Absolute Cheater

Chapter 109 Challenge V

The silence was broken by Leonhart's sudden movement. Despite his size, he closed the distance with remarkable speed, his greatsword cutting through the air with a heavy whistle. Asher sidestepped, the massive blade narrowly missing him and cleaving into the ground with a resounding thud.

Asher countered quickly, his Blood Scythe humming as it arced toward Leonhart in a flash of crimson light. Leonhart brought his sword up just in time, the two weapons clashing with a burst of energy that sent ripples through the arena.

Leonhart grinned, his dragon-like features twisting with excitement. "Not bad," he said, his voice steady as he pushed against the scythe with his greatsword. The ground beneath them cracked from the sheer force of their clash.

Asher said nothing, pivoting to break the deadlock and stepping back to reassess. Leonhart followed, pressing the attack with a series of powerful swings. Each strike carried immense force, shaking the ground and forcing Asher to stay light on his feet.

But Asher wasn't merely dodging. He watched Leonhart's movements closely, noting the slight delay between each swing of the heavy blade. When Leonhart raised his sword high for a downward strike, Asher saw his chance.

Channeling his Blood Manipulation ability, Asher infused his scythe with energy, extending the crimson blade momentarily to slash at Leonhart's exposed side. The attack connected, leaving a shallow gash on Leonhart's armor.

Leonhart staggered slightly but recovered quickly, his grin unfaltering. "You've got some tricks," he said, flexing his shoulders as the wound began to close. The faint glow of dragon blood pulsed through his veins, healing him faster than normal. Within moments his injury was healed as Asher looked at it.

Asher remained silent, his expression calm. He adjusted his grip on the scythe, and the weapon shifted, its form slightly altering as more energy flowed into it. The audience leaned forward, sensing a shift in the battle.

Leonhart planted his feet, his aura flaring with power. The ground beneath him began to heat as cracks formed, releasing steam. With a low growl, he swung his sword in a wide arc, releasing a shockwave of energy that raced toward Asher.

Reacting quickly, Asher spun his scythe, creating a barrier of crimson energy that absorbed the brunt of the attack. The force pushed him back, but he held his ground.

"You're better than I expected," Leonhart admitted, his tone tinged with respect. "But I've only just started."

Leonhart's aura intensified, his red armor glowing faintly as he seemed to grow larger, his dragon heritage becoming more pronounced. The crowd murmured in awe as his transformation began to take shape.

Asher's grip on his scythe tightened, his crimson eyes narrowing. He could feel the growing power emanating from Leonhart, but he showed no signs of backing down. Instead, he tapped deeper into his own abilities, the crimson hue of his scythe darkening as his Blood Manipulation reached new levels.

The two warriors faced each other again, their auras colliding like storm fronts. The fight had only begun, but it was clear that neither intended to hold back.

The crowd was silent as Asher and Leonhart faced off, their auras clashing subtly in the air. Without a word, Leonhart gripped his massive greatsword, the crimson glow of draconic energy surrounding the blade. With a sharp exhale, he leapt forward, his weapon descending in a massive arc aimed at cleaving Asher in two. Asher's reaction was instantaneous. Twisting his scythe upward, he caught the blade mid-swing, redirecting its energy to the side. Sparks flew as the weapons collided, the sound reverberating throughout the arena.

Leonhart didn't hesitate, spinning with the momentum of his deflected strike and aiming a horizontal slash at Asher's midsection. Asher ducked, his scythe already in motion, slicing upward toward Leonhart's exposed side. The dragonborn twisted his body just enough to evade the blade, planting his feet firmly on the ground and unleashing a powerful forward thrust. Asher sidestepped the attack, the tip of the greatsword grazing his uniform as he spun around Leonhart, delivering a quick slash with the back edge of his scythe.

The blade connected with Leonhart's armor, creating a shallow gash. Leonhart growled, pivoting with surprising speed for his size and swinging his weapon in a wide arc. Asher leaned back, the blade passing just inches from his face, and countered by slamming the butt of his scythe into the ground. Using the leverage, he vaulted over Leonhart, twisting in mid-air to slash at his opponent from above. Leonhart raised his sword in defense, the two weapons clashing with a deafening impact.

Asher landed lightly, but Leonhart was already pressing forward. With a roar, he stomped the ground, sending shockwaves rippling outward. Asher's footing faltered for a split second, giving Leonhart the opportunity to swing his sword in a downward strike. Asher raised his scythe horizontally to block the blow, but the sheer force of the attack drove him to one knee. The arena floor cracked beneath him as he gritted his teeth, holding his ground.

"Not bad," Leonhart said, stepping back and letting his sword rest on his shoulder for a moment. "But let's see how you handle this." He thrust his sword into the ground, and with a guttural roar, summoned fiery dragon-shaped constructs that spiraled into the air. The dragons roared as they dove toward Asher, their forms radiating searing heat.

Asher's expression remained calm as he extended his free hand, summoning tendrils of blood energy from his body. The crimson tendrils coiled around the incoming dragons, binding them mid-flight and absorbing their energy. With a twist of his hand, Asher redirected the gathered power into his scythe, its blade glowing with a mix of red and golden light. He spun the weapon, releasing a massive wave of energy that surged toward Leonhart.

Leonhart reacted instantly, lifting his sword and slamming it into the ground. A fiery explosion erupted around him, meeting Asher's wave head-on. The two forces collided, creating a blinding flash of light that momentarily engulfed the arena. When the dust settled, both fighters were still standing, their auras crackling with residual energy.

"Impressive," Leonhart admitted, tightening his grip on his sword. "But I'm not done yet."

Before Asher could respond, Leonhart charged forward again, his sword trailing flames. Asher shifted his stance, his scythe spinning in intricate patterns as he met Leonhart head-on. Their weapons clashed in a flurry of strikes, each one faster and more precise than the last. Leonhart's brute strength and fiery attacks were countered by Asher's agility and masterful control of his blood manipulation, the two fighters seeming to move in perfect synchronization.

As the fight wore on, Asher began to shift his strategy. He channeled his blood manipulation to form a crimson armor around his body, enhancing his speed and reflexes. With his newfound agility, he closed the distance between him and Leonhart, launching a series of rapid strikes that forced the dragonborn onto the defensive. Leonhart roared, his armor glowing brighter as he unleashed another powerful swing. Asher ducked under the attack, his scythe slicing upward and catching Leonhart's shoulder.

Blood sprayed from the wound, but Leonhart barely flinched. "Good," he said, grinning through the pain. "Now we're getting somewhere."

Summoning the last reserves of his strength, Leonhart unleashed his ultimate technique. His sword erupted in flames, the fire taking the shape of a massive dragon that roared as it surged toward Asher. Without hesitation, Asher raised his scythe, channeling all of his blood energy into the blade. With a single, precise swing, he released a crimson shockwave that collided with the fiery dragon. The two forces battled for dominance, the arena trembling under their power.

Finally, Asher's energy overwhelmed Leonhart's attack, the crimson wave slicing through the fiery dragon and striking Leonhart directly. The dragonborn staggered back, his armor shattered and his weapon falling from his grasp. He collapsed to one knee, breathing heavily as he stared at Asher.

"It's over," Asher said, his voice calm but firm as he lowered his scythe.

Leonhart chuckled, shaking his head. "You're stronger than I thought," he admitted. "You've earned this victory."

The crowd erupted into cheers as the announcer declared Asher the winner. Leonhart stood slowly, extending a hand to Asher. "I'll be back," he said with a grin. "And next time, I won't lose."

Asher clasped his hand briefly, offering a small nod before turning and walking away, the cheers of the crowd following him out of the arena. Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire

As Leonhart was being tended to by the medics, two students approached him. One was Tiara, the top student from the Elven Continent, who had already tasted defeat at Asher's hands. The other was a dwarf named Gandur, a stout and muscular teenager whose impressive beard made him look older than his years.

"You two already lost to him, eh?" Gandur grinned, rubbing his hands together. "Looks like it's my turn to take him down."

Unlike humans from the central world, the other continents' representatives often mingled with one another due to their shared experiences. While they competed fiercely, their bonds as students of diverse backgrounds tied them together, making them familiar with each other's strengths and weaknesses.