Chapter 291: Character Learning Moment
The arena quieted as the scoreboards above the stands stopped replaying the earlier matches. Every brass-plated drone turned toward the two gates facing each other across the crystal-blue floor, and the last pockets of conversation faded beneath the hum running through the plates.
Lancet stood behind the shield wall with the Radiant Guillotine in one hand and waited for the commentator to finish stretching the moment.
"Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached the final match of the one-on-one combat tournament." The commentator’s voice carried through the colosseum without its usual theatrics.
"These two fighters are the most anticipated, at least for Class Group-D. For good reason too. They are the most powerful Awakeners we have for that age. But now, let’s find out who’s the better fighter."
A roar of cheers rose from the stands before the shield wall opened. Lancet walked out with the Radiant Guillotine hanging beside his leg, its golden edge giving off a sun glow that slid over the plates with him.
The crowd grew louder as he crossed the arena, but he kept his eyes on the gate ahead. He had listened to enough people discuss his first loss to know they remembered it better than most of his victories.
The other end lifted as well and Renan Falconhart stepped through with Black Gale already drawn. Silver-black mist clung to the dark sword and followed it in thin streams as Renan approached.
He gave the crowd nothing, not even a glance toward the people changing his name the most. His attention stayed on Lancet, moving from the Guillotine to his feet, then up to his shoulders before settling on his face.
Lancet stopped near the center. Renan came to a halt ten feet away and rested Black Gale loosely at his side, though his thumb pressed against the guard.
"Lancet."
"Renan."
Renan looked him over again. "I heard you went missing. Everyone thought you’d been taken by the Demon Lords because your power was a threat to them."
Lancet smiled, flattered to be the subject of a conspiracy.
"Others thought you’d run away."
Lancet gave him a curious look. "What did you think?"
Renan pondered for a bit, giving him a once-over. "You were training. Trying to get stronger."
’Smart guy,’ Lancet thought.
"But you haven’t leveled up at all."
"Nope."
"Yet somehow, your stance changed."
Lancet smiled. Renan had needed less than a minute to notice. "Come and see what else did."
The announcer called for them to ready themselves, then sent the command across the arena. Neither fighter answered it with steel. Lancet lowered the Guillotine in front of him and watched Renan’s feet while Renan waited for the charge that had started their first duel.
A murmur ran through the stands when it never came. Renan shifted Black Gale from one hand to the other, then returned it to the first as he watched Lancet for the movements he already knew.
Lancet had shown him too much the last time. Three exchanges before a feint, four before a Phantom Ring charge, a retreat and reset whenever Renan broke his rhythm. By the end of that duel, Renan had stopped fighting him and started waiting for the next mistake.
Lancet had no intention of repeating himself for the crowd.
Renan’s front foot moved. Black Gale followed in a straight thrust aimed at Lancet’s chest, and Lancet turned the Guillotine across his body to knock the point aside.
Instead of giving Renan the step back he expected, Lancet went forward behind the parry and drove his shoulder toward him. Renan twisted away before the collision, but Lancet’s wrist had already turned, bringing the Guillotine around toward his ribs.
Black Gale dropped between them in time to catch the edge. Renan used the contact to pivot out, his coat snapping around his legs as he opened the distance again. Lancet followed the turn and kept his blade raised, denying him the clean reset.
Renan glanced at the space Lancet had taken from him. "I see."
He came in harder. Black Gale cut high, and Lancet caught it near the base of the Guillotine before Renan changed direction and sent the blade toward his hip.
Winged Blade pulled the sword through the turn so quickly that the silver-black mist behind it formed a single bent line, but Lancet moved his body instead of trying to drag his weapon down in time. The edge passed beside him and tugged at his coat.
Renan’s third strike was already falling toward the opening above Lancet’s shoulder. Lancet drove the Guillotine upward with both hands and knocked Black Gale off its path. Renan’s sword rose, his elbow went with it, and the front of his body opened.
Lancet stepped close enough to see Renan’s eyes widen.
The Radiant Guillotine came down across him. Renan threw himself backward, and the golden blade missed his chest but caught the front of his coat. Cloth tore beneath the silver edge, leaving a strip hanging as he landed several feet away.
The sound that followed struck Lancet from every side. People surged to their feet, shouting over one another while the commentator struggled to stay above them.
"Renan Falconhart has been forced back! Lancet Leogardt read all three attacks and answered without spending a single Phantom Ring charge!"
Kasto had climbed halfway over the railing in the gold sector. "He baited the third strike! Renan thought he had him!"
Anita caught the back of Kasto’s shirt before she pitched into the row below and shouted directly into his ear. "He cut him! Forget the bait, look at his coat!"
Luke was slouched in his seat with his arms folded. Now he sat forward, one hand closed around the edge of his chair as he watched Renan pull the torn strip from his coat.
Renan let the cloth fall and raised Black Gale again. He set his feet more carefully this time, giving Lancet none of the loose ease he had carried into the arena.
"Your training served you well," he said.
Lancet shifted the Radiant Guillotine into both hands. Renan had learned how he fought during their first duel. Lancet had spent every day since becoming someone else.
"I like you, Renan," Lancet said. "But it’s about time you had your ass beat."
He spun the Guillotine and pointed. "Call it a Character Learning Moment."
He pushed off the floor and attacked.