Chapter 201
Our Discord Server: https://discord.gg/PazjBDkTmW
Chapter 201: Let the Duel Begin!
The Swordflower Alliance has always had a tradition of dueling, and even during the imperial era, there were cases of noble duels.
Throughout history, there have been extraordinary individuals who possess remarkable personal combat skills and can single-handedly defeat a thousand opponents.
Incidents similar to the scene in the novel “Romance of the Three Kingdoms,” where fierce generals engage in combat in front of two armies, have also occurred.
This scene is like a battle between crickets or a showdown in a Pokémon battle.
The dueling arena is a place for students to resolve conflicts and even create new ones.
The use of the dueling arena requires permission from at least two professors, and it can only be accessed after the application is approved.
Before entering the arena, professionals provide a layer of life-saving buff to protect vital organs, the brain, spinal cord, carotid arteries, and more.
Therefore, there have been no recorded cases of fatalities in duels so far.
Even if someone dies, they do so outside of the dueling arena.
There have been cases where someone gets severely beaten in the dueling arena, seemingly unharmed due to the buffs, and without seeking medical attention, they simply get up, dust themselves off, and proceed to attend classes. However, later in the morning, they suddenly collapse and lose their life.
This incident frightens the professor who is conducting the class, who mistakenly believes that they have lectured the student to death due to the difficulty of the subject matter.
This situation is caused by internal injuries, for which the dueling arena takes no responsibility.
In the lounge, Michelle sits in a chair, as Alena applies her makeup diligently.
Inside the dueling arena, there are not only lounges but also separate dressing rooms for women.
Sometimes a duel attracts a lot of attention, so it can’t be fought haphazardly, right?
For the students of the high-profile Swordflower Alliance, appearance is equally important. The trend of clothes tearing apart during a fight has long gone out of style.
Even if there are swordfighters who enjoy the idea of clothes tearing, they should at least wear Hulk’s underwear to ensure they don’t suddenly expose themselves in public.
Therefore, the quality of clothing becomes crucial. Once the fabric is given importance, attention is also paid to its appearance, demanding it to be attractive, well-fitted, and comfortable.
Once the debate shifts to whether something looks good or not, women’s expectations for appearance become even higher, leading to the emergence of “battle makeup” and “fighting attire.”
Special makeup specifically designed for battles, it is resistant to being stained by blood and dust. This is known as battle makeup.
Not only does battle makeup look good, but it also provides temporary status enhancements such as clarity, rationality, charm, and more.
Surprisingly, these do not violate the principles of fairness in duels… Perhaps the demand for equality and fairness is just a rhetorical fallacy.
It’s rather unfair to forbid women from wearing makeup, is beauty considered a crime?
Michelle doesn’t know how to apply battle makeup, so naturally, Alena helps her touch up her makeup.
The Blooded young lady had been opposed to this duel from the very beginning, but Michelle was determined and she could only helplessly assist in donning the battle attire. They rented a set of durable combat garments that wouldn’t be torn or damaged, a service available in the dueling arena. However, customized battle attire would certainly be more attractive and fashionable.
The girls dressed beautifully and stepped onto the dueling arena, only to end up being battered to the point of bloody noses and flying teeth.
Bai Wei commented on this.
“Too dramatic.”
Michelle rolled her eyes.
“Don’t move, let me wash your eyes.”
“I don’t like washing my eyes.”
“But you still need to wash them. The eyes are one of the vital points. This eye wash has a clear-eyed effect, it’s not afraid of dust, and it can resist ordinary visual illusions.”
“A very practical eye wash.”
“It must be used in combination with battle makeup to be effective…Don’t ask about the brand, anyway, you can’t afford it.”
Michelle accepted the eye wash.
It took thirty minutes to finish the makeup, and she looked at herself in the mirror, feeling like an ugly duckling turned into a clown.
“Isn’t this makeup a bit too exaggerated?” Bai Wei remarked.
Michelle also looked at Alena and asked, “Why this bold and sinister style?”
“It’s the only style I know,” Alena innocently replied. “The Blooded all like this, a dark and ruthless style.”
Michelle glanced at the time, unable to change her battle makeup, and could only go to the dueling arena like this.
She cheered herself on in front of the mirror, although she had gone through three days of emergency training, she still lacked confidence in her heart.
The opponent was a third-year student.
There was a difference of more than two years in experience. She had never been to the Abyss, never conquered the Minotaurus maze, and had not participated in the previous several competitions.
Judy Selvicer, on the other hand, had achieved multiple honors at a young age and had also represented the school in other intercollegiate events.
She had rich experience in practical combat and was rumored to have single-handedly attacked a stronghold of sorcerers. She had also received high praise during her summer internship with the Knight Order.
If it weren’t for her domineering and flamboyant personality, she would have become the focal point of the Tulip Academy, like a flower crown.
Everyone speculated that she would make a stunning performance in this intercollegiate competition, attracting numerous covert followers.
With this thought, her courage diminished quite a bit.
“Relax.” A hand was placed on her shoulder.
The young man said, “Before stepping onto the dueling arena, there’s one more thing I want to teach you.”
“No matter who your opponent is, you must tell yourself and believe that from the moment you step onto the battlefield…”
“You have already won!”
Judy Selvicer sat alone in the resting room.
Not many people understood why she took on this duel. Even Professor Bello had a bewildered expression when she applied to use the dueling arena.
Professor Bello is a professor of Empowerment, and he also dabbles in Summoning. He hopes that his students can shine brightly, so he asked her to focus all her energy on the upcoming friendly match. For this, he applied for a one-week Time Chamber pass for her, which allows her to enter at any time without waiting in line. Although there is also a time limit issue, as long as she checks in again after the rest period, it will be fine.
The professor is also quite considerate towards her, but he is more focused on utilitarianism. He even secretly gave her a summoning crystal, saying to use it when needed.
This can be considered as bending the rules and cheating, but she accepted it because Judy is also driven by utilitarianism.
In her opinion, the issue of queueing for the Time Chamber is just a coincidental bug, and even this duel is a result of chance.
Although it’s by chance, she has no reason to back down.
In the deserted room, she alone applied her battle makeup.
Although her opponent is just a country girl, just a freshman, like “a lion fights a rabbit” … she not only wants to win, but also wants to win decisively.
This is just a prelude.
Her goal is the friendly match and intercollegiate competition that follows.
After finishing her makeup, she walked towards the duel arena, her bright red eyes and pale battle makeup creating a sharp contrast.
The duel arena does not require a referee, only official matches need live commentators to explain to those who don’t understand, repeating and explaining until it is broken down.
Michelle stepped onto the duel arena, it was her first time here, curiously surveying her surroundings.
She happened to be in the stage duel arena, as if she were in an opera house theater.
As the two women stepped onto the stage, the spotlight illuminated their figures.
The central stage lights formed three circles, a large one in the center and two smaller ones on the left and right sides.
Combined with gorgeous costumes and battle makeup, it seemed like they could drop their weapons and lift their hands to sing at any moment.
The lights began to alternate, indicating the countdown.
Three, two, one…!
In an instant, the tense atmosphere turned into a cold and deadly hum.
Michelle heard a ringing in her ears but if it wasn’t for facing the terror of high-level monsters a few days ago, she would probably be so nervous that she would vomit now.
But she didn’t know if it was the effect of her battle makeup or the psychological suggestion she had done earlier.
The feeling of fear disappeared in an instant because she could feel the slight weight on her shoulder.
Mr. Devil’s hand has been on her shoulder all the time, without moving away. He is here, by her side, so…there is nothing to be afraid of!
Judy responded with a sneer, blood dripped from her fingertips, then quickly gathered and formed.
She is also a Blooded, just like Alena, a swordsman. However, the styles they mastered are not the same. Alena learned the Frigid Blade Arts of Tryndamere, while she learned the Blood Flame Sinblade of Aphrodite.
A massive greatsword materialized on her wrist, and a surge of wild power rushed through her. She felt incredibly strong at that moment, much stronger than before, and the abundant energy seemed endless.
She swung down the sword, and the flames of blood surged in reverse, engulfing half of the stage like a wild tide, also swallowing the figure of Michelle.
“It’s over,” she didn’t even want to take another glance.
However, the special mechanism of the duel arena wasn’t triggered, and the end of a duel was supposed to be accompanied by thunderous applause and cheers.
It hadn’t come yet, which meant…
“What do you mean it’s over?”
Michelle stepped on the flames and moved against the current, her amber eyes displaying the arrogance of the dragon race.
“This is just the beginning.”
Patterns engraved on her back unfolded, and a noble golden light dispersed the dark flames.
“Kneel before the gold!”
Translator: Volume 19 has been published on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3y9H4Zk).
