My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 43: Joint Combat Exams 10

As the situation intensified, a professor swiftly teleported to the scene, deploying a barrier in front of Alex to prevent any further harm to Quinton.

"Please step back, Alex. Any more than this could result in your expulsion," the professor warned, his wand pointed firmly at Alex. Beads of sweat rolled down his face as he attempted to assert control.

The overwhelming intensity of Alex's aura was palpable, casting doubt on the professor's ability to contain the situation. Combat department professors rushed toward the arena to assist.

Amidst the tense standoff, Alex maintained his intense bloodlust, causing Quinton to quiver in fear. Alex then turned his focus to Aria and made his way over to her. His aura gradually subsided as he knelt to check on her condition, leaving the approaching professors stunned by the abrupt change.

"Are you okay?" he asked, genuine concern in his voice.

"Y-yes," Aria replied, still in shock over the unfolding events, her voice barely above a whisper.

Without further ado, Alex lifted Aria into his arms, cradling her gently. Aria was flustered by this sudden gesture, her face turning crimson.

"W-wait, what are you doing?" she stammered, her embarrassment evident in her flushed cheeks.

"Don't lie. You're clearly not alright. Look at you trembling," Alex remarked. "I'll take you to the infirmary myself, so just stay still," he assured her.

With that, he quickly exited the arena, Aria nestled securely in his arms. Aria soon realized that, despite her initial discomfort with Alex's attention as she knows about the way he felt towards her, his touch now felt like the safest haven in the world.

As they left the arena, the bewildered crowd, professors, and students could only watch in astonishment. Aria's emotions were in turmoil, and she couldn't help but reflect on how her feelings towards Alex were undergoing a remarkable transformation.

…..

'Wow'

'WTF was that?'

The unexpected turn of events with Alex rushing to Aria's aid left me exhilarated. It was a thrilling moment that felt like something out of a novel.

I wondered if this situation had also occurred in the novel. While it was clear that Alex had feelings for Aria now, in the original story, which was mostly from Tristan's perspective, the details of Alex's relationships remained shrouded in mystery.

Given how shitty the original Adrian was portrayed, he likely didn't allow Alex to get close to both him and Aria during their initial encounter at the bandit ambush and instead went their own separate ways.

This made it unlikely that a situation like this had taken place in the novel's storyline.

The audience began to murmur and whisper amongst themselves, their curiosity piqued by the sudden and unexpected situation. Many of them were eager to speculate about the nature of Alex and Aria's relationship, given the swift and decisive manner in which he had come to her rescue. It was a topic of discussion that was sure to linger among the students and spectators long even after the combat exams had concluded.

After the professors took away the fallen Quinton, I couldn't help but smile inwardly, plans were already brewing inside my head on what to do to him.

'Sis isn't he a nice offering?'

"Tristan, Evadne Darja, the students called please proceed to the waiting area as you take care of your preparations"

The announcement echoed through the arena, signaling the much-anticipated battle between Tristan and Evadne Darja. The crowd buzzed with excitement and anticipation. This showdown had stirred a frenzy of hype among the spectators.

Evadne Darja, the reigning champion of the combat department's second-year students, had a stellar record, having defeated even the top students from the third and fourth years.

The audience was inclined to believe that this fight would be a cakewalk for her, given her impressive track record. However, the presence of Tristan, with his mysterious reputation, threw an element of uncertainty into the mix.

I fixed my gaze entirely on the stage, fully engrossed in the forthcoming spectacle. This was an uncharted battle, not documented in the novel. The accidental death of William had led to an unexpected shift in the combatants, and Tristan's newfound opponent was no pushover.

While Evadne had been mentioned briefly in the novel, she hadn't yet played a significant role in the events I'd read so far. The outcome of this duel promised to be a spectacle worth witnessing.

Tristan's entrance into the arena was met with a thunderous applause. The cheers and applause resonated from the crowd, a mixture of first-year and second-year students, and it appeared that he had garnered quite a following among the first-year students, if the cheers were any indication.

The atmosphere was charged with excitement, and anticipation hung thick in the air. Finally, Evadne Darja made her grand entrance, hoisting a colossal axe onto her shoulder.

Her wild smile was an imposing sight, one that only added to the palpable tension that had settled over the arena. It was clear that both combatants were ready to deliver a spectacular showdown.

....

Throughout her life, Evadne had never encountered an opponent she could truly consider her equal. Even during her early training at the main clan estate, her strength had grown to the point where her own parents, both skilled warriors themselves, struggled to keep up with her rapid progress.

It was a testament to her exceptional martial talents that her family, no strangers to combat excellence, had to admit their daughter was on a completely different level.

As she honed her skills, Evadne quickly became the clan's martial prodigy, her name spoken with reverence and awe throughout the estate. Her potential was so immense that even the clan's patriarch, a seasoned warrior with a wealth of experience, was called upon by the clan elders to train her personally.

It was a rare occurrence, and it highlighted just how extraordinary Evadne's abilities were. Her parents and the clan elders understood that trying to mold her according to traditional methods would be a disservice.

She was a force of nature, a martial genius, and any attempt to restrict her talents would only hinder her growth.

Recognizing the unique and overwhelming nature of Evadne's power, the clan patriarch, her parents, and the council of elders made a solemn decision.

They came to the unanimous conclusion that traditional training methods were insufficient for Evadne, and that she had already far surpassed their own abilities. In their wisdom, they saw the necessity of a different path for their exceptional prodigy.

And so, in a family meeting that resonated with an air of profound respect, they declared that Evadne must embark on her own journey to reach the peak of her strength.

The patriarch, with the solemnity that came with his revered position, looked deep into her eyes and spoke with an unwavering voice.

"Evadne, you have surpassed us all. Your strength is nature itself, and no one within our clan can guide you further on this path. It is time for you to seek your own way, to discover your own limits, and to find a worthy opponent who can match your unparalleled abilities."

Evadne nodded with solemn determination, fully understanding the gravity of their decision. She had long known that her quest for power was a solitary one, but now, with the blessing and acknowledgment of her clan.

She was free to pursue the ultimate heights of martial prowess in her own way.

The weight of their trust and expectations rested upon her shoulders, and with a firm resolve, she set out on her personal journey toward the zenith of her strength.

Evadne bore no resentment towards her parents or her clan for recognizing her incredible strength and deciding to stop her training.

In fact, she had always accepted it as a simple fact.

She was undeniably strong, and her abilities had set her apart from the very beginning.

She didn't hold it against them, for she had become aware of the extraordinary nature of her strength as well.

Each opponent she had faced in the past, regardless of their skill or determination, had ended up as little more than lifeless corpses at her feet.

It was a reality she had grown accustomed to, a brutal fact of her existence as a martial genius. In her relentless pursuit of perfection, she had inadvertently isolated herself, a lone warrior without a true rival.

So, when she heard rumors spread about a first-year student at the academy capable of potentially satisfying her insatiable hunger for an equal fight, Evadne's heart raced with excitement.

Her blood surged with eagerness as she contemplated the prospect of finally encountering an opponent with the strength and skill to match her own.

The anticipation of a genuine challenge had her on the edge of her seat, and it was an opportunity she couldn't resist.

A battle with Tristan, who had quickly risen to prominence among the first-year students, held the promise of satiating her lifelong yearning for a worthy adversary.

And now she was in that battle.

"Ready."

At the announcer's signal, the two fighters readied their stances. Tristan held his sword in a quick-draw stance, while Evadne readied her axe over her shoulder. The two combatants stared at each other with intense determination in their eyes, showing mutual respect for their opponent.

"Start."

BOOOOM!!!!!!!

The moment the announcer gave the signal to start, an explosion of motion enveloped the entire arena. Smoke and debris filled the air as their weapons clashed, but all of this occurred in less than a second.

It was a whirlwind of action: Evadne closed the distance in the blink of an eye, her massive axe hurtling toward Tristan's face. However, Tristan reacted with lightning speed, drawing his sword from its sheath and unleashing a devastating quick-draw slash in response.

The intensity of their clash was nothing short of astounding, and their mutual respect was palpable, even to those watching from the stands.

Even as the smoke was covering the arena, multiple sounds of metal clashing against one another could be heard.

The deafening clash of their weapons echoed throughout the arena, a harmonious symphony of combat that resonated with both awe and dread.

Evadne, renowned as the strongest second-year student, and Tristan, a brilliant first-year prodigy, were now entangled in an intense duel, a confrontation of unparalleled strength and skill.

Amid the chaos of battle, spectators strained to catch a glimpse of the action, their eyes fixed on the storm of movement within the swirling smoke and debris.

The combatants were locked in a fierce exchange, each strike resonating with unrestrained power and precision.

Every motion, every calculated strike, revealed their mastery of martial arts and their deep understanding of the art of combat. The air buzzed with tension as the two fighters sought to exploit any opening, any weakness, in the other's defenses.

As the dust settled and the smoke cleared, the audience collectively held its breath, eager to witness the outcome of this incredible clash of titans.

Evadne and Tristan stood there, muscles taut, weapons poised, and a glint of admiration in their eyes, ready to continue their breathtaking confrontation.