Eternal Freedom's Ascension

Chapter 200: Hazel’s superiority

Unyielding Spirit was a trait she had gained from her awakening trial, and now, it was aiding her in resisting Ashley’s ability.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The two crossed swords several times, sparks flying as their blades scratched against each other.

As Ashley targeted Hazel’s shoulder, the girl sidestepped, closing the distance between them.

Her stone sword moved like a phantom, appearing next to his neck.

Ashley froze, his eyes resting on the black sword.

’She’s strong. I guess she’s not a leader for nothing."

He dropped his sword and raised his hand, surrendering.

"Hazel Kane wins this match!"

Instructor Natalie announced cheerfully, her gaze resting on Hazel with hidden intentions.

The Class-D students cheered, their voices drowning the Arena in their excitement.

Ysabella also smiled, giving thumbs-up to the black-haired girl.

However, she wasn’t joyous on the inside.

’She has definitely gained some more reputation by winning this match! Damn it! Why is she always shining better than me?’

There was the bitter taste of envy in her mouth, hard to swallow.

Ignorant of the blonde girl’s thoughts, Hazel dismissed her sword and armor, returning to her seat beside Kaiser.

She said nothing at first, then after a while, she turned to him.

"How... good was my performance?"

Kaiser’s eyes shifted to her, his gaze peering into her soul.

"Hm. It was not bad. You’re strong—according to the academy standards."

Instantly, Hazel’s brows furrowed. "The academy standards? What are you talking about? Is there another standard?"

Kaiser shook his head gently, a peaceful expression on his face.

"Forget it. The next match is about to begin."

Hazel glared at him, then turned to look at the upcoming match.

The student Instructor Natalie had called out was a familiar one.

It was Mike, the skinny Class-D student who had been ready to stand as Logan’s witness when he was accused of stealing relics.

He and Austin had sparred with Kaiser that day, learning a bit from him.

Now, he stood before Instructor Natalie, dipping his hand into the box and pulling out a card.

"Logan Fang. Class-E."

He called out the name with surprise. He also remembered Logan, the student that had almost been framed and punished for stealing relics.

Still in his seat, Logan crossed his arms and shook his head.

"I’ve fought two times already. So I can delegate this battle to someone else, right?"

Looking up at him, Instructor Natalie nodded.

Pursing his lips, Logan looked at the other students in his class.

He could call upon Liam, but he didn’t want to stress the guy.

’Who should I call...?’

He was tempted to call Kaiser, but chose not to. That guy could be very unpredictable sometimes.

Soon, his eyes landed on Ariel, who had his head lowered.

It was as if he was trying not to be seen.

’Caught you!’

"Ariel! You fight for me! I trust you, man."

Hearing his name being called, Ariel stiffened, then slowly raised his head.

Almost everyone in the Arena was staring at him.

It felt uncomfortable, but he could manage.

Standing up, he took a glance at Hazel, locking eyes with her briefly.

He could read her intentions clearly.

’Don’t you dare lose.’

He rolled his eyes, then walked down to the stage to face Mike.

The two regarded each other silently, seemingly gauging each other’s strength.

"You two can stop staring and start."

Instructor Natalie chuckled, covering her lips softly.

Ariel nodded, summoning his weapons and armor immediately.

The two daggers appeared in his hands, and he was covered in light armor.

Mike’s eyes glinted, and he summoned a chain.

Ariel’s eyes flashed. ’A chain? Hm, quite troublesome.’

It would have been easier dealing with opponents who used common weapons like swords or spears.

However, a chain user like Mike was always difficult to control.

’I should be able to read him a few seconds into the fight. Choreographing a perfect draw shouldn’t be hard.’

Interrupting his thinking, Mike attacked.

The chain snapped forward, wrapping around Ariel’s arm and constricting tightly.

The silver-haired boy immediately grabbed the chain too, preventing himself from being pulled forward.

Instead, he pulled Mike toward him.

The boy complied easily, then twirled the chain.

Ariel was forced to stumble, but he quickly regained his balance.

Instantly, his ability began to work.

Several simulations of Mike’s next moves appeared in his mind, and he began narrowing those with the greatest possibilities.

Mike sensed something wrong, then poured his essence into his nodes.

Instantly, lightning crawled across the chain.

Ariel was stunned, feeling a stinging pain in his arm. It spread to his shoulder, but he immediately shut off his senses from that part, halting the pain.

He gripped the chain tightly, then pulled Mike towards himself.

"I apologize."

Before Mike could register anything, his shoulder was stabbed.

’He’s this strong despite being affected by lightning?’

He grunted faintly, regretting his decision of not summoning an armor.

However, he didn’t really regret it. Instead, he pulled back and activated his ability.

The wound closed instantly, and reopened on Ariel’s shoulder.

The boy blinked, staring at the mysterious wound on his shoulder blankly.

’He can transfer damage? Hmm...’

Although surprised, he wasn’t unfazed. This was merely information added to his database which would be used by his ability.

’Now that I know his ability, strength and speed level, and his affinity, I can conduct a proper simulation.’

His green eyes glinted, and he immediately untangled the chain from his arm.

His arm was still stiff, but would recover in a few minutes.

It seemed like Mike had the advantage right now, and everyone watching the duel had the same opinion.

Holding the daggers in his two hands, Ariel attacked Mike.

He struck fast, targeting the boy’s heart.

Mike simply twirled the chain, creating a vortex that intended to constrict Ariel’s arm again.

The silver-haired boy pivoted to the side, dodging the chain and throwing the other dagger at him.

Mike was forced back, dodging the attack with furrowed brows.

At that moment, Ariel gained another detail.

’He can’t transfer damage consecutively? Hm, understandable.’

He was slowly reading into Mike—like a book.