The Stonehearted Knight
Chapter 382: The pre-competition Challengers (5)

Chapter 382: The pre-competition Challengers (5)

The battle between the two archenemies started after a round of back and forth between them, each trying to insult the other’s family. Their dispute was well-known in certain circles.

Hex quickly noticed the crowd being divided into three groups. One that supported the Seachurn family, another that supported the Whitesand family, and the remaining who were neutral and just joined for the fun. Hex included his group to the third group. The spies too, of course.

He focused on the match with a newfound interest.

Trid was strong. Even Hex had to admit that. Not so strong he would be able to defeat someone like Hex but stronger than most Refined Knights. His abilities were water-based, which didn’t surprise Hex.

Sterling revealed that both families preferred people with the Water element, with Wind and Wood being the alternatives. They even went as far as choosing partners based on the elements, increasing their chances of having descendants with Water affinity.

The most interesting aspect, however, was their long line of inheritance. Through the years they had advanced and refined their Techniques with regards to the Water element to new heights. Hex learned a lot just by watching the match.

Trid focused more on the swiftness of water. His Techniques allowed him to manifest water around him and use it to his will. The water behaved like a hydra. Its main body remained closed to Trid, while tendrils split off and lunged toward Coralaine. The water tendrils snapped at her, releasing loud explosions of air. Its power was evident through the marks they left on the floor of the battle platform.

Coralaine on the other hand, seemed more focussed on speed. She dodged all the attacks at blinding speed. But she didn’t mount a count. Not even once. Even when Trid baited her with a faint, she remained passive, reacting only to his attacks.

"What is she doing?" Sterling asked, confused. He had betted on Trid and worried about some sort of trap behind her actions.

"She is waiting and building her strength. Mark my words. She will take him out in one swift strike," Quid said from Hex’s other side. He had clearly betted on Coralaine.

There was a banner at the side, hanging from the ceiling. It displayed the bets placed on each participant.

Trid Seachurn

Supporters: 50

Amount: W 15,000

Coralaine Whitesand

Supporters: 39

Amount: W 20,000

There were less people in support of Coralaine but those who supported her, had betted heavily. The amount displayed was the winning pot, divided on the ones who won, minus an administration and patronage fee.

The administration fee – Sterling said it was usually around ten percent – went to the gambling den. And the patronage fee – this was another ten percent – went to the winner. Basically, if Coralaine won, the winners would get about eighty percent of the twenty thousand Wrixians coins, divided by the number of winning supporters.

Hex heard similar discussions erupt in the entire arena. The noise increased when someone in the crowd mentioned that Coralaine was the challenger. The consensus was that the challenger should have certain assurances before launching a challenge.

Hex ignored the cheers of the people who had betted on Coralaine and the wails of those who had betted on Trid.

’That woman. I think she is a spy for one of the merchants. She drops in on conversations with gossips. And she is pretty smart and observative. She discerns quickly who the weaker link is.’

Hex senses allowed him a broader view of things happening around him. He had picked quite a few spies this way. At least, people he suspected of being spies. Out of this group, he marked one inconspicuous looking woman. She seemed to be the best at gathering intel. Perhaps, she could be of use.

He, of course, observed the battle like everyone else. Unlike others, though, he noticed more details.

He understood the principle behind Trid’s Technique. And what he was about to do. If he pulled it off, he would win. He was certain of it. Just like he was certain that Coralaine wouldn’t launch any attacks. Not a single for the entire match. She would lose the match. That much was certain. After all, she was not fighting to win.

"He is adapting to her speed."

It was like Sterling said. Hex saw it. Everyone else could see it. His attacks were coming closer and closer to her. Her skirt had been flipped a few times due to missing the air blasts narrowly. Hex was certain that the majority of males and perhaps a few females had long lost interest in the battle and were only waiting, wishing, and praying for another flip.

"She is attacking!"

Quid jumped up.

Coralaine had dodged all of Trid’s attack so far, some by the width of a hair. From the perspective of the onlookers, she suddenly seemed to have spun in the air, creating thousands of water drops.

The crowd went into a frenzy. It seemed like the climax was close. Both would attack and the winner would be declared.

All the drops in the air moved and flowed into one, turning into a dense ball of water. It aimed straight at Trid. The amount and density were secondary. The main danger was its speed. It moved leaving an afterimage. Only a few managed to sense it. And among those, only Hex had a clear picture of what was happening...and what would happen.

Just as the condensed drop was about to hit Trid, the water around him moved swiftly and turned into a large maw. The next instance, it swallowed the drop. Immediately after that, nine tendrils shot out, each striking Coralaine with blinding speed. She dodged four. But was hit five times.

The fifth strike sent her flying out of the battle platform.

"Stop!" The servant doing the announcement shouted. "The winner is Lord Trid Seachurn."

Loud cheers erupted. Soft groans and cries mixed within the noise.

Trid looked from the platform to the sorry state Coralaine was in. She struggled to stand. A few people hurried to help her but she stopped them.

Her skirt was torn into pieces. Her bralette was missing one of the straps. She looked pitiful. She had lost.

"I don’t understand why you did this. What kind of perversion inflicted you to seek being insulted before everyone?" Trid asked with a sneer on his lips.

Coralaine looked into his eyes. After a brief silence, she smiled weakly. "At least everyone got to see your Swallowing Sea Drake Technique."

Trid’s smile disappeared. It was replaced by fury. "You bitch!"

"Hehe." That was all she said before limping out of the arena. She didn’t even rearrange her clothes.

"So, that was her goal," Quid groaned from the side.

"Don’t bet too heavily next time. Not when family feud is involved. There is no way to predict the outcome." Sterling was trying to console his cousin.

Hex smiled. His eyes didn’t leave the female spy.

"Shit. That bitch cost me a lot of money." She was cursing. Apparently, she had betted on Coralaine too. And quite a bit too. She seemed upset. And a bit desperate.

’Perfect,’ thought Hex. ’I can use her to earn. I think she might be interested in knowing the true reason behind this match.’

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