Emperor's Reckoning

"The final round, Lyon vs the representative, start!" declared the judge.

*tap

Both Lyon and his opponent moved at the same time

*clank

*spark

It took them less than a second before they clashed against each other, Lyon's half-sword definitely played a huge role in this.

Kyoko's red eye activated and scanned Lyon's opponent. "Level five low Divine Realm," whispered her.

"What?! Then Lyon gotta get out of there!" said Luna nervously.

"Relax, this competition prohibits killing," said Karina before continuing, "Besides, with she watching the fight, the chances of Lyon getting crippled are close to nil."

Of course, the woman Karina talked about was none other than Ryona, who was ready to strike at any given time.

"You are holding your true prowess aren't you?" asked Lyon. But his opponent didn't respond.

*jump

Lyon distanced himself from the opponent to release some tension in the fight. (Whoever he or she is, it is stronger than me by folds, aih, I already miss that old dragon).

The truth was, Lyon's speed couldn't match up with his opponent's movement. His agility buff barely made him possible to dodge some attacks and his chances to counter the attack was also pretty low.

(Using high tier magic is almost impossible since that mask-person wouldn't let me concentrate and low tier magic won't do anything either) thought Lyon.

*clank

The two crossed swords once again, even though it seemed they were on par with each other a true expert could see the difference. Every time Lyon's opponent crossed sword, the crystal sword seemed to have the upper hand in length and never delivered the killing blow and Lyon took advantage of this rule.

He only allowed an opening on his head or his heart for the opponent to strike, which he or she couldn't because of the rules.

"He is a genius indeed, taking advantage of everything is one of the cores of a cultivator," said one of the experts.

"I agree with you, fighting someone that had two entire realms above you is not easy, I would give up five minutes ago if I were him," said an admiring expert.

*gasp

(It's been forever since I run out of breath and he or she didn't even use an art yet while I don't have a sword art) thought Lyon.

They were fighting continuously without even a single breath was wasted. It was so intense everybody got goosebumps, if Lyon made just a single mistake then it was safe to say that he had lost. However, despite the hyper-speed battle, Lyon didn't even make a single mistake, this was a feat not all cultivators could do.

The sun was almost set and fatigue finally hit Lyon. Everybody was on their feet hoping he would make a miracle once more. Lyon's friends nervously watched the battle as if they were the ones fighting.

"This has been the longest final round this competition ever had." said one of the onlookers.

"Yeah, this competition might be more amusing than the Ascension," said another.

"Is there no weakness at all?" asked Jugen.

"There always be a weakness," said Kyoko.

"Then do you know it?"

"By far, the only weakness hubby's opponent have is," Ryona paused a little then smiled, "Underestimating him."

Lyon was always the person who would give up, given the chance. He was not the kind of person who never gives up and strode the path like a fool. The only time he would do so was either to impress girls or impressing more girls. He would strike when the chance came and would lay low when it didn't.

(I need to finish this battle soon) thought Lyon as he saw cracks on his half-sword.

"?!" then Lyon realized something important during the fight, the weakness!

"hahahaha.." suddenly Lyon laughed and caught the attention from the crowd. His laughing also made his opponent stopped its motion.

"Is he broken?" said a newbie.

"Maybe so, not everyone could battle under the pressure of a Divine Realm while being at the Soul Realm," sighed a veteran.

(How can I not notice this sooner) thought Lyon while laughing at himself.

The dusk was closing in and the moon was shining brighter and brighter along with the stars. The last sun rays illuminated the ring from Lyon's back.

Taking a deep breath Lyon started to condense the heavens and the world's energies on his right hand. Seeing his action, the opponent started to move as well. As far as the opponent knew, Lyon was a terrifying spellcaster even he or she felt a threat.

As the opponent was about to release its onslaught, Lyon pinned down the crystal sword with his leg to cancel the opponent's art.

Lyon smiled, "I know your weakness," whispered him.

Even though the mask covered its expression, Lyon could tell that his opponent was surprised and confused.

Lyon jumped back only to step forward and began the offensive.

*clank

They crossed swords once more but this time visible crack clearly spread all over the half-sword.

*crack

Half of the finest sword Charlie ever made finally broken into bits, but Lyon's right hand wrote the spell in that split second, "Space Crack!"

*zing

The familiar magic spell once again made its appearance.

"Your weakness is .."

*tap

With a single tap from the ground, Lyon jumped back and entered the space crack, and reappeared behind his opponent, "Your mask!". The opponent caught his voice and turned over.

Holding the other half broken sword, Lyon stabbed his opponent forehead.

*crack

The mask cracked into vertically.

*swoosh

However, before Lyon could saw the face, the opponent quickly left the ring with a single step, leaving him the only person on the ring.

All of this happened like a slow motion, but the crowd saw it in the blink of an eye. They still trying to figure it out what just happened. There were so many crucial things happen. A rare space element spell was used and the opponent suddenly left.

Lyon couldn't stand anymore and kneeled on one knee on the ring.

"For the first time in the history of the competition! The Winner! Lyon Torga!" said the judge.

*cheer

The crowd finally back roaring, a miracle just happened once again.

---------------------------------------

Meanwhile in Nostria,

"Charlie!" Chen was shouting inside a restaurant.

"Quick get the medics!" said Crux.

Apparently, Charlie passed out.