Inside the training facility, the same place where Noah and the others had their sparring session yesterday.
This time, no instructor was with them. However, whenever students wanted to duel against each other or issue challenges, there were always staff members appointed to supervise the training facility.
Joran, who was one of the staff members, came with them. He was a middle-aged man with dark brown hair and gray eyes.
"Take these and wear them on your hands, both of you."
Joran handed Noah and Edward black-coloured bands.
"The duel will be concluded if one of you defeats the other by holding a sword at their neck or through any other clear victory condition."
"And if it doesn't end that way and you continue fighting, then, after one critical hit or when your health becomes too low, you will be automatically teleported outside the ring."
Noah and Edward listened to him silently.
Testu and Richard were standing slightly away from them.
They were near the sparring platform, ready to watch their duel.
Noah and Edward put on the bands.
"So, are you two ready?"
"Yes, I am."
"Yes."
Both of them climbed onto the platform, standing on opposite sides.
Just then, some figures entered the sparring hall.
Noah's gaze shifted in their direction, only for his eyes to widen in shock.
'Why are they here?'
They were none other than Damien and the other main characters.
Lyria, Arisha, Kaelan, Emma, and Leonard. All of them were here. Following them quietly was Mary.
Mary and Damien being here was understandable since they had been involved in a quarrel earlier. But Damien's friends? Why were they here?
"Well... whatever. They must be curious about this battle," he muttered under his breath.
---
Meanwhile, on the main characters' side.
Lyria and the others had no interest in watching a spar between low-ranking students, since both Noah and Edward had lower ranks.
But because of Damien's insistence, they followed him.
Mary was the reason Damien had offended Edward, so she also followed them.
With a curious expression, Leonard observed Noah, his left hand rubbing his chin.
"Who do you think will win this duel?" Leonard asked as he observed Noah. Curiosity was clearly written on his face.
With a bored expression, Kaelan scoffed from beside Leonard, his blue eyes uninterested.
"Who cares? They're just weaklings. No matter who wins, it doesn't matter."
With a light chuckle and a relaxed expression, Emma spoke.
"Well, I'm here because Damien said so. Otherwise, I wouldn't have bothered coming here."
As usual, she had tied her brown hair into a single braid that rested against her shoulder.
With an indifferent expression and her golden eyes fixed on the sparring platform, Arisha spoke calmly.
"I won't deny it... I wanted to watch this battle. Mostly to see Edward get beaten. Though Noah is no better than Edward... I'll be on his side for today."
With a gentle smile and a calm expression, Lyria spoke softly.
"Come on, guys. Since we're here... we should enjoy it."
Her pink eyes then turned towards Damien.
"What do you think, Damien? Do you think Noah can defeat Edward?"
With a thoughtful expression, Damien looked at the sparring platform before answering.
"Well... I've seen him fighting Leonard... He's not strong... but I don't know anything about Edward. Whether he's stronger than Noah or not... so let's see. Even though I don't like Noah... this time, I hope he wins."
Then Damien turned towards Mary with a calm expression.
"Do you think the same?"
With a slightly nervous expression, Mary nodded softly.
"Yes... I hope he wins."
She then glanced at the man who was preparing for the fight, who had been dragged into this for no reason.
---
Back to Noah and Edward.
This time, Noah chose a spear. A silver-coloured spear appeared in his right hand. The blade at the top was blue. The bottom of it rested against the metal floor.
The spear oddly matched Noah's appearance. His soft, snow-white hair and ocean-blue, crystal-like eyes. He was truly handsome.
On the opposite side, Edward pulled out his greatsword.
'Nice!'
Noah had sparred with Leonard yesterday, and Leonard had used a greatsword. Now Edward was using the same weapon. And obviously, his sword skills would be inferior to Leonard's.
Joran stood in the centre area of the platform, near its corner.
"When I say start... you will start fighting."
Both Edward and Noah took their stances.
Joran raised his hand slightly and looked at both of them.
"1..."
Both Noah and Edward tightened their grips on their weapons.
"2..."
They leaned forward slightly, their muscles tensing.
"3... Start!"
The moment the word left Joran's mouth, both Noah and Edward kicked off the ground and dashed towards each other.
Clang!
The greatsword met the spear with a loud metallic sound. The impact echoed throughout the training hall.
Both of them pushed against each other for a moment before jumping back.
Edward attacked first.
He raised his greatsword and delivered a powerful vertical slash.
Noah quickly lifted the shaft of his spear and blocked the attack using its middle section like a staff.
Clang!
The force was heavy, but Noah held his ground.
'He's stronger than I thought,' Noah thought, his eyes narrowing.
Edward immediately followed up with a horizontal slash aimed at Noah's waist.
Noah quickly ducked under the blade, feeling the wind pressure of the sword pass just above his head.
At that moment, Noah thrust his spear forward.
Edward twisted his body slightly, and the spear barely missed his shoulder.
They separated again.
Edward clicked his tongue.
"Not bad."
Noah didn't reply. His eyes were focused and calm.
'But not enough to beat me.'
Edward then smirked, and a faint aura suddenly emanated from his body.
Mana.
He started using mana to reinforce his body.
Seeing this, Noah also focused.
He could feel the mana moving from his core throughout his body, flowing through his veins and strengthening his arms and legs.
His grip became stronger. His legs felt lighter. His vision became sharper.
Edward dashed forward again, this time much faster than before.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Their weapons clashed again and again.
Edward swung his greatsword heavily, each attack carrying tremendous force.
Noah used his spear to deflect, block, and redirect the attacks rather than stopping them directly.
Edward delivered another heavy vertical slash.
Noah stepped to the side and used the spear shaft to redirect the blade downwards.
Edward immediately spun and performed a wide horizontal swing.
Noah jumped backwards just in time, the blade barely missing his chest.
The distance between them increased again. Both of them were breathing slightly heavier now.
Edward smirked.
"Let's see how long you can keep defending."
He rushed forward again.