steady himself for this.
He could feel it—if he could win this, his own skill would jump forward.
『Next up is the final match, which will be held in one hour! In the meantime, please enjoy this intermission performance!』
A troupe of performers in bright, eye-catching outfits ran out and started dancing to keep the crowd entertained.
Kael Vane returned to the waiting room, canceled his transformation, and rested.
"Hah… This money isn't easy to make."
It was a good thing the fights weren't back-to-back, or he would have been exposed.
Yoriichi's form didn't use much magic when he was standing still. But the moment he fought, it drained him fast. His magic power was still too low.
Kray's final attack had also been strong—stronger than Erza's.
Luckily, Yoriichi was strong enough to win.
This world was full of hidden masters. He had to keep pulling.
An hour passed quickly. Kael Vane's magic power was mostly recovered.
『Everyone! The exciting final match is about to begin!』
『Let's welcome our two finalists!』
Kael Vane walked out. Arthur walked out from the other side.
『Our two finalists are Arthur and Yoriichi Tsugikuni! We all know Arthur, the strongest swordsman in Sorbear!』
『And Mr. Yoriichi, who defeated two nine-star swordsmen! His skill proves there is always someone stronger!』
『Who will win the title of the strongest swordsman? What kind of fight will they show us? Let's find out!』
"Oooooooooooh!"
"Sword God! Sword God! Sword God!"
"Arthur! Arthur! Arthur!"
The crowd was going wild, screaming both names. The high-star swordsmen in the stands were all paying close attention. A fight between masters like this was a rare chance to learn.
『The final match!』
『Nine-star "Swordsman of Light," Arthur! Versus… Yoriichi Tsugikuni!』
『Begin!』
GONG—!
The gong rang, and the final match began.
"Shining Light!"
The instant it started, Arthur unleashed a massive attack. Countless light swords shot at Kael Vane.
Arthur didn't waste time with words. Talking now would only dull his edge. He focused everything on winning.
"Sun Breathing, Sixth Form: Solar Heat Haze!"
Kael Vane swung his sword in a spinning, hazy slash. A vortex of fire tore through the incoming light swords, shredding them apart.
"Flash: Cross-Slash!"
Arthur swung his sword in a cross of light.
"Sun Breathing, Twelfth Form: Flame Dance!"
Kael countered with a two-stroke, circular slash, meeting the attack head-on.
BOOM—!