"For the first match of the second round…"
"Jiang Ning of House Ning and-"
Ren Ning's deep voice carried over the courtyard, and before he could finish announcing the next name, a cheer surged through the crowd like thunder.
The people of the Vastel Empire had always loved battles, strength was their creed, their pride. A good duel was a celebration of spirit and legacy. Even among nobles, these contests were more than sport; they were ritual, a way to honor power and courage.
It was no wonder the capital itself boasted a grand coliseum built by the imperial family, a place where Knights from all across the empire fought under the burning banners of their houses. There, the strongest of the strong vied for glory and the right to have their names carved onto the Vastian Dragon Leaderboard, a list that defined an era's champions.
To earn a place on that list was to become legend.
Every ranker received rewards from the imperial family each year, weapons, gold, elixirs, and more. But beyond wealth, it was prestige that made the leaderboard sacred. To be named upon it was to be remembered forever.
Many in the stands today watched with that dream flickering in their eyes.
And one of those Knights, the young lord, Jiang Ning, might just carve his name there someday.
"If you'd like a moment to rest," Jiang's opponent said, his tone calm and steady, "I'll wait. I don't want to fight a weary opponent."
Jiang blinked, slightly taken aback. Few warriors offered such courtesy in a tournament like this.
He studied the man in front of him. His armor was worn but polished, his stance precise, the stance of a true Knight. Honor before all.
This guy's the real deal, Jiang thought, lips curving faintly.
Knights like him… they're always the first to die on the battlefield.
There was no mockery in that thought, only quiet respect.
Jiang had seen their kind in his past life, men who lived by the code and died by it too. He once was like them, until the blood-soaked cruelty of war taught him that honor alone couldn't save anyone.
"I appreciate it," Jiang said, his voice even. "But I'm fine. Let's begin."
He stepped forward, drawing his weapon, the gunblade, steel and rifle melded into one, its polished edge catching the sunlight. He twirled it once, smoothly transitioning it from rifle grip to sword stance, every motion balanced and fluid.
Jiang's opponent unsheathed his sword, the steel gleaming with battle polish, and raised his rectangular shield.
The tension in the air thickened as Ren Ning raised his arm.
"Begin!"
Both men moved at once, steel singing against the air.
From the very first clash, Jiang realized his opponent wasn't like the Knight he had faced earlier. He was faster, more reactive, and his counters fluid. Sparks scattered as the two weapons collided, ringing like bells in the tense silence.
This one's on the same level as Aldrin, Jiang thought, tightening his stance.
But experience couldn't match evolution. Jiang's movements were sharper, honed through many battles. In less than ten exchanges, the rhythm was his.
He parried, twisted his gunblade, and with a flick of his wrist, used the rifle's butt to slam into his opponent's ribs, forcing him off balance. Then, a swift sweep of his leg sent the man tumbling backward.
Before the Knight could rise, Jiang pressed the gunblade's edge against his neck.
"I concede," the man said bitterly.
Jiang withdrew the blade and offered his hand to help the man up. "Good fight."
The crowd roared with approval.
"Unbelievable! He's just advanced to Knighthood, and he's already this strong!"
"No wonder Lord Qin had him join, that skill is unreal!"
"He's so young… but he fights like a veteran!"
Rasmus, watching from the stands beside William and the orphanage children, clenched his fists in awe.
"So Lord Jiang is this powerful…"
William smiled faintly. "You've chosen the right man to follow, boy. Remember this moment. A true Knight isn't measured by years, but by spirit."
"Yes, Grandpa!" Rasmus's eyes shone with determination.
Up on the dais, Qin Ning's expression was stormy. The more the crowd cheered for Jiang, the more his jaw tightened.
The young lord had surpassed expectations again, making his earlier victory over Qin look less like luck and more like proof of frightening potential.
No… this isn't over yet. Qin forced his lips into a thin smile. Anthony's still in play.
The next match began shortly after. Anthony Olliver stepped onto the field again, his long sniper rifle glinting in the sunlight. His opponent saluted him respectfully before taking his stance.
The battle was short. Brutally so.
Anthony swung the rifle as if it were a staff, the heavy barrel cutting arcs through the air. His movements were deliberate and restrained, but every step radiated dominance. When his opponent lunged, Anthony pulled the trigger mid-swing.
Bang!
The muzzle flare burst like a miniature explosion. The recoil sent his rifle spinning with unnatural momentum, accelerating its swing. The sudden blast forced the opposing Knight's guard open.
In a blink, Anthony reversed his grip and drove the rifle's stock into the man's stomach, then kicked his legs out from under him.
The fight was done.
Not even ten seconds had passed.
The audience was silent for half a breath before erupting into cheers.
"Anthony Olliver, the living legend!"
"He uses a rifle like it's a blade! How does anyone fight that?"
"He's untouchable!"
Jiang watched quietly from the sidelines.
So that's his style.
Anthony didn't just shoot; he weaponized physics. Each bullet was both an attack and a movement, using recoil to shift direction, to dodge, to control range. A master of balance and destruction.
The following matches went much the same. A mercenary Knight won the third bout, while Dylann Heinrich's fight closed the round.
When Dylann stepped forward, the crowd once again came alive. The noble ladies nearly screamed his name as he unslung his saber and sidearm. This time, his opponent was far more formidable, a spear wielder with lightning-quick reflexes.
Their duel stretched on longer than the rest. Gunfire, clashing steel, bursts of dust and sweat, every exchange drew gasps from the audience.
In the end, Dylann emerged victorious, but barely. His coat was torn, his cheek bloodied. Even then, he bowed gallantly to his opponent, earning another chorus of cheers.
And just like that, the second round concluded.
Ren Ning called for the lots to be drawn for the semifinals.
Four names remained: Jiang Ning, Dylann Heinrich, Anthony Olliver, and the mercenary Knight from Vale.
When the pairings were announced, murmurs rippled through the crowd.
"Oh no! Lord Jiang is matched with Sir Anthony!"
"This is going to be brutal…"
"They both won their matches flawlessly, who do you think will take it?"
"Anthony's got the advantage in reach and raw strength. That sniper rifle hits like a cannon!"
Ren Ning's brow furrowed slightly, while Qin Ning leaned forward with a smirk.
The courtyard's air turned electric as both men stepped onto the stage.
Jiang walked with calm steps, gunblade resting lightly across his shoulders. Across from him, Anthony adjusted his rifle's strap and gave a courteous bow.
"I'm surprised by your skill, my lord," he said sincerely. "I hope I can offer a good fight."
Jiang returned the gesture. "The honor's mine."
Ren Ning raised his hand. "Begin!"
The two warriors moved instantly.
Anthony's sniper rifle whistled through the air like a greatsword as he swung it in a powerful arc. The force of the swing alone split the wind, and as it reached the apex, Anthony fired.
Boom!
The recoil amplified the momentum, turning the rifle's swing into a cannon-like strike. Jiang barely caught the motion, crossing his gunblade just in time to block.
The clash echoed like thunder.
The crowd gasped as Jiang slid back several meters, boots scraping against the stone floor.
Even with his enhanced strength, his arms trembled. His power's monstrous.
Anthony pressed forward, striking again, each swing punctuated by a deafening blast. Every trigger pull turned the rifle into a rotating battering ram, each blow sharper, heavier, faster.
Jiang dodged the next shot and countered with a quick lunge, blade flashing. Anthony twisted the rifle, parrying with the barrel, and fired again to force distance. The air rippled with heat and smoke.
His technique's flawless… power and precision combined. Jiang's thoughts raced. If I block carelessly, I'll shatter my arms.
Ren Ning watched with quiet intensity from his seat, pride warring with concern.
Down below, Dylann whistled under his breath. "So this is what happens when a marksman fights like a Knight."
"Should I increase my endurance…?" Jiang thought, his body vibrating from the last impact.
The answer came instantly.
He opened the system panel with his thoughts and distributed his remaining points.
Jiang Ning [Knight]
EXP: 31/500
Potential: B
Talent:
Horseback Riding (C)
Marksmanship (SSS)
Close Combat (D)
Swordsmanship (F)
Hunting (E)
Tracking (F)
Strength: 38
Stamina: 28
Agility: 35
Vitality: 27
Endurance: 42
Mana: 13
Battle Points: 460
Stat Points: 0
(Requirements for next advancement: 500 EXP, 100 in all attributes, and 5000 Battle Points)
Heat flooded through him like molten iron. His arms steadied. His breathing evened.
Anthony swung again. Jiang didn't retreat this time.
He met him head-on.
Bang!
The rifle's round exploded in a flare of light as steel met steel.
This time, Jiang didn't budge. His gunblade caught the rifle squarely, sparks scattering between them. His feet dug into the ground, unmoving.
Anthony's eyes widened. "What—?"
The veteran Knight stepped back, lowering his weapon in surprise.
Just moments ago, the young lord had been forced to dodge, each strike shaking him to the core. Now, he stood firm, the recoil from the sniper rifle dissipating harmlessly across his stance.
"What is going on? How is he able to block my rifle now?" Anthony thought, disbelief flashing across his weathered face.
Earlier, he had completely overwhelmed Jiang with raw power. But suddenly, it felt like he was clashing against an equal, no, someone growing stronger by the second.
Jiang grinned faintly. The pain that had once shot through his arms with every collision was gone.
His muscles no longer screamed in protest. His bones felt solid as tempered steel.
His arms no longer felt like they were tearing apart every time their weapons clashed. He could now withstand the powerful blow of Anthony's sniper rifle.
I can win this!