Clack!
Clack!
Clack!
Their swords met again, the impact echoing sharply within the enclosed arena.
Cassian pushed forward this time, his strength pressing down on Lionel's sword as he tried to overpower him directly. His stance and footing were stable. It was clear that he became more serious this time.
Lionel slid his foot back slightly, letting the pressure pass through his body instead of resisting it head-on. He knew that he would just lose if he did, since Cassian was larger than him.
Lionel's arms adjusted just enough to redirect the force rather than clash against it.
Cassian's eyes narrowed at it. He twisted his wrist and broke their current formation. He immediately stepped to the side before launching another strike aimed at Lionel's ribs.
Clack!
Lionel was able to block it again.
Cassian clicked his tongue because of that. "You've improved, Lionel," he said, his tone sounded light but you could hear the faint sound of mockery in it. "I didn't expect you would last this long, especially coming from you."
"Thank you, cousin." Lionel smiled at him.
Cassian's brows twitched slightly. That wasn't the reaction he expected. He was doing it so he could get Lionel flustered or irritated. However, he simply accepted it as if it were a genuine compliment!
This guy Cassian, gritted his teeth at that.
Lionel, on the other hand, tried to remain calm.
Don't get affected by it. He reminded himself quietly.
He knew that there was no need for him to react at all. He doesn't need to prove anything through words because only the result of this match would really matter.
Cassian, who was growing impatient, attacked once again.
Clack!
Clack!
Clack!
His attacks came in quick succession. He was really determined to make Lionel lose this time. However, as quick as his attack, Lionel's defense on it was smooth. He looked as if he already knew that those attacks were coming to him.
But Cassian wasn't one to lose. He ducked low and aimed straight at Lionel's leg.
Lionel quickly lowered his sword before it could even land on his leg. He was able to block his cousin's attack properly.
Cassian's expression darkened for a brief second.
Is Lionel reading my attacks? But how…? Cassian immediately pulled back and created distance when he thought of it.
Because of it, a small pause happened between the two of them. They were both standing a few steps apart now.
Their breathing has becoming ragged after as the tension between them had grown heavier over the last few minutes.
"…Interesting." Cassian exhaled slowly.
Without another word, he rushed forward again. This time, his speed increased even more after being able to rest for a minute.
Clack!
Their swords collided once again. Cassian rotated his body and struck from another angle…
Clack!
When it didn't work, he tried to take another step to the side.
Clack!
Then another…
Clack!
He wasn't giving Lionel time to think… or at least that was the intention.
However, despite it, Lionel didn't look pressured at all. Instead, his eyes just followed his every movement calmly. Lionel moved slightly as he blocked another strike coming from his cousin.
Clack!
While they were fighting, he couldn't help but watch Cassian's movements.
His cousin was definitely skilled. He was far more skilled than Nathaniel, which is why their fight ran for ages. But even so, he still has patterns.
Just like now, when Cassian stepped in once more before swinging his sword horizontally, trying to target Lionel's front. It was easy to block it, and that was what he did.
Clack!
For a brief moment, their swords locked at each other.
"Can you still take it, cousin?" Cassian smirked at that.
"Of course," Lionel replied simply before he suddenly pushed forward.
Cassian's eyes widened slightly as he felt the sudden change in the way Lionel moved. Lionel stepped in and broke the distance between them completely.
Clack!
He immediately struck his sword, and Cassian raised his sword to block it. However…
Clack!
Lionel struck again. He followed the attack with another attack.
Clack!
Clack!
Clack!
Cassian was forced to step back because of Lionel's continuous attacks. Cassian frowned at it. His grip tightened on his sword. He tried to regain control, but Lionel slipped to the side. Before Cassian could react, a sharp impact landed on his side.
Thud!
"—!" Cassian's breath hitched slightly at that. The attack wasn't strong enough to seriously injure him, but the impact still sent a wave of pain through his body.
Lionel didn't give him time to recover. He turned his wrist and swung his sword forcefully again.
Clack!
Cassian was able to block it with his shaking hand. However, Lionel controlled the angle, and Cassian's blade was forced to move upward slightly.
That small opening was all Lionel needed. After directing Cassian's sword upwards, he pushed it back and struck again. This time it was a clean hit.
Swoosh!
Cassian's stance faltered when he felt another strong impact on his body
"—!" Cassian's sword slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground. The loud sound of it echoed clearly inside the arena.
"…" Cassian's eyes widened slighty as he stood there in place. His hand was still slightly raised, as if it hadn't yet processed what just happened.
His eyes slowly moved from his empty hand… to the sword on the ground.
"W-what?" He breathed out. He shook his head, not wanting to believe it.
"This is absurd!" Cassian's eyes trembled slightly as he muttered it out loud. He wasn't able to stop his true emotions, slipping out.
He couldn't understand.
How?
How did it end like this?
Cassian's jaw tightened.
"The match is over."
At the side, the instructor just stepped forward after making sure that the two sides have finished.
"The winner of this round is…"
A short pause.
"Lionel of House Exelio!"
= = =
A/N: Grateful to all the readers reading this novel.
Shout out to NovaEdge. Thank you for gifting the novel!