Sword Saint's Reincarnation
Chapter 85: Post-Battle (2)

In a spot in the first row of the audience, where the next combatants waited for the first match to end.

Hayden looked at the arena as it was restored. His gaze went over to Jasmine, who had covered herself with the robe. She had only just stood up.

She’s incredible.

For all intents and purposes, she was a great fighter, apart from also being a Third Circle Mage at sixteen. She had made the correct calls and used the most effective spells against Rylan, almost succeeding in defeating him. His injuries had been proof of that. From the start, Hayden had thought she would have been the one to face him in the finals. She was a step above all other applicants, especially when it came to combat ability.

That only made her defeat all the more unbelievable.

Hayden looked at the corridor through which Rylan had left.

Rylan Flameheart…

Second Circle, eighteen years old. However, he had been able to bridge the gap between himself and his opponents at the Third Circle multiple times, culminating in his victory against Jasmine. A man who couldn’t be described as anything less than ‘abnormal.’ Hayden narrowed his eyes. He knew he was a genius, but for the first time in this tournament, he was filled with uneasiness. The possibility of defeat wormed its way into his mind.

Hayden grinned.

I thought winning this would be easy.

Before his first match, he had thought he wouldn’t get very far. He was nothing but a commoner fighting against nobles who’d had the best training conditions since birth. Since he needed to work, he didn’t manage to train much every day. However, as he continued to win, this notion changed.

Victory after victory, the only thing that remained was disappointment and the idea that ‘nobles should be stronger than this.’ At least, it was evidence that his training so far hadn’t been wasted. For the first time, his idea that he would never catch up to nobles had been directly challenged. It had crumbled before his winning streak.

Then, what was this?

Defeating him might be difficult.

Against all odds, a Second Circle Mage was the one who made him consider the possibility of defeat. Hayden was filled with anticipation. What kind of battle would he be able to have against such an incredible opponent? What would he be able to learn when going against a monster like that?

Hayden’s grin turned into a smile.

Even if I lose, I don’t want to have any regrets.

It was almost guaranteed that the Royal Magic Academy would accept him as a student. There was nothing else to gain from this tournament other than fame and renown, but those didn’t matter. All he wanted was to learn and evolve during his fight against Rylan.

Hayden looked at the boy next to him. With black hair and brown eyes, the boy appeared to be around the same age as him. Dressed in an elaborate green robe, his future opponent fidgeted in place. After he noticed Hayden’s gaze, he glanced at him, but that was all.

“What do you think, Hayden?” Damian’s voice suddenly echoed, making Hayden turn to face the judges a few meters in front of him. Damian was smiling. “Can you defeat him?”

Hayden nodded with a serene expression.

“I can. Theoretically.”

Damian raised an eyebrow as the other judges and the boy next to Hayden looked at him. They eyed him with a mix of interest, curiosity, and suspicion.

“Theoretically?”

“Yes. I can beat him, but that doesn’t mean I will. A battle against someone like him… there are too many variables. I don’t know what will happen. I’d say both of us ‘can’ beat the other.”

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The boy next to him frowned. Damian chuckled.

“A fair assessment. My expectations for the battle between you two are high.”

“He has to get through me first,” the green-robed boy snapped.

Did he feel like he was being ignored and that his defeat was already set in stone? Hayden glanced at him with sympathetic eyes.

“Of course,” Hayden said with a nod. He extended his hand to the boy. “Let’s have a good battle. I’m sure you’re a powerful fighter as well.”

The boy flinched in surprise before shaking Hayden’s hand.

“To a good battle,” he replied.

Hayden glanced at Gael Astassier, who was staring at him with interest. He forced himself not to frown. That man’s gaze was uncomfortable, for some reason.

After making some idle talk with the green-robed boy, the time of their battle arrived. Hayden left the judges’ podium and made his way to the arena. As he walked through the corridors, the walls and ceiling shook. The crowd’s cheering was unceasing, but Hayden didn’t let himself be affected by it. No matter how many people were watching him and what their expectations were, he just needed to do his best.

He entered the paved arena from one side while the green-robed opponent entered from the other. Hayden looked around with admiration.

It doesn’t even look like a battle just happened here.

The arena had been restored to almost pristine condition. It was a level of skill that he hadn’t reached yet.

There’s still a long way to go.

He smiled. Whether he won this tournament or not, his journey to the peak would be a long one. He was still too weak. Rylan flashed through his mind. Anticipation bubbled within him.

After walking closer to the middle of the arena, the announcer started his usual routine, voice booming throughout the stadium. Hayden tuned all of it out as he stared at his opponent. Calmness and clarity of mind filled him. There was no reason to underestimate any foe; he needed to be prepared for whatever came.

Once the announcer stepped back, Hayden raised his wand.

***

In his hotel room, Rylan took off the robe he’d been given. His clothing’s ragged state was revealed to Sarah and Aelfric. Both of them frowned.

“…I’ll find you new robes, my lord,” Sarah said, then bowed. “Congratulations on your victory.”

Aelfric almost jumped in place.

“Hell yeah! You did great, from the start until the end!” he exclaimed. Rylan ruffled his hair with a smile.

“Thank you, both of you.”

Aelfric opened his mouth as if to say something but stopped himself. Rylan raised an eyebrow.

“What is it?”

“…I thought you would need to use Roland’s Skills and sword styles. I was kind of looking forward to it.”

Rylan shook his head with a laugh.

“It’s still too early. There’s no telling what will happen if others see my true abilities. They go against what I’ve seen in this life so far.”

“I agree, young master,” Sarah immediately replied with a serious expression. “But there is such a thing as being too careful.”

Rylan raised an eyebrow as Aelfric scratched the back of his head, then nodded.

“Now, I’m going to take a bath. I smell of fire and blood,” Rylan said after shaking his head. Sarah bowed again, while Aelfric waved at him and went back to his bed.

Inside the bathroom, Rylan took off the rest of his clothes and eyed his figure in the mirror. His skin was marred by scars, but thankfully, the battle against Jasmine hadn’t resulted in new ones. He had been effectively healed early enough. His proud muscles glinted in the sunlight, lining a frame that was completely different from months ago. It was a testament to his effort.

As he entered the bath, Rylan brought up his Status Window.

Status Window

Name: Rylan Flameheart

Level: 25

Race: Human (F)

Class: Mage

Profession: none.

Trait: Determined

Stats

Strength: 58

Agility: 58

Endurance: 60

Body: 61

Intelligence: 90

Wisdom: 73

Free Points: 20

Active Skills

Magic Missile (F); Stormcaller Sword Style (S), Mountainpeak Swordsmanship (A), Second Imperial Swordsmanship (B), Falling Snow Steps (A), Earth Grab (F), Earth Spikes (E), Firebolt (F), Wind Blades (F), Water Bullets (F), Gust (F), Ray of Frost (F).

Passive Skills

Mana Core (Second Circle), Sword Handling (E), Stamina (E), Blade Affinity (D), Precision (E), Force (E), Overpower (D), Balance (E), Cutting Edge (D), Persistence (D), Mana Affinity (E), Faster Casting (D), Lionheart (C).

Hybrid Skills

Sword Mastery (Master), Mana Cultivation (Beginner).

Titles

Apprentice Mage; Reincarnator; Swordmaster; Intermediate Monster Slayer; Hard-working; Duelist; Swordseeker; King of Steel; Dancer of the Crescent Blade.

Rylan rubbed his chin. It was mostly unchanged, but all of his stats had increased a bit. Intelligence and Wisdom were the ones that had risen the most. Was it because he was pushing his spellcasting to its limits in this tournament? Either way, it was good news.

Maybe I’ll acquire the Battlemage Title soon.

Gerard had told him about this Title over their training sessions. It was a tremendously useful one that boosted casting speed and improved spells’ power when in battle. The Title was one of Rylan’s priorities.

Rylan stretched his body, then entered the warm bath with a groan of pleasure.

Only one battle left.

After that, he could return to his training in full. Not only that, but if he made it into the Academy, he would be able to add magic classes to his training routine. To rise to the pinnacle of magic and return to the peak of swordsmanship, he couldn’t stop.

Rylan dismissed the Status Window and closed his eyes, enjoying the bath.

Tomorrow, his training would continue. The day after that, it would be time for the final battle.