Whoosh Whoosh Whoosh

Three swift slashes whistled in the air as a crimson sword was brandished at extreme speeds, leaving behind a blazing scarlet trail, glimmering like the sunset over the vast blue sea. The show soon ended, the sword sheathed into a scabbard.

"Alright. I think this one's good enough," ［Grey］

"Are you sure about that, Grey? You can have the 'Divine Sword', you know? I'll be more than happy to exchange it with you." ［Yuna］

"What are you talking about, silly? You need that more than me, plus, they're both Divine-Grade. Exchanging swords wouldn't make much of a difference." ［Grey］

"Uuu... Okay..." ［Yuna］

Yuna tried to convince Grey, but with her fiancé's overprotective nature, there was no use trying. Yuna simply accepted the things the way they are and also put away her sword inside her scabbard, both of them now looking like swordsmen.

A day has passed since Grey and Yuna arrived in Avalon, and after yesterday's dinner with the Royal Family, they have decided that they would be looking around the Grand Colosseum which had been on their mind since yesterday.

Of course, as they were in the City of Swords, what better way is there to fit in other than using swords themselves. Swordsmanship may not be main class, but they were still adept at it, able to use High-Level sword arts without much difficulty,

As for the swords they were using, they had the "Divine Sword" and "Vulcan's Wrath" which are amongst the best, if not the best, swords there are. Both of which had 5☆ abilities engraved on them, powerful as one can be.

"Then, shall we head out, Milady?" ［Grey］

"Un. Please lead the way, Sir Grey." ［Yuna］

"With pleasure." ［Grey］

Swords on their sides and smiles on their faces, Grey and Yuna soon headed out of their room and into the large corridors. They just had breakfast so there was no need to drop by elsewhere, only needing to head outside and meet up with their guide.

As they walked down the halls, the servants greeted them with respect. It hasn't even been a day since they arrived yet rumors about how they suppressed everyone with their aura alone had already spread all throughout the Royal Castle.

They had already gotten used to being the center of attention, but it still felt weird being the focus of everyone when they had just arrived. Still, they continued to walk down the halls, paying little to no heed to everyone's stares.

"Sorry, did we make you wait too long?" ［Grey］

"No, not at all. You arrived just in time!" ［Lisandra］

Of course, the one touring them was none other than the Graystone Kingdom's very own Second Princess, Lisandra. The same tomboyish princess who was now in her adventurer outfit, her trusty sword tucked by her side.

After yesterday's events, Grey, Yuna, and Lisandra continued chatting with each other, deepening the bonds between them. The very moment the King tried thinking of a suitable guide, Lisandra quickly raised her hands after slamming the dinner table.

The King wanted to refuse, but with such a determined glow in her eyes, there was no way he could. There was also the fact that he wanted to make up for what he said to her before. In the end, she was given permission to do so.

Well, she didn't want to guide them for nothing. She also wanted to see the matches of others and jot down some notes on how to improve herself whilst resting her body. It was killing two birds with one stone.

"Oh? You're bringing swords with you?" ［Lisandra］

"We're in the City of Swords, after all. Might as well fit in while we're at it." ［Grey］

"Un! Does it suit us, Lisa?" ［Yuna］

"Yes, it suits you very much! You both look amazing!" ［Lisandra］

Complimented Lisandra, making Yuna giggle ever so softly. It felt a little weird that they were equipped with swords right now, but seeing Lisandra's joyful reaction, such feelings faded away quickly like the passing winds.

"Well, enough about that. We still have something to do, after all. Let's not waste any more time. Let's head to the Grand Colosseum!" ［Lissand］

Everything done and dusted, everyone didn't waste a single second and immediately headed to the Grand Colosseum. As it was just a few hundred meters in front of the Royal Castle, it didn't take too much time at all, not even breaking a single swear.

And throughout the way, Grey and Yuna once again realized how different Avalon really was. They had seen it whilst they rode the carriage yesterday, but the amount of swordsmen there were really amazing, one appearing anywhere one looked.

It wasn't just the swordsmen, as ores are one of Graystone's main exports, there were also a lot more smithies around than in Farsa or Erdea, a plethora of swords displayed outside as their finest products.

There were still other weapons present, but they were nothing but a meager sum compared to the amount of swords there are. To top it all off, many of the swords were actually of good quality, ranging from Low to Superior Grades.

"Oh, do you want to buy another sword, Grey?" ［Lisandra］

"No, I was just looking. These two are already more than enough for us. I'm perfectly happy with what we have right now." ［Grey］

"I see... That's good to hear, but if you ever change your mind, you can ask me anytime. I know a place which sells all sorts of wonderful goodies." ［Lisandra］

Or so Lisandra says, but little did she know, the current swords Grey and Yuna had were not something even the Kingdom's treasures could compare to. Though, there was no need to say that out loud and bring even more trouble.

"Alright. I'll keep that in mind." ［Grey］

They continued their tour and the liveliness of the city continued dancing in the air. They drew closer and closer to the Grand Colosseum, and the clamoring noises of the crowd only got louder, excited cheers booming in the air.

It was just like they had passed by yesterday, the people rowdy and lively as they watched an intense duel unfold. Not even the city bells could compare to such a boisterous display of excitement and enthusiasm.

"Looks like a duel has already started. Should we go in?" ［Lisandra］

"Eh? How about the tickets?" ［Yuna］

"Normally, we would need them, but have you forgotten already, Yuna? I'm the Kingdom's Princess. We can watch whenever we want." ［Lisandra］

There was only confidence in her voice, smiling at the end of her statement. After all, the colosseums are managed by the Graystone Royal Family, and as part of the said family, Lisandra is free to observe the match and the same applies to her guests.

Not only was it free, they also had high seats only reserved for the VIPs, theirs being the grandest of them all, which the Royal Family uses. It was complete with soft and fluffy seats, a snack table, a cool shade, and a perfect view towards the arena.

"Oh, looks like it's just about to end." ［Lisandra］

And just as they entered their chambers, the match had slowly neared its conclusion, one of the fighters slowly being pushed back as a barrage of heavy strikes befell on him. He tried to hold out, but it was still too much.

Before long, the losing swordsman's guard was finally broken, leaving himself wide open. The opponent didn't waste any more time and grabbed the opportunity as soon as he could, putting all the power he had left into a single, final strike.

FWHOOOSSSSHHHHHHH

A strong gust of wind blew past the losing swordsman's face, his sword blown away and the opponent's sword barely stopping in front of his face. With it, the match has been decided, both fighters panting heavily from their match.

"The winner is swordsman Airen!!"

At the announcer's words, the crowd went wild and a booming applause echoed in the air. Many stood in ovation, whistling and cheering for both the winner and the loser for showing them such a good and beautiful match.

There were no grudges between the fighters either. With their match over, they both shook one another's hands, exchanging smiles with one another. Though victory was good, learning and improving their swordsmanship comes first. Such sportsmanship.

Before long, the two fighters finally took their exit and parted ways from the stage. With them, the audience also started to disperse, a new wave of people replacing them soon after, gathering slowly but surely,

"Let's just wait for a while. The next match should start soon," ［Lisandra］

"Mmn～! I can't wait! I wonder who will be fighting next..." ［Yuna］

"Fufufu! Please don't worry about that Yuna. Unlike the others, only experts who had proved themselves can duel in the Grand Colosseum. I'm sure they won't disappoint your expectations." ［Lisandra］

"Oh! That just makes me want to look forward more to it!" ［Yuna］

"Fufufu! Please do!" ［Lisandra］

They chatted ever so merrily, and before they knew it, more than half an hour already passed. While they busied themselves with their chat, the crowd had ground into the thousands, most of the sears occupied by everyone.

It wasn't just the seats either. The stage which was once empty now had two figures standing firmly and ready to battle. By a quick glance alone, Grey could already tell that they were both C-rankers, proficient in High-Level swordsmanship.

"Ah! Looks like they're starting already." ［Lisandra］

All eyes were on the two swordsmen on the stage. Swordsmen who were ready to pounce at one another at any given moment. They only await the announcer's words, eyes burning brightly with fierce and feisty determination.

"On the right side～! We have the man whose flames are said to be hot enough to melt iron! Ranked 36! The Scarlet Swordsman! Deee～rriisss!!"

It was just like a boxing match back on Earth, the announcer introducing the fighter one after another. As soon as he finished his words, the crowd cheered loudly, many fans calling Derris' name, squeaking like fangirls who just saw their idol.

"Going against him is the harbinger of lightning! The man whose blades are said to be so fast, you would only see a blur! Ranked 32! The Blue Beast! Arrrdeeellll!"

Ardel's name was announced and another loud cacophony of cheers echoed in the air, beating even the sound of thunder. Both fighters were popular with the people, having fan clubs of their own. All as excited as they come.

But that wasn't what's important right now. With the introductions now over, the fight only drew closer and closer, both fighters raring to have a go against one another, only waiting for the announcer's signal to commence the duel,

"Let the duel～ begin!"

And there it was. With the announcer's words, both Derris and Ardel rushed towards one another. The moment they brandished their swords, gentle light gleamed before a storm of bangs and clangs echoed as they exchanged fierce blows,

Neither of them wanted to back down. For every attack the enemy made, they threw a counterattack before, the former barely dodging the attack. The audience's cheers only grew louder as the fight became even more intense.

《Heavy Slash!》 《Soaring Edge!》

With the use of arts, the battle only got fiercer. Now, not only they have to watch out for when the opponent closes the distance, but also from long range attacks as well. It was a battle which they'll have to cover all the bases and be vigilant.

They slashed, they stabbed, they dashed, they dodged, and they defended. Facing a merciless flurry of blows, the two swordsmen did the best they could to avoid attacks and land heavy blows all the while.

"Hmm... This barrier really is amazing... To think their strengths are being limited to such an extent... It's quite the surprise, isn't it?" ［Grey］

"Un... It's quite flexible too. It must have been very costly to deploy it." ［Yuna］

Of course, the reason why the crowd of common folks could see such a fierce sight unfold was because of the barrier enveloping the arena. Otherwise, everything would have looked like a blur for them, sparks here and there.

"Eh? You can feel the barrier, Grey, Yuna?" ［Lisandra］

"Un. It's subtle but it's really there. It's also enchanted with a lot of effects too. It must have taken a long time to develop it." ［Yuna］

"Amazing... As expected of S-rankers..." ［Lisandra］

"Fufufu! You're giving us too much credit, Lisa." ［Yuna］

Well, even if the barrier could limit one's strength, it isn't really all powerful. If one of the fighters really wants to break free of the limitations, they could force the barrier to break and lift the limitations. It isn't one which is suitable for traps and such.

Moreover, though it says limit, it's only referring to physical strength. Mana, combat power, stamina, proficiencies, and many more remain the same. The purpose of the barrier is to let swordsmen compare their skills, after all.

The fact that it could be easily broken is also the reason why the barrier is a part of a massive magic device covering the whole colosseum. It uses mana crystals like batteries and deploys barriers whenever needed.

"Lisa, are there any rules regarding the duels?" ［Grey］

"Yes, there are rules, and plenty of them at that. But there are only a few major ones so everyone could memorize them easily." ［Lisandra］

"Oh? Would you mind telling us?" ［Grey］

"Sure! It would be my pleasure!" ［Lisandra］

At the mention of Grey's words, Lisandra's eyes lit up brightly, excited to share the subject she had a passion for. It was like she turned into a completely different person, suddenly getting super talkative and energetic.

According to her, there are five major rules one needs to consider when dueling. First and foremost, you can only use swords in the colosseums. Second, you cannot break the barrier. Third, no use of outside influence. Fourth, no use of unneeded violence. And lastly, no use of trickery.

If you are found breaking any of the rules, one would be disqualified and penalized. It is the same for the minor rules too which involves a number of technical aspects. One of which is the use of false identities, but that's a whole another topic.

As for rules regarding spells, one is more than welcome to do so. Though, it is usually used to just create opportunities to use together with sword arts to create especially powerful combination magic. Swords still reign supreme.

Other than the rules, there is also the payment system for the gladiators which is roughly calculated from the number of tickets sold in their fight and their "impact". This makes registering even more rewarding.

Another important aspect is the ranking system in place for all the "Gladiators" who are registered in the colosseums. The rankings are determined by the points set over a period of one year, reset annually. The champion is currently ranked first.

"The champion... I wonder how strong he is..." ［Yuna］

"He's really strong! From what I heard, he's at the upper end of A-rank and can use Advanced-Level earth magic and sword art! Moreover, he's still in his twenties too! He's a prodigy!" ［Lisandra］

"I see... Just like Mister Kris, huh. Right, Grey?" ［Yuna］

"Yeah. I think it would be interesting to see them fight." ［Grey］

After all, geniuses at Kris' level are very rare. Other than Grey and Yuna who are out of the norm, those who surpassed his level could be easily counted with two hands, only monsters like Richter reigning over them.

And... Lisandra really was fond of the champion. The mention of the champion alone was enough to make her squeal, cheering like a fangirl. It seems like she also buys all the tickets to his matches and observes him carefully. He was her idol.

"Just curious, where do we meet this champion?" ［Grey］

"Hmm... That... That might be a little difficult. No one really knows where he lives. He just appears whenever he has a match," ［Lisandra］

"Hm? Isn't that suspicious?" ［Yuna］

"The authorities already checked him and he doesn't possess any criminal records or anything like that so no one really doubts him. Interesting, right?" ［Lisandra］

He was also a mysterious character which just vanished into thin air when his fight was over. Many have speculated about his identity, but all to no avail. It's been been a few years since he appeared yet he was still as mysterious as ever,

Well, that part of him was also a charm for the fans. He was strong, handsome, well-mannered, famous, and mysterious. Attributes which many people seek out. He was literally born to be a celebrity.

『Grey, could you track him with your eyes?』 ［Yuna］

『Yeah, that shouldn't be too difficult. As long as I get a chance to see him, I would be able to keep track of him.』 ［Grey］

『Great! I also want to know who he really is! Like detectives!』 ［Yuna］

『Yuna... You really know how to have fun, don't you?』 ［Grey］

Though, for Grey and Yuna, he was simply another person who was a subject or their curiosity and interest. Especially Yuna, she had already turned it into a game to see whether they can figure out his identity.

Clang Clang Clang Boom

The fight continued and the two swordsmen continued to clash with their swords. A few minutes had already elapsed and their stamina had started to take the toll, a few wounds to be seen here and there.

《Cleaving Crescent!》 《Raging Whirlwind!》

They weren't holding back anymore either, now using the best attacks they could in their arsenal. Derris used a massive cleaving attack whilst Ardel launched a barrage of raging blades, explosions booming as they clashed.

The massive blade soon broke, but the deadly volley continued. With no other choice, Derris had to increase the distance between him and Ardel, running to the side where the latter's attacks could barely reach.

《Scorching Crescent!》

As soon as he regained his ground, Derris then imbued fire magic into his sword, a blazing wave of destruction heading towards Ardel. One whom the latter had no other choice but to dodge by leaping into the air.

Derris didn't waste any more time and launched wave after wave of slashes towards Ardel who was still midair, all to no avail. His movements may be restricted, but he could still easily break such meager and half-hearted attacks.

《Rushing Star!》

As soon as he landed on the ground, he then bent his knees and put all his strength towards his legs. As he drew his sword, he pounced towards Derris at insane speeds, sharp and deadly light enveloping him like a shooting star.

He raised his sword and he slashed soon after, a clamoring bang rupturing the air as his sword clashed with Derris' once again, sending massive shocks towards Derris' body, trying to defend against such a heavy attack.

Unfortunately for Derris, Ardel didn't just stop there. As soon as his attack connected, he then started his endless barrage again, peppering Derris from all directions and leaving him with no time to defend.

Derris had no other choice but to defend, getting pushed back into a corner as the sands of time trickled down its glass. Before long, Derris' feet were almost at the edge of the stage, in danger of getting out of bounds.

《Heavy Slash!》

Ardel didn't waste any more opportunities and pressured Derris even more. His whole body was aching from such intense and continuous movement, but he didn't want to stop when he was already so close.

Such a fierce battle of attrition continued until Derris finally found an opening. He quickly grabbed the chance, and though one of his arms got hit as he did, he was still able to escape, now ready to land his final strike.

《Scorching Crescent!》 《Pierce: Deathly Thunderclap!》

Flames and lightning rampaged inside the arena, bright light swallowing the Grand Colosseum whole as thunder and tremors ran all over the place, violent bursts of winds howling even with the barrier present.

As the light faded, the outcome of the battle was finally shown. One of the men was now down on his knees, lacking the strength to wield his sword while the other was still standing, pointing his sword at him.

"The-The winner is Arrrdeelllll!! Ardel comes out victorious once again!"

The announcer announce

d with such delight and excitement, a flood of joy rushing over the crowd as they cheered soon after. The Grand Colosseum has turned into a clamoring mess once again, people cheering for both fighters.

A glorious sight to behold.

CHAPTER 304 END