Chapter 348: One Strike (1/2)
”If you are ready, then… BEGIN!”
Sarah's words were like the ring of the bell that signaled the start of an official boxing match. Without turning around, she stepped away from the battle arena, back to the side. She leaned against the wall, with her hands folded together just below her chest.
”Now boy… you will see the price of your lies! Taste my first strike!” Sir Michael exclaimed, his previously friendly smile on his face twisting into something akin to a cruel, malicious smirk.
He raised his weapon and struck down, aiming at the still calm, aloof boy's annoying face.
His strike was surprisingly swift, the steel, the shining metal blurred as it sailed through the air, traversing the distance between them and arriving in front of Aiden's face in a mere moment.
Just as it was about to hit its target and cause the fight to end on such short notice, something unexpected happened.
The blade didn't stop, it continued moving on, seemingly phasing through the boy without causing any visible signs of damage. In the next instant, the afterimage left by Aiden scattered into the air, giving a just explanation to the strange phenomenon.
”Wha-” Before Sir Michael could even finish his curse, the boy's calm voice reached his ears, coming from… behind him?! His mouth gape aghast with the shock of what just happened, he turned around, looking at a scene he simply couldn't process. Besides their positions shifting around, it seemed like nothing happened. The boy stood still like before, whilst Sir Michael held his sword in front of his chest.
A second later, his shock seemingly passed, replaced by the now unconstrained rage. Gritting his teeth, he reaffirmed his grip on the hilt of his sword.
”You think you can play around huh? Let me show you the true height of power! Let me give you a taste of what it means to be a real warrior!”
Suddenly the air around Sir Michael turned cold, hazy. A strange sensation of chill spread throughout the arena as Sir Michael released something that only a selected few talents could achieve.
”T-this… This is…”
”He reached such a level already?!”
”Sir Michael is truly the best!”
Shock spread through everyone looking, Sir Michael's reveal was something that nobody expected.
”Brother, what is this chill coming from him?” Looking at his brother, Scarlet asked with a confused look on his face.
”Sword Intent. A sign of true skill. Although it's barely at the first stage, it is still unexpected. It seems that this battle may not be so boring as what we expected…” Drake answered with a thoughtful look. Truth be told, he didn't expect that this little town would have someone with such a level of skill.
Even Sara, though still hiding under her hood, had a look of surprise flash through her face for a brief moment before the calm returned a second later.
”Yes, this is truly unexpected. Still, this is merely the seedling, he barely had stepped into this realm, he still has a long way to go.”
”Is Aiden in trouble now?” Scarlet asked again, looking at the golden armored man, grinning at his opponent like a madman.
”No. You don't need to worry. This is nothing. My brother can't be defeated! He will win.” Instead of the boy, Lily spoke up. Her fists clenched, betraying her brave outlook, showing how worried inwardly she truly was.
Noticing her clenched balled-up fists, Sara placed her right hand gently over her left shoulder and gave it a light squeeze.
”Do not worry. Even if Michael looks strong now, you should place more trust in your brother's power. You should be aware of how he is. Just look at how he is right now. Does he look like someone who is afraid?”
”I didn't say….” Lily was about to argue, but as she looked at her brother, instead she took in a large gasp of air, and slowly exhaled to calm herself and regain her lost demeanor.
”I know, thanks.” She sighed in the end, her tightly held fists eased up, as she returned her attention to the fight at hand.