ONLINE: Blades of Eternity - Chapter 92

Chapter 92: THE FINAL SHOWDOWN

“The finals of this tournament has finally arrived!!”

“I never thought it would be between Kaelen and Julian”

“Who do you think will win?”

“Well I do have to give credit to Kaelen for making it this far into the tournament, but I think this is where he will fall”

“Look!! The screen has started glowing!!”

The atmosphere in the coliseum had grown electric with anticipation. The murmurs and cheers of the crowd suddenly died down as all eyes turned upward. Hovering above the grand stage, the colossal screen flickered to life, casting a soft glow across the arena. The air grew tense, and for a moment, it felt as though the world had slowed down.

The screen flashed with bold letters, revealing what everyone had been waiting for:

**Final Matchup: Kaelen vs. Julian**

A hushed silence swept through the crowd as the names appeared in vivid light. Then, the coliseum erupted into a deafening roar of excitement. People rose from their seats, shouting out names, placing last-minute bets, and exchanging eager glances. The battle they had been waiting for had finally arrived—Kaelen, the determined underdog with the power of the Sword Union, and Julian, the deadly prodigy who had crushed every opponent with merciless precision.

Down below, in the participants’ area, Kaelen slowly stood, his gaze fixated on the screen. The weight of the moment pressed down on him, but he felt strangely calm. This was the moment he had been training for, the moment everything would be decided. He clenched his fist and exhaled deeply, letting the noise of the crowd wash over him, steeling his resolve. Julian, meanwhile, had already risen, his cold eyes scanning the screen before shifting to Kaelen. His expression was unreadable, but his body was tense, prepared for what was to come.

The referee, a tall and imposing figure dressed in the ceremonial robes of the Academy, stepped onto the grand stage. His voice boomed throughout the coliseum, instantly commanding the attention of the roaring crowd. His tone was solemn, filled with the gravity of the final duel.

“Ladies and gentlemen,” the referee began, raising his hands to silence the masses. “We have witnessed battles of incredible skill, courage, and strength throughout this tournament. But now, it all comes down to this—the final duel. The clash between two extraordinary talents who have earned their place here through sheer determination and ability.”

The crowd quieted again, hanging on his every word.

“On one side,” the referee continued, gesturing towards the participants’ area, “we have Kaelen. A rising star whose mastery of the Sword Union has stunned us all. His spirit, his willpower, and his growth throughout this tournament have brought him to this very moment.”

A cheer rose from a section of the coliseum as Kaelen’s supporters roared in approval. His name echoed through the arena, a testament to the fans he had gained along the way.

“And on the other side,” the referee pointed to Julian, “we have Julian. A prodigy whose talent and power have set him apart from the beginning. His journey through this tournament has been nothing short of dominance. A fierce warrior who has faced every opponent with unrelenting force.”

The cheers for Julian were just as loud, though mixed with the quiet murmurs of those who had seen his colder, more ruthless side in battle. He remained expressionless, his eyes locked on Kaelen across the stage.

The referee paused for a moment, allowing the tension to settle before delivering his final words. “This duel will decide the champion of the Rookie Tournament. Both participants will give it their all and the winner will obviously have a bountiful reward in return—no holding back, no second chances. May the best fighter win. Let the final match begin!”

The crowd once again erupted into deafening cheers and applause as the stage was set for the ultimate showdown. Kaelen and Julian would soon face each other in a battle that would not only determine the champion but would decide who is the better swordsman.

And so, The coliseum buzzed with anticipation as Kaelen and Julian took their positions in the arena. The two stood across from each other, the tension between them palpable. This was the final match, the culmination of the tournament that had captivated everyone’s attention. Julian, calm and composed, stood with a quiet confidence that radiated his experience. Kaelen, on the other hand, was brimming with a fierce resolve. His connection to the Blade of Eternity had grown stronger, and he could feel the power within him simmering just beneath the surface.

The referee stepped forward, raising his hand to signal the beginning of the match. A hush fell over the crowd, and in that silence, both warriors steeled themselves.

“Begin!”

Julian made the first move, his blade flashing toward Kaelen with surprising speed. Kaelen blocked, the sound of steel meeting steel echoing through the coliseum. Julian’s attacks came swift and precise, forcing Kaelen onto the defensive almost immediately. His footwork was impeccable, his strikes unrelenting, and Kaelen realized quickly that Julian’s swordsmanship was far beyond anyone he had faced before.

Kaelen gritted his teeth, his muscles straining as he parried and dodged Julian’s assaults. The Blade of Eternity thrummed in his hands, the bond between them growing stronger with each strike. He pushed back, launching a counterattack of his own, his sword slashing toward Julian in a powerful arc.

Julian dodged, his movements fluid and precise. He seemed to glide across the battlefield, avoiding Kaelen’s strikes with practiced ease. Kaelen pressed harder, refusing to give Julian any room to breathe. His Sword Union began to flare up, his attacks gaining speed and power as he poured everything he had into his strikes.

But Julian remained composed. His eyes flickered with something deeper, a restrained power he had yet to unleash. For now, he fought with only his skill, relying on the mastery of his sword to keep Kaelen at bay. He parried Kaelen’s strikes effortlessly, his blade moving with a grace and precision that kept Kaelen constantly off-balance.

Kaelen could feel himself being pushed to his limit. Sweat dripped down his face as he continued to clash with Julian, their swords ringing out with each strike. Despite his best efforts, he couldn’t seem to break through Julian’s defenses. Every time he thought he had an opening, Julian was already moving, countering with a strike of his own.

The crowd watched in awe, their cheers filling the coliseum as the two warriors exchanged blows. But Kaelen knew that he needed to dig deeper. He couldn’t win this fight with raw strength alone. Julian was too skilled, too experienced. He needed something more.

Julian’s sword came at him again, this time with more force behind it. Kaelen blocked, but the impact sent him stumbling backward. Julian didn’t let up, pressing the attack with renewed vigor. Kaelen’s defenses were beginning to falter, and he knew that if he didn’t find a way to turn the tide soon, he would be overwhelmed.

‘Huh? What is this?’

Suddenly, Kaelen felt something stir deep within him. It was a strange, ancient power, something that had been lying dormant in him inwhich he was completely clueless about. His bond with the Blade of Eternity flared to life, and he could feel the sword resonating with the power inside him. It was as if the sword was calling to him, urging him to tap into that hidden strength.

‘Well it seems like I don’t have a choice’

Kaelen thought as he took a deep breath, centering himself. He closed his eyes for a brief moment, focusing on the connection between him and the Blade of Eternity. And then, he felt it—a surge of energy coursing through him, a power unlike anything he had ever felt before.

When Kaelen opened his eyes, his aura had changed. The air around him seemed to vibrate with a strange, primal energy. His movements became sharper, faster, and more precise. His strikes carried more weight, each one resonating with the newfound power flowing through him.

Julian’s eyes narrowed as he sensed the shift in Kaelen’s energy. He parried Kaelen’s next strike, but there was something different about it—something that made him take a step back. Kaelen pressed forward, his attacks now faster and more relentless than before. Julian was forced onto the defensive, his sword barely keeping up with Kaelen’s newfound speed.

Kaelen’s Blade of Eternity glowed with a soft, ethereal light, the energy within it amplifying his every move. He felt lighter, more agile, and his mind was clearer than it had ever been. Every strike felt natural, as if the sword was guiding him, helping him to land each blow with precision.

‘What in the world?’

Julian, sensing the growing danger, stepped back and suddenly unleashed a wave of energy that sent Kaelen skidding backward. The crowd gasped, but Julian still hadn’t revealed his trump card. His expression remained calm, but now there was a glint of something darker in his eyes—something that spoke of the hidden power he had yet to show.

The fight continued, but Kaelen could feel that he was getting closer to something—closer to unlocking the true potential of his Sword Union. His strikes became more fluid, his footwork more precise, and the energy within him continued to build.

Then, as Kaelen prepared for another attack, it happened. A breakthrough. His Sword Union surged to life, his connection to the Blade of Eternity deepening even further. The primal energy within him grew stronger, and suddenly, Kaelen moved faster than he ever had before. His strikes were faster, his reactions sharper, and his power seemed to flow effortlessly through him.

Kaelen struck with a speed that Julian hadn’t anticipated, his blade flashing toward Julian in a blur. Julian blocked, but the force behind Kaelen’s strike sent him stumbling back. For the first time in the match, Julian looked genuinely surprised.

Kaelen didn’t let up. He pushed forward, his sword moving with incredible speed and precision. Each strike was infused with the power of his Sword Union, and Julian struggled to keep up. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, watching in awe as Kaelen’s attacks overwhelmed his opponent.

Julian’s calm composure began to crack. He could feel the pressure mounting, the power of Kaelen’s Sword Union pushing him closer and closer to defeat. And then, in a desperate move, Julian attempted to unleash his secret—his mastery over the elements.

But Kaelen was too fast. Before Julian could summon his elemental power, Kaelen’s sword flashed through the air, striking Julian’s blade with such force that it sent the older boy flying backward. Julian landed hard, his sword slipping from his grip as he hit the ground.

‘Huh?’

The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement reaching a fever pitch as Kaelen stood victorious. Julian, stunned and breathless, lay on the ground, unable to comprehend what had just happened. He had been so close to revealing his true strength, yet Kaelen had defeated him before he could even unleash it.

‘Did I just win so easily?’

Kaelen thought in confusion as he stood tall, his chest heaving with exertion. He could feel the energy within him calming down, the bond with the Blade of Eternity still strong but no longer surging. He had done it. He had won.

The coliseum roared with applause, the spectators on their feet as they cheered for Kaelen’s victory. The Vice Chancellor and the pillars of the Academy were stunned, their expressions a mix of awe and disbelief. Even the Headmaster of the Valen Military Academy looked unsettled, his formidable spy defeated in front of everyone.

Kaelen sheathed his sword, his body tired but victorious. He had fought with everything he had, and in the end, his determination and the power within him had led him to victory. As the cheers of the crowd filled the air, Kaelen knew that this was just the beginning. He had unlocked something new, something powerful—and he was ready for whatever came next.