CHAPTER 56: UNBEATABLE DEFENCE

Chapter 56: Unbeatable Defence

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Professor Vaelian stepped onto the stage, the aura of the recent duel still hanging heavy in the air. The silence that had filled the hall during the match between Eldrich and Bale was now replaced with a low hum of awe and excitement. He cleared his throat, and his voice sounded across the room, instantly silencing everyone.

"That was a demonstration of what is possible," he said, his voice always firm and commanding. "It was a display of raw power and mastery that few will ever witness in person. Now, it is your turn. The combat test has officially begun."

A collective gasp went through the crowd, a mix of apprehension and eagerness. This was it. The moment they had all been preparing for.

"The rules are simple," the professor continued. "You will be provided with a school-issued Wooden blade. The test will be a series of duels. The test is a measure of your physical ability, your tactical mind, and your control over your mana."

"You will win by either rendering your opponent unconscious or by forcing them to yield," he continued. "However, winning doesn’t automatically mean a higher test score than your opponent. Your final score will be an average of the individual scores issued by the four judges present here. They will be evaluating the things I mentioned earlier: your physical ability, your tactical mind, and your control over your mana."

He held up a small scroll, its parchment old and yellowed. "The matches have been predetermined. We will start with a duel involving the top-ranked students from the written exam. A match that will surely set the standard for the rest of you." He unrolled the scroll, his eyes scanning the names. "Our first duel will be between Elisa Ravenscroft and Sophie Sapphire!"

A wave of murmurs and whispers swept through the hall. Everyone knew who Elisa was, but few knew Sophie Sapphire. She was a somewhat quiet girl with a talent for academics that was good but, couldn’t rival Elisa’s. She was always on the verge of greatness but never quite reached the top, always falling just a few points shy. The two weren’t enemies, but they weren’t exactly friends, either. They were simply mates in same class 1-D.

As their names were called, the two girls stepped forward, their faces a study in contrasts. Elisa’s expression was as composed as ever, a mask of cold concentration. Sophie, on the other hand, was a mix of nervous energy and genuine excitement. She clutched the hilt of her school-issued blade, her knuckles slightly becoming white.

"It’s an honor to duel you, Elisa," Sophie said, her voice a little shaky. "I’ve always admired your skills, both academic and martial. I know this won’t be easy, but I’ll do my best."

Elisa simply gave her a curt nod. "I expect nothing less," she replied. Her voice was devoid of emotion, a simple acknowledgment of the challenge.

Arios watched from the sidelines, a grim look on his face. He remembered this duel. It was a complete and utter beatdown in the anime, a testament to Elisa’s overwhelming skill. He had watched the fight many times, a mix of fascination and pity for Sophie. He knew every move, every counter, and every single second of the fight.

This is where she shows everyone that she’s on another league, Arios thought, his gaze fixed on Elisa. This is where she proves that she is not just an academic genius but a true martial prodigy.

The two girls took their stances, the sound of their feet shifting on the polished floor as it echoed in the silent hall. Sophie was the first to attack, her movements a blur of motion. She was fast, her blade a silver streak aimed at Elisa’s chest. She was skilled, her footwork a complicated dance that was meant to confuse and disorient her opponent. She was a whirlwind of aggression, her every move a statement of her resolve.

Elisa’s response was a study in minimalism. She didn’t move. She simply raised her blade, her movements so precise that they seemed almost effortless. She parried every strike, her blade deflecting Sophie’s with a subtle twist of the wrist. She was like a statue, a fortress of pure defense, her movements so efficient that they looked like they were barely moving at all.

Sophie’s frustration mounted with every failed strike. She put more power into her swings, her every move a desperate plea for a hit. She slowly became faster than Elisa, stronger, and more aggressive, but none of it mattered. Elisa was like a wall that she couldn’t break. It was like trying to punch a brick wall. All of her energy, all of her skill, was simply being shrugged and deflected.

She’s always been this way, Arios thought, a sense of awe in his eyes. She’s a genius of a different kind. A genius of both defense and attack. She doesn’t waste a single bit of time, a single bit of movement. Her style is truly the definition of efficiency.

Arios remembered a particular scene in the anime where Elisa former martial teacher had praised her for her fighting style. He had said that while others fought to win, she fought not to lose. Her style was one that was built on defense, on making sure that no one could get a single hit in. It was a genius move, one that made her an almost unbeatable opponent. She could simply wait for her opponent to get tired, and then deliver a final, decisive blow.

And that’s exactly what she was doing. Sophie’s movements were becoming slower, her strikes less precise. The fatigue was setting in, and Elisa was still as fresh as she had been in the beginning. She was simply toying with her, waiting for the perfect moment to end it.

Sophie, in a last-ditch effort, lunged forward, her blade aimed at Elisa’s head. It was a desperate move, a foolish one. Arios knew what was coming. He had seen it in the anime, and now he was about to see it in person.

Elisa simply shifted her weight, a subtle movement. She brought her blade up, the tip of her sword meeting Sophie’s. She didn’t deflect it, didn’t parry it. She simply used the momentum of Sophie’s attack to her advantage. She twisted her wrist, and the sound of Sophie’s blade clattering to the floor echoed in the silent hall.

Sophie stood there, her hands empty, her body shaking with a mix of exhaustion and defeat. She had been disarmed, and she had to know it was over.

"I yield," she said, her voice low.

Professor Vaelian’s voice sounded across the room. "The winner is Elisa Ravenscroft!"