CHAPTER 281: CHAPTER 279 FROST WOLF SWORDSMANSHIP

"Obviously, Mr. Thomas, your skills with the sword are far inferior to your mouth!"

After all, it wasn’t a fight against pirates, so Aiven "temporarily" didn’t use his full strength. In the presence of his colleagues, even though he very much wanted to take down this guy who was likely connected to his nemesis, it was hard to find an opportunity.

Because he knew that neither himself nor Thomas would be ignored by the Major General, who was a Great Knight, if their lives were in danger.

Yet, Aiven’s light-hearted remark made the proud Thomas feel worse than if he had been stabbed by a sword.

In just that moment.

The officers who were originally in the conference room had already walked out through the main door under the Major General’s lead.

The originally furious Major General Koverdale saw the scene where Thomas suffered a setback and immediately dismissed his plan to intervene, barely restraining a smile and standing aside to watch the spectacle with an amused composure.

"Humph—!"

Letting out a cold snort, Thomas turned back with a blank expression. It was apparent that failing with a sword strike had made him realize that Aiven’s title of "Rising Star First" was well-deserved.

Name: Thomas Gregory

Gender: Male

Military Rank: Lieutenant Commander (Flagship: Ilya Kingdom Level 5 Cruiser "Snow Lake")

Rank: Senior Knight

Attributes: Constitution 3.5, Strength 3.58, Agility 3.4

Skills: Frost Wolf Swordsmanship (Mastery, Note: Even though Aiven is not familiar with the opponent’s swordsmanship, mastery is marked by the ability to use secret techniques and special sword techniques, and being able to use secret techniques means at least a mastery level)...

Extraordinary Items:

Bloody Lake Light (Hand Half-Sword, Extraordinary Weapon)...

In the "Data Visualization," Thomas’s body data had already appeared before Aiven.

As he expected, this was an Official Knight focusing on strength, just like Gary on his ship, but had already reached the senior level.

Although not particularly brawny, his muscle fibers were noticeably thick, likely enhanced through special training methods and inherited potions to adapt his body for "Frost Wolf Swordsmanship."

Reaching his current level at the age of 25 was quite excellent, clearly demonstrating the effort he had put in.

However, the body attributes of a senior knight no longer held any advantage in front of him now!

Since the battle with Great Pirate Basem, no Knight at Tier 2 could overwhelm Aiven in body attributes.

Especially after obtaining the "Essence Fruit" from the large Sea Demon in the test arena two months ago today.

Name: Aiven Galliot

Gender: Male

Military Rank: Lieutenant Commander (Flagship: Phaletis Kingdom Level 4 Battleship "Storm Horn")

Rank: Senior Knight/Peak Apprentice

Attributes: Constitution 3.62, Strength 3.41, Agility 3.8, Spirit 0.99

Skills: White Sail Swordsmanship (Mastery), Witchcraft (Mastery)...

Extraordinary Items:

Sword Staff (Extraordinary Swift Sword, Traits: Sharpness, Tenacity, Camouflage)

Wild Talisman (Black Panther, Effects: Increases the user’s speed and responsiveness by 20%)...

Most of the "Essence Fruit" from last time was kept in Aiven’s magic pocket, with only a small portion reserved for Angie.

Following a cycle of taking one every three days, by now, besides Spiritual Power reaching the apprentice limit, all three main body attributes had grown by around 0.8, entirely surpassing the 3.3 threshold and reaching the senior level.

In comparison to Thomas, except for a slight disadvantage in strength, his other attributes were superior.

"Hehe, Captain Aiven really is remarkable, I was just about to seek your guidance on the ’Frost Wolf Swordsmanship’ passed down through the Gregory Clan!"

After one failure, Thomas was not deterred; he was simply no longer mentioning enforcing military law on Aiven, only asking to exchange sword techniques.

He raised his extraordinary longsword and again approached Aiven slowly.

At three meters away, he stepped forward slightly.

Swoosh—

As he got close to Aiven’s side, the sharp blade turned into a fierce blizzard from the northern winter, crashing down like a storm.

The [Frost Wolf Swordsmanship] is most widely spread in the fierce Iceland nation of Atlant. With this swordsmanship "learned" from the demonized creature, the Frost Wolf, no one in countless years has been able to defeat the Frost Wolf Knights living in the eternally frozen land of northern Atlant!

The essence of this swordsmanship is to guard a reason as cold as ice amidst furious sword techniques, being aggressive in move but calm in spirit, perfectly matching the unique natural environment and national character of Atlant.

Just how the Gregory Clan got hold of this swordsmanship tradition is unknown.

Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!...

At this point, Thomas engaged in close combat, wielding the normally sized hand half-sword with the danger and treachery typically associated with a dagger.

Aiven shifted lightly, his body moving with the wind, swiftly dodging left and right, as if he were standing in a flurry of snowflakes, avoiding each falling snowflake.

Each time, it’s a narrow escape, with danger lurking everywhere!

"This level should be about right, right? Pushed to the limit, then angrily going ’all out’, inflicting heavy injuries on the opponent! These spectators probably won’t notice, right?"

Clearly, this thrilling scene was intentionally orchestrated by Aiven, who was secretly brewing up a "wicked plan", just waiting for the moment of "forced retaliation" to strike Thomas hard.

Though he lacks the background like Thomas, isn’t it the case that the crying child gets the milk?

Hmm, whatever the outcome, it depends on whether the Major General can save him in time...

However, although he was actually quite adept at dodging, and had an advantage over his opponent in terms of physical constitution.

Aiven did not relax at all, fully concentrated on responding to the attacks, while also seeking the moment when he could "most easily fail".

Unless one is essentially non-human, in combat the body is constantly in motion, and the balance between strong and weak is continually shifting. Even an activated Combat Qi Great Knight could be killed with a cut to the neck, let alone a mere Senior Knight like himself.

As time passed, Aiven’s dodging became increasingly "laborious".

Latterly, when he truly couldn’t escape, he had to use the "utterly fragile" staff in his hand to tap the sword spine and gain a "moment of respite".

So in the eyes of others, Aiven’s current status was that his swordsmanship was clearly far superior to Thomas’, but he was at a disadvantage due to the lack of a matching Extraordinary Weapon.

"Shameless!"

"I never expected Ilya’s ’Navy New Star’ to be such a person!"

"....."

This era’s warrior spirit makes them extremely disdainful of such opportunism; while anything goes on the battlefield, it is indeed too disgraceful in a "duel" with colleagues.

Among the watching officers, both those in civilian positions and those in the Martial Arts Faction, the tide has completely turned against him.

However, Thomas was not ashamed.

He knew his purpose clearly: to probe Aiven’s abilities, and hopefully to "accidentally" severely wound or even kill him during this sparring.

The Major General fears political disputes; he does not.

With the Ilya Royal Family fully retracting now, behind him is the real ruler of the Kingdom, not only would he not be punished, but he would also stand out greatly in front of Earl Wright, benefiting greatly.

Therefore, upon hearing the spectators’ accusations, his sword style became even fiercer, fully executing the Secret Technique of "Frost Wolf Swordsmanship", commanding the wild sword techniques with a calm heart, as if innumerable packs of wolves were surrounding, compressing Aiven’s space to dodge.

"Ha—!"

Suddenly, Thomas spotted an "opportunity", shouted lowly, and lunged forward.

[Secret Technique: Fang Bite!]

On the red blade of Bloody Lake Light, the Extraordinary Spiritual Light flashed, teeth glowing red overlapping, like the gaping mouth of a giant wolf rendering escape impossible, savagely bit towards the close-by Aiven!

Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!....

Especially when he saw Aiven using a "wooden staff" to block his "Bloody Lake Light".

Thomas’s face showed a cruel smile; far from holding back, he added more strength, determined to split Aiven in two with one strike.

In the flash of a moment, he seemed to see the bloody lotus blooming on Aiven’s body!!!

Among the crowd of spectators, there were already cries of surprise from civilian military officers.

Ah!

This isn’t a duel; it’s outright murder! Not to mention a staff, even a standard longsword would be mercilessly cut through by an Extraordinary Weapon, right?

However, the Major General, a Great Knight himself, seemed to see something in Aiven’s calm face, standing expectantly.

In the next moment.

Clang—!

The long sound of metal clashing rang out, sparks flying.

"What?!!"

The staff in Aiven’s hand had only slightly been unsheathed, a thin, cold beam of snow light spilling out, the strong sword body near the hilt securely blocking Bloody Lake Light’s blade.

Extraordinary Weapon versus Extraordinary Weapon, particularly using the strong against the weak, the sword staff’s performance was not inferior.

Hiss—!

In Thomas’s moment of slight daze, Aiven’s long and strong right leg suddenly sprung from the ground like a venomous snake, fiercely kicking his chin from below upwards.

Crunch—

A crisp sound of unclear origin, Thomas was lifted off the ground, spinning and being hurled away.

Puff—!

Five or six snow-white teeth scattered along the path with the spray of blood from his mouth.

Thunk—

Man and sword separated, heavily crashing to the ground!