"Y-You!" Nathaniel's voice cracked slightly as he pointed his shaking fingers at Lionel. His face was all red, not from injury, but from humiliation.
Lionel did not even mind the pointing finger. He just lowered his wooden sword and gave a small nod at Nathaniel.
"It was a nice game." He repeated before turning away.
"The match is over!" The instructor announced after confirming the result. "The winner is Lionel Silvestre Exelio!"
"Wooohhh!"
"Congrats!"
"That attack was insane…"
"Pft- I thought Nathaniel would win for sure!"
The crowd's voices overlapped one another as they cheered for Lionel's surprising win. Some nobles even replayed the moment in their heads, amused at how the match ended so quickly.
On the other hand, Lionel climbed down the arena calmly to go back to his former place. Along the way, Simon and Aster were the first to meet him near the edge of the arena.
"What was that?!" Aster almost shouted. "You didn't even struggle!"
"That was clean, Lionel," Simon agreed with it.
Rufus, who was still waiting for his turn, gave a big thumbs up to Lionel. "Good job."
The corner of Lionel's lips rose to a small smile at that.
"Thank you," he replied simply.
Behind him, Nathaniel was walking. His gaze stayed close to the ground as he passed by the nobles who were talking behind his back.
"He lost in three moves?"
"Was Nathaniel overhyped?"
"Or is Lionel just that good?"
Nathaniel's jaw tightened slightly at that, but he said nothing. If he just comments more, he will be branded as a sore loser, and he can't accept that!
Tsk. I'm pretty sure everyone is laughing at me now. That Lionel… Nathaniel almost spat on the ground as he mentioned that name.
On the side of the arena, there was also one person who wasn't happy about the win—Cassian.
Cassian's brows were furrowed deeply as he stared at Lionel walking away.
"That's impossible…" one of his friends muttered beside him. "Nathaniel shouldn't have lost like that."
"Oh well…" Cassian's eyes narrowed slightly. "It seemed like Nathaniel was too weak." He muttered.
He had seen the battle closely earlier because he was awaiting how Lionel would lose. But instead, he won. His gaze darkened. Nathaniel couldn't even do that single job.
"But Lionel… H-He's different," Cassian said slowly. His tone carried disbelief and also irritation.
"That's not the same Lionel I know." He crossed his arms and shook his head. "Since when could he do that?"
Around him, the eyes of his previous teammates collectively gazed at him.
"What do you mean?" Arwen asked.
"Nothing. Don't mind me." Cassian just let out a deep breath and shook his head.
After that, the matches continued one after another.
"Number 6."
"Number 7."
One pair after another stepped into the arena. The atmosphere of the event slowly picked up again as the crowd settled back into watching the game.
Yet, even as the fights went on, the people still couldn't get their heads off how good Lionel was earlier
Lionel just stayed standing at his place for the rest of the time. There were some nobles who were at the same age as him who walked towards him to say their congratulations. It was a small act, but he appreciated it.
"Good match, Lionel!"
"Congrats!"
"That was amazing!"
Lionel only responded to them one by one.
"Thank you."
"I appreciate it."
"Good luck to you, too."
"Uh oh, our Lionel here is getting popular now," Aster jokingly muttered. They have stayed near Lionel this time since their fight was already done.
'I know, right?" Simon wiggled his brows too.
Lionel chuckled at it, but ignored their words.
Rufus wasn't with them since he was still close to the stage, awaiting his upcoming battle.
"Number 9."
When the number got called out, everyone's anticipation suddenly grew.
"Oh, finally we're near."
"Next game is what I'm really looking forward too."
"Finally..."
"Next one is Rufus vs Cassian!"
The crowd's enthusiasm started to rise once again.
With that, Lionel and the others went to Rufus to encourage him.
"I'll try not to lose badly." Rufus looked over at them and nodded.
Lionel, Aster, and Simon said a few encouraging words to him. Even if it was not obvious, it was their fight that everyone was actually looking forward to.
They have heard talks about Rufus's exceptional skill, and Cassian? Everyone knew him to be good. That was why everyone's expectation was just all over the roof.
While the 9th match was happening, Lionel continued to stay with his newfound friends. They weren't talking now and were just watching the stage with much seriousness.
When he glanced on the side, his eyes accidentally crossed Cassian's. Cassian was already near them. Lionel smiled at his cousin, but Cassian didn't smile back. There was a brief annoyance in his face that Lionel noticed.
Lionel just secretly sighed. It seemed like his cousin was not that happy with him winning earlier.
"Cas—" Lionel was about to open his mouth to say good luck to him, but before he could even complete his sentence, Cassian suddenly turned away.
He completely turned around, and instead of staying on the side of the stage, he walked a few steps toward one of the professors near the side. He exchanged a few words with the professor, who seemed surprised at what Cassian was saying.
Lionel tilted his head slightly, confused.
What is that guy even saying? Lionel curiously thought when he saw how serious the two had become.
But whatever it was, Lionel just knew one thing.
It must not be a good thing for him.