A series of roars and clicking sounds filled the arena as Jay and Rafael exchanged one blow after another.
Jay struck Rafael's sword before punching his head.
Rafael fell to the ground but kicked Jay's stomach in his position, causing Jay to fall on his butt.
Both of them stood up again.
Their blades clashed as Jay was pushing his entire body weight to pressure Rafael.
Rafael gritted his teeth, releasing all the remaining strength he had to actually knock the sword away.
Jay's body was being pushed back and his sword was already above his head.
Rafael finally saw the gap he had been waiting for. He desperately swung his sword to end this match, believing that his swing earlier had knocked the saber off Jay's hand.
Unfortunately for him, Jay refused to let go of his sword and swung downward with all his might.
None of them could defend themselves anymore. Rafael's sword struck Jay's left chest, running all the way to Jay's right shoulder. On the other hand, Jay's saber hit Rafael's left shoulder and went all the way to his stomach.
"Gah!" Both of them widened their eyes, realizing that the last strike was actually dangerous.
Their bodies couldn't move anymore as they collapsed to the floor at the same time.
They shocked the stadium again. After all, who won this duel? Would the referee declare it a draw?
The two referees were already going to the side so that the medical team could move faster. The last referee came to the center of the arena to announce the result. "It's—"
Before he could announce it, he heard a small groan coming from one of the participants.
"!!!" The referee looked shocked and stared at the person who was struggling to get up.
Even with such a tattered body, that person didn't allow him to stop this match.
The referee felt goosebumps, having no choice but to change the word that he was about to speak.
"It's… Libation Fiesta's victory!"
Yes, the one who managed to stand again was Jay, or probably he just refused to go down.
A cheer erupted, shaking the entire stadium. At first, those people were booing Jay. But now, they had nothing but respect.
It was a fair battle.
However, there was one more pressing matter. Both referees had come with the medical team. In fact, they actually brought blood bags for first aid. After all, the entire arena had been smeared by the blood of these two.
After that, they rushed both of them to the medical room to at least close their wounds with the recovery pods before sending them to a hospital.
There was one person happier than any other person about this result. It was Clovis.
Indeed, Clovis was happy for their victory. However, he rejoiced when he saw all the efforts Jay had put in.
This was his best friend. He was simply proud of him and knew that there was no one better than Jay to be his best friend.
Kanaria couldn't help but tear up after seeing Jay's performance. She had thought she had witnessed everything about her childhood friend. But this battle still inspired her to go even harder.
The stadium was on fire from the excitement.
It was true that Libation Fiesta advanced to the final with such an overwhelming gap. It was a complete defeat for Eight Swords.
But no one really cared about it anymore.
Seeing their excitement put a smile on Clovis' face as this was what Jay had achieved. He closed his eyes while saying, "I'm going to get some air. You guys should go to Jay."
"You're not going as well, Clovis?" Kanaria asked while wiping her tears.
"I will come later." Clovis waved his hand and walked outside. "This is a chance that he has given us. I should make sure that we don't waste it."
Kanaria exchanged looks with Melody and Ragna. It seemed that they needed to go ahead.
Clovis walked down the corridor. As Clovis said, this was the opportunity Jay had created for them.
At the same time, it didn't change the fact that Jay wouldn't be able to participate in the final.
That was why Clovis chose to do something first as the captain.
He was messaging someone while walking to his destination. It was still inside the arena, where not a lot of people could enter, but this was the only place he could meet that person.
In that hall, two people were already waiting for him, considering they were closer to this place.
"Yo, Clovis! To think that you would ask me to bring this girl with you. Should I leave?"
"I don't mind you hearing it since you've done me a favor, Erwin." Clovis shook his head.
Yes, the one he messaged earlier was Erwin. And obviously, the girl he brought was none other than Bloody Rose's captain, Aileen.
Aileen understood why Clovis asked Erwin to set up a meeting. With Jay's condition, Clovis only had four people to participate, while Aileen had six people in her group.
Aileen said, "I don't mind sitting out one or two members of my team for this match. It will also look good for my reputation anyway."
Erwin just looked away, thinking it was what Clovis wanted as well since Jay could be considered more than one person.
However, Clovis actually raised his hand as if saying she was mistaken.
"Mhmm?" Aileen frowned.
"You guys should fight with all six members. That's the highest respect you can show a fellow competitor. Still, even though I'm ashamed to say this, I do have a request."
"!!!" The more they heard about Clovis' request, the more bewildered they became. They never thought that Clovis would ask for such a thing.
But when they thought about it, his request was actually more reasonable than what they had in mind.
It didn't take long for them to agree to his request.
Clovis thanked them and immediately left. He was worried about Jay's condition after all.
But when he walked back to the medical room, he actually encountered another person.
"Ouch!" That person simply fell on her face. Not many people could access this place, but there were still more people than the waiting area.
And the one in front of him was wearing a rather formal suit. With a recorder in her hand, it was obvious who the person's identity was… a reporter.