Chapter 137 : Fierce battle! Lister Festival

TL:SummerPeanut

====================================

“Perhaps this one fight could be the main attraction of this year's fighting tournament. The strongest man of our Lister Empire School is the fourth man to come out. His fighting style is truly that of an asura*1! This is the man who has buried numerous powerful enemies with his spear! Ikeeee Bryanttt!"

With that introduction, a great cheer resounded. The hall shook from the cheers. And following the cheers, Ike appeared, dressed in a white uniform with red embroidery. The audience is already in a frenzy and festive mood. Ike is undoubtedly the face of the Lister Imperial School.

“And the man who is standing up against this strongest man is...the man who lost to the Sword Saint without being able to pull out his sword, half a year after the finals of the... Freshman Combat Tournament! When he's beaten, he fights back! Even if he doesn't get hit, he fights back! Even if you don't know him, he’ll fight you! If you see eye to eye with him, he’ll fight you! And if he thinks he can't beat Sword Saint, he'll fight against his brother! If he can't beat Glenn today, who will he hit tomorrow? The man who takes it out on you no matter what! What's yours is his! And he is the very personification of the the word ‘arrogant’! Braddd Leoooooooo!"

...This ring announcer is good at stirring things up. The blue streaks are clearly visible on Brad's face.

But still, it’s really daring of him to come here…knowing that it’ll be a definite away game… Is that how confident he is...? I don't agree with the beastly supremacy policy, but I admire his spirit.

Name: Brad Leo

Title: -

Status: Beastman (Lion race), heir to the Duke of Syrians

Condition: Good

Age: 10 years old

Level: 30

HP: 95/95

MP: 24/24

Strength: 51

Agility: 43

Magic: 12

Dexterity: 6

Endurance: 60

Luck: 1

Special Ability: Axe Technique (Lv4/D)

Special Ability: Body Art (Lv7/B)

Special Ability: Earth Magic (Lv1/G)

Equipment: Beast Axe

Equipment: Earth Armor

Equipment: Ogre Shield

Isn't he getting unusually strong somehow... His stats is almost the same as the 5th year Duval's...and his equipment is quite luxurious......well, Ike will definitely win but it's not going to be an easy win......

Before the fight, the two men have a conversation about something.

“I never thought you’d be the fourth person to fight. I have a bit of respect for you. I'm fortunate to be able to beat the youngest B-rank adventurer. From today onwards, I'm the youngest B-rank adventurer!"

“Brad, you got pretty strong, didn’t you? I have one correction for you. I'm not the youngest B-rank adventurer. The youngest B-rank adventurer today is my brother you couldn't get to draw his sword six months ago.”

Brad wasn't the only one surprised...

“Oh my god! The shocking revelation that Glenn's brother, Mars, is already a B-rank adventurer! I really can't hide my surprise! I'm going to go and interview him today or tomorrow! But even here, my unicellular brain was disappointed! Unfortunately, defeating a B-rank adventurer does not make you a B-rank adventurer! And while Glenn and Mars are already adventurers, he is not! Shame, sorry, see you in the next life!"

The entire audience laughed at the ring announcer's incitement. No, no, as expected, I think Brad understood what he was saying, didn't he? It's still scary how home advantage can create an atmosphere where you wrestle a story and the side that wrestled the story seriously wins...

“I've been in rehab and training with my dad for the last six months! I'm confident I can beat you and Mars now! I'm sure he's in Regan right now praying for my victory!"

Is the Duke of Syrians here too…? Ike questioned Brad.

“What if you lose to me or Mars again?”

“No way! I never lose! But if I lose, we'll just start all over again!”

“Well...you're in safe hands. Even if I beat you completely here, don't give up yet!"

Somehow...they’re getting hot-headed...Ellie is watching the two of them with a worried look on her face. I silently pat Ellie's head and she leaned in closer to me.

Ike and Brad took up position at a distance.

“Begin!”

The two closed the gap in unison and attacked fiercely. Spear versus axe is still a better match for the axe. However, Ike's spear technique does not give any such impression of being at a disadvantage.

Even when Brad hit Ike's spear hard, Ike dexterously moved on to the next attack. Thanks to this, Brad's turn to attack does not come easily. If Brad could repel all of Ike's thrusts with his axe, he would have an overwhelming advantage but Ike's agility value is much higher than his.

Gradually, Brad's ogre shield becomes unable to catch Ike's spears. Ike seemed to be deliberately aiming for Brad's ogre shield. Brad swung his beast axe at Ike but Ike evaded. Ike stabbed the ogre shield everytime he evaded an attack and Brad's ogre shield finally cracked.

The Salamander Lance is enchanted with Fire magic, predictably. Brad was surprised that his ogre shield had cracked. But now Brad seemed to think he had no choice but to attack now.

Brad closed in on Ike at the fastest pace since the start of the match and swung his Beast Axe down. Ike backstepped as usual and tried to use the opportunity to destroy the ogre shield but Brad threw the cracked ogre shield at Ike.

Ike speared away the ogre shield, and in that gap, Brad attacked Ike with his left hand which had previously been equipped with the ogre shield. Ike quickly retreated again to avoid the attack but he was too late and his right arm was sliced open by Brad’s sharp claws, causing fresh blood to dance in the air.

If Ike had not been equipped with the Ifrit’s Mail, he would have been in a lot of trouble. Just before Ike was attacked, he enchanted the Ifrit’s Mail with Fire magic to reduce the damage.

Ike's spur-of-the-moment defense meant that Brad was unable to inflict a fatal wound, even though he was attacking precisely the part of the body where the armor was not covering. Well, it was still a deep wound...

There were screams from the audience due to the previous series of attacks. Then Brad attacked again. He swung his Beast Axe down from above again. This is an action that is absolutely designed to be avoided.

Ike again back-stepped and evaded Brad's downward attack but from this point on it was different. Earlier he had aimed at the ogre shield but this time it was the Beast Axe that he aimed at.

When Brad swung down on the Beast Axe, he struck it from above with the
Salamander Lance. The Beast Axe was then buried in the ground and Brad's balance,
who was holding the Beast Axe in his right hand, was also greatly disoriented.

Ike did not let this opportunity pass him by. Ike immediately kicked Brad. Brad had already let go of his Beast Axe and was trying his hardest to get back into his stance but he could not attack with enough force (to create that opening) since his stance was inadequate. In no time at all, Ike had him cornered and Ike's Salamander Lance stopped on Brad's cheek. The Salamander Lance seemed to be scorching hot and Brad's cheek was burned.

“That's enough! Winner Ike Bryant!"

A loud cheer filled the hall. It was even more awesome than the earlier entrance. Immediately, Lillian ran over to Ike and used Heal on him. And when Lillian tried to heal Brad's burns, Brad refused. Apparently, he wanted to use it as proof of his defeat. He stood up and said that if he beat Ike one day, he would remove the burn marks.

Ike gave a victor's interview amidst the loud cheers.

“Firstly, thank you all for your support. I was able to win thanks to the power of your cheering. I want to ask you all something. How was Brad who fought against me? I think his fighting style is fair and respectable. If we fought again tomorrow, the result might be different. For now, please give him the utmost praise, respect, and applause. Because without him, we wouldn't have had such a good fight."

Ike said and watched Brad's back as he left the arena. The large crowd also
applauded loudly for Brad as he left, struck by Ike's words.

Ike…is too cool…and Brad too...

I couldn't speak because the match was so awesome. I can tell that I'm still excited.  My hands are all sweaty.

“That was an awesome match... I've never seen such a great match before…”

Misha, too, looked excited as Karen said, her eyes moist with emotion.

"It looks like...they're going to be rivals from now on..."

Ike didn't use his Fire magic this time so Ike would still win if they fought in a real battle. However, considering the difference in stats up to this point and also of the home&away advantage, it is fair to say that Brad really put up a great fight this time. Ellie was also relieved that nothing happened.

When Ike came back to the staffs' room after the winner's interview, he was surprised to see us. He didn't expect us to be there.

“Congratulations. Brother Ike. That was a great match. As Karen said just now, it was a great match never seen before!”

After giving a fist bump to Ike, Ike also did the same with the Red Lotus and Reimei members and everyone else involved in the tournament.

“Brad is strong... Mars beat that with just his bare hands without a sword so Mars is still amazing. I had a lot of fun fighting Brad. Brad and Duval, I think I can have a good rivalry with these two.”

It's true, you definitely want someone you can fight with all your might. The feeling of not wanting to lose so one would train more.

“And Mars. I'm going to start working as a staff at your maid cafe tomorrow. I've been casted with Heal but I don't feel like fighting against other people for the time being. Is that OK?"

Of course, it's a big OK. With Ike around, the guys will have more time to rest. We left the venue, still excited, and went back to the maid cafe.

====================================

Author’s note:

Ike is always cool.

<<Prev

Next>>

TL’s note:

1. Literal translation is demon god or oni god.