Chapter 325: Flame Knight

Generally, whether knight or mage, none dare use combat techniques or magic beyond their rank.

The reason is simple: insufficient mental energy, inability to supply the required aura, mana, or spiritual force needed to manifest higher-level techniques.

But this is not absolute.

For instance, some knights possess an abundance of aura within their bodies, exceptional control over it, and extraordinary learning capacity—when combined, such traits may allow them to master techniques beyond their rank.

At this moment, Karada resembled a living spring—purple lightning aura surged from his body, coalescing at the tip of his sword into a massive sphere of thunder, wild arcs of electricity crackling chaotically in all directions, striking the ground and leaving behind charred black spots.

Brool, seated in the spectator stands, analyzed: “Thunder Flash demands immense aura and exquisite control. Karada has not concentrated all his power—the scattered arcs are proof enough.”

This meant Karada was no Gold Knight.

Yet he shifted his tone: “But even an incomplete Thunder Flash carries power beyond that of an ordinary fifth-rank technique.”

Ronin gripped his Flameflow Sword tightly—he could feel the threat posed by this strike.

Yet he was already prepared.

“Come!”

Ronin growled low. Flame aura, amplified by the Flameflow Sword, surged wildly, compressing and condensing along the blade into a colossal, spectral sword-shape, its presence terrifying.

In an instant, the arena was bathed in two dazzling hues—flame and lightning—casting all else into shadow. The intense spectacle sent gasps rippling through the crowd; battles at Gold level were rare, and today’s youth tournament had granted them a sight to remember.

“Ronin, win!”

“Karada, knock him down!”

The spectators waved fists, shouting wildly. Their heartbeats synced with the rhythm of battle—tense, electrified.

The two combatants moved almost simultaneously.

Karada drove his sword downward—a blindingly brilliant beam erupted from within the thunder sphere, as if piercing it from within outward, sweeping toward his opponent with the intent to obliterate all.

At the very same moment, Ronin unleashed his Inferno Slash—the flaming, sword-shaped shadow, charged with explosive force, collided head-on with the Thunder Flash.

The two elemental energies clashed, unleashing a deafening roar.

Thunder Flash was devastating—the lightning seemed poised to annihilate everything. Yet Ronin’s Inferno Slash refused to yield; the flaming sword-shadow blazed like a meteor of destruction, hurling itself against the storm.

The forces met in midair, triggering a violent surge of energy.

Boom!

The entire arena was engulfed in a maelstrom of flame and lightning, as if nature herself had staged a magnificent spectacle.

The visual intensity was too fierce for ordinary spectators to bear—many raised hands to shield their eyes.

“Will Ronin… be alright?”

Branci’s face had paled, her heart lodged in her throat.

On the opposite side of the viewing platform, Knight Missy watched the battle with calm eyes—yet her tightly clenched sword hilt betrayed her tension and dread.

The air around the arena seemed torn apart, forming swirling vortices of wind.

The two forces held for a heartbeat—then Ronin’s Inferno Slash erupted violently, as if suddenly fueled by an even greater power, fully consuming the Thunder Flash and surging onward with residual force toward Karada.

“Incredible!”

Karada’s face darkened.

Though it seemed slow in description, from the initiation of technique to the outcome, it had all transpired in an instant.

Karada had no time to dodge—he was slammed backward by the residual force, hurtling through the air, carving a furrow dozens of meters long before crashing into the edge of the spectator stand.

Pant. Pant. Pant.

Karada gasped heavily. His armor absorbed part of the impact, and this was merely residual force—though battered, he suffered no serious injury.

But the act of using a technique beyond his rank had drained his aura completely; his exhaustion far outweighed any wound.

Ronin’s chest rose and fell gently. After a slow, steady exhale, his breathing stabilized.

Though Inferno Slash consumed immense energy, he was a Gold Knight—his aura had liquefied, his reserves several times greater than Karada’s.

He could unleash Inferno Slash five or six more times without strain.

A brief silence settled over the arena.

Karada pushed himself up from the ground, rising slowly. “I lose this battle.”

Before using Thunder Flash, he had declared—if this strike failed to defeat Ronin, he would surrender.

In truth, even if he refused to yield, he could no longer fight.

A roar of cheers exploded across the arena.

“Ronin! Ronin! Ronin!”

The crowd chanted his name with fervor—especially those who had bet on him, leaping to their feet, thrusting hands toward their friends: “Ha! Pay up!”

Those who had lost scowled, redirecting their frustration onto the fighters.

“Clearly, commoners aren’t worthy of our trust!”

Regardless of whether they cheered for him or not, Ronin bowed respectfully to the crowd, then, under the steward’s guidance, approached King Bruno’s viewing platform.

The king rose with a radiant smile.

Though he had anticipated Ronin’s strong chance at victory, he had not expected the boy’s performance to surpass even his highest hopes.

“You have conquered your opponent with your flame, capturing every eye! I am honored to declare you the champion of today’s tournament!”

His voice rang clear and proud: “And I bestow upon you the title of ‘Flame Knight.’ May your flame burn and subdue all adversaries, bringing warmth and protection to the Kingdom of Audin!”

A title knight—another hollow honor among the nobility.

To express his gratitude and reverence, Ronin knelt on one knee. “For Your Majesty! For the Kingdom of Audin!”

“Hahahaha!”

Bruno laughed heartily, raising his hand. “Let us cheer for Flame Knight Ronin Ushan!”

Instantly, the arena erupted in a roar unlike any ever heard—even the disgruntled nobles who had lost money joined in the king’s call.

Amid the cheers, Bruno took the laurel wreath from a servant’s tray and placed it into Ronin’s hands.

“Go, my Flame Knight. Share this victory and honor with the most beautiful soul you believe graced this day.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!” Ronin accepted the wreath.

This was his honor, the celebration of triumph.

He scanned the crowd, then fixed his gaze upon Branci.

Today was the princess’s birthday. She was soon to be betrothed to him. And she had mentioned it before.

No further thought was needed. Ronin walked slowly toward her. In her eyes, he seemed to glow with enchanting radiance.

“Princess, allow me to present this laurel wreath to you.”

“Thank you, Flame Knight. It is my honor.”

Branci blushed, her heart pounding. She leaned forward imperceptibly, allowing Ronin to place the wreath upon her head.

Instantly, her name echoed throughout the entire arena.

She never imagined that one day, someone would call out to her like this.

In this moment, she felt the dark cloud that had obscured her life beginning to dissolve.

“Thank you, Luo Ning,” she whispered softly. (End of chapter)