However, he didn’t react as I anticipated.
His expression relaxed instantly, and his gaze became tranquil. No longer filled with rage.
Then, he released a deep sigh. "No, it isn’t a problem. You’re right. We are just learning, so a few mistakes could happen here and there," he said.
Without saying another word, Jaran thrust his wooden sword forward.
I sneered inwardly, seeing the wooden blade aimed at my head once more.
I sidestepped to the side.
Contrary to my expectations, this time around, the wooden blade didn’t stop. Instead, it changed trajectory, cutting down from the side.
I was about to evade the blade once more. But I realised that I couldn’t move my body.
My movements were hindered.
I saw an azure wind enveloping Jaran’s wooden blade, and it turned it into a blur.
My vision blurred as I gazed at it.
I quickly remembered the renowned sacred art of the Windcrest clan.
The Azure Skybind Gale Sacred Art!
One technique of this art enabled the user to draw in the opponent’s attack or create a sudden drop in air pressure around them, briefly immobilising them.
The stronger the user, the more powerful the binding became, making it increasingly difficult for an opponent to escape.
Alternatively, if both the user and the opponent possess equal strength, the technique’s effects still apply, but breaking it would depend on the opponent’s reaction and skill.
According to my knowledge, Jaran and I were in the First Rank, but he was one of the many rumoured to be able to break through to the Second Rank after Emily.
With the support of the Windcrest clan pouring their resources into him, he was far ahead in strength, while I had to scrap by so that I could make it into the Grand Avalon Academy.
In reality, I was supposedly no match for his technique.
But that only applied to the me of two weeks ago, before I awakened the Beastmaster Path and acquired a significantly more robust body.
I was confident that I could break through this technique.
I channelled my mana and exerted my body.
My spirit veins expanded.
I sensed the restriction around my body weakening, and then, the moment the wooden blade was about to strike my head..
I leaned to the side, narrowly evading it by several inches.
Jaran’s eyes widened in shock. He obviously hadn’t expected me to break through his technique.
I took advantage of his momentary distraction and struck my wooden blade against his wrist.
The wooden blade shattered against Jaran’s wrist.
"Ahh!" A sharp scream escaped his lips.
Unless the wooden blade was magically enhanced, a magic item, or was enveloped in mana edge or aura, it couldn’t inflict injury on a late-stage awakener of the First Rank.
But with the force I had struck out, my attack was comparable to a whip lashing against a mortal’s skin; it was still possible to evoke some reaction.
Without hesitation, I released my wooden blade and wrapped my arms around his outstretched arm in an armlock.
I spread my legs apart, planting my rear feet firmly, and lifted my other leg. Then, I twisted my body in the direction that he fell.
Jaran rose into the air. He stared at me blankly in confusion momentarily, before his expression shifted into realisation and fear.
However, it was too late for him to react.
I slammed his body back-first against the stage.
I swiftly released him and distanced myself from him.
I looked at Jaran, who was grimacing in pain from being forcefully slammed against the durable stage.
My chest heaved as I took a deep breath and then exhaled.
That was... dangerous.
If I hadn’t acted quickly, then I would have lost an eye or had my head pierced through by a wooden sword.
I noted that my surroundings were strangely quiet.
I turned to look around and noticed that everyone had stopped training and was staring at us.
Their eyes widened in shock as they stared at the collapsed Jaran, sprawled against the stage. Before their gazes slowly shifted towards me, in disbelief.
I noticed Ivory and Milas staring at us with a similar expression.
Fredric had already arrived before Jaran and was checking his condition.
"He’s fine. He will be able to get back on his wrist after a few minutes’ rest," Fredric said, sighing in relief, before turning his head to the side and looking at me sceptically.
"I specifically asked you both to focus on practising a move, not to engage in a duel! How did it escalate to this point? I need you to explain what happened."
That wasn’t the reaction I had anticipated.
I snapped my head to the side and saw that my classmates were staring at me and Fredric with a strange and complicated expression.
It took me a moment to realise this was a part of Fredric’s scheme.
He had anticipated that Jaran would lash out at me, and knowing that I would retaliate, he paired us together.
Did he do this to evaluate my strength? Possible!
Although my confrontation with Jaran was brief, anyone could assess that my current capabilities had significantly surpassed my previous level.
A voice muttered from within the crowd.
"Hey, did you see that? Jaran used his clan’s sacred art, the azure skybind gale. Yet he was defeated by the worst one within a second."
"Oh my goodness! He defeated Jaran like he was nothing!"
"This is impossible! How did the worst one become this strong? Did he really cheat in his duel against Ivory?!"
"I also believe he cheated. But, I can’t deny what I’ve just witnessed! Jaran had used his clan’s technique, yet he was so easily defeated!"
The stage, filled with 100 students, buzzed with chatter as they whispered to each other.
I occasionally caught snippets of conversation that made my expression twitch in annoyance.