Breeze of Transcendence
Ludenberg Lavante stared at the opponent before him.
Two days had passed, and right after all the second-round matches concluded, the third round began immediately. Even after the third round started, Ludenberg's dominance continued unabated. He was someone no one with merely decent skill could hope to stop, and naturally, he overwhelmed his way up the bracket, crushing opponents one after another.
Surprisingly, no one suffered injuries along the way—there was no need to inflict them when he could subdue foes in an instant. Those who had witnessed the Solemnute raid incident already had a rough idea of Ludenberg's strength. But even they hadn't anticipated he would display such overwhelming prowess... If they wore expressions of shock, one could only imagine how those seeing him for the first time reacted.
The crowd was first stunned to learn that this was the infamous "cursed" Lavante they'd heard so much about. Then came the second shock: he wielded no divine power yet mercilessly dominated students who did. People hesitated to casually use the term "cursed" around him, too—his father, Duke Leonard Lavante, always appeared at the arena on days he competed.
Leonard Lavante was an indispensable figure in the Solemnute Empire. Far beyond just being remarkable, he had devoted his life to safeguarding the empire. Countless lives had been saved because of him, and it was his presence that allowed the empire—bordering the erosion zone—to enjoy safety and prosperity.
Thanks to the legacy Leonard had built, no idle rumors dared circulate in the arena under his watchful glare. Of course, Ludenberg's consistent displays of dominance played the biggest role, but considering how baseless gossip could spark misunderstandings—like "he's so strong because he's cursed," which often twisted into outright condemnation—Leonard's actions held real meaning.
The rumors surrounding Ludenberg as "cursed" died down in no time. It wasn't just Leonard's efforts; members of the imperial family, especially the universally respected Crown Princess Sione Solenute, had publicly supported him. In effect, the imperial judgment had officially declared him uncursed.
In any case, Ludenberg had advanced through the third-round matches without major setbacks, unleashing his full prowess. Even top third-years couldn't properly block the Liberra he swung. The momentum born from his sturdy physique and refined swordsmanship overpowered students clad in mighty divine power.
He surged straight into the semifinals. And... he gazed at the girl before him.
Red hair and a helmet revealing her face. Armor fitted snugly over her frame, and an enormous axe-spear disproportionate to her build. Ironically, his semifinal opponent was Dalia Retiu, whom he'd faced in the friendly match finals.
One might say Dalia had drawn the short end of the bracket luck, but... she didn't seem bothered. If anything, a serious smile played at her lips.
Honestly, she'd even considered skipping the Glory Festival altogether. She'd already garnered plenty of attention and could join any group she fancied afterward. Maybe she should leave more chances for the underclassmen... That's what she'd thought.
But the thrill of clashing with Ludenberg in the friendly match had drawn her back in. So, in this moment, the purpose of her participation was already fulfilled.
"It's been a while since the friendly match, huh?"
"...Yeah."
"You weren't going all out back then, right?"
"Yeah."
"I like that you're so straightforward. No false humility."
"It's the truth."
Dalia nodded. It was a fact. She knew her own skills fell short of Ludenberg's.
"You're right. So... this time, I'll make you go all out."
Kuooo—
Terra's divine power erupted from Dalia's body. Then, silver light shimmered on the back of her hand, and fragments of the earth began to gather.
Soon, a massive axe-spear materialized.
"...That's."
"The Earth's Stigma. As you know, one of Saintess Idilrock Seraha's abilities."
"The saintess... Idilrock Seraha?"
"Yeah. She made me an offer: become a Terra knight after graduation, and she'll grant me the Earth's Stigma."
"I see."
Dalia had already been highly anticipated by the church. The newly appointed Terra saintess, Idilrock, had a strong appetite for talent. The moment Dalia hit third year, she'd proposed: Would she serve as a knight guarding the Terra church?
Dalia, who had wanted to be a Terra knight anyway, accepted gladly... and received the Earth's Stigma from Idilrock.
She hadn't used it in the friendly match due to weapon restrictions, but now... things were different.
This was an unrestricted duel. That's what made it the Glory Festival.
Dalia was strong. Not just strong—terrifyingly so. Even without the Earth's Stigma, she faced no real issues. But... her true power shone when wielding it.
The Earth's Stigma amplified divine power and forged weapons suited to the wielder using Terra's divine power.
Dalia had innate superhuman strength, comparable to Ashytara Solenute, heir to Ortara's bloodline. Yet she'd never found a weapon that fit her hands.
Because the weapons that satisfied her were enormously heavy and massive.
But the Earth's Stigma effortlessly crafted such a weapon for her. Like the giant axe-spear now before Ludenberg.
It exuded extraordinary power at a glance. The moment Dalia finished preparing, Ashytara—watching from before the sacred flame—signaled the start of the match.
Dalia charged at Ludenberg, hoisting her massive axe-spear.
Kwaaang!
The ground shattered where she stepped, and in an instant, her figure appeared before him. She brought the axe-spear crashing down.
"Hah!"
Whoosh—
A simple overhead strike, but it carried devastating force. Yet Ludenberg didn't retreat. Gripping Liberra firmly, he swung with all his conviction.
Creeeeng!
A massive shockwave swept the arena, reaching even the spectators. Such power from a single exchange. Was this truly a duel between students?
"Woooaaah!"
The crowd's fervor ignited the arena. But Dalia and Ludenberg paid it no mind, their weapons clashing relentlessly.
Each impact unleashed shockwaves and thunderous booms that engulfed the field. Yet neither gained the upper hand. Ludenberg's strikes sharply parried Dalia's axe-spear. Even when she tried to crush him with its overwhelming power, Ludenberg—withstood her full-force pressure somehow.
"Impressive...! How about this!"
Dalia resolved to unleash her full power, drawing it from the depths. The Earth's Stigma resonated, infusing her axe-spear with even fiercer divine power.
Then she unleashed it all into the ground.
Kwagagak!
The axe-spear's slam ripped up the earth with a ferocious shockwave, sweeping toward Ludenberg. No ordinary student could even dream of blocking it.
Facing it head-on, Ludenberg focused his mind and assumed his stance.
In that instant, Liberra began resonating with him.
Wuuung—
A clear sword cry rang out amid the roar. Soon, his conviction flowed into Liberra, and nothing but the blade filled his vision.
The sensation of becoming one with Liberra enveloped him. Then, a single path appeared in his sight.
The path inevitably faced by those who wielded weapons to surpass their limits.
He took one step toward it... and swung Liberra lightly.
In that moment, a gentle breeze blew.
But the result it brought was astonishing. The fierce divine power wave—rushing to engulf him—vanished without a trace.
And it didn't end there.
Srrek.
A belated slicing sound echoed. Dalia stared blankly at her axe-spear.
The weapon forged by the Earth's Stigma had been bisected, rolling across the ground before crumbling into earth fragments.
"...Haha."
Dalia laughed. That strike Ludenberg had just unleashed... It was the clue to propel her forward, long stalled in her own growth.
A strike without divine power, unleashed in an instant. Before it fired, Dalia had seen it: Ludenberg merging with his sword, resonating perfectly.
A near-perfect stance, birthing a flawless strike. That was enough.
In that instant, Dalia realized what she should aspire to... and so she could laugh.
"I lost."
She admitted defeat cleanly. No frustration arose. A loss was a loss.
If anything... she felt deep gratitude toward Ludenberg for granting her enlightenment.
"Good work."
"You too."
Dalia stepped back gracefully, watching Ashytara proclaim the victor's name. What a talented underclassman in every way, she thought, leaving the arena lightheartedly.
Watching Ludenberg's match from the stands, Eden Asta felt chills rack his body.
What the hell was that strike just now? And why did his body tremble at a technique he couldn't even comprehend?
Questions flooded Eden. But he found no answers.
One fact dawned on him: that sword strike was still far beyond his reach.
Suddenly, an immense wall loomed before him. An impossibly high one, piercing the heavens—one he could never climb.
And that wall would block his ambition to become the best.
Sensing this instinctively, Eden gritted his teeth.