17. Instant Kill

The match was finally beginning.

And on the posted tournament bracket:

“Reet vs. Kait Welzley…”

First match. Right from the start, Reet and Kait would be fighting each other.

“Whoa, what a lucky draw,” said a man who had been looking at the tournament bracket.

It was none other than Kait Welzley himself.

“Kait…”

When Reet looked at him, his face bore a vulgar smile.

“This is like getting a bye. Against a Classless named Reet, I’ll crush you in a heartbeat.”

With those words, Kait laughed haughtily and headed toward the training grounds.

Reet watched his back intently—a fierce fighting spirit burning in his chest.

[——Now, let us begin the first match!]

As that announcement rang out, an enormous cheer erupted from the arena.

[——Introducing the competitors. On the east side: Kait Welzley. His Class is “Holy Knight”!]

At the word Holy Knight, the audience erupted at once.

“How many years has it been since a new Holy Knight appeared!?”

“Apparently that Kait guy is the son of Duke Welzley, who used to lead the Eastern Knight Order.”

“No way. He’s totally gonna win the whole thing!”

Such words echoed from the spectator stands.

[——And on the west side: Reet! His Class is—— nonexistent!]

At Reet’s introduction, the audience stirred with unease.

“No Class…? Is that even possible?”

“If you don’t have a Class, a farmer with a hoe would have a better shot at this.”

“I mean, [Holy Knight] vs [No Class]? This isn’t even a match.”

The arena, which had been filled with heat until now, suddenly saw the audience’s energy plummet the moment Reet’s name and Class status were announced.

Everyone thought this wouldn’t be a real contest.

But Reet’s ears took none of the spectators’ words in at all.

He was focused entirely on the battle ahead.

[——Then, let us begin the first match——]

Reet and Kait locked eyes, waiting for the referee’s signal.

Reet’s consciousness abruptly narrowed to the sword in his hand.

[Begin!!]

The instant the referee announced the start.

“Sacred Blade—!!”

Kait activated the Holy Knight Skill first.

The blade of his sword blazed with divine light.

In response, Reet did the same.

“Sacred Blade—!!”

He activated the same Holy Knight Skill.

All the spectators gasped.

The two of them kicked off the ground, charging straight toward each other.

A full-power charge.

The two Sacred Blades crossed—

The next instant…

Decided.

In one moment.

The victor was decided in a single moment.

———

“——!!”

A sword cleaved away.

And.

A blade pressed to the throat.

It was Reet’s blade that was pressed to Kait’s throat.