356 Difference
Helena smiled upon seeing what Asher was doing.
Initially, she was frustrated with the way Farnus had made that shocking announcement, which diminished people's interest in the match.
Helena glanced at Lucas, who was visibly excited about Asher's match.
All the previous matches had concluded quickly, so he was eager to observe and learn from this one.
'Is it good that he admires him so much?' Helena thought as she observed Lucas.
It was unusual to see someone from the Greville Family behave in such a manner, especially since they were known for their ruthlessness.
For this reason, Helena initially opposed Sylvie's marriage to Arthur Greville. But witnessing their interactions firsthand made her realize that the Grevilles deeply cared for their own family.
It could be attributed to their bloodline or perhaps something else, but Helena was relieved to observe a positive relationship between the twins and Asher and Amelia.
However, seeing Lucas's admiration for Asher also made her slightly concerned about the influence Asher had on him.
Helena had viewed Lucas and Livia's memories to verify certain details, although Lucas was unaware of this.
Through Lucas's memories, she had seen the hardships he endured at such a young age. While most children his age retained their innocence, Lucas already had blood on his hands.
Helena didn't blame Lucas; it was the only way a kid like him could survive in such an environment. This was precisely why she hoped Lucas wouldn't idolize Asher. Even though Helena held affection for Asher, she couldn't overlook the emotionless nature of his memories.
Helena's gaze returned to the match, where Kevin was shooting a hostile look at Asher, standing tall.
Eva appeared anxious at the entrance, as the match wasn't unfolding as anticipated.
Eva wanted Kevin to make the fight look competitive, intending for him to lose merely by stepping out of the stage boundary.
She recalled their conversation and how difficult it was to persuade Kevin to agree.
"Are you asking me to lose, Eva?" Kevin asked.
"I'd rather lose than admit defeat to that bastard," Kevin said.
Eva noticed Kevin's displeasure, but she stood her ground.
"I wouldn't have told you this if you were also on C Rank, but the difference is too big," Eva said.
"And you know his personality," Eva said while clenching his fist.
"He might even try to injure you seriously, and you will decrease your chance for Tournament for Successor Candidate," Eva said, making Kevin think over it.
"Please, Kevin, just this once, do as I say," Eva said as she grabbed Kevin's hand.
It was the first time Kevin had seen Eva talk so desperately about something. Usually, she would just say a few words or remain silent and observe things.
"I can't guarantee it, but I will try to follow what you told me," Kevin said as he turned to leave towards the Stage.
"That would be enough," Eva smiled as she had managed to convince Kevin.
Kevin recognized the advantages of being chosen as the Successor Candidate, especially given his proficiency in Spear Art and sharing the same elements as Farnus Calmort.
In his youth, many even speculated he would be the most likely successor to Farnus Calmort.
However, purposely losing was contrary to Kevin's nature, yet he couldn't deny the truth in Eva's words.Each encounter with Asher left him with significant injuries that took days to heal.
He pondered if enduring such pain was worth it, especially when the odds of victory seemed so slim.
Ultimately, Kevin chose to follow Eva's strategy but resolved that it would be the last time he'd act against his principles. This promise was a way to uphold his pride, a silent admission that he might not stand a chance against Asher.
But now, circumstances had shifted. Those same indifferent, crimson-red eyes gazed at him as he wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.
Asher started walking again, which pissed off Kevin even more than before.
This time, however, Kevin was resolved not to employ his prior tactics.
Lightning crackled around him as he summoned the Lightning aura.
"Is that the lightning aura?"
Observers witnessing this display for the first time expressed their astonishment.
After all, the lightning aura was among the most formidable forces ever known.
'No wonder that guy sided with that old fox,' Xarax mused, observing Kevin.
Dalton Rothschild supported Farnus's decision because of the fact that the Rothschilds were close to the Whiteheart family.
And seeing the lightning aura, Xarax could see the shadow of Farnus in Kevin.
'He might be the most likely one to inherit Farnus's legacy,' Dexter thought the same, looking at Kevin.
'Too bad that his opponent is a monster,' Dexter said to himself.
Kevin's talent was acknowledged by everyone present here, but their attention was on the opponent he was facing.
With rapid agility, Kevin lunged his Spear, following a straight path.
The speed of his attack was so swift that many First Year students couldn't discern his movements. Asher, however, perceived it clearly.
Asher loosened his hold on his blade, sensing the sword's desire to absorb the aura. He swiftly intervened, enveloping his weapon in his personal aura, a tactic meant to conceal its unique capabilities.
Clang!
To Kevin's astonishment, Asher's ground-pointed sword swiftly rose, redirecting Kevin's Spear toward the earth below.
Retreating a step, Kevin narrowly evaded the counter-
swing Asher executed immediately after deflecting Kevin's Spear.
'I dodged it,' Kevin internally exclaimed, having narrowly avoided Asher's strike.
Having studied Asher's sword techniques extensively, Kevin had come to recognize Asher's peculiar mastery of counterattacks, capable of launching them spontaneously from any direction.
Such an unconventional swordsmanship style led many to believe it was taught by Nathan.
Since Nathan never fully disclosed the intricacies of his own sword art, none of the Seat Holders, Alfred included, were aware that the technique was Asher's unique creation.
To create your own sword art, one needs years of experience and talent.
Cade Cranston was one of the few individuals who created his own version of his family's Sword Art, but that wasn't completely his.
While Nathan recognized Asher's talent, his initial assessment had been based on Asher employing the Sword Art from his previous life.
Nathan was still unaware that Asher had accessed an entirely new Sword Art through the System.'Mir Step,' Asher disappeared from his place as he appeared right in front of Kevin.
Despite being in a state of heightened senses, Kevin only saw half of Asher's movement, but it was enough for him to react to it.
Kevin tightened his grip as he raised his Spear diagonally, making an arc with his Spear to strike at Asher, but instead of connecting, his Spear collided with Asher's sword, making it rebound to his right and creating an opening.
Slash!
Capitalizing on this opening, Asher swiftly struck the edge of Kevin's torso, drawing blood. It forced Kevin to create distance between him and Asher.
"So fast," one student murmured.
"What just happened?" another exclaimed in confusion.
Many students were confused as it was the first time they had seen someone switch the position of their sword from a slash to a block in a single moment.
In the VIP Section,
Cade Cranston's interest peaked as he found himself unable to discern the essence of Asher's sword art.
'Show me more,' thought Cade, eager to uncover the depths of this unfamiliar style.
'It would be disappointing if that's all there is,' he silently mused.
Nobody was too shocked by seeing Asher's swordsmanship because he was in the early stages of Node Art, and he hadn't even gone above Novice.
So, although it looked extremely refined, it was still within the expectations of the Grandson of the Sword God himself.
But right now, to compare it, Kevin was high intermediate in the Spear Art he learned from Kamden Whiteheart.
It was quite good for a First Year, but unlike many others, Kevin had the resources and the right people to teach him from a young age.
Asher observed Kevin, who ramped up his lightning aura to slow the bleeding. Kevin's Spear spun in his hands, its tip glowing brighter as it absorbed his aura.
It was a Rank B Spear, which he received from Raelyn, and because of this, he could counter Asher's attack.
Asher's sword was still at Rank D as the condition to increase its strength couldn't be fulfilled inside World Academy.
"Is that all you got?" Asher asked Kevin.
The taunt was enough to make Kevin rush at Asher.
In Asher's eyes, there were multiple nodes in front of him. Node Art was sword art that showed Asher how to kill people, not defeat them.
It was hard for him to control his urge and change how he used his sword to ensure he didn't kill Kevin.
That's why Asher spent all those days in Great Forest, to minimize his bloodlust the most he could do.
He even forced himself to stay at C Rank because he remembered the stronger he got, the stronger his madness became.
Clang!
Clang!
Kevin shifted his weight as he used his speed to attack Asher from a different direction. Even most second-
rankers would have difficulty stopping Kevin's attack, but right now, each attack was getting deflected.
But the faces of the students in the crowd changed as Asher's was not just deflecting Kevin's attack.
With each of his strikes, they could see a cut would appear on Kevin's body.
They couldn't see Asher's movement, but for others that could, it looked like careful use of the opening Asher would create while deflecting Kevin's attack.
Kevin knew it, but he could feel the moment he tried to step back, it would be more dangerous.
Right now, even while enduring those attacks, he didn't allow Asher to use the full range of his sword.
But even taking a step back, Kevin felt a sense of danger. His instincts told him it was better to fight while enduring the counterattacks, looking for an opening, and then stepping back.
Next Chapter in 2 Hours