Hunter Academy: Revenge of the Weakest - Chapter 395: .3 - Duels [2]

In the world of magic, there are infinitely many types of usages of mana. Some people used it to attack from the range, while some others used it to coat themselves.

Attributes, compatibility, strategic thinking. All of those played a part in what a certain someone would be able to use.

From the start, the status window was a very crucial aspect of society, yet no one knew where it came from.

Still, the fact that one would get all their powers from there alone was an undeniable fact. This applied to Ethan, who was the rising star and his enemy.

At the end of the day, there was only one thing one could do.

Understanding the talent that was assigned to them and then improving it to its maximum.

A special type of talent was revealed to Samuel. When he was a child, he was weak. Somehow, it was really hard for him to gain weight and get stronger physically.

Though he didn’t completely hate it, he didn’t particularly like it either since there were many times when strength was needed, and he was lacking.

Yet, the moment he got his trait, [Mother Earth’s Knight], things changed.

There, he was able to witness how important that ‘status window’ was and how much of a part it took in the lives of people.

Since he turned into a bulky tank from a slim kid, but was it easy?

No.

Since he constantly trained until his body was full of sweat all the time, he sometimes ate more than eight meals a day. To be able to afford those meals, he even worked part-time jobs when he was young.

Since his family wasn’t particularly well off compared to other students at Arcadia Hunter Academy, he knew he needed to prove himself.

Attaining the rank of 740 was really good for someone like him, but he still wanted to do more since he couldn’t afford to waste this opportunity.

He needed to get better and get stronger so that he could at least be someone that his family was proud of.

“YOU CAN DO IT!”

Looking at the two people watching him like that, he couldn’t help but smile. His father was still at work, so he was not here. But his mother and his younger sister were here, at least.

‘That kid….’ He thought.

‘She shouldn’t experience the same.’

Shaking his head, he focused on his opponent.

‘Ethan Hartley….This won’t be easy.’

Of course, he wanted to use every bit of this opportunity. But that didn’t mean he was going to play dirty or something.

Since it would go against his values, rather than winning while losing his own values, he would lose here but keep himself pure.

“I hope you can keep it up.”

But still, he wanted to look cool in front of his family’s eyes. This much selfishness must be allowed, right?

「Knighthood of Mother Earth. Armature of the Land.」

It was a skill derived from his trait. A skill that he was not particularly hiding but also didn’t find the chance to display either.

Since this skill was something he had gotten when he advanced his trait to its third stage, he knew it was an outstanding achievement. The reason?

His trait was unique, not something easily seen. Thus, advancing it was a lot harder as well, with not much previous knowledge known about it.

Yet, at this age, he still advanced to stage three.

Samuel’s body transformed as he channeled his mana, earthen psions enveloping him in protective armor. His muscles bulged, veins popping under the strain of the powerful magic. The ground beneath his feet seemed to tremble in response to the immense energy he was drawing from it.

“Don’t worry.”

But before his thoughts could wander any longer, he heard his opponent’s voice coming from the other side.

Ethan, witnessing this transformation, responded with a smile. He relished the challenge and welcomed the opportunity to prove his strength.

“Let’s see if you can handle this,” Ethan declared, his voice echoing through the amphitheater.

Raising his spear high, Ethan called upon his own elemental power.

RUMBLE! Thunder rumbled in the sky, dark clouds forming overhead as if answering his call. Lightning crackled and danced around him, the energy building to a crescendo.

「Spear of Hartley. Exotic Form. Thunder God’s Wrath.」

The sky seemed to split open as a massive bolt of lightning struck Ethan’s spear, infusing it with an intense, crackling energy. The ground beneath him was charred from the sheer power, and Ethan stood amidst the electric storm, thunderstrikes flowing through his body.

The audience gasped in awe at the sight, their eyes wide with anticipation. The arena was alive with energy, and both combatants were now fully empowered and ready to clash with their full might.

At this point, the duel suddenly turned into something nostalgic. People who were watching it thought, ‘It feels like a Knights’ Duel.’

This custom had been long forgotten since the concept of knights had been abolished, and the kingdoms had been overthrown in the past.

Still, it was a pleasant sight to see since something rare, such as Knight’s Duel, was happening before their eyes.

“Here I come, then!”

SWOOSH! Samuel took the initiative, charging forward with his enhanced strength. His halberd swung in a powerful arc, aimed to cleave through Ethan’s defenses. The ground trembled with each step he took, his earthen psions amplifying his every move.

Ethan met the charge head-on, his spear glowing with the energy of the storm. The two weapons clashed with a deafening boom, sending shockwaves through the arena. Sparks flew as lightning met Earth, the sheer force of the collision sending ripples through the air.

CLANG! BOOM!

Ethan parried Samuel’s halberd, the lightning-infused spear deflecting the massive weapon with precision.

He countered with a quick thrust, aiming to penetrate Samuel’s earthen armor.

The lightning strike was met with resistance, the earthen psions hardening Samuel’s defenses to withstand the electrifying assault.

‘This speed!’ But Ethan was relentless. He spun his spear with incredible speed, the lightning crackling along its length. Each strike was precise, aimed at finding the weak points in Samuel’s armor.

It was as if a tidal wave of thunder was enveloping him. From all sides, he was getting overwhelmed.

But still.

Samuel was equally determined.

He countered with powerful swings of his halberd.

“Earth. Come under me!”

His movements were calculated, using his earth attribute to absorb the impact and retaliate with devastating force.

The crowd was on the edge of their seats, mesmerized by the intensity of the duel.

For the first time after the duels had started, they were seeing such intense duels. The reputation of Ethan Hartley seemed more solid now.

The air was thick with tension, the clashing of their weapons creating a symphony of power and skill.

“You are wide open!”

SWOOSH! CRACKLE!

Ethan saw an opening and took it. He launched himself into the air, using his lightning attribute to propel himself higher.

As he descended, he channeled the full power of the storm into his spear, aiming for a decisive strike.

CRACKLE! BOOM!

The spear came down with a thunderous roar, a massive bolt of lightning accompanying the attack.

Samuel braced himself, his halberd raised to meet the incoming blow. The impact was monumental, the ground beneath them shattering from the sheer force.

For a moment, it seemed as if the arena itself was about to give way. The audience held their breath, waiting to see the outcome of the clash.

When the dust settled, both combatants were still standing, though clearly battered. Samuel’s earthen armor had cracks running through it, and his breathing was labored.

Ethan’s spear still crackled with residual lightning; his eyes locked onto Samuel with a smile on his mouth.

He looked like he was genuinely enjoying the fight.

“You’re tough,” Samuel admitted, his voice strained but respectful. “But I’m not done yet.”

Ethan nodded, a smile playing on his lips. “That is pretty nice.” His words contained respect. Ethan was like that, after all. “But, if you push yourself too hard, it won’t end well for you. So, I am going to end this now.”

His eyes were somehow gentle, and his expression said he knew everything.

“…”

Samuel was speechless. The fact that his internal injuries were seen through this well. He thought he was hiding it well, but it seemed his opponent saw it clearly.

“Try to block this much as you can.”

Ethan raised his spear high, the lightning around him intensifying as he called upon the storm once more. The sky above darkened further, the clouds swirling as if responding to his will. Thunder rumbled, and the energy in the air was palpable.

「Spear of Hartley. Call of the Storm.」

With a flash of lightning, Ethan surged forward at incredible speed. The arena seemed to blur as he closed the distance between him and Samuel in an instant. His spear crackled with thunderous energy, the air around it shimmering with power.

Samuel braced himself, his halberd held firmly. He knew this was going to be a decisive moment. His earthen psions flared, reinforcing his defenses as he prepared to meet Ethan’s attack head-on.

CRACKLE! BOOM!

Ethan’s lightning-infused spear collided with Samuel’s halberd, the impact sending shockwaves through the arena. The ground beneath them shattered from the force, debris flying in all directions. The audience gasped, the sheer power of the clash leaving them in awe.

“COME!”

「 Knighthood of Mother Earth. Shield of the Land」

Samuel invoked his skill; his body was enveloped in a protective barrier of earth psions. The energy of the land surged through him, reinforcing his strength and resilience.

The halberd, reinforced by the earth’s power, held firm against Ethan’s spear. The lightning crackled fiercely, but Samuel’s shield absorbed much of the impact, the earthen barrier glowing with an intense light.

Ethan pressed forward, his spear crackling with relentless energy.

The lightning surged through his body, enhancing his speed and power. His strikes were precise, each one aimed at breaking through Samuel’s defenses.

“You won’t break me!” Samuel roared, his voice filled with determination.

He countered with powerful swings of his halberd, the earth psions amplifying his attacks. The ground trembled with each strike, the force reverberating through the arena.

Ethan, undeterred, continued his assault. His spear danced with lightning, each strike faster and more powerful than the last. He moved with the fluidity of the storm, and his every motion was a testament to his mastery of the spear and his attributes.

The audience watched with rapt attention, and the intensity of the duel left them breathless. Each clash of weapons sent sparks flying, the sheer power of the combatants on full display.

Ethan saw his opportunity. With a burst of speed, he feinted to the left, drawing Samuel’s attention. Then, with a swift, fluid motion, he redirected his strike to the right, aiming for the weak point in Samuel’s armor.

THUD!

The spear struck true, piercing through the weakened barrier. Samuel staggered, his defenses finally giving way. The lightning surged through him, the energy overwhelming his earthen shield.

“Argh!” Samuel grunted in pain, his body trembling from the impact. He struggled to stay on his feet, his halberd falling to the ground.

Ethan stepped back, his spear still crackling with residual lightning. He looked at Samuel with respect, his expression calm but determined.

“This is the end,” Ethan declared, his voice steady. “Your body won’t be able to withstand it any longer.”

Samuel, breathing heavily, nodded. He knew he had given his all, but Ethan’s strength and skill were undeniable.

Even now, his body was protesting against him. He was holding the blood rising to his throat with all of his remaining will not to show a moment of weakness.

“Yes,” Samuel said, his voice filled with respect for his opponent.

“You did well.”

The crowd erupted into applause, the arena filled with cheers and admiration for the display of skill and determination. Ethan stood tall, his spear still crackling with the remnants of the storm, his expression one of calm triumph.

In the stands, Kaya and Jane watched with pride, their hearts swelling with admiration for Ethan’s performance.

“Brother Ethan is too cool…..”