After the duel ended, Gongson Su and Dokgo Jun stepped down from the martial arts stage, exchanging light pleasantries.

"Please forgive me for my rudeness, as I was unaware."

"Haha. It's alright."

"......"

In Dokgo Jun's gaze towards Gongson Su, there was even a hint of respect.

Initially, he thought it was just a rich old man's hobby.

However, after experiencing it firsthand, he could feel how hard Gongson Su had worked.

The calluses on those hands could not have been formed lightly.

Dokgo Jun, who rarely smiled, wore an awkward grin as he spoke. "...... If you pass, since I will be your senior, you should address me with respect from now on."

Dokgo Jun meant it as a joke.

The student council president was known for his dry humor, but fortunately, it seemed to have landed well with Gongson Su.

He burst into a hearty laugh.

"Hahaha! I understand. Once I attend the Blue Dragon Academy, I will call you senior regularly."

Though Gongson Su's expression seemed a bit bittersweet as he said this, Dokgo Jun assumed it was just fatigue.

"Go see the physician and show them your wounds. It's not a serious injury, but it's best to treat it quickly."

"And you?"

"I'm fine. There are still more duels to come."

Compared to Gongson Su, whose palm was torn and clothes were in tatters, Dokgo Jun looked perfectly fine.

He hadn't even torn a single seam of his clothing during the duel, and his breath was barely ragged.

Gongson Su laughed, somewhat embarrassed.

"I was worrying for nothing."

"The physician is over there. I need to prepare for the next duel... Well then, I will see you next time."

"Wait a moment."

Gongson Su called out to Dokgo Jun, who was about to turn away after their farewell.

"...... It may be the meddling of an old man, but may I offer you one piece of advice?"

"Of course."

Dokgo Jun turned back, straightening his posture as if to show he was listening.

Gongson Su smiled, thinking how well-mannered he was.

"I don't know much about martial arts, but I can tell you have exceptional talent."

"......"

"With your outstanding talent and excellent upbringing, you are not someone who neglects effort either. That is why you have reached such a level at such a young age."

"You're overpraising me."

Dokgo Jun didn't understand why Gongson Su was saying such things suddenly, but he bowed his head at the excessive praise.

He was known as the greatest genius in the Dokgo family for the past hundred years.

Growing up under great expectations, he received focused education from his family.

Moreover, he was diligent, achieving results much faster than his older brothers.

"...... You have probably been called a genius by many."

Though in different fields, Gongson Su had seen countless young men called geniuses.

He himself had been a prodigy who passed the highest exams at a young age.

Thus, his advice came from experience.

"Do not despair."

"...... Pardon?"

"Throughout life, you will encounter talents that shine brighter than you. Do not despair in front of them. There is no need to feel small. Life is long."

Dokgo Jun couldn't quite grasp why Gongson Su was saying such things.

"...... I have already seen many talents greater than mine."

At his somewhat reluctant reply, Gongson Su smiled gently.

"I spoke out of concern. So do not take it too seriously."

"No, I will take it as a reminder to train harder and will engrave it deeply in my heart."

"Haha. I have taken too much of your time. I will go see the physician now."

The two parted ways.

Not long after, Dokgo Jun came to understand the true meaning of Gongson Su's words.

"Wi Ji Cheon applicant! Step forward!"

Coincidentally, Dokgo Jun was also Wi Ji Cheon's opponent in the duel.

With a face full of tension, Wi Ji Cheon bowed his head and said, "I look forward to your guidance."

"Show your skills to your heart's content."

"Yes!"

With a bright response, Wi Ji Cheon drew his sword and aimed it at Dokgo Jun.

At the moment he faced that sword, Dokgo Jun felt as if all his efforts up to now had betrayed him.

"......"

A feeling of dizziness washed over him.

He already knew Wi Ji Cheon was strong.

However, there were aspects that one could not understand without facing them directly.

Seeing it firsthand, it was... too much.

'How could someone at that age...?'

There were no openings to be found.

No, it would be more accurate to say that he couldn't find any openings at his own level.

Dokgo Jun had met many peers who were called geniuses.

Among them, the most outstanding were mostly from the Cheonmu Academy.

Wi Ji Cheon reminded him of them.

"Um, senior? May I begin?"

"...... Ah."

At Wi Ji Cheon's words, Dokgo Jun finally regained his senses.

He unconsciously gritted his teeth.

As the taste of blood filled his mouth, his mind gradually cleared.

"...... Do not hold back."

"Excuse me?"

"I mean to come at me with all your strength."

"...... Is that really alright?"

"......"

Dokgo Jun gripped his sword tightly.

Could he possibly lose in this duel?

'Perhaps.'

But Dokgo Jun could not afford to lose.

He was the student council president of the Blue Dragon Academy and the top student in the academy.

He could not yield that title to anyone, even if they were a genius with far superior talent.

With a swift motion, Dokgo Jun took his stance.

"Come at me. No, I will go first."

Dokgo Jun kicked off the ground, closing the distance in an instant.

For the first time, he did not hold back his strength.

There was no need to worry about his opponent getting hurt.

He focused his mind, determined to strike in one swift motion.

Whoosh!

The powerful Dokgo Sword swung down with the intent to cleave Wi Ji Cheon in two.

Wi Ji Cheon could not afford to underestimate that sword and swung his own in response.

Clang-!!!

At the moment the two swords collided, a wave of energy erupted from their center, silencing all noise around them.

"My goodness..."

Ak Yeon Ho watched the fight between the two boys with his mouth agape.

He was not the only one.

Everyone in the audience was watching the two boys in awe.

"Wow..."

"What...?"

Even the applicants and students fighting in other duels stopped to gaze at the two.

The judges could not say anything either, as their eyes were also fixed on Dokgo Jun and Wi Ji Cheon.

Clang, clang, clang!

The swords clashed incessantly, sending sparks flying.

The floor of the martial arts stage was already filled with sharp sword marks.

"Haah..."

After a moment, the two boys stepped back to catch their breath.

"Are you tired?"

"Not yet... I'm fine!"

Dokgo Jun sighed lightly at Wi Ji Cheon, who was looking at him with sparkling eyes.

"I think it would be best to settle this before it gets any later. How about we each use our best techniques to decide the outcome?"

"...... Sounds good!"

The two began to gather their energy simultaneously.

Whoooooo!

After a moment, the sword energies began to rise from their swords.

"Th-that's sword energy!"

"My goodness. Both of them at such a young age..."

"It seems the Blue Dragon Academy is really going to make a splash this year!"

The audience, witnessing the sword energy, was in an uproar.

Even the dignified masters of the righteous sect were astonished, coughing repeatedly.

However, there were some who were restless for a different reason.

"Shouldn't we intervene? If something happens..."

At the words of the deputy commander, No Gun Sang and Namgung Je Hak shook their heads simultaneously.

Both wanted to see more of the two boys' swords.

"Let's wait a little longer."

"If it looks dangerous, I'll step in."

"...... Yes."

What could they do? Gwak Cheol Woo sighed deeply and nodded.

Meanwhile, the two boys, having sufficiently raised their sword energies, aimed their swords at each other.

Gulp.

The tension among the audience reached its peak, and so did Baek Su Ryong's.

'If the assassins are going to move, it will be now.'

At this moment, when everyone's attention was on Wi Ji Cheon and Dokgo Jun, it was the perfect time for the assassins to strike.

[Do not miss the movements of the assassins.]

In response to his telepathic message, everyone acknowledged.

Baek Su Ryong's predictions were mostly correct.

However, the enemies were bolder than he had imagined.

Boom!

With a scream, blood erupted from the center of the audience.

"It's murder!"

"Ahhh!"

It was not just one or two places.

Blood spurted from five or six spots simultaneously, followed by screams.

In an instant, chaos erupted among the audience.

"What is happening!"

"Everyone, calm down!"

The instructors tried to calm the situation, but it was of no use.

There were too many people gathered, and more than half of them were civilians, not martial artists.

The situation became uncontrollable in an instant.

"Protect the elder!"

By the time Baek Su Ryong shouted, dozens of assassins were already rushing towards Gongson Su.