249 Not that smile again

Hmm, it's been a few matches, and it's an absolute mess - why? Because the matches are getting intense.

"This is intense?" Blaze questioned, as if unaware that, according to their level, these matches indeed felt intense.

After Aron left the stage, there was minimal discussion. His match had set a new standard - being of Royal descent, he possessed an unspoken pass to cause such havoc, as long as it didn't result in fatalities. This, fortunately-unfortunately, influenced others to believe they could inflict similar damage without repercussions, which is kind of true. Since no objections were raised during Aron's display, they felt entitled to follow suit.

"They say the Imperial Academy believes in equality," Blaze mocked.

Well, equality is the biggest sham, but whatever.

I shifted my focus back to the stage. The second-year battle concluded. Currently, one round of matches had ended for the third years, followed by the second years, and now it was the turn for the first years.

The professor climbed the stage while the others took the injured student away.

"Next round! Morin Sten And-" he stopped, and I stood up, "Ren Hilton." I knew it.

I stepped aside as everyone who was already standing had their eyes on me - everyone.

I climbed the stage alongside Morin, who was a bit shorter than me, a boy with tan skin and a buzz cut.

We both said nothing as we first went towards the stash of weapons placed right beside the circular stage.

I looked at them; there were swords, spears, a whip... everything one could think of as a weapon.

I turned my face to my side, seeing Morin rub his temples as if stressed about which one to choose.

I simply picked up a sword.

"Boring," Blaze nagged me in my mind.

I switched it with the pair of daggers nearby; they had a wavy blade and a leather handle - looked quite simple.

I pushed my mana into it as the blue transparent layer of mana coated it.

"Good," I complemented.

Tud*

The sound of something falling made me look at what Morin was doing, and he... well, looks like he was waiting for me to choose the weapon so he could choose his.

He had a Halberd in his hand, this one had an axe on one side while a hook on the other. Its handle was about Morin's height at most; the metal looked a bit rugged while the edge was sharp, and there were a few engravings on it too, to make the mana flow smoother throughout the weapon.

He had that smug look on his face as he tapped the weapon on the ground.

"If the weapon selection is done, please come on the stage," said the professor.

Morin passed by me as his robe rustled on the ground.

Clink*

I threw the daggers back into the stash as I picked up a mace - a heavy mace, about B rank, made out of Adamantium - the same metal I saw last time at the warehouse used in cages.

The folding chain mace, crafted from unblemished Adamantium, exuded an elegant yet menacing presence. Its massive head, adorned with two engravings, projected an air of force. Swirling patterns etched along the metal surface seemed to whisper tales of endurance and resilience.

"Come up," the professor repeated himself.

I hit the button on the mace's handle, and the head of the mace clunked onto the ground, the chain instantly extending. Scraping noises echoed as the chain dragged against the metal steps while I hoisted myself up, gripping onto the extended chain.

Morin hustled himself into position right in front of me. I pumped more of my mana into the mace, knowing it could handle a hefty load.

While I snagged the daggers, Morin snatched up the halberd, hinting he wanted to keep a bit of distance.

"Didn't expect to prep this much for a match against you," he sighed, sounding all smug.

I couldn't quite place where I'd seen this dude before. Had I skipped one of his matches or something?

Despite my uncertainty, he seemed chill, almost too calm about the whole situation.

With a wide stance, I heaved the mace off the ground, trying to balance its weight with mine.

"Ready, set, go!"

In that moment, I surged ahead with all the force I could muster.

Morin adjusted his stance, holding the halberd horizontally in front of him, as if he intended to charge straight at me.

With one hand gripping the mace's forward handle and the other at its end, I employed a controlled strength, pulling the mace back before swinging it forward. As the chain extended and the head was released, I infused mana into the propelling rune, setting it spinning.

The halberd's head was dangerously close, almost colliding – this would've crushed Morin's face had it landed. But in that moment.....something unexpected happened.

"Tf-"

Mid-attack, the halberd's trajectory shifted, veering downward. My focus locked onto Morin's head, but he seemed to be looking down, his right leg slipping slightly as he thrust the halberd's axe toward my shin.

Reacting swiftly, I jumped, maintaining control of the mace.

"Gotcha!" he exclaimed triumphantly, securing the halberd on the ground and using it as an anchor to launch his foot toward my stomach. Everything seemed to slow down.

In the next instant, I was hurtling backward at an alarming speed, a sinking sensation in my stomach.

He... kicked me.

I felt the impact surge through my abdomen, sending me hurtling uncontrollably toward the edge of the stage. Instinctively, I reached out, my mana-infused hand gripping the stage's edge with all my strength.

My fingers dug into the wooden block, sharp splinters pricking my skin as I fought against the force threatening to cast me off the platform. The momentum strained against my grip, pulling relentlessly, but I clung on with sheer determination, my muscles taut and straining against the opposing force.

My body lurched as I struggled against the relentless pull, each breath coming in quick gasps. For a moment, it felt as though time had slowed, the arena descending into an eerie silence, focusing solely on the contest between my grip and the unforgiving force trying to wrench me away... He applied an extraordinary amount of force at once and quite precisely too.

Yet, I anchored myself firmly to the stage, halting the backward momentum. With a heave, I hauled myself back onto the stage, wiping sweat from my forehead as the audience roared with excitement.

I observed Morin, who was somehow now balancing himself on the tip of the Halberd. He appeared to be fine in that precarious position.

"Don't underestimate me," he said, adopting a monkey-like posture as he lowered himself. "-Keep your eyes on me."

I stared at him... he's challenging me.

'Uh oh... not that smile again!!!!' Blaze was saying something but I forgot about it as I gripped the mace more strongly.