Chapter 9 - The Shocking Duel

Fortunately, what Gunnar worried about didn’t happen, as the teacher who came to maintain order stopped the conflict in time.

Well, since the main character hadn’t changed, today was still his moment to make a name for himself.

Defeating Nono this time would surely make Gunnar’s reputation echo throughout the entire academy.

Hahaha!

Gunnar laughed so hard that he almost couldn’t close his mouth, but the academy teacher interrupted him by saying, “Are you sure you set the time with Fina?”

“Yeah, teacher, is there a problem?” Gunnar asked, confused.

“It seems like we’ve gone over time.” The teacher calculated, and after waiting for a long time, they hadn’t seen Nono, and the duel’s time had already exceeded.

“Teacher, I think Fina knows she can’t beat me and doesn’t want to lose face, so she’s hiding.” Gunnar said seriously, “This must be it, so, Teacher, please announce my victory directly.”

“Let’s wait a little longer.” This teacher obviously had some affection for Fina and ignored Gunnar’s suggestion.

“Fine, let’s wait.” This time, Gunnar was beyond confident, not minding whether Nono showed up or not.

After all, he couldn’t lose, or else the three months of bandit hunting would have been for nothing.

Another hour passed, and while the crowd grew impatient and began exchanging banter, Nono finally appeared on the scene.

With Nono’s arrival, all the male students of the academy rose to observe.

After all, Nono held the academy title of the Pure Lady Knight, undoubtedly the number-one beauty among knights!

“Sit down!”

“Break up!”

“Try looking again!”

The girlfriends of these male students all tugged at their boyfriends’ ears, reprimanding them harshly.

“Fina, you finally came.” Gunnar laughed, “Have you now mustered the courage to face your failure?”

“I just overslept, don’t overthink it.” Nono pouted.

“Since you’re here, let’s start the duel!” The teacher presiding over the duel withdrew from the arena.

After a spell, a semicircular energy barrier enclosed the duel stage, allowing the two to freely exert themselves.

“Fina, I admit you are strong.

But you absolutely can’t beat me!” Gunnar continued with his banter, “If you surrender now, I’ll spare you some dignity.”

“Why do you talk so much nonsense?” Nono rolled her eyes at Gunnar.

“Heh, the words of the weak are always so humble!” Gunnar beckoned.

“As a gentleman, I’ll let you make the first three moves.”

“No need, otherwise, people might say I didn’t win fair and square.” Clearly, Nono wouldn’t take this offer; the three-day intensive training had filled her with confidence, for fear that Gunnar’s concession might mar her victory.

“Since you are so confident, let me shatter your illusions!” Gunnar was also angry.

How could a seventh-level knight who hadn’t advanced dare speak like this in front of an eighth-level knight?

Was she not giving any face to ranks?

Or perhaps?

Gunnar was startled by the thought—had Fina already broken through to the eighth level?

Otherwise, how could she speak so confidently and retort him?

With that thought, Gunnar put away his arrogance and became extremely cautious.

This duel was his chance to make a name, and he would not allow any errors!

Huh?

Nono was also puzzled by Gunnar’s change.

Wasn’t he just utterly relaxed, not giving her any notice?

How did he become so careful all of a sudden?

“Glorious Battle Armor!” Gunnar shouted, as Holy Light descended from the sky.

The white Holy Light covered Gunnar, forging into a milky-white shining armor.

Nono took off the large shield strapped to her back and said in a deep voice, “I’m going!”

“Come on then, let’s see how much you’ve improved in these three days!” Gunnar was exceedingly cautious at heart, planning to fully defend against the first hit, to gauge Nono’s strength.

After all, up to now, Nono hadn’t shown any strength; what if she had broken through?

One careless move could lose it all.

Gunnar suddenly thought he was truly clever.

Nono charged with the large shield, Power Blessing!

Following Lu Hong’s teaching, she directly used half of her Holy Light power to cast Power Blessing; in an instant, Nono’s strength suddenly surged to double, and her speed also increased.

Used most of her strength?

Gunnar was startled; could infusing with Power Blessing break his defense?

It didn’t make sense.

Though bewildered, his plan to block Nono’s first attack remained unchanged.

Nono soon approached the fully prepared Gunnar.

Just as they were about to make contact, Nono shouted, “Bastion Strike!”

“Bastion Strike?!” Gunnar was shocked.

How could he not know Bastion Strike, a tenth-level skill?

Did Fina jump three levels in three days?

No time to think, Gunnar desperately urged his Holy Light power to strengthen his defense.

As Bastion Strike was executed, Nono’s large shield glowed with white light, and the remaining half of her Holy Light power was all poured into this attack.

With the blessing of Power Blessing, the impact force of Bastion Strike increased exponentially.

Nono’s attack finally hit the target; accompanied by a crashing boom, Gunnar cried out and was directly slammed against the energy shield of the platform, passing out.

“Just… just one hit?” The students below the platform, ready to enjoy the big battle, were shocked and dropped their jaws: “Where’s the promised big battle?

Isn’t Gunnar a top student?

How come he’s so weak?

Weren’t we supposed to enjoy the show?

My melon isn’t even cut open, and it’s over?”

Not only the students but even the dozens of teachers present also couldn’t react.

Among them, the most affected was He Ti, watching from the side.

Nono didn’t just win with superior skills; her timing in releasing skills was also perfect.

If she had released it a little earlier, Gunnar would have had enough time to use skills to boost his defense.

But if she released the Bastion Strike even a little later, the impact wouldn’t reach its fullest potential.

Although this skill release seemed simple, the timing was so well judged that He Ti couldn’t believe it.

Had it been him, he might not have done so well.

Plus, the key issue was that a seventh-level knight executed a tenth-level skill!

He Ti was now immensely grateful he didn’t take Cumber’s bet three days ago, or he would have been a huge loss.

Well, playing rogue is the way to safety!

“Teacher He Ti, amazing, you’ve taught such a strong student.”

“Yes, yes, Teacher He Ti is incredible, able to teach students to execute cross-level skills, a true exemplar among the teachers at Kains Academy!”

The other teachers present naturally didn’t know who taught Nono the skill, so they credited He Ti.

He Ti blushed, neither admitting nor rejecting, only chuckled.

“I announce, the victor of this duel is Fina Noro!” The teacher presiding over the duel counted to ten within three seconds, clearly feeling that Gunnar wouldn’t wake up and promptly announced the result.

Following the announcement, Gunnar’s teacher walked to the platform with a gloomy face.

He picked up the unconscious Gunnar and left without a word, but not before taking a deep look at the exhausted Nono.

“Nono, you’re amazing!” Fidel walked onto the platform to congratulate her.

“Don’t talk nonsense, help me off quickly.” Nono glared at Fidel.

Those spectators that hadn’t left, seeing Fidel intimately supporting Nono, started wailing, feeling their youth was over, then were dragged away by the ear by their girlfriends…

while the single ones were filled with resentment, drawing circles on the ground, seemingly casting the legendary curse—the malevolent spell of drawing circles to curse you!

“Nono, I never expected you to master skills across levels; that’s really impressive!” Fidel praised as they walked.

“Forget it, if I had another chance, I wouldn’t want to learn in advance.

You haven’t seen, Cumber kept poking me with that long, thick stick, it was painful!” Thinking of these three days’ experiences, Nono still trembled all over, truly a torturous hell!

“Long, thick stick?

Poking?!” Fidel was stunned; forgive him, his mind wandered off, as Nono’s words couldn’t help but lead to misunderstanding.

Fidel lamented, “Looks like I have no chance to learn in advance.”

“Not necessarily, if you’re willing to let Cumber poke you.” Seeing Fidel somewhat disappointed, Nono promptly explained.

“No, no, I don’t want that,” Fidel quickly refused, “The price is too high.”

So saying, Fidel fell into thought, only speaking after a while: “Nono…”

“Hmm?”

“Uh, you being a princess, you should keep the cross-level skill learning a secret.”

“Why keep it secret?” Nono was puzzled.

“Although Cumber was smart enough not to take advantage of you, after all, using a stick to poke is also an insult to royalty.

I respect your personal opinion, but the elders in the family still care.”

“What’s there to care about in such matters?” Nono was still bewildered.

“Sigh!” Fidel sighed, it seemed Nono hadn’t noticed the importance of such matters.

It was necessary to explain the severity to her.

“Little sister!” It was only the second time in these years that Fidel called Nono little sister.

“I told you not to call me little sister, it’s annoying to hear!” Nono complained.

“Alright, Nono.

Although it was just a stick, it did indeed… Well, you should keep this secret, or you’ll surely be held accountable by the royal family.”

“What do you mean by ‘did indeed’?”

“Chastity!

Why can’t you understand?”

“???” Nono was completely baffled.

“Why mention this?”

“Didn’t Cumber poke you with a stick?”

“Fidel!” Nono shouted angrily, “What are you thinking!”

Seeing Nono so angry, Fidel finally realized and quickly tried to appease her.

It wasn’t all his fault; after all, the way Nono spoke was very misleading!