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Chapter 57 - Sword Genius versus Little Demon

All eyes in the vast stadium were locked on the two young men standing below. The air seemed to hum with the feverish anticipation of thousands.

This was more than a duel between Azur and Gerould.

It was the ultimate duel between two of the strongest factions—Immortal Sword Pavilion under Ren Ramis, and Ancient Darkness Island led by Selena Yusina.

Of the Seven Factions, these two were widely regarded as the strongest. Aside from the Royal Clan itself, few names in the Sacred Dragon Kingdom commanded so much respect.

"Soaring Seven," Marcus called seriously, "watch this match carefully. You can learn much from them."

In the Cloud Soaring Sect's viewing area, Marcus addressed the seven talented young adventurers under his charge.

Leo, Lan, Juvia, and Ezekias nodded solemnly. But Finn, Ashe, and Lore merely stared at the two figures below without so much as a flicker of enthusiasm.

"There are reports," Noah began quietly, his tone thoughtful, "that Azur Lilytel is the youngest Adventurer to master the most advanced technique of the Immortal Sword Pavilion. Normally, only those at 8th Level Scarlet Gold Rank can even begin to learn it. But at nineteen, he has already become proficient in the Immortal Sword Art. Though he can only wield its First Skill for now, that alone is enough for him to contend with 8th Level Scarlet Gold Rank opponent."

As he spoke, Noah turned to look at Lore.

In his heart, he believed Lore could have rivaled his cousin Azur. Lore's talent with the sword and skill techniques was undeniable—what he lacked was simply a faction whose teachings suited him.

Noah sighed.

"As for Gerould Faust," he continued, "just a year ago, he slew an assassin of 8th Level Scarlet Gold Rank. Though he nearly died himself, many still revere his courage and skill. Killing a stronger foe—an assassin, no less—is no ordinary feat."

Leo's eyes were wide with awe.

To be able to fight 8th Level Scarlet Gold Rank Adventurers…

This was the dream of everyone present: to earn the respect and admiration of the entire kingdom.

--

Below, Azur and Gerould continued to measure each other with their eyes, neither moving an inch.

They were reading each other's strength—gauging, testing, preparing.

"I've been waiting for this day for a long time," Azur said, his voice a smooth, taunting drawl. "Little Demon Gerould Faust. They love to say we're evenly matched—but I don't believe it. No one in the Seven Great Factions can surpass me. I am the most talented of them all."

Gerould didn't flinch. He simply smirked.

"You certainly have a high opinion of yourself, Sword Genius Azur Lilytel," he replied. "But I don't care to be compared to anyone—least of all you. To me, you're nothing but another ordinary Adventurer."

Azur threw back his head and laughed. The sound was bright, confident, dismissive.

"And now you accuse me of arrogance?" he said, grinning. "How absurd."

"Are we just going to stand here talking?" Gerould asked, his tone turning serious. "They're all waiting for us to fight."

Azur's grin only widened.

And then—

In the blink of an eye, his figure vanished.

He reappeared in front of Gerould, a fist flashing toward his chest.

Gerould reacted instantly. He twisted to intercept the strike, his hand snapping up to catch Azur's wrist—

But Azur disappeared again.

A fraction of a heartbeat later, Gerould felt a rush of wind behind him. He leapt aside just as Azur's foot whipped through the space where his head had been.

Landing lightly, Gerould drew in a slow breath and let his aura flare outward, sharpening his senses.

"…You're fast," Azur acknowledged coolly.

Gerould didn't answer. He lunged forward, his fist wreathed in swirling black light.

Azur raised a glowing palm to meet the strike.

BANG!

The clash reverberated through the arena.

But Gerould wasn't finished—his other hand flicked up, four fingers igniting with red-black light. He drove them into Azur's ribs.

Azur's eyes widened in surprise.

Pain lanced through his side, only blunted by the defensive armament under his uniform.

"…I see it now," Azur said as he stepped back, one hand pressed to his side. "Your hand-to-hand skills are formidable. You're better trained than I am in close combat."

His lips curved into a thin smile.

"But…"

He raised a hand to his interspatial ring.

A long silver sword materialized, gleaming so brightly it reflected Azur's face like a mirror.

"…this isn't a real fight until the sword is drawn."

Gerould's expression hardened.

"Fine," he said quietly. "Let's see if you deserve the title of 'Sword Genius.'"

He reached for his own interspatial ring—and drew a long spear.

It, too, was a Top-tier Rare Armament, though its aura was faintly weaker than Azur's sword.

With a single deft motion, he spun it through his fingers, then launched himself at Azur.

The spear's tip gleamed with mingled black and crimson light.

CLANG!

Metal struck metal in an echoing crash.

Azur leapt back, planting his feet. From a distance, he swung his sword—

A blade of air shot forth, howling across the arena.

Gerould felt it a split second before it reached him. He twisted aside, but the edge of the blast grazed his cheek.

A thin cut opened along his face, a drop of blood trailing down his jaw.

Scowling, he wiped it away with the back of his arm.

When he looked up, Azur was already raising his sword again.

If he kept trying to fight at a distance, he would lose.

Gerould understood that with crystal clarity.

So he charged.

--

"Gerould is in a bad position," Noah observed gravely. "If this keeps up, he'll never beat Azur."

"It's not Azur's fault he's more skilled," Finn said suddenly.

Everyone turned to him.

For a moment, the air seemed to still, their thoughts converging around a single question:

'Could Finn Doria stand against Azur?'

They all wanted to know.

--

Lore's hands had curled into white-knuckled fists.

He couldn't look away.

He hated Azur—loathed him with every fiber of his being.

And the longer he watched, the more he realized how far behind he had fallen.

If things continued this way, Azur would inevitably claim the Lightning Wind Family's leadership.

When that day came…

Lore knew Azur would make his life a living hell.

Finn felt the oppressive surge of killing intent emanating from Lore's body.

He sighed softly and looked back at the duel.

--

Gerould's uniform was torn and stained with his own blood. Small cuts covered his arms. His breathing was ragged.

But Azur was not unscathed either. He, too, had taken wounds, though fewer and less severe.

All around them, the stone floor was split and cratered. The walls were cracked and gouged.

And yet the crowd was smiling.

No one felt disappointment.

They had witnessed exactly what they'd hoped for:

A clash worthy of the kingdom's two most celebrated young adventurers.

Even in defeat, either of them would be remembered.

And then—

As everyone thought the end was near—

Gerould's aura suddenly surged.

He gathered the last of his energy into the spear, a violent power coiling around the weapon.

Azur's expression sharpened.

He, too, called up his strength, focusing it in the blade of his sword.

"This is my strongest attack," Gerould declared. His voice was hoarse but resolute. "And my last—I can feel my energy fading. If you withstand it, the victory is yours, and I'll have nothing more to say."

He sprang forward, spear leveled.

Dark energy licked across the weapon's length, the air itself bending away from its force.

Darkness Spear Thrust!

Azur's eyes flashed.

He raised his sword—

Immortal Sword Art, First Skill: Light Slash!

CLANG!

BANG!

Spear and sword collided.

An immense shockwave tore through the arena, ripping a massive crater beneath their feet.

The spectators felt the blast of wind even from the stands.

Blood streamed from the corner of Gerould's mouth. Azur's arm had gone numb.

Neither stepped back.

Neither surrendered.

BANG!

A final explosion.

Dust billowed so thick it obscured everything.

When it settled, both of them lay sprawled on opposite sides of the arena, utterly motionless.

The stadium fell into breathless silence.

Everyone waited, hearts in their throats.

Minutes passed before the first stir of movement.

Both figures shifted, groaning.

Slowly—agonizingly—they pushed themselves upright.

It was clear neither could fight further.

They stared at each other across the ruined floor.

And then Gerould smiled.

"…I lost," he announced simply.

His body pitched forward, and he collapsed unconscious.

An Elder of Ancient Darkness Island rushed to his side, pressing a high-grade recovery pill past his lips.

The Elder of Immortal Sword Pavilion descended, offering Azur his own recovery pill with a proud smile.

Azur swallowed it gratefully, feeling some of the pain ease.

"Azur Lilytel has won!"

"The title of the strongest young Adventurer belongs to him! Other than the Royal Clan's heirs—no one rivals him!"

The crowd erupted in excited debate.

They hadn't needed Helbram to declare the outcome. Gerould himself had admitted defeat.

Finn watched without blinking.

Until Noah's voice broke the silence:

"What do you think, Finn Doria?"

Noah's eyes were sharp.

"Do you believe you stand a chance against Azur Lilytel? Can you fight him and win?"

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