Chapter 47: First Step

Cheering and applause followed Fang as he climbed up the stairs – although no one really believed he could come out with a victory, it was bound to be an interesting fight.

Richard’s eyes fell on Fang, sizing him up.

Judging by his appearance, it was likely that Fang wasn’t nobility, he thought. However, the relationship between Valeria and Fang was definitely suspicious. From what he found out, she repeatedly invited Fang for the weekends, and he knew that recently Valeria had been in the market for rare materials.

There was no doubt that she didn’t buy the materials for herself; she couldn’t advance her skills, so it was likely that it was all for this boy. The reason was quite obvious: she wanted to cultivate a powerhouse to take revenge for her dead family. He paid quite close attention to the events circulating inside the college, and that kid wasn’t ordinary. After all, how could a weakling from the lowest class beat someone from class two?

So, Valeria, let’s take a look at your gamble. And if it proves that your roll was indeed lucky, then it wouldn’t be difficult to change that.

“Begin!”

With the beginning of the fight, Fang released his energy; it was at the 4th grade intermediate level.

In these months, his energy had grown. When he entered, he was the lowest of the lowest, but now, he had reached above the average level of his class.

Mirroring Fang, William also lowered his energy to the 4th grade intermediate rank, yet, the metallic sheen contrasted sharply with the pale glow.

Metal Element!

Though no combat happened, a gasp rose from the audience. To display an elemental property at this level was no joke.

As to probe each other’s strength, two balls of energy appeared and crashed in the air.

Bang!

--- --- ---

Startled, Richard looked in astonishment. His son had received the best education in the city, and with the constant addition of energy baths as well as elixirs, William’s physique and ability wasn’t weak. In addition, he knew William’s control over his energy was relatively precise, and with the metal element infused into his energy, Fang’s energy shouldn’t have caused a draw. This Fang wasn’t so simple after all, no wonder Valeria chose him!

William knew that Fang’s mastery over his energy was exceptional, as Ray had lost, but seeing this result still left him unsatisfied.

A certain section of the crowd broke into applause. It was a quick exchange to test their skills, and unpredictably, Fang had matched William in power!

The sound grated on William’s ears. Frowning, he condensed a golden spear in his hand and threw it towards Fang.

Quickly, Fang bent down and swung his leg upwards before the spear impaled him. With the momentum of a heavy hammer, his kick crushed the spear into pieces. Although Fang didn’t take any damage, his expression slightly darkened.

His kick was a 4th grade yellow skill, but the energy spear that William had tossed was of a lower grade.

William’s mouth curled upwards.

Well, Fang, it seems that you don’t have the advantage. Even if their masteries over their energy were the same, the strengthening properties of his element overpowered Fang. Silence fell over the arena as a barrage of spears rained on Fang, who made use of his melee abilities to break and dodge the salvo.

He didn’t expect Fang to be so tenacious, but it didn’t bother him. There were no rules against limiting themselves to the competition, everyone was allowed to use their maximum capabilities.

A mad smile fell on William’s face as the swirling energy grew thicker around him – increased to the 5th grade, another golden shape took form in his hand, but it was different.

Swirling, a scythe flew out spinning, menacingly advancing towards the glowing figure.

As before, a full kick met the energy, but instead of breaking through it, Fang’s energy shattered.

William looked in contempt; this technique was passed down through his family, and it definitely exceeded the strength of the spears before. The deadly trick was within its form, as even if it was interrupted, it would still retain its shape through its curved energy that continued.

--- --- ---

Within the audience, Blue’s complexion paled. She immediately recognized the power of this skill.

The crescent edge, supplemented with the metallic element, increased the sharpness of the energy to a high degree. If it hit Fang, it would lethally cut open the body despite the instant parry that Fang would’ve used.

His leg raised up, Fang’s body was currently in a vulnerable position as the broken blade started to arch towards his neck. At this moment, his leg swung back down fiercely like a crushing weight as he twisted his torso.

Thud!

Two halves of light gold pierced into the ground on each side of Fang.

William looked stunned.

This was something unique that he hadn’t seen before. After all, the average person’s hammer kick would end after kicking upwards. However, in the practice fights Fang had with Valeria, he was often took an attack after displaying the powerful kick due to being off balance; this hook was his answer to take advantage of this understanding.

Applause even came from class two – putting aside the differences between their classes, the display of Fang turning danger into security was beautifully executed.

Although it appeared simple to perform, they wouldn’t be able to do it. A frightening amount of energy was required to reel back the inertia from the initial kick, and moreover, the amount of practice to perfectly recognize the timings was monstrous.

Seeing this, Blue relaxed.

Fang definitely had the energy to back up his skills, but his combat experience from what she knew was lacking. When she saw the battle between Garret and Fang, she almost laughed at the simplicity of the fight – attack, counterattack, attack. Though he had gotten better in the fight against Ray, his battle knowledge looked to be minimal.

But after all these weeks, it seemed that actual combat wasn’t his weakness, it was his strength!