Chapter 32: True Dominance

Crowd & Elros's PoV (3rd):

When the white clad figure entered the ring the entire crowd fell silent. Wasn't that a mage entering that ring? What was a mage doing in the swordsmanship competition? That Asura would be entering this competition wasn't a widely known fact and the people had a hard time connecting the frail good looking young man with the rumored mage that had bested a noble in a sword duel.

The youth clad in a white robe looked gorgeous. The white robe went perfect with his pale skin and dark hair. Not many of the female spectators blushed as he entered next to one of the favorites winning this competition. Entering next to Asura was the winner of last years competition:

Guard captain Elros. Elros unlike the crowd though was not pleased with his match up. He had heard of the duel between the young genius and the general's son. And he had not risen to his current position if he were not an intelligent man. So naturally he was aware just who his first opponent was.

But he was confident in his swordsmanship that was honed from battle. So he thought that his chances were actually quiet good. But being the captain of the guards naturally he was aware of the princess's feelings for this young man and he himself had wanted to see his abilities first hand so he was regretful that he had to eliminate him so early.

They stood opposite each other with a distance of about twenty meters between them. Then Larius stepped up the platform as well and used some magic before announcing with a booming voice:

„Ladies and gentlemen welcome to the third match of the first round of the swordsmanship competition. On the left side we have our well known and beloved guard captain Elros.“

The crowd started to cheer and chant his name to which Elros responded by waving his hand. „On the other side to my right we have the head of our very own wind department called the prodigy of wind and our academy's number one genius: Asura.“

Suddenly all the people went silent and all just stared at the white clad youth who had his eyes closed and arms crossed before his chest. As if not bothered he just turned towards the royal tribune clearly looking directly at the princess and gave a bow and the princess looked back and everyone present could tell just what kind of look she had on her face. That on the other hand made the crowd go wild.

They now cheered for Asura almost as loud as for Elros before. What a duel! They will get to see their strongest fighter go against their greatest genius. And he seemed to have captured the heart of their princess! Of course the people would get excited. But no one could have expected the outcome of what can only be described as a slaughter.

Asura's PoV (1st):

Well let's get this over with. I gave the people a bit of a show before the match. Had to keep up my part of the bargain right? Anyway my opponent was definitely of a different class than Alverin that was for sure. When he took his stance readied his sword and shield there were hardly any openings whatsoever to exploit.

Maybe I could even have some fun here! It had been a while since I had a worthy opponent to fight and he seemed just right to get back into shape. So from behind me I for the first time in the human kingdom drew my two black daggers. The guard captain looked at me with a displeased expression.

Do you think i am underestimating you? I had to make a small smile. To make me actually draw my blades is already giving you a lot of face you know? So as to start:

„Here i come.“

And I kick off. It has something really pleasing to fully use one's body. It took me just under a second to close the gap and my opponents face immidiately changed into a concentrated and slightly shocked expression. Well let's go:

With a quick right handed slash aimed at his throat that was expertly blocked with his left handed shield i slightly knock him off balance. With a quick turn i get into his blind spot and stab towards his exposed armpit.

But again it seemed I didn't overestimate him he did have some skills. He jumped away just in time and avoided my stab but i was already on the move. Quickly kicking off the ground again I keep assaulting him with quick precise stabs and slashes.

More and more he is directed into a corner. As soon as i had him at the edge of the ring i dodged the desperate swing he made, dropped my daggers, dove under his sword and shield and delivered eight palm strikes to his vital points knocking him out of the ring.

The entire fight took me less than a minute.

I looked at my opponent who lay on his back out of the ring breathing heavily looking absolutely shocked. I gave him a courtesy nod. He held out almost a minute. Quiet respectable. The entire place was completely silent.

Well not that it mattered. I turned towards the princess again who looked clearly excited. Actually quiet cute. Maybe i do like her. Anyway i gave her a smile and a bow and left.

Kalius's PoV (3rd):

Kalius was utterly shocked. He of course has had high expectations but such a one sided fight against his very own guard captain was just out of the ordinary. How could a human move so fast?

The two daggers that were a half arms length could hardly be seen like a blur they attacked Elros. The latter could not retaliate in the least and had to concentrate all of his effort on defense. Within moments he was already locked into the corner of the ring as if being toyed with.

And then Asura showed that he clearly was still just playing because he did the unbelievable! After dodging a desperate swing from the captain he dropped his weapons! Why would you ever drop your weapons? The answer came immediately.

With speed that could only be described as godlike he dove under his opponents weapons and delivered several palm strikes which blew the assaulted of the platform. He first thought maybe there was magic involved but he knew that Argus was always watching very closely that nothing unauthorized happened during the tournament.

So clearly what he was witnessing was simply the pinnacle of skill. Crisp movement that was refined to perfection. While the entire place was still silent Asura gave his daughter a smile and a bow and simply left. Only then did he regain his senses and he started to clap which woke up the crowd who instantly started cheering, clapping and chanting one name: Asura.

I apologize for any mistakes or so i am still slightly hungover :S but i hope you still enjoy 32^^ Posting quiet early today maybe I'll post again ;)