Chapter 16: The Victory Was Already Sealed from the Start |
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When they arrived at the arena, Olivia’s striking white hair immediately caught attention. She glanced sideways with disdain before turning her head and walking onto the platform.
Jonas walked beside Olivia and gently patted her head.
“Go and defeat her. Prove your worth to the Regin Family. I’ve trained you for so many days—don’t let our efforts go to waste.”
Hearing Jonas’s words, Olivia tightened her grip on her sword.
She nodded and said, “I will, Young Master.”
With that, she stepped onto the arena.
...
Watching Olivia walk onto the stage, Slynda flicked her sword and performed a beautiful sword flourish. She scoffed disdainfully:
Olivia’s usually calm eyes instantly flared with anger upon hearing this.
“I forbid you! To speak about the Young Master like that!”
“Heh...”
...
Below the arena, Asher approached Holdo’s side.
He respectfully saluted.
Holdo asked, “Why are you teaching swordsmanship to an Albino?”
Hearing Holdo’s displeasure, Asher replied, “I… I made a bet with the Young Master. But this Albino girl truly possesses extraordinary talent!”
He then recounted the training experience with Olivia over these past days.
“What? In just over a month, she learned your Whirlwind Slash and defeated most of the soldiers in the camp? She… is an Albino?”
“Yes! Lord Holdo, Olivia’s talent is visible to the naked eye. She grows stronger every day. Honestly, her talent far surpasses the lady’s!”
“Is what Jonas said really true?” Holdo furrowed his brow, staring hard.
Asher was his comrade on the battlefield and wouldn’t deceive him.
He sighed, “I don’t know where the Young Master found such a gifted Albino. She is indeed a formidable combatant for the Regin Family. And, Lord Holdo, don’t worry—she is absolutely loyal to the Young Master. You can tell by the collar around her neck.”
“But Jonas made her his retainer. How could we Empire people accept an Albino as a retainer?”
“Lord Holdo…”
“Enough. Let’s stop talking and watch this duel! Even if Olivia’s talent is strong, in just a few months, no matter how gifted, her strength can’t possibly surpass Slynda.”
Asher looked at Slynda on the stage with admiration. After several wars, the lady had become even more formidable.
“Lord Holdo is right.”
He also didn’t understand why Jonas would make such a bet. Although Olivia was already very strong, her sword training time was still too short.
Facing Slynda, who had years of sword practice and battlefield experience, Olivia still had a great disadvantage.
...
The next moment, after both sides finished preparing on the arena, the bell rang, signaling the start of the duel.
Slynda looked at her opponent with her usual disdainful expression.
Olivia, however, stared at her opponent carefully, not daring to be careless, stepping forward steadily.
Watching them, the crowd below laughed and commented:
“Slynda seems a bit careless!”
“Hey hey~ This is an Albino! Slynda stepping into the arena is already showing her great favor!”
“How many seconds do you think this Albino will last?”
“60 seconds!”
“60 seconds? I say it’s over with one sword. Within ten seconds, this Albino will fall.”
However, just as these words fell, Olivia suddenly stamped her foot, producing a heavy thud.
Immediately, she darted forward like an arrow released from a bow, wielding her iron sword, rushing like a fierce gale.
In the blink of an eye, she was right in front of Slynda, swinging her sword down fiercely.
The speed of this strike was like lightning, leaving no time to react.
Slynda, who had been so careless moments ago, suddenly narrowed her eyes upon seeing this sudden sword.
What?
An Albino could move this fast?
Facing this thunderous strike, Slynda’s body reacted instinctively.
She swiftly raised her sword, trying to block Olivia’s attack.
However, because of her earlier underestimation and casual attitude, Slynda barely managed to block it.
Her blocking strength was significantly reduced, unable to withstand Olivia’s heavy and powerful strike.
The next moment, a loud “bang” echoed.
The tremendous impact felt like a mountain collapsing, numbing Slynda’s tiger mouth. Her sword nearly flew out of her hand.
The force pushed her back dozens of steps before she barely stabilized herself.
As she continuously retreated, Slynda’s face was full of shock and doubt. She stared fixedly at Olivia in front of her.
Impossible.
How could this Albino possess such immense power?
....
This strike shocked not only Slynda but also surprised Olivia, who looked at her opponent carefully.
Her opponent didn’t seem as strong as she had imagined.
Slynda had been rumored as a sword genius years ago.
She had followed the lord in battles, naturally extremely formidable.
But Olivia had just tested her.
This… this seemed ordinary!
It couldn’t compare to Jonas at all.
Rumors outside said Jonas was useless, but if Jonas was useless, then Slynda before her was ten times more useless.
....
“Ah…”
This scene instantly quieted the crowd.
One sword strike pushed Lady Slynda back more than ten steps?
This Albino is so powerful?
...
Asher also stared at Olivia on the arena, astonished.
How was this possible?
In such a short time, how did she become so strong?
Her progress was even faster than before. Without a teacher’s guidance, how could that be?
Could there be a master secretly guiding Olivia?
Hearing this, Holdo instinctively clenched his fist.
He could tell this Olivia was not as harmless as she appeared.
This swordsmanship was definitely that of a fierce character.
Training for only a few months?
Impossible.
Where did Jonas find such a prodigy?
He shouted loudly, “Slynda, don’t underestimate her! Use your full strength!”
Upon hearing this, Slynda on stage gripped her sword seriously.
Her gaze swept down to Jonas in the crowd and noticed the malicious smile curling on his lips.
Damn it!
That damned bastard!
She had fought so many on that brutal battlefield with her father, but she never expected the white-haired girl opposite her to be such a tough opponent.
...
Jonas curled the corner of his mouth.
Olivia had already reached the Greenstone-rank swordsman level early on.
Under the system, the swordsmanship values of both on the arena were clear, and the difference was not large.
Both could use the Whirlwind Slash.
But under his guidance, Olivia’s proficiency with Whirlwind Slash was far higher than Slynda’s.
Moreover, Olivia was a true swordsmanship genius. It was normal for a genius to fight beyond their rank.
He had no idea how Slynda would win.
So this duel, which looked like a mismatch in strength to others, had its outcome already settled from the start by Jonas.
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