He turned and strode off in the other direction.
“I’m going to the arena. I need to make preparations in advance.”
...
On the other side, Jiang Lin and Elune left the Moonlight Tower and walked along the tree-lined path toward the dormitory area.
The silver moonlight roses swayed gently in the night breeze, emitting a refined and elegant fragrance.
Elune remained silent until they entered her villa and closed the door. Only then did she finally burst out.
“Why did you agree to it? Alwin isn’t weak—he’s a 5th-rank early-stage magic swordsman!
“Furthermore, the Moonshadow family has a legacy treasure called the ‘Moonshadow Cloak,’ which can significantly boost the wearer’s speed and stealth for a short period.
“He will definitely use it in the arena!”
“5th-rank early-stage?”
Jiang Lin sat down on the sofa and reopened Zoe’s notes.
“I could already kill 5th-rank early-stage creatures when I was at the 2nd-rank peak.
“Now that I’m already at the 4th-rank early stage, there’s only a one-rank difference between us.”
The living room fell silent for a moment.
Elune’s mouth hung open, her pale purple eyes filled with shock.
Wait, what did she just hear?
Killing a 5th-rank early-stage at the 2nd-rank peak?!
Was that even possible for a human??
No, was that possible for any normal living creature??
“Then your current strength... roughly what rank does it equate to?”
Hearing this, Jiang Lin rubbed his chin and thought for a moment.
“My basic attributes have already reached the limit of a normal human 4th-rank, which isn’t much different from a 5th-rank early-stage.
“If I consider that not everyone achieves a perfect breakthrough at every rank, then I’m probably comparable to many mid-to-late 5th-ranks.
“In terms of skill proficiency, I can crush any peer.
“Moreover, I have sword intent that has reached the intermediate condensation level.
“If he has even begun to cultivate sword intent now, it would probably take him until he’s 7th or 8th-rank for his sword intent level to match mine as it is now.
“So, I estimate that I should have no problem killing most early-to-mid 6th-rank creatures.
“As for the late 6th-rank, I haven’t fought any yet, so I’m not entirely sure of their strength.”
Hearing Jiang Lin’s confident and logical analysis, Elune’s mouth stayed slightly agape, and she couldn't say a word for a long time.
One had to know that the higher the level, the harder it became to fight across ranks.
Let alone fighting across entire tiers.
In the past, Elune had seen very few geniuses who could fight above their rank.
Let alone a freak like Jiang Lin, who could jump three entire tiers to fight a 5th-rank early-stage while only at the 2nd-rank peak.
She suddenly felt that all her previous worries were completely redundant.
This human youth who had drifted here from across the sea didn't need anyone’s protection at all.
This human... was terrifyingly strong!!
“Then... how do you plan to fight tomorrow?”
Her voice instinctively softened a bit.
“How do you think I should fight?”
Jiang Lin flipped a page in the notes, his gaze still fixed on the messy and profound writing.
“Hmm... it would be best to give Alwin a lesson he won’t forget,” she said.
“Really? If I’m too heavy-handed, won’t I face retaliation from his family?” Jiang Lin asked.
“It’s fine. I’ll guarantee it in my name; my family will cover for you.”
As she said this, the tips of Elune’s ears turned a noticeable shade of red.
Hearing this, Jiang Lin nodded.
“Alright, then I’ll give him a lesson he won’t forget.”
Elune was silent for a moment before she suddenly let out a light chuckle.
“What are you laughing at?”
“Nothing.” She shook her head, her silver-purple braids swaying gently. “I just think Alwin is quite pitiful.”
Jiang Lin didn't respond and continued looking at the notes.
The living room grew quiet, with only the occasional rustle of turning pages and the faint snoring of Little Black on the windowsill.
After an unknown amount of time, Elune spoke up, her voice as soft as a dream.
“Matthew.”
“Yeah?”
“Will you really go back? Back to the other side of the sea.”
Jiang Lin’s hand paused slightly as he turned a page.
“I will.”
His answer was brief and certain.
Elune didn't ask further.
She simply lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously fiddling with the corner of her clothes.
Jiang Lin didn't notice her small movements; his entire focus had returned to Zoe’s notes.
The night deepened.
The massive moonlight stone at the top of the Moonlight Tower emitted a soft, pale blue glow, enveloping the entire Silver Moon Academy in a hazy lunar radiance.
...
The next day at noon, Silver Moon Academy arena.
This ancient circular arena was built at the founding of the academy and had a history of over eight hundred years.
The blue-gray stone steps were covered with the marks of time, but every slab was extremely well-maintained, without even an inch of moss in the crevices.
The circular stands could accommodate three thousand people, and they were currently packed to capacity.
Not only were all the students from the swordsmanship department present, but more than half of the students from the magic, nature, and enchantment departments had also come.
Even some mentors who didn't have classes were sitting in small groups high in the stands, talking in low voices.
“Have you heard? The challenger is a human.”
“A human? A human dares to challenge Alwin? He’s a 5th-rank early-stage magic swordsman and the grade-level chief of the swordsmanship department!”
“Supposedly, that human got a 4th-rank peak rating at the Adventurer’s Guild and even soloed a Corrupted Treant in the Grayhowl Forest.”
“A 4th-rank fighting a 5th-rank? How is he going to manage that?”
“Who knows. But I heard he’s very handsome—better looking than most elves.”
“Better looking than an elf? How is that possible?”
Similar discussions rose and fell all over the stands.
At the highest point of the stands, several figures in mentor robes were looking down at the entire arena.
Carlos leaned against a stone pillar with his arms crossed, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Zoe stood beside him, her expression as indifferent as ever, though a flicker of curiosity occasionally flashed in her pale silver eyes.
“Do you think he can win?” Carlos asked.
“Who do you mean? Alwin or that human?”
“Matthew, of course.”
Zoe was silent for a moment before she slowly said, “If he truly perceived space elements and released a Spatial Ripple from scratch within a single day, then his talent has already exceeded the normal scope.
“For such a genius, what’s so strange about defeating a 5th-rank early-stage noble boy?”
Carlos gave a light laugh. “You have a very high opinion of him.”
“I am simply stating facts.”
Zoe turned, her pale silver eyes looking toward the arena entrance.
“He’s here.”
In the center of the arena, Alwin was already standing there.
Today, he wore a suit of silver-white light armor, the surface engraved with intricate elven runes that flowed with a faint golden luster under the sun.
The legacy rapier named “Moonshadow” hung at his waist, and a deep blue short cloak was draped over his left shoulder.
The material of that cloak was extremely special; when it fluttered in the wind, silver ripples like water would rise along its edges.
That was the legacy treasure of the Moonshadow family, the Moonshadow Cloak.
Seeing Jiang Lin walk in from the entrance, Alwin’s lips curled into a cold smirk.
He had made perfect preparations last night. The Moonshadow Cloak could double his speed for a short duration.
Combined with his 5th-rank early-stage magic and swordsmanship, even if this human really had some strange mental attack method, it would never be able to hit him.
“You actually dared to show up.”
Alwin’s voice echoed through the arena.
“I thought you’d hide behind Elune and find an excuse to back out of this match.”
Jiang Lin didn't answer.
He walked to the center of the arena and stopped ten paces away from Alwin.
His appearance caused the entire stands to fall silent for an instant.
His long golden hair flowed with the luster of molten gold under the midday sun, and his golden eyes were as calm as water, without a single ripple.
He wore his simple, deep blue robes, with no sword at his waist and his hands empty, as if he were just out for a stroll.
Then, whispers rose like a tide, more turbulent than ever before.
“That’s the human?”
“How is that possible... he looks too...”
“I take back what I said earlier. He isn’t ‘better looking than most elves,’ he’s better looking than all elves!
“This isn't logical. How can a human look like that?”
“Is he really human? He isn't an elf disguised as a human, is he?”
“No elf would willingly disguise themselves as a human, don't be stupid.”
“Why didn't he bring a weapon? Is he going to fight Alwin bare-handed?”
“Maybe it’s hidden in a spatial ring? Some people like to take them out right when the fight starts to look stylish.”
“It’s also possible he simply doesn't need a weapon...”
“Doesn't need a weapon? Are you joking? Facing an opponent like that while fighting across ranks—if he doesn't have a weapon, won't he just get thrashed...”
Similar discussions rose and fell all over the stands.
Elune, who had just taken her seat, listened to the whispers around her, her gaze fixed on the golden figure in the center of the arena.
His expression remained calm, as if the gaze of three thousand elves was just a breeze brushing past his ears.
Alwin clearly noticed the commotion in the stands as well.
His face darkened several shades, and his right hand gripped the hilt of his sword.
“Before we start, I’ll give you one last chance.”
His voice turned cold.
“Kneel and apologize, leave Silver Moon Academy, and I can cancel this match. Otherwise, my sword will show no mercy later, so don't say I didn't warn you.”
Jiang Lin finally spoke.
“Did you bring your sword?”
Alwin froze for a second. “What?”
“That Moonshadow sword.” Jiang Lin pointed at his waist. “It belongs to me if you lose. Don't forget.”
The entire arena was silent for three full breaths before it erupted into thunderous laughter.
Alwin’s face instantly turned a dark, angry plum color.
He wasted no more words. With a shing, he drew the Moonshadow sword, the blade glinting with a pale blue cold light under the sun.
Triple-layered wind magic arrays activated simultaneously, and visible currents of green air swirled around the blade.
“You asked for this!”
He stepped forward and charged, his figure turning into a blurred silver shadow under the boost of the Moonshadow Cloak.
His 5th-rank early-stage magic power exploded without reservation, the sword tip tearing through the air with a sharp whistle.
He used his full strength for this strike, without any probing, wanting only to cleave this human who had humiliated him in half with a single blow.
The sword light fell like a crescent moon, so fast that most students in the stands could only see a pale blue afterimage.
However, Jiang Lin simply stepped to the side.
The blade brushed past his robes, barely an inch away.
Alwin’s pupils constricted. He shifted his stance, changing a horizontal slash into a diagonal chop, his speed increasing even further.
Jiang Lin stepped to the side again, still not moving his feet from their general position, merely leaning his upper body back slightly.
Alwin’s sword became faster and more vicious.
The boost from the triple wind magic arrays made his sword speed far exceed that of an ordinary 5th-rank warrior.
The amplification from the Moonshadow Cloak made his movements elusive, shifting left and right, front and back, like a bolt of silver lightning roaming the arena.
But no matter how fast his sword was, no matter how erratic his movements, Jiang Lin remained on the same spot, his feet as if they had grown roots.
His figure swayed amidst the sword light like a willow branch in a gale, yet he remained as steady as a rock.
One strike, two strikes, ten strikes, twenty strikes.
The laughter in the stands gradually faded.
The elven students who were originally waiting to see the human make a fool of himself now had their eyes wide open, staring fixedly at the two figures in the center of the arena.
Most of them couldn't even see Alwin’s sword clearly; they could only see a blurred mass of silver light enveloping Jiang Lin.
But that golden-haired youth, with his hands in his pockets, had not retreated half a step from beginning to end.
“What... what is he doing?” someone murmured.
“He’s dodging! It’s the ultimate form of dodging!!
“He has completely read Alwin’s attacks!!”
The person who answered spoke with a voice full of disbelief.
“From beginning to end, he’s been dodging, and quite easily at that!!
“Didn't you see?! He’s practically yawning!!”
“How is this possible? Alwin’s sword speed has already surpassed most 5th-rank peak warriors!”
No one could answer that question.
At the highest point of the stands, the relaxed smile on Carlos’s face had vanished, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity.
His fingers unconsciously tapped against the stone pillar, every tap landing on the beat of Alwin’s sword strikes.
“Did you see clearly?” he asked in a low voice.
“I did.”
In Zoe’s pale silver eyes, the swirling starlight was moving several times faster than usual.
“Every time Alwin strikes, he already knows where the sword will land.
“This isn't a matter of reaction speed; his prediction of the sword’s trajectory has reached a precision of mere millimeters.
“This isn't technique; it’s a total crushing defeat in the sword realm.”
Right then, Jiang Lin spoke up.
“Had enough? I don't want you making excuses later that I didn't give you a chance.”
His tone was relaxed, but incredibly arrogant.
It was as if he were an adult playing around with a small child.
Then, he took a step forward, pressing his right index and middle fingers together, a point of extremely faint, deep blue light condensing at his fingertips.
Then, he raised his hand and lightly tapped the side of Alwin’s lightning-fast sword light.
Clang!
The loud sound of metal meeting metal echoed through the arena.
Alwin felt an indescribable force surge from the blade, shaking him so hard that the skin between his thumb and forefinger split, blood dripping down the hilt.
He stumbled back, retreating a dozen steps before he could barely steady himself, his right arm so numb he almost lost all feeling in it.
And the Moonshadow sword in his hand had flown out, spinning several times in the air before thwacking into a crevice in the stone slabs at the edge of the arena.
The blade continued to vibrate, emitting a faint hum.
The entire place went dead silent.
Three thousand elves, and not a single sound.
In the next moment, a crisp sound echoed through the field.
Slap!
After knocking the Moonshadow sword away with his bare hands, Jiang Lin had closed the distance like a shadow and delivered a loud slap to the other’s face.
“Now, who was it that needed to apologize?”
Alwin, who had never suffered such humiliation, instantly flew into a rage.
“You—”
Slap!
Another loud slap.
“Did I give you permission to speak?”
“I—”
Slap!
“I what?”
Slap!
“Hoh?! You still dare to glare at me? You’re not convinced?”
Slap!
“Still want to fight back? Can you even beat me?”
Slap!
“Running? Did I allow you to run?”
Slap!
...
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