ONLINE: Blades of Eternity

Chapter 236 A DUEL BETWEEN RIVALS

"By my calculations, the next duel coming up must be the last duel of this phase"

"Wait, you're right! But who is going to duel though?"

"Isn't it obvious? It's between that sinister being from the Valen military academy and the rookie from the Pacesetters"

"Hey! That's not how you name people who have gone tooth and nail to arrived at the final duel of this phase. Though I think their name is Kelvin and Kaelen"

"I wonder who will win though"

As the crowd erupted into heated discussions and deafening cheers for the final duel, the energy within the Northern Wind Spire Coliseum was palpable. Seraphine stood tall on the elevated platform at the center of the arena, her calm demeanor contrasting the excitement that rippled through the spectators. Her voice resonated powerfully across the coliseum.

"Attention, everyone! The moment we've all been waiting for—the final duel of the individual class battles—is about to commence!"

The crowd's excitement soared to new heights, but in the VIP section, the mood was starkly different. Marel and Castenada, seated side by side, exchanged grave looks.

"This isn't just any match," Marel murmured, his tone carrying a weight of concern. "It's a duel between a symbol of hope for our academy and a student who once walked away from it. A clash of conviction and ambition."

Castenada nodded, his eyes fixed on the arena below. "Kelvin's fall was inevitable with his pride, but his rise as a fearsome combatant outside our walls is troubling. Kaelen must prove he's more than a rising star—he must show that Pacesetters Academy produces warriors who can overcome even their darkest adversaries."

Lysander who is seated not too far away from them, suddenly glanced at them as he suddenly spoke up in a rather sly tone. "Oh my, it seems like Mr. Castenada and his good friend looks troubled. I hope you are ok?"

'Ingrate' Marel thought as he gave Lysander a rather venomous stare that could send chills down the spine of anyone who sees it. As for Castenada though, he simply ignored him as his full attention were on the arena.

'It seems like he isn't conflicted as I expected' Kael thought calmly as he gave a side glance before he also put his attention on the arena below.

Back in the arena, Kelvin Bowel, clad in his imposing dark armor and exuding an oppressive aura, emerged from the shadows of the waiting area. His dark scythe materialized in his grasp, emanating a sinister, almost alive, energy. His confident strides and the ominous energy radiating from him caused a hush to ripple momentarily through the crowd.

But Kaelen followed next, climbing the steps of the arena with a solemn but resolute expression. Before stepping onto the platform though, he was surrounded by his peers, their encouraging words a quiet echo in his mind.

"You've got this, Kaelen," Forbes suddenly said, his calm and confident smile steadying him.

Their weapons collided again, sending arcs of light and darkness spiraling into the air. Despite the overwhelming power Kelvin unleashed, Kaelen stood firm, pushing back with newfound strength. The crowd erupted into cheers as the two warriors fought to a stalemate yet again, each refusing to yield an inch.

But it didn't take too long as Kaelen surprisenly began to feel pressured as he was forcefully being put in a defensive position. 'if this goes on, I will be defeated. Seems like I have no choice' Kaelen thought grimly while he was being pressured further by Kelvin.

And almost in an instance, Kelvin suddenly unleashed his Formless swordplay in it's purest form. And shockingly, this technique end put crumbling Kelvin's world of darkness as Kelvin himself was sent flying while coughing up a mouthful of blood.

"Cough!"

Kaelen gripped the hilt of his disguised Blade of Eternity, his breathing steady despite the lingering pressure Kelvin had exerted on him throughout the duel. The arena was tense, the audience captivated by the unexpected shift. Kaelen's Formless Swordplay had dismantled Kelvin's World of Darkness, sending the military academy warrior flying and crashing heavily onto the platform. The resounding thud echoed throughout the coliseum as gasps erupted from the crowd.

In the VIP section, Castenada leaned forward, his eyes filled with pride and relief. "He did it," Marel murmured, grinning at the chancellor. The other representatives from Pacesetters Academy began cheering, their excitement palpable.

Kaelen adjusted his stance, cautiously watching Kelvin, who appeared motionless. "It's over," he thought, taking a small step forward. The whole arena seemed to hold its breath.

But just as Seraphine moved to call the duel, Kelvin groaned and slowly forced himself onto his knees, then to his feet. His body trembled, but his dark scythe materialized in his hand once more, pulsing with ominous energy. His voice rang out, heavy with unyielding determination. "I will not fall. Not until I've avenged her!"

Kaelen's eyes narrowed. Her? Avenged who? The thought lingered in his mind, and he frowned as Kelvin's words sank in. "You... had a sister?"

Kelvin's head snapped up, his deep and gloomy dark eyes blazing with fury. "Had?" he spat, his voice dripping venom. "She was taken from me. Murdered. By people like you!" His dark aura surged, rapidly expanding in intensity until it enveloped the entire arena. The sheer force of it made Kaelen instinctively leap back, his instincts screaming of danger.

"She was the only person I could call a family. And what you lot did to her at such a young age at that!!? You killed her!!" Kelvin yelled painfully as his eyes became more bloodshot. "If I do not avenge her death, then I will just die trying!!"

In the VIP section, Castenada's expression turned serious, his usual confidence faltering as he muttered, "This isn't good, this isn't ordinary darkness magic anymore."

Surprisenly, King Alexandria who have kept a calm look on his face almost throughout the tournament suddenly had his face twitch for only an instance.

The crowd was silent, awestruck and terrified as Kelvin's power exploded. The platform beneath his feet cracked and crumbled, unable to withstand the oppressive weight of his aura. "This isn't about winning anymore," Kelvin declared, his voice echoing ominously. "This is about proving that even the so-called 'elite' can be crushed under my shadow!"

Kaelen braced himself, his grip tightening on his sword as the ground beneath him trembled. "So, this is the real Kelvin," he muttered, steeling his resolve. The pressure from Kelvin's aura was suffocating, but Kaelen's will burned brighter. 'If I don't take him seriously now, I won't leave this duel unscathed.'

Kelvin raised his scythe, his dark energy swirling violently like a storm. "This is your end, Dragonyx," he said, his voice calm yet filled with malevolence. "And why it is so is because you had to being around at my time."