Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest novel Chapter 403

Chapter 403 91.11 - Duels [2]

As Julia collapsed to the ground, the amphitheater fell into a stunned silence. The spectators, who had been on the edge of their seats throughout the duel, now looked at the arena with wide eyes and open mouths. They had witnessed countless duels at Arcadia Hunter Academy, but this one was different. The level of skill and intensity displayed by both combatants was extraordinary.

The murmurs started slowly, then grew louder as the crowd processed what they had just seen. "Did you see that? Damien Arkwright's swordsmanship is on another level!"

"Yeah, the way he used the 「Realm of Dreams」... It's incredible. At this age, other heirs couldn't even deploy that, let alone in the middle of a fight."

"And his tactics, so precise. Every move had a purpose."

But amidst the admiration for Damien's prowess, there was a palpable respect for Julia's performance. Those who knew about the 「Realm of Dreams」 understood its terrifying nature. It was a technique designed to disrupt the senses of the opponent, making them vulnerable and disoriented. Many who faced it for the first time never survived.

"Julia Middleton... She held her own against the 「Realm of Dreams」," a seasoned scout remarked, his voice filled with awe. "Do you know how rare that is? Most people can't even fight back once they're caught in it."

Another scout nodded in agreement. "And she didn't just hold her own. She almost won. Her technique, her resilience... It was extraordinary."

"She adapted so quickly. It's like she has an innate understanding of her surroundings that goes beyond normal senses."

"She's not just relying on her family's techniques. She's developing something unique, something powerful."

In the stands, Ethan watched Julia with a mixture of happiness and concern.

He knew how hard she had trained, how much she had pushed herself. Her performance today had been nothing short of remarkable. She had faced one of the most challenging techniques and had nearly emerged victorious.

"Julia, you were amazing," he whispered, his eyes filled with admiration. "You'll get there. I know you will."

Though he couldn't spend too much time here. Since it would be his match soon.

Damien Arkwright stood in the arena, breathing heavily but triumphant. He glanced at Julia's unconscious form, a flicker of respect in his eyes. Despite his taunts and cruelty, he couldn't deny the strength and skill she had shown.

"Ladies and gentlemen," the announcer's voice echoed through the amphitheater, breaking the silence, "the winner of this duel is Damien Arkwright!"

The crowd erupted into applause, but there was a different tone to it. It wasn't just admiration for Damien's victory; it was also recognition of the incredible fight both combatants had delivered. Julia's ability to stand against the 「Realm of Dreams」 and her nearly victorious performance had left a lasting impression on everyone present.

As medics rushed to tend to Julia, Damien walked off the arena, his confidence unshaken.

At least that was how it looked, yet something was different.

'That bitch….She almost got me.'

The fact that a mere beast dared to bare his fangs at him. The fact that he almost lost.

He felt anger. He refused to acknowledge it. As the superior one from the start, how could he let a mere beast almost bite him?

It was unacceptable.

'At least no one was here to witness.'

He thought inwardly, yet a subtle smile crept on his lips. How would it feel if he were to break such a beast?

"I will look forward to the time when you crawl under my feet." He mumbled. "Julia Middleton." With a crazed expression on his face.

*******

<Arcadia Hunter Academy, Thursday, 4 P.M>

As the arena was cleared and Julia was taken to the infirmary, the crowd buzzed with anticipation for the next and final duel of the day. The atmosphere was electric, charged with excitement and curiosity. This was the duel everyone had been waiting for: Ethan Hartley, the rising star with an impressive lineage, versus Kellan Stormrider, a higher-ranked student who had controversially chosen to challenge someone significantly lower in rank.

The amphitheater was filled to capacity, with students, faculty, and spectators eager to witness the showdown. Whispers and murmurs filled the air as people discussed the upcoming fight.

"I can't believe Kellan challenged Ethan. What was he thinking?"

"Yeah, it's a cowardly move. He's ranked 456, and Ethan is 970. It's not a fair match."

"Well, I've heard Ethan has been showing incredible progress lately. Maybe Kellan sees him as a real threat."

As the crowd settled, the announcer's voice boomed through the amphitheater. "Ladies and gentlemen, for our final duel of the day, we have Kellan Stormrider, ranked 456, versus Ethan Hartley, ranked 970. Contestants, please step into the arena!"

The crowd erupted into applause as Ethan Hartley stepped into the arena. His presence commanded immediate attention. His wavy blue hair and piercing hazel eyes, combined with his calm demeanor, made him a figure of intrigue and admiration. He held his spear confidently, a weapon that had become a symbol of his determination and skill.

Opposite him, Kellan Stormrider entered the arena, his expression stern and focused. He was a tall, muscular figure with dark hair and a determined gaze. Despite the frowns and murmurs from the audience, he maintained his composure, ready to face Ethan.

"Look at them. They're both so composed," a student whispered to her friend.

"Yeah, but Kellan's got the rank advantage. Ethan's going to have to pull something extraordinary to win this."

They both knew the fight between Ethan and Samuel. After all, Ethan was already a hot topic, and many people were observing his prowess.

The announcer's voice called out again, signaling the start of the duel. "Are both contestants ready?"

Ethan and Kellan nodded, their eyes locked onto each other. The tension was palpable.

"Begin!"

As the announcer's voice echoed through the amphitheater, the tension reached its peak. The crowd fell silent, their eyes glued to the two combatants.

Kellan Stormrider moved first, his greatsword glinting in the light as he charged forward. His muscles rippled with power, his attribute [Shock] adding a visible aura of energy around his weapon. With each step, the ground seemed to tremble slightly, a testament to his strength.

Ethan, however, remained calm. His spear crackled with lightning psions, the energy dancing along its length. He waited, his eyes focused and unflinching as Kellan closed the distance.

With a mighty swing, Kellan brought his greatsword down in a powerful arc, aiming to crush Ethan with sheer force. The air around the blade shimmered with the shockwave it generated, creating a wave of pressure that surged toward Ethan.

'He is fast!' Ethan reacted swiftly, his lightning-imbued spear meeting Kellan's greatsword in a clash of elemental forces. Even though Ethan trusted his speed and strength, Kelland had surpassed him in that regard.

If his lightning attribute wasn't increasing the speed of his motor reflexes and the strength of his muscles, he would be having a hard time even at the start.

CLANK! Sparks flew as the weapons collided, the shockwave from Kellan's attack dispersing into the ground with a resounding boom. The crowd gasped, the sheer power of the impact reverberating through the arena.

Ethan spun his spear, deflecting Kellan's follow-up strikes with precise, fluid movements.