Chapter 41
“Are you mad at me? I’m sorry. I acted out of urgency. I panicked…”
The child looked up at Rayana, watching her expression nervously.
He seemed to remember someone telling him she’d get angry if he used his powers.
Feeling a pang of sympathy at the sight of his hesitance, Rayana uncrossed her arms and gently patted his head.
“I apologize for raising my voice. I was afraid something might happen to His Grace.”
Hearing the softened tone in her voice, the boy broke into a bright smile.
It felt as if Rayana’s emotions directly influenced the child’s mood.
She was about to take Theodore straight to the Grand Duke when a chime rang out.
Biting her lip in hesitation, Rayana led the boy deep into the changing room.
“I must go now. Once the match is over, I’ll personally escort you to His Grace. Please wait here a moment.”
She turned in haste, but Theodore stepped in front of her.
“Rayana, wait!”
He then brought her hand to his forehead and murmured softly.
“Good luck. I know you’ll do great.”
A laugh slipped from Rayana’s lips at his encouragement.
Even in this nerve-wracking moment, just seeing Theodore gave her strength.
“I’ll be back soon,” she said, offering a quick bow before turning away.
The match began. As Rayana and Elixon stepped into the arena, the crowd erupted once more with cheers.
The audience stared in fascination at Rayana, who remained remarkably indifferent despite her continued victories.
“I’m sorry,” Elixon said suddenly, catching Rayana off guard.
“Pardon?” she asked, tilting her head.
“It seems Oan pulled some strings.”
“You mean Sir Oan forfeiting the match?”
When Rayana clarified, Elixon nodded with a troubled look on his face.
He appeared disgruntled that interference had marred the integrity of the competition.
Though he was technically advancing, he seemed to question whether it was a rightful victory.
Rayana, however, didn’t find his dilemma all that important.
They had entered this tournament for very different reasons.
Elixon sought the gemstone prize; Rayana, recognition.
With the crowd’s thunderous support behind her, Rayana had already achieved her goal.
From this point on, it was simply a personal challenge—to test how far she’d come under the Grand Duke’s training.
“Perhaps he was intimidated to face the vice-captain. I can understand that.”
“Even if that ends up hurting you?” Elixon asked, eyebrows furrowing.
“In real battle, you must win regardless of how strong your opponent is. The enemy won’t go easy on you. This is good training for me.”
At her calm response, Elixon inhaled slowly.
She truly embodied the saying that knights saw every situation as training.
“You’ve got the right attitude, Rayana Chester.”
The displeasure faded from his expression, replaced now with a spark of competitive spirit.
He wanted to test the woman who had fought her way this far.
“I look forward to our match,” he said.
Rayana bowed respectfully to her superior.
As they raised their swords and faced off, the referee stepped forward and signaled the beginning of the duel.
The shrill sound of a whistle cut through the air, and their blades clashed at once.
They exchanged a few strikes, each sizing the other up.
Sometimes they drew close enough to hear one another’s breath. Other times, they darted back to avoid contact.
Rayana’s strength was in her speed and agility; Elixon’s in his formidable strength and large build.
He was the type of opponent Rayana struggled most against.
Worse, she was already worn out. The crowd expected the match to end quickly in Elixon’s favor.
Though Rayana’s momentum was impressive, many still saw her as an inexperienced rookie.
To them, she couldn’t possibly match someone like Elixon, who had fought alongside the Grand Duke and won wars.
Some spectators even began to leave, certain of the outcome.
But when Rayana clashed blades with Elixon again and again without showing signs of fatigue, those same people hurried back to their seats.
What’s going on?
The person most bewildered by her stamina was Elixon himself.
Something’s different.
Rayana suddenly compressed her posture and charged at him with explosive speed.
Though Elixon managed to block, the shock traveled up his arm, making his hand tremble.
He stared at her in astonishment.
Her breathing was calm—unnaturally so for someone who had already fought multiple matches.
This doesn’t make sense. She was never this strong before.
Though Rayana had often handled chores within the Order, her training performance had always been notable.
Still, her fundamentals had always been lacking.
Then, in a heartbeat, her movement changed.
Her unorthodox swordplay slipped through his defenses like a sharpened blade seeking an opening.
Elixon, who had been parrying her blows, suddenly realized something.
The Commander!
Her form—her precision—it mimicked the Grand Duke’s.
She must have trained under him during their leave.
“That’s enough confirmation,” Elixon muttered.
He now understood how Rayana had bested seasoned knights.
The confusion melted away. He raised his sword high.
Thud! The blade slammed into the ground just beside her.
He swung it like an axe, wielding terrifying strength backed by his massive frame.
Rayana swiftly backed away, but not fast enough.
In every stat—strength, experience, and endurance—she was outmatched.
For the first time since the tournament began, she was in real danger.
She tilted her head slightly, as if searching for a way out.
“You’re much stronger than I expected, Rayana Chester.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“But what are you thinking? Your guard’s suddenly wide open.”
Rayana’s face flashed with alarm.
Elixon, who had been focused solely on her movements, noticed something odd.
“…Your breathing. It’s calm. You’re not struggling?”
Even he was short of breath after a break, yet Rayana’s was still steady.
His eyes narrowed, troubled by the inconsistency.
“…It’s hard. Really hard. I think I might die soon,” she suddenly gasped, panting.
“…What are you doing?”
Rayana wasn’t a good liar.
Elixon blinked at her in disbelief as a flush of embarrassment colored her ears.
“It’s true. Normally, I’d be exhausted by now.”
“What are you—”
He was about to ask more, but before he could finish, Rayana launched another attack.
Though she’d practically admitted to lying, Elixon couldn’t help but marvel at the barrage of strikes.
With this level of skill…
He finally understood why the Commander believed in her victory.
Rayana was a monster.
And of course—monsters recognize their own kind.
Now it made sense why she’d caught the Commander’s eye.
Rayana began to move even faster, almost as swiftly as she had in her first match.
Her flurry of blows forced Elixon backward, stumbling.
Rayana didn’t miss the opening. She pressed close and struck at his side, just under his right arm.
The proximity made the hairs on Elixon’s neck stand on end.
He twisted away at the last second to dodge, but the motion threw off his balance.
I was the one who fell short.
Realizing his defeat, Elixon loosened his grip on his sword.
But just as Rayana was poised to deliver the final blow—she dropped her sword.
Straightening her posture with an awkward smile, she waved to the referee.
“What’s the matter?”
“I forfeit,” she announced.
The arena erupted in chaos.
It was clear to everyone that Rayana was about to win—so why surrender now?
Cries of protest rang out, demanding she pick up her sword and finish the match.
“I’ve fought several matches back-to-back. I’m about to collapse,” she explained.
And from the look in her eyes, she had no intention of continuing.
Since it was true she’d been through multiple intense battles, the crowd gradually quieted down.
Eventually, the referee had no choice but to declare Elixon the winner.
And the arena blazed with renewed fire, like dry wood catching a spark.
