Chapter 640: The Opening Strike
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 640: The Opening Strike
"I didn't expect to face Ariel so suddenly. I wasn't prepared for this at all."
On his way out of the drawing room, Muen couldn't help but look up at the sky with a sense of melancholy, once again lamenting his miserable luck.
He had assumed he would at least make it to tomorrow's finals before crossing paths with Ariel. But as fate would have it, they were matched in this very round.
As expected, his so-called "good luck" in the previous rounds was nothing more than a setup for this dramatic twist.
After all, whether or not he made it to the finals would have a significant impact on the exchange competition, especially now that the Seventeenth Prince was essentially guaranteed a spot in the final match.
Ariel was undoubtedly already raring to go. The incident where she caught him with Liya wouldn't be brushed aside so easily; her long-accumulated resentment would naturally find its vent here, exploding all at once.
A berserk, blackened Soaring Phoenix... the mere thought was terrifying.
So...
"Should I just forfeit?" Muen wondered silently.
He could simply let Ariel go and crush that Seventeenth Prince. Doing so wouldn't damage the Empire's prestige.
It sounded like an easy decision—a one-click solution to resolve all his current crises. He could then go off and enjoy some lighthearted affection with his cute, tsundere fiancée.
But...
"Mr. Muen, do your best!"
From the spectator stands, a distant cheer drifted toward him like a gentle breeze. And there, in the glare of the setting sun, within the one-way glass of the VIP box, a cool, distant gaze seemed to fall upon him.
Perhaps it was just an illusion. Everyone had them—like the Seventeenth Prince, who was unshakably confident in his victory, or Ariel, who was currently fighting tooth and nail to progress her route.
However...
Muen looked down at his hands. He spread his fingers wide, then clenched them into fists.
A surge of power coursed through his flesh and blood.
Every trial within the Black Book, every confrontation with a powerful foe, every time he looked an Evil God in the eye, and every time he danced on the edge of death... all of it had been thoroughly converted into nourishment, allowing him to reach this height in a mere year.
These things were definitely not illusions.
He should no longer fear anyone, nor should he hesitate between life and death, wondering whether to run or stay.
"It seems..."
Muen suddenly let out a relaxed smile. "I've long since run out of reasons to hide."
*
"There is definitely something wrong with this draw!"
Back in the waiting room, Cordes was still fuming.
"He gets a free pass through two rounds without even fighting, and in the third round, it's an internal match! Does Muen Campbell really have that much luck?"
"Calm yourself."
Milne, on the other hand, seemed to have no objection to the results. He continued to leisurely savor his newly acquired red wine.
"It's nothing more than a way to save face for Muen Campbell. Losing to one of his own is better than losing to me."
"Pah, coward!" Cordes's face was full of disdain. He couldn't understand why St. Maria Academy would put forward such an embarrassing figure. Was it solely because he was the Empress's fiancé?
From top to bottom, they were all so despicable, conspiring to help him hide his incompetence. If this continued, the Empire was doomed.
Seviel watched the scene, her lips twitching, but in the end, she said nothing.
"There's no need to be so angry. From his perspective, this is indeed the smartest move. It makes his record look slightly better while preserving the reputation of the Campbell family and the Empress's fiancé. The methods are just a bit unsavory, that's all." Milne swirled his wine glass and sneered. "In a sense, this is indeed the optimal solution."
"Then... our goal..."
"It doesn't matter. Have you forgotten? The point of organizing this exchange event was to let the Empress see my value. Therefore, I only need to emerge as the final victor. In that process, the only one who might slightly hinder me is Ariel."
Milne looked toward Seviel. "Cousin Seviel."
"I understand." Seviel nodded slightly. "I will forfeit voluntarily."
"Excellent. That way, I can face Ariel on the final stage in peak condition and secure an absolute victory!" Milne grew increasingly confident. Having reached this point, he was only one step away from ultimate triumph.
His burning gaze turned once more toward the VIP box where the Empress sat. That position was high above, overlooking the entire field... and his goal was to earn the right to stand there as well!
"Now then, let us enjoy the conclusion of this farce."
Milne walked to the balcony, staring down at the arena with a cold smile, silently waiting for the match to begin.
Even if it was just a farce, it was at least qualified to help him kill some time.
*
In another VIP box, situated slightly lower than the Empress's private suite, several mysterious guests had also arrived.
And there was more than one.
"Oh my."
Anna, still dressed in her Silence Bureau uniform, teased the young girl in front of her with feigned surprise. "To think the Saintess of the Life Church herself has the time to watch a boring match of students brawling."
"You... you're one to talk."
To hide her identity, Liya hadn't even used her Holy Light. Hidden within a voluminous robe, she puffed out her cheeks, refusing to back down. "The Silence Bureau isn't exactly a place for leisure, is it? Is it really okay for a Sword Bearer like you to be running around everywhere?"
"It's fine, it's fine. After the recent bouts of chaos caused by the Evil Gods, things have finally quieted down. I'm taking a rare vacation."
Anna sat elegantly on the left side of the sofa, her long legs crossed, revealing the smooth, sleek sheen of her black stockings.
Liya sat on the far right of the sofa, doing her best to sit up straight and tall. Even the oversized robe couldn't hide her magnificent curves.
"I... I'm the same. A Saintess's daily work isn't that busy. It's fine to steal a little time for myself."
"I see... I suppose I was overthinking it." Anna smiled. "But I didn't expect the Academy to seat us together, claiming there was a shortage of space. It seems a certain indecent fellow wants to watch a good show."
"Don't worry, I've already complained to Teacher. That stinking bear is dead meat tonight." Liya shook her small fist.
"That's good then."
Anna shifted her position and turned her gaze toward the arena, resting her chin on her hand. "What do you think, Saintess?"
"What do I think about what?"
"On one side is your childhood sweetheart, and on the other is Muen. Who do you think will win?"
"...What about you?" Liya countered instead of answering.
"Me? I think Muen will win, of course. That flat-chested Ariel isn't my friend," Anna said meaningfully.
"Then... then I'll pick Ariel. After all, she's my best friend." Liya nodded vigorously, putting on a show of loyalty to her friend.
But the moment Anna turned her head, Liya secretly clenched her fist and whispered under her breath, "Muen, you'd better win..."
*
"Since Student Seviel has voluntarily forfeited the first match, we will proceed directly to the second."
"Muen Campbell versus Ariel Bugard!"
Amidst the referee's announcement, the long-waiting Muen and the eager Ariel both stepped onto the stage.
A roar of cheers erupted from the stands, though it was impossible to tell who they were rooting for.
After taking the stage, neither Muen nor Ariel followed the standard procedure of announcing their names. In a sense, they were so familiar with each other that introductions were unnecessary.
They simply stared at each other in silence.
"I didn't expect this opportunity to actually come!" Ariel said suddenly.
"Opportunity? What opportunity?" Muen was taken aback.
"You forgot?" Ariel huffed. "Back when we were heading to the Holy City, I said that when the chance came, I would challenge you personally! I didn't expect so many things to happen afterward, delaying the challenge, but in the end, it has finally manifested in this form!"
"A challenge... ah, I remember now." Muen realized.
There had been such an occasion. On that night when the carriage convoy was resting, Ariel had said those words to him.
However, compared to Ariel's words, what Muen remembered more vividly was...
"The stars were very beautiful that night. Liya liked them too." Muen smiled.
The scene of watching the brilliant stars with a beautiful girl felt as if it were right before his eyes. It was during those few nights that the poor little lamb, unaware she had fallen into the big bad wolf's trap, had sold herself for a mere few hundred thousand Emiels.
"..."
At the mention of Liya's name, Ariel's joyful expression froze. Seeing Muen's happy smile, the fury in her heart flared up instantly. She shouted in rage, "Fine! So you were already planning to steal her away back then!"
"No, no... at that time I hadn't yet..."
"Enough talk! I'll use this chance to settle all our old and new scores at once!"
Ariel drew her greatsword with a shing and slammed it into the ground as if it were Muen's chest.
"Muen Campbell! This time, I will make Liya, Celicia, and everyone else see clearly... who is the superior one, and who is more worthy of their devotion!" Ariel declared loudly.
"..."
Feelings aren't something you can win by fighting, you know.
Though he had countless retorts he wanted to vent, Muen only gave a nonchalant smile.
Now that they were here, saying anything more would only tarnish a battle that held profound meaning for both him and Ariel.
If they were going to fight, then they would fight.
"It seems you are both ready."
The referee, having coldly observed their information-heavy exchange, finally raised his hand.
"Then, let the match begin. All-Manifestation Simulation, engaging—"
"Wait a moment."
Muen suddenly interrupted the referee. "Excuse me, may I designate the terrain?"
"Designate the terrain?" The referee frowned slightly. "For the sake of fairness, terrains are chosen at random."
"What if both parties agree?"
"Both parties..."
"It's fine by me," Ariel said, crossing her arms with a smirk. "Designate whatever terrain you want. It won't change the final result anyway."
"Very well. Since there are no objections..." The referee looked at Muen with a strange expression. "Speak. What terrain do you wish to designate?"
"I wish to designate..." Muen smiled. "The Plains!"
"..."
In an instant, Ariel's expression turned solemn. Her brows twitched as she looked at Muen in surprise.
The referee was also stunned. "Are you sure?"
The purpose of using the All-Manifestation Simulation to alter the terrain was to test the combatants' adaptability through various environments, making the match closer to a real battle. However, different terrains inevitably favored different contestants—for example, a fire mage getting a lake, a water mage getting a desert, or a speed-based fighter getting a dense forest.
But there was one terrain that provided no advantage or disadvantage to anyone. Like the stage they currently stood upon, it was completely open, reducing all external factors to a minimum. It was a place where only raw strength mattered.
That was the unobstructed, ordinary Plains.
"Yes, I'm sure," Muen nodded slowly. "The Plains."
"...Fine. Since you both agree." After confirming there were no objections, the referee clapped his hands.
The earth rumbled. The stage, which originally had a diameter of only a hundred meters, instantly expanded under the power of the All-Manifestation Simulation.
The noisy spectator stands vanished. Verdant grass spread out to the horizon. A gentle breeze blew, carrying the authentic scent of fresh grass... and nothing else.
The referee vanished as well, leaving only Muen and Ariel standing in the vast wilderness.
"I thought you would choose a complex terrain to test me."
"There's no need. This match is meant to prove certain things. The simpler and more direct it is, the more clearly I can see what I want to see."
"Is that so?" Ariel pulled her greatsword from the ground.
"Yes." Muen gripped the hilt of Elizabeth.
"Then let's begin. You go first?" Ariel grinned. "Since you're being so arrogant, I'll let you test my depths first."
"In that case, I shall not refuse." Muen nodded. "I'll go first."
Before his voice even faded, the wind suddenly grew chaotic.
The grass on the ground was flattened instantly, struggling as if pressed down by an invisible boulder, forced to reveal the yellow earth beneath.
Thunder roared, sounding like a dry bolt of lightning splitting a cloudless sky.
The echoes of his words vanished abruptly. In a flash, the world fell into a dead silence, the light dimmed, and even Muen disappeared from his spot.
It was as if everything in the world had ceased to exist.
Leaving only... a brilliant blade-light!
Zheng—!
The earth was instantly torn asunder. A massive scar appeared, as if a ferocious magical beast had bitten through the ground. Countless blades of grass, dust, and stones flew into the air. The sound of the wind stopped abruptly because, beneath that blade-light, the very air had been shredded!
"So fast!"
Ariel's eyes narrowed. She only had time to bring her greatsword horizontally in front of her.
BOOM!
Though it was a slash, it produced a sound like a falling meteor. Ariel's feet plowed two deep furrows a hundred meters long into the ground before she finally managed to stabilize herself. The massive rift created by the blade-light followed her for that entire hundred-meter distance.
Had the match been held on the original stage, it would have been sliced clean in half by this single strike.
Ariel wiped her cheek. Warm blood was flowing. Even though she had instantly deployed her Fighting Spirit protection, the blade-light had seemingly ignored her defense and wounded her anyway.
Though it was only a minor scratch... it was only one strike.
Since she had started her path of cultivation, she had always been the one fighting those at higher levels, defeating stronger opponents. This was the first time she had been wounded in the very first exchange by someone of the same rank—or even slightly lower.
"Impressive."
From the moment Muen stood before her, to his request for the Plains, to this single slash... the last trace of contempt in Ariel's eyes finally vanished. Her pupils now fully reflected Muen's current form.
His hands hung low, holding his blade. His clothes were neat, and not a single hair was out of place. He still looked like that golden-haired nobleman who only knew how to please women.
But the curve of his lips was a ferocious smile that could only bloom amidst countless battles and blood.
A colossal shadow finally emerged behind him—a terrifying darkness born from walking the edge of death countless times, ready to devour everything like a predatory beast!
"Impressive. You're much stronger than I imagined, Muen Campbell!"
Ariel didn't feel fear. Instead, her blood began to boil. Her own lips curled into a wide grin as she slapped her greatsword, shouting with excitement:
"Come! Again!"
*
Waiting room.
"What? He actually chose the Plains? What is Muen Campbell doing?"
Watching Muen's "bizarre maneuver" of choosing the Plains from a spectator's perspective, Cordes was deeply confused.
In his view, if Muen Campbell wanted his record to look good, a complex terrain would have been far more advantageous. It was said he specialized in speed, so he should have relied on complex terrain to circle around Ariel, avoiding being beaten into a pulp in under three minutes like Barlow. That would have been an ugly sight, rendering all his previous efforts to avoid combat meaningless.
And yet, he had chosen this terrain...
"I can only say he is utterly stu—"
Cordes couldn't finish his sentence.
Because he saw it—Muen's opening strike, the one that declared the true beginning of the battle.
A single slash was all it took to plunge the entire audience into silence.
Because that slash was powerful.
From the spectators' perspective, the strike was even more shocking. They could see more intuitively how that slash manifested from nothing in an instant, tearing the earth apart with a deafening roar.
"So... so fast... so strong!"
Cordes was stunned.
He couldn't believe that slash had been delivered by the very Muen Campbell he had looked down upon—the one he thought had only advanced through cheating.
But this was the reality. A draw could be rigged, but there was no denying who had delivered that strike in front of so many witnesses.
Muen Campbell was actually this strong?
"What a fast strike. I couldn't even see how he moved. And for a strike that fast, why was the power so immense? It looked as if dozens of blade-lights were fused into one.
What... what do you think, Your Highness? You should be able to do something like that too, right?"
As if seeking support after witnessing something unbelievable, Cordes looked expectantly at Prince Milne.
However...
Cordes shuddered.
Milne didn't seem to hear him at all. This long-hidden genius of the Kingdom was currently gripping the balcony railing of the waiting room so hard his hand shook. His other hand had already crushed his wine glass, letting the crimson liquid soak into his gold-trimmed sleeve.
And on the face that stared fixedly at the arena was a look he himself hadn't noticed... a look of immense shock and a trace of terror.
"Impossible..." he whispered. "Something like this... is absolutely impossible..."