Entrance Exam (7)

'I never imagined a day like this would come in my life.'

He would never have thought that a day would come when he would go back 15 years and fight Yuria as a 14-year-old.

Ian swallowed dryly as he looked at Yuria standing before him.

― Gulp.

She had Genesis planted in the ground, arms crossed, staring back at him.

'In my previous life, I never won against her, not even once.'

In his past life, Ian had not managed to defeat Yuria even once.

Was it because of the Authority of Projection?

No. Yuria had never used the Authority of Projection against Ian.

Was it because of her overwhelmingly superior aura rank?

That wasn't it either.

It was true that Yuria's cultivation was always ahead of Ian's, but when they sparred, she would always adjust her level to match his.

'It was purely a difference in swordsmanship.'

Yuria in his previous life had overwhelmed Ian solely with her swordsmanship.

'Truly, she had a divinely blessed talent...'

Ian, too, was considered a genius worthy of being called heaven-sent, but Yuria's talent in swordsmanship was several levels above his.

Even the Heavenly Sword Family Head, Darkan, peak of all swordsmen of the era, would have had to concede if comparing her brilliant natural swordsmanship and talent.

The only person who could rival her fearsome gift was, perhaps, Ragnar Hisperion the 5th Heavenly Sword Lord, famed as the greatest swordsman in history.

'Even now, Yuria is by no means an opponent I can underestimate.'

The current Yuria was young—only 14 years old.

No matter how exceptional her talent, it was still too early an age for it to fully bloom.

But youth was no reason to underestimate or let down one's guard.

'Yuria can copy any technique on the spot.'

If Ian made full use of the "Frenzied Insight Style" techniques he had devised in his former life, defeating this young Yuria would not be too difficult.

But he had to use them only at truly critical moments.

If he used them carelessly, Yuria would just copy them on the spot.

'If my Frenzied Insight techniques are copied, I might not be able to guarantee victory.'

Frenzied Insight was a set of techniques created to catch opponents stronger than himself.

If Yuria managed to copy them, it would be hard for Ian to claim certain victory.

'Right now, Yuria's aura realm is just entering the Expert rank.'

He knew this from what he'd heard in his previous life.

As a 14-year-old, Yuria had just stepped into the realm of an Expert.

And Ian's current level was low-intermediate-stage Expert.

In terms of aura cultivation alone, Ian was ahead.

'But still—'

Yuria held the divine sword Genesis.

'A difference of this level in cultivation is meaningless before Genesis.'

While Ian was one or two ranks ahead, the overwhelming aura amplification granted by Genesis would put the balance of power heavily in her favor.

'I did borrow an excellent sword from Sophia, but...'

He had borrowed a highly expensive 5,000-gold longsword, a masterpiece of modern smithing, but if it clashed with Genesis, it would shatter in a few exchanges.

'I should avoid damaging this sword as much as possible.'

When he bought this sword for Sophia, she had joyfully declared it would be her most treasured possession from now on.

She would certainly be heartbroken if it were ruined.

He would have to be careful to prevent even a big scratch.

"Phew..."

He felt tension boiling up inside him.

The more he thought about it, the more he realized Yuria was not an opponent to take lightly.

With her innate genius to instantly copy any technique, he couldn't freely use Frenzied Insight.

With Genesis, she could dominate even in aura strength, and there would be limits to direct sword clashes.

'So, with what advantage should I press?'

How was he to overwhelm Yuria?

'There's really only one.'

Even if he lagged behind in talent, physical level, and weapon, there was one thing where he was ahead of Yuria.

Experience.

'The immense experience I accumulated in my previous life, battling countless powerful warriors to the death.'

This gap in experience was an undeniable advantage.

'I'll have to win with experience, with cunning.'

Cunning.

The shrewdness he had gained from so much experience—that would be Ian's weapon in this duel.

"Hmmm~"

Yuria, wearing a relaxed smile, casually loosened her shoulders.

She looked full of openings and defenseless, but as soon as the duel started, that would change completely.

She'd immediately draw that terrifying Genesis and swing it relentlessly.

'I need to finish this in a short match while Yuria underestimates me. I'll go all out from the start.'

― Clack!

Ian placed his hand on the sword slung on his back, lowering his stance.

A sword-drawing position, ready to counter immediately if Yuria charged in.

"Hmm~ You're already getting ready? I wanted to talk with you a bit more."

Ian was fully prepared.

But Yuria put on an impish, relaxed face.

She seemed completely unbothered, as if she hadn't even considered the possibility of losing.

"Where'd you leave the sword you received at the Sword Selection Ceremony? Why'd you bring such a common sword?"

"......"

A common sword, she said. This sword cost a whopping 5,000 gold—a price that would take an ordinary commoner 14 years to earn.

"I entrusted my greatsword to a friend."

"Why?"

"......"

How could he say, "How could I wield the sword that crippled you in our past life against you now?"

What would be the best way to answer this?

Well, since it was Yuria he was dealing with, he decided to be honest, at least somewhat. He also wanted to warn her in advance.

"My greatsword has a function where it absorbs the opponent's magic. Once absorption starts, it doesn't stop until the other's mana circuits are broken—or they die."

"So?"

"I'm still inexperienced in wielding that greatsword. I worried you might be grievously injured, so I left it behind."

"Hmmm~ Is that so?"

Yuria narrowed her eyes, giving him a meaningful smile.

"That's funny, considering you swung it just fine at others—Kuga and Hector."

"......?"

Was she watching him fight?

He thought she had been busy fighting Kargon. When did she see him?

"Were you watching me?"

"Not particularly? I just happened to see you while looking around."

"...... I see."

"I'd like an explanation, though. Why did you use it just fine on the others but bring a different sword against me?"

"...... Hm."

Was that really important now?

Still, since Yuria was pressing so persistently, he had no choice but to answer.

"Well, the other new trainees aren't at the Expert rank like you, lady Yuria."

If you're not at the Expert rank, you can't release aura outside your body.

So unless he stabbed Vladiark directly into their bodies, there was no risk of unwanted aura absorption.

But Yuria was a fresh Expert—a level where she could project her aura and imbue her sword with blade energy.

If her aura-coated Genesis clashed with Vladiark, compulsory magic absorption would trigger without fail.

"My greatsword begins absorption the instant it comes into contact with aura. If we're not careful, lady Yuria... you could die. I left it behind to prevent such a tragedy."

"Hmph. Is that so?"

Yuria still kept her narrowed gaze.

"That sword seems fishier to me, though."

"......?"

"You switch swords when your opponent changes? Feels like a tool you prepared just for me. Creeps me out."

Ah.

So that's why she was being so persistent with her questions.

Yuria was suspicious of Ian.

'Is she suspecting this sword is some kind of kidnapping artifact or poison blade?'

It was clear paranoia.

But he couldn't blame her. Yuria had, from a young age, been beset by countless plots and assassination attempts.

Such paranoia was a defense mechanism for her survival; it had actually helped her survive up to now.

That explained why she would tenaciously pursue any small oddity.

But...

Ian had his own position as well.

"Even if you are uneasy, lady Yuria... I can't exactly fight Genesis barehanded, can I? If you're so uncomfortable, you can always forfeit first."

"Well, that's true."

Yuria surprisingly accepted that without complaint.

"But I still want to fight you. Father acknowledged you. You're about my age. I'm curious—about your skills."

"Hmm..."

So what did she want, then?

"Then how about this?"

"......?"

"If you don't use that sword, I won't use Genesis either."

"You mean ..."

"Yup. Let's both go empty-handed—hand-to-hand."

"Oh..."

This was an unexpected turn of events.

And an excellent one at that.

'She won't use Genesis?'

That meant Ian would have the advantage in aura as well.

If Yuria didn't have Genesis boosting her aura absurdly, she'd have no way to overpower him in strength.

Yuria's realm was just entering Expert.

Ian was mid-ealy-stage Expert.

Yuria probably didn't know it, but in terms of cultivation, Ian was the superior.

"Are you sure? That's a big advantage you're giving up in not using Genesis, lady Yuria. Isn't that unfair to you?"

"I don't go back on my word."

"If you insist."

Ian had absolutely no reason to refuse.

He untied the sword on his back and placed it at the edge of the clearing.

― Thud!

"It's a borrowed sword. I can't just toss it off a cliff."

"Hmm... Well, it's a bit unsettling, but I'll let that slide."

― Clang! -Whish!

Yuria, too, drew Genesis from the ground and immediately flung it toward the edge.

― Thunk!

It stuck deep into the cliff's edge.

― Clack!

At the same time, Yuria raised both hands and took up a fighting stance.

'Well now...'

Ian pursed his lower lip.

The situation had become unexpectedly favorable.

'Yuria, that was a mistake.'

With fist against fist, it would be impossible for him to lose.

Skill, experience, and strength—he surpassed Yuria in every regard.

Moreover, hand-to-hand combat was one of Ian's specialties.

When he sparred barehanded with Yuria in his previous life, he had held up fairly well.

But this time...

Yuria was much weaker than at her peak, and Ian's aura level was higher.

For the first time in his life, he had a complete advantage over her.

"Huhu..."

"W-what's with that ominous laugh!?"

"I just feel good—like I already have the secret techniques of the Heavenly Sword Family in my hand."

"What? Sorry, but the match hasn't even started yet! Why are you so complacent? Are you asking for trouble?"

― Whoosh!

As her long golden hair fluttered with her clothes, Yuria's aura shifted.

― Fwoosh!

At the same time, white flames bloomed in both her hands.

This was the manifestation of "Energy", the symbol of an Expert, and also proof of the 'Heavenly Energy', the light-element aura said to be inherited by only a few direct descendants of House Hisperion.

"It's not complacency. It's conviction."

Ian, too, took his stance and raised his aura.

Soon—

― Vwooom!

A blue light sprang up in his hands.

He, too, was manifesting Energy—the "Fist Energy" of an Expert.

"W-what!?"

Yuria's eyes opened wide in shock.

"Huh!? Th-this can't be!!"

"N-no way, expert!? Lord Ian is an Expert?!"

Even the noble vassals in the stands were thrown into chaos.

Achieving the Expert rank at age 14 was something that had happened only twice in the entirety of human history: Ragnar Hisperion, greatest swordsman in history, and the genius Yuria Hisperion.

But with Ian now manifesting Fist Energy, another name was added to history.

"Hahahaha!"

Heavenly Sword House Lord Darkan, delighted, struck the armrest of his throne.

"Kelbian! I'm not seeing things, am I?"

"... No, my lord. I see it too. Lord Ian... is manifesting Fist Energy."

"Ha—hahaha! Truly astonishing. Absolutely fascinating."

Darkan stroked his bristly beard, smiling deeply.

"The last time I saw him, his aura was only at a user's level, wasn't it?"

"Yes... That's how I felt too... Lord Ian was certainly not yet an Expert then."

"Exactly. And that was barely two weeks ago. Good heavens."

This meant only two possibilities.

Either Ian had grown his aura realm to the Expert rank in the impossible span of two weeks—

Or he was so adept at hiding his cultivation that even Masters and stronger couldn't sense it.

"Whatever it is, it's ridiculous. I have no idea what's going on. Hahaha!"

"Y-yes...! It's almost unbelievable."

Darkan chuckled.

"Nothing has delighted me this much lately. Every time I see that boy, he surprises me. Ian Greysel. He really is fun to watch."

"Y-yes. I never expected to see Lord Ian manifesting Fist Energy..."

It was true that Ian had once manifested enhanced energy using Vladiark—but that was only thanks to the overwhelming aura absorbed into the sword from the Heavenly Swordmaster, not something arising from his own cultivation.

But now, manifesting Fist Energy barehanded was clearly a result of his own achievement.

"A prodigy like Lady Yuria, but twice in one generation... This is a historical moment, truly."

Kelbian was certain.

Even if it wasn't just because of the House Lord's interest—

That boy had to be kept on their side for the future of House Hisperion.

-------------= Clacky's Corner -------------=

Fist fight!

【ദ്ദി(⩌ᴗ⩌)】