Chapter 43
1070 Words
CHAPTER 43
“What?” Kai asked in disbelief. Even Noah, who was just quietly listening by the side, looked at Tatiana like she was crazy.
“It’s exactly what I’ve said. Fight him like how you would in hand-to-hand combat.” Tatiana repeated.
Kai and Noah were perplexed. They were trying to understand and make some sense of what Tatiana said, but in the end, they got nothing.
Anyone in their right mind would also think her suggestion doesn’t make sense. Dropping your sword to fight using only hands is almost like saying he should give up.
“I’m sorry, my lady, but I can’t seem to understand. Are you saying I should just give up?” Kai asked. Tatiana looked at him like he’s asking a stupid question.
“Of course not! I’m not saying you should give up. I’m saying if you want to win, it’s better to just drop your sword and fight him head-on.”
“Wouldn’t that put him at disadvantage?” Noah, who couldn’t take anymore, asked.
Tatiana turned to him.
“Well yes, but it will also give him an advantage,” she answered. She looked at Kai again and continued, “Your opponent is not like the assassins from yesterday. He’s skilled and even ranked sixth as the most talented knight in the empire. Hence, you should expect a long and tiring fight. But if you continue to prolong the fight, you’ll end up losing especially since you’re still exhausted from yesterday. That’s why I’m telling you to end the battle quickly by using a different method.”
“But...why do I have to...fight without my sword?” Kai asked again, still confused.
Noah, on the other hand, was thinking about what Tatiana said deeply. Now that she said that, he’s starting to understand her point.
“...to lighten your movement...” Noah answered, unconciously. Kai looked at him confused, while Tatiana smiled at his answer.
“Exactly.” Tatiana agreed. “The sword is heavy and will slow you down, hence draining more of your energy. If you combat with your hands, you’ll not only lighten your movement but you will also gain full control of your opponent.”
Noah unknowingly nods his head and looked at Tatiana with astonishment. He’s amazed at how Tatiana could think of this. It just proves how competent she is in combat.
'When did she learn all this?' Noah thought to himself.
Kai, on the other hand, was still trying to process her words.
“Then...how should I do it?”
Tatiana smiled at Kai as if to reassure him.
“You can just treat it like our training, Kai. You did it before, and I know you can do it again.” Tatiana replied.
Noah then turned to her, bemused.
“Training? You trained together?” He inquired.
Tatiana froze. She internally cursed herself as she realized what she had just said. Tatiana just confirmed with her own mouth that she and Kai were closer than Noah thought.
Tatiana cleared her throat and ignored Noah. She focused and only looked at Kai.
“Anyways, that’s all I want to tell you, Kai. I wish you luck, and be careful out there.” She said hastily and stood up. “Then...I’ll leave now.”
Tatiana didn’t wait for them to reply and left the room. When she left, Noah turned to Kai with a brooding expression.
Kai gulped in nervousness and even cursed Tatiana in his mind for leaving him alone like this with this scary man.
“Uh...” he uttered, nervously.
“Tell me everything, Arder.” Noah said in a threatening tone.
.
Kai shook his head when he remembered how Noah interrogated him menacingly.
Anyways, Kai did what Tatiana advised him to do. He dropped his sword, and the arena fell silent.
Everyone was stunned at his actions. Even His Majesty stood up from his seat and immediately signaled someone to see what’s going on.
“What’s happening?”
“Is he giving up?”
“What? That’s ridiculous!”
The audience started reacting and some were booing. Even Shawn was perplexed at what Kai was trying to do.
“What is this?” Shawn asked. “Are you...giving up?”
However, instead of replying, Kai only smirked and run towards him. Shawn didn’t expect that, so he wasn’t able to react quickly. As a result, Shawn stumbled backward when Kai kicked his stomach.
The audience's booing came to a halt when Kai made his surprise attack. Everyone was stunned once again, but this time, they were stunned because of their astonishment.
After a few seconds, the audience began yelling and cheering again at the unexpected twist. His Majesty, though still in shock, also grinned widely at Kai’s bold move.
“He’s fighting without a sword?! What is he thinking?!” Although most of the audience was amazed, some couldn’t help but express their disappointment as well, and that includes the Aristocratic Faction.
They all thought of the same thing: Kai will obviously lose this match. Fighting a swordmaster with only your hands is akin to declaring defeat.
“Isn’t this a good thing? If he loses, the people will turn their backs on him.” Count Carey stated.
“Hmm... you’re right. I guess that makes things easier.” Count Venzel agreed.
Both of them laughed arrogantly and even imagined how the Crown Prince would react.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince was watching Kai with seriousness. Just like what Tatiana said, he’s skilled even in martial arts.
Kai was able to avoid Shawn’s blade while also attacking his opponent’s vital points. In just a matter of minutes, the tables had turned and Shawn was already the one at a disadvantage.
He’s good. Noah couldn't deny that fact, but of course, he still thinks Tatiana is better.
But then, Noah’s mood darkened when he remembered how Kai became this skilled. He couldn’t fathom Kai and Tatiana training together and being in close proximity. Just thinking about it irks him. He just wanted to be the one fighting against Kai at that moment.
With that thought in mind, Noah smirked when Shawn managed to cut through Kai’s skin.
And Tatiana was proud of you as her student.
Then, Noah suddenly thought of an idea.
Student, huh...
Noah glanced at Tatiana, his grin widening as he pondered what he would do.
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reyankleyr
- Writer
