Chapter 582 National Fencing Team Championships (Part 3)
South Dakota's fencing team was a heavy favorite to win this team fencing competition because their best fencer, Mikael, chose to compete in the sphere as a team rather than competing solo because he didn't see worth in the solo competition. In addition, they had other generational fencing talent and some so physically talented that colleges focused on various sports competed for them.
So when the North Dakota team surprised the New York team, Riley, the New York team leader, recognized the threat and immediately reacted.
He confidently swung his sword at the leader, leading the rest of his team in a coordinated response.
The battle between them unfolded in a chaotic frenzy, with swordsmen on both sides demonstrating their skill and prowess. The blows between them were swift, and each of them was looking for an opening in their opponent. However, the attention of the entire stadium and the cameras were not on their fights, but on Klaus' frantic struggle.
Riley and his teammates fought bravely, only for the North Dakota team to show their relentless strength. What's more, their opponents had an impeccable space teamwork technique, so the pressure was on. Thus, the hope of victory in this category soon fell apart, as one by one the other four members of the New York fencing team, apart from Klaus, were defeated, until Mikael's sword stopped millimeters from the skin of Riley's neck, surprising him after a feint.
At that moment, Riley felt guilty as ever. He knew immediately that this defeat was his fault, he should have done at least some training with the team before the tournament, after all he was declared the leader of it by Lucas and yet he was more focused on playing Rise Online than on his other duties. With the eyes of his teammates looking at him as if to apologize, the guilt Riley felt at this moment was the worst feeling he had ever felt in his entire life.
As Klaus caught his breath after his intense battle with Rodolf, he looked over and saw everyone on his team defeated.
At the same time as his world came crashing down, the crowd rose in a standing ovation, all ecstatic at the turnaround. It was now four members from South Dakota against only one member from New York, Klaus.
Riley looked at Klaus with a sad yet hopeful countenance. If anyone could still keep fighting, even in this situation, Riley trusted that it was Klaus, because although he didn't follow the fencing team's training, Lucas always sent him videos from the training room cameras to let him know about each one's abilities and limitations.
"Sorry, Captain." Rodolf said to Mikael, turning away from Klaus with a bit of pain in his shoulder.
"Don't worry, you did what was in your power." Mikael replied, seriously.
Klaus looked determinedly at Mikael and the other members of the North Dakota team in front of him. Despite the challenging scenario, he did not let himself get down. His confidence was shaken, but his determination to honor the New York team remained unwavering.
"I won't give up so easily." Klaus said, his voice firm as he held his sword with determination. "We are still in the fight, and I will prove that we are stronger than you think."
The North Dakota swordsmen looked at each other, and Mikael seemed to take Klaus' words seriously, for not just anyone could defeat Rodolf. Then he let out a brief smile, as if ready for another challenge.
"Very well... Let's see what you're capable of." Mikael said, raising his sword again.
The crowd quieted in anticipation, eager to witness the thrilling outcome of the competition. On the television channels, the narrators immediately started discussing how the hell Klaus could beat four semi-professional fencers while his name was not even known outside the New York campus.
"Caio, do you think that's possible? We have seen that he is capable, but wouldn't beating four members of Team North Dakota be a bit utopian for Klaus Park?" The narrator asked the commentator.
"Really, Peter, it is an extremely challenging situation for Klaus. The North Dakota team is made up of talented and experienced fencers, and taking on four of them - actually, five if you consider that you just defeated Rodolf - is an almost impossible task. However, Klaus has surprised us before with his skill, and we can expect him to give it his all in this battle that practically means life in this tournament for his team." Caio, the commentator, replied with a measured tone.
"Gentlemen, a very hot piece of information has just arrived here for me. Klaus does not actually belong to the Fencing Department of the New York campus." Peter, the narrator, warned.
"What?" Gaius asked.
"That's right! And I repeat, Klaus does not belong to the New York Fencing Department. He was only invited to complete the team because many of the other members of the department didn't want to deal with the pressure. Klaus actually joined the Special Program from the Archery Department."
"Archery? But that's completely different from fencing."
"Yes, and that makes the fact that Klaus Park defeated one of the country's top fencing talents all the more impressive."
"Was it luck?"
"That's what we'll see now..."
As the commentators discussed Klaus' plight, the stadium was almost completely silent, all eyes fixed on that crucial moment. The cameras focused on Klaus, and the tension in the air was felt by all 70,000 people in the stadium.
Klaus concentrated, breathing deeply to calm his nerves and focus his mind. He knew he could not afford to hesitate. Still feeling the adrenaline rush from the previous battle, he knew he needed to use his agility and wits more than ever to take on the four remaining opponents in sequence, one by one.
β¦
Edited by: DrHitsuji
If you want to see original illustrations of Rise Online characters, consider helping me on pa treon: Pa treon.com/NandoFalske
More character images in:
https://discord.gg/bpqq9u4gS8
Like it? Add to library!
Don't forget to vote with Powerstone to support the book if you like it...