Chapter 148: The Stronger Scout
Out for revenge, Andrew Forthsky, the strongest representative of Orion Academy, jumped up the stage.
'Hoh? They dare to send a scout student out even though I have a reputation for being good in scout vs scout duels? Interesting…' Andrew inwardly thought while looking at Ian with a cold smile plastered on his face.
Meanwhile, Ian had thoughts of his own, an annoying smirk plastered on his face as he stared mockingly toward Andrew, not believing one bit that this pretentious bastard was as strong as he was claiming to be.
He himself was good in scout vs scout duels so he really wanted to take this fight but the initial plan was to have Siegfried go against Andrew while he was assigned to fight in the first match.
Fortunately, their captain, Shye, who was in a bad mood, chose to throw everything out the window due to a stupid reason like venting anger.
Due to this, not only did he get the matchup that he wanted, but he was also quite relieved to see that Shye was no machine and that he also had a young hot-blooded side to him just like the rest of them.
More motivated than ever, Ian Izanagi drew out his flaming dagger from a specialized sheathe, impressing the crowd as he walked into the middle of the stage and assumed his fighting stance.
Contrary to his arrogant outside appearance, Andrew seems to be quite well-mannered.
Although enraged, he still introduced himself as he drew his water-infused pair of katars and assumed his battle stance.
"Andrew Forthsky, scout student from Orion Academy."
"Ian Izanagi, scout student from Colzen Academy"
Scout vs scout duels were bound to be flashy so from the original 8,000 people who were watching, the numbers ramped up to around 12,000, making Ian and Andrew the center of quite a lot of attention.
A few seconds before the referee announced the start of the match, time seemed to slow down.
Two opposing scout students stood across each other in a fierce staredown as the audience waited for the banger match to start with bated breaths.
Two rival academies, two scout students.
"Begin!"
*FWOOSH*
Under the eyes of thousands of audiences, the two scouts suddenly disappeared, before reappearing in front of the other.
*CLANG*
A pair of water-infused katars clashed against a fiery dagger emitting thick white vapor on the point of contact as the two incompatible elements of fire and water struggled for superiority.
It was hard to see who was the better scout in just a single clash, however, after a few more clashes, it was evident that Andrew was slightly getting beaten back by Ian who was attacking relentlessly.
Lethal stabs and concise cuts along with some compact punches and kicks slightly staggered Andrew who was having a hard time accepting that he was the inferior scout.
Still, he was no slouch.
Andrew skillfully parried and blocked most of Ian's blows while backpedaling as if his life depended on it.
Unfortunately, Ian was too aggressive and relentless, not allowing him even a short moment to breathe.
Accidents were bound to happen in a fast-paced match.
"Arrgh!"
Failing to notice the small puddle of blood behind him, Andrew slightly slipped allowing Ian to land an impairing stab on his left deltoid, forcing him to let go of one of his katars.
Fortunately for him, the accident wasn't enough to end the match.
Still, the major match progress made most of the audience including the Colzen companion students cheer at the top of their lungs.
As for the Orion Academy crowd, they were naturally dejected. Seeing their senior whom they idolized for so long get pressed so hard was so heartbreaking for them.
Unfortunately, in a battle, there are always winners and losers.
Ian quickly capitalized on his advantage and twisted his dagger inside Andrew's left deltoid, mercilessly destroying the flesh and making Andrew's face twist in agony.
Upon remembering that he was carrying the hopes and dreams of Orion Academy students on his shoulders, Andrew vehemently refused to lose.
Even a lowly prey courageously fights back when cornered by a predator.
As Ian's fiery dagger mangled his left deltoid and burned his flesh, Andrew struck back with reckless abandon, stabbing the water-infused katar on his right hand deep into the left side of Ian's body, even slightly touching one of his rib cages.
"Puhaahk"
Ian couldn't help but spit out blood. He was no stranger to scout battles and knew that he would receive a few stabs and cuts once he stabbed his dagger deep into his enemy's flesh.
Still, limbs were important in a duel and although he suffered a stab himself, he clearly knew that destroying Andrew's deltoids would allow him to slowly dismantle his opponent.
Thus, after a one-for-one exchange, Ian willingly stepped back and reset his attacks. After all, with one arm down, things would only be harder for Andrew.
Ian knew that the time was right to start using skills so he immediately used [Blink Strike Lv.3] to reappear behind Andrew, who expected him to do so, clearly experienced in dealing with other scouts.
*CLANG*
Their weapons clash again, however, this time, Andrew makes Ian uncomfortable.
Just when Ian was about to inflict a deep cut on Andrew's neck, possibly even killing him in the process of doing so, Andrew retaliated by targeting Ian's neck as well, forcing him to change the trajectory of his attack and use his dagger to deflect Andrew's katar.
He planned to completely disregard defense, willing to receive Ian's attacks but inflicting one on him in the process.
'Hmmph…You think I'm scared of you?' Ian thought as he activated [Enhanced Agility Lv.3] before closing in on Andrew, opting for another melee.
Realizing that Ian already used his self-buff skill, Andrew did the same.
Thus, in a high-speed melee battle a bit too fast for the untrained eye, the two scout students started exchanging blows again.
Ian changed his initial dagger grip into a hammer grip before slashing horizontally towards the left side of Andrew's neck forcing him to turn his body to retaliate.
Just when Andrew thought that they would go down together seeing that both of their attacks targeted each other's neck, he was shocked upon realizing that his katar simply passed through Ian's body.
A mirage!
"You're mine!"
*SPURT*
Crimson blood chillingly spurted out in alarming volumes as Ian cleanly slashed Andrew's throat open from behind.