They said a battle or duel between swordsman means a lot. It's because the skills they practiced are at stake.

Which I agreed. On earth, I bleed and sweat to reach the top in swordsmanship.

Today's match is an opportunity to show it.

And when I say opportunity, there is no way I will show any slightest hesitation.

Luckily, I only fell asleep for almost 2 hours. After a bit of lazing around and strategizing, I headed to the training room.

The castle of Albert Haynes has its own colosseum.

The audience is the majority of Knights and Soldiers.

There are also those vassal families of Albert Haynes. A noble below Earl status.

They are seated in the VIP room while the main family of Haynes is seated in the most elegant VIP room.

A lot of commotion is currently happening on the public seat on the colosseum. They make a bet on who will win this match.

Of course, all the Knights are in favor of Vice-Captain Leo while the soldier led by Chief Soldier Klein favors me.

I think Chief Klein told the story about our encounter.

There are also those soldiers who bet in favor of Vice-Captain Leo.

Earl Albert Haynes raised his right hand and the commotion instantly died and the whole colosseum become dead silent.

"Everyone, today's much is special since the challenger who will fight Vice-Captain Leo will become the personal knight for my daughter Elena." Albert

"Of course, he must achieve victory, but victory alone will not determine that he completed this task. If he shows determination and fights earnestly to escape death in every situation. Then I will let him be a personal knight of Elena. That's all."

All the nobles started murmuring, they still didn't accept the fact that Albert Haynes will employ the stranger as a knight for her daughter.

Some of the young men give me a hostile stare. Obviously, they want to become the knight of Elena but unfortunately for them, I will not yield that position.

Without too much ado, Earl Albert nod to the referee.

"Thank you for the introduction My Lord Albert. Now let me call the Vice-Captain of Falcon Knights, Leo." Referee

The Knights and soldiers started cheering.

Then Leo walks out on one of the doors and walks toward the circular stage.

"And now, the young man who secured the safety of our Lady Elena and villagers. Jin Hale."

When I walk out on the opposite door. A lot of deathly stares and cheering poured on me.

The deathly stares are from the knights and young nobles while the cheers are from the soldiers who bet on my favor.

*Sigh

"I will explain the rules for this match. The two of you can do anything to immobilize or defeat your opponent. The highest magic you can use is Rank E, more than that, the person responsible will be disqualified. It's also forbidden to inflict the severe injury that is incurable and kill each other. All the highest magicians would take you down on the spot if you tried to kill each other. That's all. Now begin."

When everyone heard that, the colosseum become dead silent, and the magician encircled the stage.

My attention is focused on Vice-Captain Leo. He didn't move nor faze when I unsheathed my sword to its scabbard.

I confidently and slowly walk towards the center stage like I'm not affected by any pressure or gazes from the crowd.

If there is one thing that bothers me, it's Leo. He's still not moving like a statue forever erect on its exact location.

As I don't want to initiate the fight, I am stuck thinking about how should I provoke him to attack me first.

I'm a firm believer that be wary of the calm enemy which is currently the state of Leo. So, the first thing I need to do is to provoke him.

I look at my sword and a grin appeared on my face.

**

Jin Hale huh?

Since Lady Elena return from her mission, Chief Soldier Klein continuously bubbled about how Jin easily defeated a rampaging demon bear that belongs to rank D in mere three seconds.

A normal demon bear is categorized as rank F, but it will drastically change if its states become berserk which will cause its rampaging. It's like a cheat level up for them.

When the referee announced that we can begin, I stood firm on my ground and was unfazed.

It's not that I am trying to study him or what, the real reason is this feeling.

Damn it! When was the last time I feel scared?

I tried to calm myself. All the knights, soldiers, and nobles are looking in my direction.

I don't know why but I felt their gazes are full of respect and admiration?

Don't make me laugh!! If Jin can really defeat a D rank demon in mere three seconds. How about me? Yes, I'm on my breakthrough to C rank but I'm still in D-rank!

What if he defeated me in just three seconds too?

Thinking of that made my head hurt.

No! No! Don't think that way, I am a Vice-Captain Knight of Haynes Family. I'm sure there's a way to defeat him.

I grip the hilt of my sword and look in his direction. The stance he made me forget the fear in my heart.

A grin on his face which taken me aback but what really startled me is the stance he made with his sword.

Since this is a duel, the swords we both using are the same. A one edge sword.

And the part of his sword that should be facing downward is now facing upward.

What the heck is this? Is he trying to insult me? Is he trying to fight me using the unsharpened part of his sword?

I am the Vice-Captain of Falcon Knights for crying out loud!

The fear I felt earlier dissipated and my blood started to boil.

You! Jin Hale! I will make sure to defeat you today!

**

Success!

I felt happy. I successfully provoked him by intending to fight him using the unsharpened part of the sword.

Every sane swordsman will be mad.

If I were in his shoes, there is no way that I will let things slide easily and will inflict damage to my enemy using the strongest attack.

"You! You will regret provoking me!" Leo shouted

Sigh

I feel sorry for Vice Captain but what's done is done. I really needed to grasp his power so I can form a strategy to win this duel. Winning this, I will become a personal knight of Elena.

You can say this is the very foundation of my plan to stop the annihilation.

I ready myself as Leo started to unsheathe his sword and run towards me.

A bright light shows up on his sword as mana starts to converge on his weapon.

When he is about 1 meter away from me, he lifted his sword upward and slashes it on my head, fortunately for me, my reflexes are quick as I jump backward and evade before his attack reach me.

The location where I was standing earlier was destroyed.

Weird, that attack is supposedly deadly and against the rule.

I instinctively turn my gaze to the referee. When he noticed my gaze, he just coughs, and raise his hand.

"Participant Leo, please refrain from using any attack stronger than Rank E." Referee.

What a bummer, I thought he will be disqualified and it's my easy win.

Can't blame him since it's all my fault from the start. Even the soldier who bet on me didn't like what I did earlier.