I am not the Villainess

Chapter 40

CHAPTER 40 

Kai grabbed his sword and walked towards the center. The ten assassins did the same, all of them looking unusually exhilarated. 

As one of His Majesty’s preparations to ensure a fair fight, the assassins were provided food, water, and clean clothes yesterday, despite the fact that they were captives. As such, all of them are in good condition for the battle.  

Aside from that, the assassins are overjoyed at the prospect of once again battling the man who has defeated and humiliated them. Given how easily they were vanquished in ten-on-one combat during that night in the forest, their pride and ego were severely shattered. That's why they're so enraged for vengeance and vowed to destroy Kai today, whether he's the real Julio or not. 

The fighters met at the center of the arena, with the assassins surrounding Kai.  

“We meet again,” one of the assassins said. He was the one who used the bow and arrows and the same man who testified against Julio. 

Kai smirked at him, “This will be the last time since you’ll be dead after this anyways.”  

At Kai’s taunting, the assassin's arrogant expression disappeared. He glared at Kai and gritted his teeth. 

“Let’s just see who’ll end up dead.” he rebutted. 

After that, the assassin lifted his blade and, without hesitation, charged at Kai, swinging his sword at him. 

Kai luckily reacted quickly and was able to step back. He turned to the other side to avoid the assassin’s attack. He was using Tatiana’s way of defense and remembered what Tatiana always used to say, 

“Make use of the space around you, and remember defense is the best offense.” 

When he noticed the assassin was about to attack again, Kai immediately used his blade to block the assassin's sword. The assassin roared as he pushed his sword down with all his strength, but Kai got out of that predicament by spinning and pushing his sword upward. 

When the other assassins noticed that their companion was already struggling, they decided to join the fight. Kai twisted and swung his sword to fend off the assassins. He continued to whirl and swing his sword in an attempt to deflect and counterattack the assaults coming at him.

He was having a hard time as expected, but as time passed, he was starting to get the hang of it. Tatiana’s teaching was also engraved in his heart and mind making the fight easier. 

As the battle became fiercer, the audience grew louder. Although Kai was still far from winning, everyone was amazed by his performance. He was definitely showcasing his abilities by being able to handle 10 opponents at once that the nobles from the Aristocratic Faction were starting to get worried about it. Even His Majesty and Aaron were looking at Kai with admiration. They were totally not expecting Kai to be this skilled. Their opinion of his is even to the point that regardless of who will lose in the end, they would still believe Kai was that capable.

Who is this man? Why did we only come to know such a talent like him? Aaron thought to himself. 

Aaron was already planning of employing Kai to become one of Cromello's knights. Similarly, His Majesty, the emperor, was also thinking of hiring him but as a royal knight.

Noah, on the other hand, was perplexed. It shocks him that Kai was actually skilled, but what surprises him the most was some of the techniques he used. Although not perfect, Noah could recognize those techniques as Tatiana’s. It was those same techniques that made him desperately looking for the mysterious man with silver hair and purple eyes. 

Noah hasn't seen anyone do those skills, nor was he even able to think such moves were possible. Hence, he was so sure that in this empire, only Tatiana is capable of executing those moves. 

How did he know those moves? Was he the original creator of those? No, that's impossible. Tatiana's was cleaner and precise, so that can't be it. Then...did he learn it from her?

The techniques Noah is referring to are from Tatiana's modern world. As such, everyone, especially those who are knowledgeable in fighting is amazed at the extraordinary and out-of-this-world techniques that Kael Arder was using. 

Noah glanced at Tatiana. She was just silently watching the fight, with no expressions on her face.  

What is she thinking? Noah thought.  

Tatiana is looking at the man who claimed to be ‘Julio’, so Noah wonders what she thinks about this. 

Is she disappointed? amazed? or is she shocked as well?  He was curious about what was going on in Tatiana’s mind. 

Meanwhile, Tatiana was keeping a close eye on Kai's every action. She may appear emotionless, but she felt nervous on the inside. The fight was getting longer than expected, and Kai had already come close to death numerous times.  He was at a significant disadvantage, and while he was doing well thus far, he will run out of energy eventually if he won’t change his tactics. 

Come on, Kai... 

Tatiana could only hope Kai will win soon.

. 

“Die!” one of the assassins shouted as he charged at Kai while dragging his sword.  

Kai looked at him in surprise and was about to step aside, but another assassin blocked his path. Kai barely managed to avoid the strike by a hair's breadth. The sword was so near to his face that a slip could sever his flesh.  

He breathes out and quickly did another turn, swinging his sword in the process. As a result, three assassins close to him were slashed. The others immediately step back, giving Kai a little break.  

Kai planned in his head how he’ll finish this fight. He was already starting to get tired, so it would be better for him to end this quickly.  

Let's make this quick! 

After regaining his energy back, Kai leaped forward and attacked those closest to him. He cut one and moved on to the others at lightning speed. 

The clashing of swords continued until only one assassin remained standing. Kai went at him without hesitation and cut him cleanly. 

The arena fell silent as the last assassin fell to the ground with a thud. The assassin let go of his sword, and the resounding clang of the sword encircled the arena.

After a few moments of silence, the audience erupted once again as the first round came to a finish, with Kai emerging victorious.

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