The Author's POV

Lock, Section G, Arena grounds.

Many practice platforms stood in the practice grounds, while at the top, numerous youths excitedly shouted as they gazed at the youth's sparring against each other. The Arena grounds, which was in the same building as the training grounds, was one of the most famous places within the academy as youth's sparring against each other could be seen at any time of the day.

Usually, in the arena, numerous youth's fiercely punching and kicking each other as they tried their best to beat their opponents appeared to be a common sight, a rather imposing one at that.

There was no lack of pretty girls in the platforms above, resulting in the boys below fighting with even more enthusiasm hoping to catch some of the girl's interest as they basked in the limelight of the fight...however, that was not the case today.

At the moment, almost every gaze within the arena grounds was focused around two individuals standing on top of one of the platforms. No matter if they were boys or girls, their sights were transfixed on the two individuals at the center of the platforms.

On the right, a young man with dirty blond hair proudly stood as he looked down on his opponent. Wearing a black professor uniform, with a gentle scholarly air around him, Gilbert stood at the center of the ring.

On the opposite side of him, wearing an azure blue Lock uniform, an extremely handsome youth with black hair and red eyes solemnly stared at Gilbert opposite to him.

When both Kevin and Gilbert walked into the platforms, news of their bout had probably already spread everywhere...hence why with each passing minute the stands on the training grounds were filled with even more people.

"What? Professor Gilbert is going to fight against a first-year?"

"It's true! According to sources, it seems like the student he is fighting is Kevin Voss, the talented first year that managed to become rank at the age of 16"

"Yes, I've also heard that professor Gilbert will fight him whilst suppressing his strength all the way to rank, the same rank as him"

Leaning on one of the handrails of the arena, hearing the discussions of some of the students present, I couldn't help but laugh inwardly.

I of course knew this was going to happen.

...this was the event that truly created hatred between Gilbert and Kevin. It was the moment in which the two would finally cease all pretenses and officially became at odds against each other.

This event was the reason why I decided to delay all of my other tasks and directly talk to Kevin with regards to bringing me to Immorra.

...I believe that after this event, Kevin would without a doubt agree to meet me on Saturday.

Smiling slightly, glancing at Kevin's and Gilbert's figure below me, I relaxed and waited for the match to start. As I watched the both of them standing off against each other, I couldn't help but think to myself.

'I'm really curious as to how a fight I wrote looks like...'

...

Glancing at Kevin, with a proud smile on his face, Gilbert mockingly said

"Are you ready?"

Stretching his arms and legs, Kevin's face became solemn as he nodded his head.

"Yes"

"Alright, since I'm older than you, I'll grant you the first move...if you manage to land a punch on me, it'll be considered my defeat"

Gilbert merely chuckled as

deal a huge blow to Kevin's confidence as well as increase the popularity of his faction. Moreover, it also served as a

what happens if you mess with

power of his faction, Gilbert made

won, he could humiliate Kevin even

imagining it put a smile on Gilbert's face. Beckoning Kevin with his

"Come"

"If you insist"

right foot on the ground, unsheathing his sword, Kevin's body shot out like an arrow. A red hue covered the

power as it split the air around it. If Kevin hit a boulder, he would reduce it into powder within a

after, a couple of seconds after he propelled his

-Clank!

right hand forward, Kevin's sword connected with Gilbert's hand as

Gilbert's figure holding onto Kevin's sword with two fingers could be

he do

couldn't help but be stupefied. Although they knew Gilbert

a solemn expression as they recalled

block...and yet, casually holding onto Kevin's sword with his

-Flick!

bad...for someone

Kevin took a few steps back to distance

some people in the stands might've not understood what had

attacked, coating his fingers with mana, Gilbert managed to precisely pinpoint the center of gravity of his sword and with a subtle twist of his finger, he managed to make the sword

of mana as well as an understanding of swords...Staring at Gilbert leisurely standing in the

still appeared

there if

beneath Kevin's feet as

"Futile"

always easily find the true

that all your strength amounts

his head, with his other hand, Gilbert covered his mouth

call

was about to end things, noticing something, Gilbert looked at Kevin

sword towards Gilbert's head. However, just as Gilbert was about to block, whilst still in the air as if the air was tangible, Kevin stepped in the air and forcefully

"Futile tricks"

and precisely twisted his body in a way

like this

was about to finish Kevin with an upper hook to his stomach,

his feelings were

[Overdrive]

the last words he heard before Kevin's figure completely disappeared from his

-Bam!

couldn't help but touch his cheek which was now stinging. Breaking Gilbert out of his stupor

"I've won"