"Each of you will draw one lot. There's a pair of numbers in the box," Professor Darius pointed to the box in front of him as he announced the instruction to everyone. "Your opponent will be determined by who's the person who got the same number as you."
"Woah…"
"Damn, I'm so nervous."
"I hope it's someone easy."
A whole wave of reaction rippled through everyone. Some looked excited, while others were definitely nervous about it.
Lionel, too, couldn't help but sigh at it. He was pretty sure that he had a chance against everyone at the place, but it was a matter of whether he wanted attention or not.
"You may start picking your number." One by one, the nobles stepped forward to draw their lots.
Each of them reached into the wooden box and pulled out a small rolled paper. Murmurs filled the air as they returned to their spots.
"Should we open it already?"
"Don't open it yet!"
"Let's wait for the signal!"
Excitement and tension mixed as everyone held onto their own numbers.
Lionel stood near the back of the line, watching quietly as more and more people finished drawing. As expected, he was one of the last to step forward.
When it was finally his turn, he walked up calmly and reached into the box. His fingers brushed against several pieces of paper before he picked one and pulled it out.
He stepped back and kept it in his hand, since no one had opened it yet. A few moments later, the last person finished drawing.
Professor Darius glanced around before raising his hand slightly.
"You may open your numbers."
Instantly, the sound of paper being unrolled echoed across the arena. Lionel opened his as well.
[5]
He stared at the number for a brief second before lowering it slightly. At the same time, the reactions around him erupted.
"Huh? I got 3!"
"Wait, who has 2?"
"I'm number 8!"
Voices overlapped as people began searching for their partner, or rather, opponent. When Lionel looked around, he noticed that others looked relieved, and there were some who looked disappointed..
On the other side of the arena, a small commotion suddenly caught everyone's attention.
"Isn't that…?"
"Rufus and… Cassian?"
"Seriously?"
The news spread quickly when they saw the two people going near one another. Rufus stood calmly despite the reaction. He just held his number in one of his hands.
Across from him was Cassian, who was also not giving much reaction. He just stared at Rufus when he confirmed that they really had the same number. The tension between the two was immediately noticeable.
"That's going to be interesting…"
"And intense…"
People began whispering, clearly eager to see how the match would turn out.
Lionel glanced at them for a moment, then looked back at his own number.
"5…" he muttered.
He slowly raised his hand, showing his lot to the people around him.
A second later, someone across the field raised theirs as well. Their eyes met, and Lionel was surprised to see who it was—Nathaniel. He was one of Cassian's groupmates.
The moment their gazes locked, Lionel immediately caught the shift in the man's eyes. He looked to be confident when he realized that it was he who he would be fighting.
There was that unmistakable hint of provocation in Nathaniel's eyes. It was as if he had been waiting for this exact moment after their team lost yesterday.
Nathaniel smirked slightly as he continued to stare at Lionel. He lifted his chin as if he were already claiming victory.
Lionel stared at him for a second… then simply shook his head.
It seems like this man is quite eager to defeat me, he thought calmly. His grip on the wooden sword tightened just a little.
"But…" he exhaled softly.
"We'll see about that."
"Now that everyone has their opponents," Professor Darius stepped forward, his gaze sweeping across all the participants. "we will proceed with the first round."
"One by one, matches will happen. Victory will be determined when your opponent yields, is disarmed, or is unable to continue."
"Understood?"
"Yes, Professor!" the nobles responded in unison.
"Number 1."
The first pair stepped forward after their number was called. The two nobles walked into the center of the arena, both gripping their wooden swords tightly.
There was a brief exchange of nods before they took their stance.
"Begin!"
The match started with caution. Both of them circled each other at first, testing each other's patience. Then one lunged forward, breaking the stalemate.
The fight between the two was short. They exchanged a few attacks here and there. They looked a little shaken and unstable. After a few minutes, an instructor on the side raised his hand.
"Stop." It was after one of the two dropped his sword.
"The winner is Leon Dicarp."
The first nobles smiled when his name was called, while the other just stepped back, clearly disappointed.
"Number 2."
When the number was called, Simon stepped forward.
'It's his turn?' Lionel's eyes followed him as he walked into the arena. He looked relaxed about the duel.
Across Simon stood another noble, one who looked slightly more tensed.
"Begin!"
This time, the match started fast.
Simon didn't hesitate at all. He moved in immediately, his attacks were clean and direct. There was no wasted motion in the way he fought. You would immediately notice that he was already used to it.
His opponent tried to keep up by blocking the first few attacks, but Simon's rhythm was unshaken.
A few more attacks here and there, and Simon's sword landed right at the side of the other guy's neck.
"Ahh…" Simon's open let out a shaky sigh at that.
The nobles clapped after they saw Simon's talent in swordsmanship.
"The winner is Simon Solen."
Simon smiled and bowed his head. He tapped his enemy's back to console him before walking away as if it was nothing.
"Number 3."
Another pair stepped forward, and this one lasted longer. The two exchanged several blows; their movements were more aggressive. The sound of wood clashing echoed repeatedly as neither side wanted to give in.
That was what happened on the 4th pair. The two pairs showed a good fight that lasted for a while. So when it was the 5th pair's turn, the expectation of everyone was all over the roof.
"Number 5."
Lionel's grip tightened slightly on his sword. When he and Nathaniel stepped forward, all eyes immediately went to their direction.
"Oh no, is it Lionel and Nathaniel's turn?"
"I heard Nathaniel is good at swordsmanship."
"Wasn't it rumored that Lionel has not been keeping up on his studies?"
"So Nathaniel will win then…"
"You can't be too sure."
"I guess we will see Lionel's skill here…"
Whispers started to fill the space as they anticipated the upcoming match.
= = =
A/N: I wasn't able to announce it, but the novel is officially contracted! Anyway, I want to give my appreciation to the first person who gifted the novel.
Shout out to xenny. Really appreciate it!