The corners of Lars' mouth turned up with excitement.

'Seems like a fair fight! Just like me... Heh! Nevertheless... This would be my first taste of stepping past the Legendary stage and facing the next realm...'

'Let me see just what my own limits are right now!'

Mr White was intrigued as well when he saw the exceedingly valuable inheritance treasure, the Mythical artefact integrated in Vignis' body.

He gave one final glance to both Lars and Vignis, then upon seeing that they were as ready as they could be, he began to step backwards as he raised his hands and struck them together in a deafeaning thunderclap.

Then he declared, "For the Grand Finals of the Gorun City tournament and for the t.i.tle of the pinnacle of the younger generation... I now officiate the start of the clash between our inc.u.mbent champion by default, Vignis Jamal... Versus the challenger, Miller Knight Larsson...!"

"The Grand Finals fight... FIGHT!!!"

With those words, Mr White's body turned into a white streak as he shot off the stage and stood at the side, ready to referree the match as well as intervene before any fatal injuries could happen...

And he had the feeling that dangerous situations very well might come to pa.s.s!

On one side of the ring, Vignis Jamal slowly lifted up her weapons, keeping them lightly balanced in the palms of either hand at her sides. She held a paired set of artefacts, a medium-length straight bladed sword in her right hand and a long dagger with a wide blade held in reverse grip. Both the blades had a slight bluish reflection about them, indicating the high-quality materials used in their crafting.

With her fiery eyes and her auburn-c.u.m-blonde hair tied back in a pony-tail to avoid obscuring the eye's line of sight, she looked like a soldier born for the battlefield, ready to unleash h.e.l.l onto all her enemies. It seemed almost as if though there were a red aura tingeing the edges of her body, emanating from her frame with a slow ebb and flow of power.

This was in stark contrast to the purple s.h.i.+ning pearl smack dab in the centre of her forehead, illuminating her surroundings with a nearly violet sheen suffusing the stage.

And this eye was fully locked on to Lars, not even once blinking since the moment she had unveiled her appearance and ever since the lids of that eye had parted!

She was also dressed in a well-cut brown pants and s.h.i.+rt with turqoise blue linings threading through the surface - runic formations to enhance the attacking power and the defences of the wearer.

Her counterpart Lars was also decked out in new gear - the Apprentice's Robes which resized to fit him snugly and was neither too short nor too long, making him look much more the part of a mage. However, his mage's image was slightly disturbed by the dark grey sword hilt hanging at his hip that looked like a metallic scroll case - the Mana Saber.

Based on the rules of the tournament, the weapons and armour on the two compet.i.tors' bodies should be limited to the peak of the Elite-stage and not costing more than 10,000 platinum coins. However, for the sake of giving the contestants the best opportunity to exert their strength, this rule had been lifted at the behest of Duke Leanne herself.

As such, the twin-blades in Vignis' hands were precious items albeit still only at the Master-level to ensure she could fully control the weapons.

Similarly, Lars was freed up to use his Apprentice's Robes as well as the Mana Saber as the former was only at the Master-level while the latter though Legendary in rating would be held back by the mana reserves of the user.

Only... No one could predict that this user pretty much had an unlimited mana pool!

Lars grasped the Mana Saber in his right hand and raised it to chest height before activating it with a Schvrmmmmmmm! sound[1]. A brilliant blue cylindrical blade of concentrated mana rose out of the hilt and flared with mesmeric power!

He stood ready for the start of the battle and kept his eyes locked on his opponent. Vignis in return raised her eyebrows once, then showed a smile - the first expression on her face since she had stepped on the stage.

At the side, far off in the stands, Yusof Jamal rubbed his hands together, eyes frowning and body tense with worry.

One would wonder whether his worry was warranted since it was only a compet.i.tion match between two juniors after all. However, it seemed that Yusof knew something that others did not as he continued to grind his teeth in his anxiety as he sat at the edge of his seat.

And he could only pray for his offspring's safety from the sidelines, praying that she would be safe and sound, returning in a whole frame of mind and body after this fight...

Back on the stage, Vignis herself then relaxed slightly, which prompted Lars to c.o.c.k his head curiously.

"...?" He was filled with question marks as he saw the tension leave her body, only to hear her speak her mind.

"Miller Knight Larsson... Lars... I have seen your prowess in the previous battle... And before we start ours, I would like to speak a few words. If you don't mind...?" She smiled slightly as she spoke, looking every bit the lady even as she still exuded a heavy aura of fervour and aggression.

Lars blinked twice then nodded, "...Thank you...? Sure, we can talk, I guess...?" He cast a glance sideways at Mr White who shrugged and folded his hands in response, as if saying it was up to them whatever they wanted to do.

Vignis nodded, acknowledging their permission to speak.

"Out of respect for you... I would like to warn you to take this seriously from the get-go... Let me warn you about one thing first... No amount of trickery will get past this eye! And I am not inferior in any way to Darius in terms of close combat, speed or strength! And out of respect once more, I will inform you... I can only fight all-out for the first 5 minutes... No, if it's truly at 100%, it will only be for the first 3 minutes..."

She closed her eyes briefly and took a deep breath - but the eye on her forehead remained staring at Lars as she did so. Then her two eyes opened once more and she spoke with determination but also with pleading in her voice.

"Please give me the honour of your full strength! Show me whatever abilities, tricks or secret arts you used to subdue Darius and prove to me... Who is truly the best of the younger generation! Me... Or you!"

Mumbles broke out through the crowds as they were impressed by the degree of respect the young lady of the Jamal house was showing to her rival even as Lars' eyes widened slightly in surprise at her words.

Then he smiled and nodded, saying, "Accepted! Then... Let us fight to our hearts' content!!"

Vignis gaze brimmed with pa.s.sion, whether towards battle or towards whatever it was, no one could tell - but as she adjusted her stance and prepared for the first move, everyone present was full of expectations for the grand clash between two geniuses of the highest level!

Lars lowered his stance in preparation, waiting for Vignis to take the initiative - which she did!

She leaped forward, instantly closing 90% of the distance between them and was upon him in a flas.h.!.+ The dagger in her left hand swooped up from below in a lethal arc aimed at his bowels while her sword descended in a chopping blow to crush him from above, just like a wolf's fangs viciously closing in on Lars!

He frowned as he widened his feet and kicked off backwards but found that the twin blades continued to pursue him like a set of ravenous jaws eager to devour him!

However, instead of continuing to dodge backwards in futility, Lars smirked and wielded his Mana Saber for the first time. Yet it was not for defence, but in a counter-attack!

'The best defence is a good offence! Take this!'

"Chasing Shadow!" He used his speediest and most elusive sword move, causing his blue blade to flicker and blur, to turn into a zig-zag and sudden appear at the neck of his opponent - defying the flow of the clash and reversing the role of attacker and defender!

And Vignis' eyes hardened as her eyes took in the sight, frantically calculating her next move...

To exchange blows and perish together? Or to withdraw and lose her prey...?