ushernet Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 53: The Prismatic Blade
Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 53: The Prismatic Blade
Act 1: Blue Ocean Pavilion - Chapter 53: The Prismatic Blade
The air was stifling as Oscar sweat from his brow despite not having started the fight. Heck, he was not on the stage yet. It felt like dropping into the opening of a volcano.
'Shape up! Don't falter!' His feet regained their bearing and steadily stepped forward. Oscar preemptively equipped his buckler and stepped onto the stage.
A few minutes passed, and an eye-catching figure made his way through the crowd. The crowd slowly parted to allow this person through. The man had beautiful rosy hair with shining purple eyes that shone with power and confidence.
The girls in the crowd blushed at seeing his handsome face. He resembled the carving of a statue or a beautiful painting. He was Phillip Raeven.
The Raeven Duke Family, one of the highest authorities in the Brilliant Drake Empire that had existed since the Empire's birth, is a military family that fielded generals and commanders that fought for the Empire in numerous wars. They were one of the primary bulwarks from its expansion to its defenses.
Every family member was noted for their prowess in swordsmanship, utilizing the unique Raeven Sword Techniques. From the moment they could properly grip an object, a member of the Raeven family started their sword training. Perhaps the strangest aspect of this family was the refusal to use armaments such as armor or weapons.
Oscar read up on the Raeven family and watched Phillip's matches repeatedly. In Phillip's previous matches, Phillip only wielded his sword anima to defeat his opponents. The only information Oscar could find on this subject was that the Raeven family allowed armaments once they reached the Knight Exalt realm.
"Good afternoon." Phillip politely said. At last, Phillip propped onto the stage.
"Good afternoon." Oscar responded.
Phillip looked at Oscar with a hint of interest. His opponent was only a Grade Four Exolsia, and his Anima was a soft-looking deer. But he managed to defeat two people to reach this point.
However, none of this registered as a threat to him. Phillip was confident in stopping any of Oscar's strategies and moves. His sword was not that lacking to falter here.
On the other side, Oscar clenched his hands with a serious face. He wished he hadn't shown all his powers in the previous rounds.
One of the major reasons Oscar won his battles was the element of surprise. After all, as a Grade Four, the best option was to catch the enemy off-guard and finish it without giving them a chance to retaliate.
Against Mary, he displayed his 'Stone Gaze' and physical power.
Against George, he showed his 'Steel Scales' and buckler's range.Cheêck out latest novels on
Phillip must have seen his recordings, so any attempt at a surprise was gone.
'If there is no option for tricks, then I can only move on with brute strength.' Oscar took up his stance and prepared for an all-out fight. He had belief in his master, Draven's, teachings. All the suffering in that prison was not for nothing.
Phillip smiled a little at Oscar's resolute stance. He preferred straightforward duels with nothing held back. His opponents constantly scurried and made nervous attacks which bored him. 'Will you make this interesting? Let's see!'
Phillip's Ein spiked. It was a strange appearance with a slightly transparent color like a white veil, but its edges flamed with rainbow colors. The Ein focused on Phillip's hands and condensed into a sword.
The sword was beautiful, with various colors constantly shining on its edges as it moved through the sunlight. Its features were like a prismatic crystal.
Oscar tensed up. Although it was an Anima, it was unbelievably sharp and tough.
The proctor brought his hands up and was about to start the fight.
"Wait a moment please." Phillip interrupted the proctor with an apology and pulled out a sheet of cloth from his pocket. Under Oscar and the proctor's stunned faces, Phillip tied the cloth around his eyes as a blindfold.
"Explain." Oscar felt insulted by Phillip's actions. Was he so weak that Phillip decided to give him a handicap?
"Forgive me. I do not mean this as an insult. Contrary to that, it's a form of respect." Phillip said.
"Respect?"
"I dare not underestimate my opponents. The spell you used against that brown-haired girl was 'Stone Gaze'. You displayed expertise in its use, from its timing and duration down to the letter." Phillip's magnetic voice continued as he poured compliments on Oscar.
"A single instant is crucial in battle. I'd rather shut my eyes than give you that advantage or chance."
Oscar could not deny the conviction and sincerity in Phillip's words. Strangely it made him smile a little, knowing that this great genius regarded him seriously. "I'm grateful to be respected by someone like you."
The four slashes flew out again, but Philip curved his attacks instead of straight diagonals. It was similar to a whirlpool.
Oscar blocked each one. He knew Phillip would go up a notch this in the next exchange and prepared himself.
'Steel Scales'
Oscar invoked his spell, and a sudden strike scraped off his reinforced skin. Unlike before, Phillip's attacks did not wound him.
Phillip was undeterred and did not give Oscar a chance to breathe.
'Second Step!'
.......
The terrace above the stadium.
Margaret sipped some tea with a soothing expression. Her eyes were closed under the pleasant calm feeling.
"It's not nice to show up without an announcement." Her eyes opened to see the Warden of the Abyss Prison, Draven, sitting across from her. The attendants around her were astonished. One moment, the seat was empty, and suddenly the Warden was in it.
Draven had helped himself to some of Margaret's tea. His helmet-covered face looked straight at Margaret as he sipped from his cup.
"Why are you, Draven? I did not think the Warden was interested in students' external affairs." Margaret chewed on a cookie, seeming quite indifferent to Draven's presence.
Draven shook his head and said, "My dear, Margaret. You haven't aged a single day. How are your soldiers?"
Margaret's face twitched in irritation, and her icy voice said, "I have no time for your jokes. Are you here to watch your disciple?"
"Disciple? Who are you referring to?"
"Oscar Terr." Margaret stared deeply at Draven.
"You mean my temporary disciple? I only taught him for a week; he's no longer my student." Draven dismissed Margaret's words.
"He knows 'Awaken' and Reis. Explain why you would teach that to a temporary disciple."
"What does it matter? He's won two matches so far."
"The 'Reis Awaken' is dangerous. You willingly taught him a double-edged technique. If it were 'Ein Awaken', then I wouldn't take it so seriously." Margaret scolded.
Draven rubbed his chin and complained, "If someone learned the 'Reis Awaken' on their own, you would care less."
"That's because those people had chosen that path on their own. Their consequences are theirs to handle. But this boy is influenced by you to learn it." Margaret raged.
"True, I did initiate the boy into it, but he chose to remain. Don't downplay his resolve and decision." Draven's voice lost its elegant tone and replaced it with anger.
Margaret tensed up in her seat. She never thought he would speak up for another like this.
"However, you are right. I will take responsibility if the boy is broken apart by the 'Reis Awaken'." Draven continued sipping his tea and pulled up a live image of Oscar's fight against Phillip. "Isn't this your grand-nephew? The boy has the features of the Raeven family."
Margaret looked at the live feed and nodded. Her sister married into the Raeven family long ago and mothered some children. Phillip was the most talented out of her sister's progeny.
She had a great relationship with her sister and her family. But she never gave them special treatment, nor did they want any. Margaret thanked heavens her sister did not marry wrongly.
"Your disciple is struggling." Margaret's attention was on the wound on Oscar's forearm.
Draven tapped his finger on the table. "I wonder how far he can take this."