Chapter 167- Combat Training 2

Words : 1056 Updated : Sep 25th, 2025

'I mean, I expected him to be strong...but that wasn't just a matter of difference in strength, ' Raph thought, his gaze following Cricken Royce as he joined them back in line. None of the students thought it wise to clap or cheer, or more like they were too frightened to do so. His gaze flickered, returning to the Sparring Ring. 'It was the difference in experience....that much difference made him use the techniques adequately without wasting movements'. A memory of the first duel between Lucy Zachary and Ban Xen played in his head, and then the duel between Felic Manhartten and Cricken Royce played next. 'There was the obvious difference.' Ban showed no intention of fighting back, even though he had clearly mastered the guarding technique, so Lucy had the upper hand from the start. Felic and Cricken on the other hand, started from scratch, and the result was simply a testament to the difference in their skills. 'He is the princess's Bodyguard, after all; a warrior or knight should, at least, be that strong.' A smirk grew on his lips as the next duelists walked up to the Sparring Ring while two of his classmates assisted Felic in getting down. The body suited had inbuilt automatic mana healers that functioned as a cushion to prevent severe injuries and a healer when they were unconscious and required healing. 'His leg would have been ripped the other way if it weren't for the body suit.' Raph thought with a sigh, while he observed his. 'Well, let's just continue watching for now'. The next duel was about to begin. Marshall Lorientt Vs Tiffany Rudia. Marshall was from the 4th Vassal family, Lorientt, a household of Knights, though their techniques lacked greatly if compared to the Jun household. They were still considered prodigies in the Knight department nonetheless, and the other, Tiffany Rudia, was one of Canary's friends. Both stood apart on the Sparring Ring, their gazes locked on one another as Lecturer Wisdom prepared to begin the duel. Marshall held a glaive, and Tiffany didn't seem to physically hold a particular weapon, but there was a long shot it was well hidden somewhere. Another testament, to the long list of weapons the Academy provided to her students. "Ready?" Lecturer Wisdom asked, his tone low, and commanding. Both students nodded in unison, and at that moment, he began the duel. "Begin". In a swift, slicing motion, Marshall's glaive sliced through the air with a sharp whoosh, its blade dancing in a fluid, curved motion as he sprinted forward with a forceful speed. His physique was large for his age, including his muscle mass and his height; he was nearly twice the height of petite Tiffany. His messy black hair flowed with the wind, and his fiery onyx eyes fixed on his target as he slammed his glaive onto the ground. BOOM. His glaive made a dent in the cement floor, but his target was nowhere to be found. "Come on, big guy, you could do better than that". Her body was slammed into the ground, and the sickening sound of bones crushing echoed as a muffled scream of pain escaped her lips. She lay on the ground, conscious as the body suit began to heal her from her injuries, but the pain remained, serving as a scar for the horrible defeat she just experienced. Marshall, on the other hand, panted deeply, blood dripping down his fingers as he stared at her, his gaze overwhelmed with satisfaction and confusion. 'She...She made me go all out?' He thought in surprise. 'I don't remember the last time I was forced to use my raw strength' Marshall Lorientt was blessed since the day he was born. He was the third son of his household, wasn't riddled with responsibilities, and was given a fair opportunity to grow his strength. Born with an innate herculean-like strength, he had quickly grown himself to who he was now. "Tiffany Rudia, do you concede?" Lecturer Wisdom's voice pierced the heavy atmosphere in the air as the students turned towards him for the first time since the beginning of the duel. Each student that came up to the stage showed something peculiar, and they had to admit, this was even better. Tiffany's display of the string and kunai tactic in an environment that did not suit her showed her constant practice, but even hard work pales when it comes to natural talent. And the natural strength of Marshall proved so. Tiffany slowly sat up, her body aching from the collision. She looked up at Marshall, her pink hair dancing to the wind, and her pink gaze suffused with resentment. "I...I will get you back for this". She said in a bitter tone, her voice laced with pain, a testament to what she felt at that moment. "Alright then, that is the third duel; Winner, Marshall Lorientt". The students remained silent this time as well, perhaps mixed feelings assaulting them at the moment. This duel was not just a farce to embarrass Raph but a reminder, or perhaps a clue, to find out the people to watch out for in their Class. The Entrance examination didn't prove any of that for them, but this method proved a lot. Marshall took some steps forward and stretched his hand towards Tiffany, a skeptical hue in his gaze. Tiffany looked up at him, her gaze growing narrow and her body shaking in rage. She slapped his hand away, and stood up, clicking her tongue as she walked away. Marshall watched her carefully, and with a sigh, he retreated from the Sparring Ring as well. 'So far, I'm more impressed with Tiffany....that was skillful...though, what she showcased wasn't any of the techniques so far,' Raph thought as the two students retreated from the Sparring Ring. He had witnessed all he could in that short moment. "Alright then, Raffaelo Jun Vs. Javier Wright." Professor Wisdom called, and the two students stepped forward in unison. Raph's gaze lingered on Marshall as they walked past each other, and he instantly noticed the smirk that grew on Marshall's face. 'No one really expects me to win? Well, time to see what I've learned'.

Chapter 167- Combat Training 2

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