Chapitre 451: Sword Saint
"Honorable Leader! What brings you here?"
Xo waved away the honorifics, "I am here to meet her."
"Ah, she currently is in seclusion. If you could wait just a little bit?"
"Of course, wouldn't want to interrupt her training. How long has she been inside?"
"Around two hours."
"She'll be out shortly then."
"Yes."
Xo turned to Akiol and introduced, "This is the current head of the North Province. His name is Humive."
Humive bowed slightly, "Anyone who the Honorable Leader brings personally is a friend."
Akiol returned the greeting, "I am Akiol, a newcomer to The Gated Arena."
"A newcomer! It's not often we get those."
Xo chuckled slightly, "The new era of fighters is arising. I think you will find new talents quickly arriving here."
"Already? I'll inform the others. In the meantime why do you wish to see her?"
"Akiol here has been given the Title of 'Sword Saint' by the Semi-Immortals."
Humive was able to put together the pieces, "A Title Clash is it? It is good that it's being handled soon then."
Akiol sighed, "I didn't even want this Title to begin with."
"Every sword wielder strives for the Title of Sword Saint. Yet you wish to throw it away willingly?"
"It seems being the Sword Saint is greater of an honor than I imagined."
"Of course! Being given the Title of Sword Saint means you reached the top of your skill with the sword. Granted to the one who reached the pinnacle. To be granted it is not only a great honor, but comes with many benefits."
Akiol shook his head, "The position of number one may be a great title, but it is also a prison. I do not wish to be shackled by such Titles."
"I couldn't have said it better myself.", a new voice entered the room.
Everyone's head turned to see a woman with short white hair. She currently was wearing a training outfit and was wiping away sweat with a towel. Inspecting Akiol she continued, "It's not often someone understands that about being the Sword Saint. Many are blinded by the status it brings."
"I've had some experience in the matter."
"So, who are you?"
"Akiol, a newcomer here."
"Ah, it seems like the time of rookies is here again. However for you to be tagging along the Honorable Leader means you aren't simple."
"Ah well, you aren't wrong."
Xo explained, "I'm afraid this one is a contender of the Title of Sword Saint."
She raised her eyebrows, "This Second Stage? That's impressive."
Shaking his head Akiol explained, "It's a misunderstanding."
Xo further explained, "The Semi-Immortals are the one responsible for giving him the Title. I would much rather a Title Clash not happen, so I brought him here to fix that."
"I won't accept it if this guy is just trying to get rid of the Title.", she warned.
"I understand that, as does he."
Akiol scratched his head, "I don't fully understand why, but I am willing to do things properly."
Shaking her head the Sword Saint explained, "It is much like you said. This Title is also a prison. I will be secretly pleased if I lose it, but it also makes me who I am. In a fair fight where both ends give it their all is the only way I will accept my loss."
"Okay, I won't hold back then."
"Good! I go by Merin, give me a bit to gather my stuff."
Xo coughed, "We shall await your arrival at the Arena."
"I'll be there shortly, it's a good thing I warmed up too."
Merin swiftly left the room. Akiol watched her leave and silently sighed, "I have to go against the pinnacle of the sword, great."
Humive offered some good news, "You might gain some insight to improve in the duel."
"You are certainly not the first one who told me that."
. . .
Akiol entered the Arena followed by Xo and Humive. He found the whole process to be scarily similar to the one used for the Professional Competition. It made him think that perhaps they were the same thing. As he patiently waited he heard a commotion begin to form outside. Excited voices leading all the way to his waiting room.
He was able to gain a few snippets of what they contained:
"The Sword Saint is being challenged?"
"I thought you had to go through the North Province to do that. Someone actually gained their approval?"
"Even Honorable Leader is here to watch!"
Xo peaked into the room, "She is ready, place your hand onto the orb in the center when you are."
"You guys really like orbs."
"They are the most straightforward shapes of magic."
Akiol reached forward and touched the orb. It began to glow yellow for a few second before turning green. His vision warped and he found himself in a simple arena. On the opposite end stood Merin, her armor was of a leather kind. Clearly she chose maneuverability over protection, which Akiol fully understood.
As she drew her sword Akiol immediately felt a chill. The simple motion gave him a glimpse of the effort she put into her swordsmanship. As he gripped the handle of Stars the sword immediately proclaimed:
'Big brother Peerless?'
A voice entered into both Akiol's and Stars' mind, 'Breaker of Stars? You actually have a wielder?'
Akiol's face wavered for a moment, "I'm sorry, who?"
Stars answered, 'That's the number one sword! Peerless Edge!'
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État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone