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Inside the dojo, three nobles whispered with lowered heads.
"That's the sixth one. Is that Boreas kid's swordsmanship really that strong? Could it be that this so-called commendation ceremony isn't just for show? Is it actually legitimate?"
"This..."
"This Advanced Dojo of the Water God Style Main Dojo only has Advanced swordsmen. Can he prove he's Water God Style King-rank by defeating Advanced swordsmen?"
"...I heard King-rank is the threshold for the 'Dawn' Seven Knights."
"Oh? Then why is he still standing here? Isn't it still just for gaining fame and securing a good position to observe the succession struggle? If he could enter Dawn, why would he resort to such means to participate in the succession struggle?"
"True."
"Indeed. Below Dawn, there's nothing much to say in this royal capital. Below Saint-rank, they're just attendants who guard homes and manors, living off others' whims."
Bang!!
In the ring, Allen casually slashed. A sword wrapped in battle aura sent the incoming wooden sword flying. He still kicked Kurri to the ground with one strike.
He stepped forward, about to pull him up, but Kurri, that kid, immediately rolled and planted himself on the ground. Before Allen could even raise his hand.
He grabbed Allen's hand! So fast!
"I surrender!"
His words fell firmly, conceding defeat with more confidence than wielding a blade.
It surprised Allen, who was about to kick him but Kurri dodged with a laugh.
The three nobles, witnessing this scene, fell silent in unison.
"..."
"Perhaps he truly has some skill? It seems this boy holds quite some sway in the Water God Style Dojo."
"Rather than skill, it's more about youth. Youth is the greatest capital. He's only thirteen, isn't he? Juniors in the royal capital are mostly skilled in political maneuvering. To establish himself in the Water God Style Main Dojo at such a young age, he naturally captured the attention of his peers and built his own alliance."
"And, after all, he's named Boreas. Although ever since Saul left the royal capital and returned to the territory, the Boreas family's influence in the royal capital plummeted, having that name still grants many advantages."
"Looked at this way, although his proclaimed reputation isn't as grand, he will likely gain some prestige after today's event. At thirteen, highly talented in Water God Style, he's building a reputation as 'young and promising.' To gain some attention from the First Prince or Second Princess with a 'future' is enough."
"Hmm, speaking of which, it seems it's been a long time since a scion of a great family gained fame through the Water God Style Main Dojo... I remember a long time ago, it was also from the Eolus family, who have practiced martial arts for generations..."
At this point, the noble froze. He looked up, and saw his companions also looking at him.
Then, the three of them simultaneously turned their heads to look at the side of the ring.
The head of the Eolus family—Leos Eolus Greyrat—stood by the side of the ring, staring expressionlessly at Allen in the center.
"...More than ten years ago, that illegitimate child of the Eolus family also gained renown in the royal capital for a time, also achieving fame at a young age. I remember that person seemed to have already been a Water King a few years ago?"
"Yes, Chermon. I heard he seems to be in 'Dawn' already. He's only in his twenties this year."
"Oh? Now that is truly young and promising, a person of extraordinary talent."
"What a pity he was born more than ten years earlier. If it were now, even if he were a descendant of the Eolus family, who never involves themselves in the succession struggle, he would surely attract competition among the candidates. One of the Four Great Noble families, possessing formidable martial power, with a promising future. For these candidates for the throne, he would be an excellent, extremely sharp blade."
"It's clear that this Boreas boy wants to take that path."
"Heh heh, but I heard our Princess Ariel was 'saved' by this Boreas boy in Flowing Falls City the other day. And I heard he killed a North King assassin?"
The few of them turned again to look in another direction not far away.
The Second Princess—Ariel—stood with a dignified posture, quietly watching Allen in the ring.
"Tch, North King? Looking at it now, it's nothing more than another publicity stunt. And he even stepped on the Princess, too. Our dear Princess still seems unaware. Hmph, the Boreas family has certainly produced a sharp mind."
"Heh heh..."
Bang!
Allen raised his wrist, parrying the blade that swung towards his neck.
The wooden sword hummed. Allen heard clearly all the thoughts of the nobles present, through Sense Flow.
However, this was precisely the result he wanted...
And he had been waiting a long time for it.
Swish!
The sword wind brushed past Allen's face. He raised his hand and struck, sending the incoming wooden sword vibrating away.
'That's the seventh one.'
'Such good patience.'
Allen twisted his body and stepped forward, creating a distance of one step from the sword beside him.
This was a 'just right' swinging position.
At the same time, Sense Flow was instantly pushed to maximum power.
Allen, however, didn't look at the sword. He merely glanced sideways towards the entrance of the Water God Style junior dojo beside him.
Leos and Faltz, father and son, stood in his line of sight.
Behind them were dense crowds and dining tables.
Obscuring his view.
'Sinos is too serious, like a block of wood. He really can't coordinate at all... No, more likely, he's observing, perhaps harboring other thoughts, wanting to see if Reida is truly acting with me as the rumors claim.'
Allen's lips curved into a smile. The wooden sword beside him had already settled into position, 'slowly' sweeping towards his waist.
'In that case.'
'No view? Then give them a view.'
'No desire? Then cast a fishing hook.'
'No motivation? Then ignite the fire of motivation, give the 'stepping stones' a precise moment of entry.'
'Time is limited, so...'
His pupils rotated. Allen eyed the blade coming in with the wind beside him.
'No more waiting.'
As his thoughts fell, the world suddenly broke free from the static state of his senses.
Allen, wrapped in battle aura, swung his sword, striking at the opponent's incoming blade.
Bang!!
The blade suddenly shattered. The wooden sword split in two. The broken tip, in the startled, constricted pupils of the apprentice in front, thrust straight towards Allen's face!
However, Allen's hand, reacting belatedly but reaching first, struck it with a wrist flick. Under the intentional drive of Flow Ougi, the wooden sword's tip was subtly spun in a circle by his fingertip the moment it made contact.
Bang!
It shot out!
"Ah!!"
"Watch out!"
The sword tip, shot from the 'dueling accident' scene, amidst the sudden cries of alarm from the nobles, swept past Faltz's face and slammed into the dining table behind him.
Bang! It deflected off the table onto the ground, spinning rapidly, then sped past the nobles' pant legs, clink, clink, clink, clink! clanging crisply between table legs.
It wove its way through the gaps in the crowd, finally stopping in front of a pair of hard leather boots.
Still twirling in a swish-swish sword flower.
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if you want more updates == supports with power stones
Power Stones==Bonus Chapter