Alexander used the same stance that Diether was using.

He raised his sword above his head with the tip pointing back and the blade facing up in readiness to strike. ​​

However, instead of Migi, or the right foot out in front, Alexander seems to be more comfortable in Hidari, or the left foot out in front.

'What are you going to do now?'

Alexander felt that he successfully taunted Diether…

By using this stance, only their speed would determine the winner. Since he already knows how fast the wooden sword can be, he felt that he just have to be faster!

Although he said that Arcane Magic is not allowed, he can still boost his body using his Spiritual Energy.

'With this, my sword won't get affected by his technique…'

"You won't sweep away my sword again!"

He shouted and strikes down as he already felt that he accumulated enough energy…

Their battle was now about to be decided by this exchange.

"Haa!"

Diether didn't back down as he also strikes down with his sword aiming at Alexander's head!

Both of them used a vertical slash to strike the head of their opponent!

'What, another return technique? Do you think that me getting hit on the head by that wooden sword would be better even if you get sliced by my mythical sword?!'

Alexander felt absurd seeing that Diether also decided to strike him instead of dodging or defending.

With the momentum of his sword, he was sure that the technique Diether used to swipe away his sword would no longer be effective.

The Hunters and students watching the exchange also noticed this in split second and waited in bated breath.

They realized that Diether seems to be prideful with his aggressive stance and he seemed to be telling Alexander that he shouldn't be practicing this stance in front of him!

The aura that he has doesn't seem to be from a 10-year-old kid but a veteran swordsman.

PAH!

A crisp sound of the wooden sword hitting Alexander's head was heard.

The audience didn't understand what happened. They saw that they struck at the same time and some may even argue that Diether only followed after he saw Alexander's strike.

After all, it has been Diether's style to do a return technique.

But as the two swords struck down, Alexander's sword had terribly missed and gave away a path for him to get hit on his head.

"W-what kind of technique was that?!"

"Hey… Did that kid used an Arcane Magic?"

"Right… It must be…"

The students then looked at the 4th Class Arcanists observing the battle not caring about the now unconscious Alexander lying on the ground.

They wanted to know whether Reiji used an underhanded tactic or it was truly purely sword skill.

It seemed that they too were confused about what happened but they still answered to clear the mind of the students.

"No… Reiji did not use an Arcane Magic."

One of the Arcanist said as he instructed the others to treat Alexander quickly.

The Arcanist then closed his eyes to remember what had just happened.

Because of his focus on the fight just now, he could replay the split second of exchange in his mind.

There, he could see that the kid and Alexander strike almost at the same time but as soon as they crossed their swords, Alexander's sword seemed to have let the wooden sword passed through…

"Amazing… I understand now…"

After replaying the scene repeatedly in his mind, he understood the secret of this technique and he was very impressed. However, he wasn't too interested in it as battles that prohibit the usage of Arcane Magic wouldn't be something he was willing to participate in.

He heavily relies on his Arcana's ability.

However, some people watching the battle secretly had a different thought.

At the highest building within the village, two figures were watching the battle while having a cup of tea.

If anyone looked up in this building, they wouldn't see that someone was watching them from the terrace due to some kind of illusion or magic.

The two could clearly see the battle just now even if they were sitting far away from the plaza.

"Who was that kid?"

"He's a newly licensed Hunter in this village, Sir Kairo."

It was Orga who answered the question. Now that the two were alone, Orga no longer called him as Chief but instead his name.

"Ho~ I didn't know that we have a talented warrior here. Did you check his background? I'm interested in meeting him."

"Of course… He's from a declining noble family. His full name is Diether Luxford."

"Luxford? Is he related to Baron Edward?"

"That's his offspring… Sir, are you acquainted with the baron?"

"Not really… I only heard about his exploits in battle. There are many rumors about him but I also heard that he learned some secret he shouldn't have to, so he has been silenced before he managed to retire from the battlefield."

"Mhm… I tried to look into it as well after learning his identity… But even with my authority within the association, I couldn't find anything more than that. It seems that any traces or information about him was intentionally sealed."

"Haa~ That's quite impossible for someone who accomplished a lot on the battlefield. Someone was surely behind it."

"His last appearance was at the western border's skirmishes, other than that, I couldn't find anything."

"There's nothing we could do… We also have our problems…"

Orga nodded at this but he seemed to be lost in thought as he observes Diether who was grinning ear to ear after his battle.

***

"I did it, master!"

Diether announced happily after winning against Alexander.

"You did very well…"

Reiji was very proud of his student since even in his previous life, not many can perfectly pull it off.

The technique he just showed was called Men-Kiriotoshi-Men.

It is considered to be the most difficult technique and the ultimate technique of itto-ryu, or the "one sword school".

The Men-Kiriotoshi-Men is a "straight-on technique" and at the same time, considered as a "return technique".

When an opponent was going for "men", the essence of the technique would be going for "men" in return while blocking the opponent's sword.

Reiji had advised Diether that to use this technique, he must be in perfect form.

That's right, the trick to pull this off was to use an overly correct form.

In simple terms, the one who could use this technique would be someone who will not concede the "Median Line" and as a result, he would repel the opponent's sword.

It may be easy to explain this but it was extremely hard to effectively use it in a duel.

Anyway, Reiji was happy that Diether won and earned the kid some more money.

At the same time, Reiji also completed one of his missions!