Since this world has a little bit of everything, the fight may be a bit chaotic to some.

Enjoy

Chapter 6: Combat assessment

When the referee saw that both of them are ready, he raised one of his hands up. That was the cue to raise the barrier, so that the surrounding spectators wouldn't get caught up in the fight. As soon as the barrier was completely formed, he gave one last glance to the participants and said in a loud voice, "Let the match begin!"

Following the shout, his hand ferociously swung down and he retreated to the corner of the barrier, keeping his guard up, to intervene when necessary. To his surprise neither of them moved. He could see from the looks on their faces, both of them were looking for an opening in the others guard. Astonishment filled his face, he felt like he wasn't watching an examination but a duel with ones life on the line. A shiver ran down his spine, when he looked into Nalser's eyes and saw the cold gaze. "This kid has serious combat experience, his background isn't simple..." The referee murmured to himself while trying to figure out the youths background.

"That's a good look in his eyes, looking for a dent in the opponents guard while keeping every movement of the opponent in check," Tobias praised in his mind, "Something like that cannot be taught to a person, it can only be obtained from personal combat experience and from the looks of it, he has more than I originally thought." "Guess I should make the first move, seeing as we won't get-" Tobias's thought was cut short halfway due to a move made by Nalser, that left him completely dumbstruck.

Nalser lowered his guard with a lazy look on his face started walking towards Tobias. Tobias didn't know what to do, Nalser had a lazy expression on his face, like he was just walking in a park, no killing intent what so ever. Confused Tobias started to lower his guard and was planning on asking if something happened. When Nalser had reached half a meter from him, if either of them stretched out his hand they could punch the other, that was when Nalser suddenly grabbed the knife from behind and went into full killing mode. The inital slash was dodged only due to Tobias channeling Mana to his body, by doing that he could move 3 times faster than without. In his mind he had thought, that he wouldn't use Mana in this match to keep it fair, as the other person had never heard of Mana before yesterday. He changed his mind now, having been caught off guard, he went to defensive as Nalser started his barrage. Nalser wasn't using only his knife but his whole body. A slash was followed by a roundhouse kick. This was the fighting style that Old Timer taught him. A weapon is only an extension of your body. This mixed knife fighting in with martial arts.

Seeing the Guild Master on defenese and hurriedly retreating, the crowd was awestruck. All the veterans were now looking with a serious face and analyzing Nalser's fighting style. "It's not that Master isn't trying to retaliate, it's more like he can't find an opening to strike back," One man said amongst others, the others nodded with a serious face and one added, "The Master lost his initiative and rhythm, he's having a hard time getting his head back in the game. If this continues, we may be in for quite a surprise."

Thinking like that was understandable because to them, they had never encountered a fighting style like this. The same could be said about Tobias, who was currently in thought, "I seriously underestimated this kid, the fighting style is bizarre, it leaves me no opening to strike back, the moment I start making a move im greeted by either a foot or the knife." While dodging the blows and steadily retreating, his back went against the barrier wall, which startled him, losing his concentration and blindly punching out towards Nalser. Nalser immediately capitalized on the mistake, weaved past Tobias's guard to his back, instantly put the knife on his throat while twisting the hand he struck towards Nalser, behind his back.

Everyone were speechless, they were still in the middle of processing it, when the voice of a youth spread out the deathly quiet training hall, " This is my win Guild Master, I hope you remember your promise." This brought everyone, including the referee, back to reality. Referee raised his hand and shouted in a loud voice, " Match stop, winner Nalser" Nalser slowly lowered his blade and let go of Tobias's arm, while he was sheating his blade Tobias started laughing loudly, "Hahahahhaha, to think that I got my ass handed to me so miserably, all it took for you was one move to completely destroy my rhythm. You got me." While being praised, warmth came back into Nalsers eyes and his brain started working again. The secret to his prowess was instinct. He had drilled the fighting for years on a daily basis pouring countless hours into it. The moment he went to combat mode, his mind shut out everything irrelevant and he moved before he thought. This was the power of a strong foundation and hard work.

However, there was one thing he didn't notice while he was in combat mode: He subconsciously used Mana to perform his attacks and movements. Otherwise it would have been impossible to catch up to a person, who was using mana to raise his speed 3 times. His movements with the knife were always aimed at a fatal spot. When Tobias saw that the barrier had been deactivated he told Nalser to take a rest as he was going to go and talk to the referee and expert spectators. Nalser picked up his jacket, the one he left on the ground before, and started walking towards a corner where he sat down. He closed his eyes and started gradually recovering from his fatigue. No one had the courage to go and talk to him after the spectacle, they all had mixed gazes. Some wanted to go, some wanted to get away from there as soon as possible.

A man wearing full body armor murmured to himself, "Seems like the strongest Hero ran, leaving us with 4 useless ones." The mans eyes were filled with disdain, in his mindset, Nalser should be on the front lines killing his way through the demons, not playing an adventurer here. "Hmph," was all that he said before turning to the exit and slowly leaving. This mans killing intent didn't slip by Nalser, who thought to himself, " Njaa, seems like trouble is coming soon. Better get out of this town as fast as possible." He took a glance at Tobias and waited for him to come back.

***

1 hour later in the throne room. The mysterious man in full body armor had already relayed the fight's details to the King. His brow furrowed and he looked deep in thought. A few of the nobles were there as well, with frowning faces. Finally one of them broke the silence and said, "Your Highness, seems like the one who left, was actually the most useful of the bunch. It is as clear as day, he has extensive combat knowledge. We must get him back to our ranks." The King thought for a while and said in an authorative tone, "I don't care how you bribe him, I want to see him as a soldier in our ranks." "Yes, you Highness," echoed out in unison in the large throne room.