The Reincarnation of the Red Dragon
36. Rival's the only one

As we walked back to our room, Gary pulled me back and whispered in my ear.

"Hey Ray, help me before we get back, can you wait for me on the roof of our dorm?"

Gary rarely asked me to help him, I nodded in agreement. I didn't know what Gary wanted from me, it seemed to worry him so much, he rushed to see me in a hurry.

Before going to my room, I went to the roof as Gary had asked. Surprisingly when I got there, I found no one there. It was strange considering Gary was running in such a hurry, I thought he would reach the rooftop of the dorm before I arrived.

I go to the edge of the roof, the view looks good from here, I can see almost the whole city from here. The little lights that shine at night from the houses look beautiful. In the past they used a not so bright flame, but now they used a bright light powered by crystals.

I looked to my right where I could see the center of the Avrion academy. The center was a tower that was about a hundred meters higher than the dormitory building. One day I had to go there to see the view from the top of the tower.

If there's one thing I really want, I want the ability to fly. I can fly in the sky and see the sights whenever and wherever I want. Although the other night was never as beautiful as it is now.

As I was leaning on the edge looking at the city, I heard the sound of a closed door behind me. Gary finally arrived and in his hand, he was holding two training wooden swords.

"Hey, what are those things for?" I asked while walking towards him.

Gary's face is serious, I haven't seen him like this in a long time.

"You know, today Slyvia asked me, she asked who was stronger between me and you. Do you know what answer I gave him."

"We haven't competed in a long time."

"I'm telling you, maybe it's all just my guess. Ever since I came to the Avrion academy, everyone around me called me a genius. If I'm a genius, then what makes you like this." Gary threw one of the wooden swords in his hand at me.

I managed to catch him, still confused by what he meant.

Gary continues. "I'm not an idiot. I know I'll probably receive a white sash tonight, but you're Ray, most likely going to get that red sash. Which means I might never get a chance like this again. So I ask you, please fight with me."

Gary had a sharp look in his eyes, it was hard to say no. Even if I wanted to turn it down, I had to fight Gary the way he wanted. I need to see how much I've improved since the game on the hill that day.

I held my sword in my hand. Gary knew that I had accepted the challenge. If Gary wants to fight me then I'll give him the fight he wants.

I started the first attack directly darting towards him. I swung the sword down right at his face. Gary managed to block it making him take a few steps back. She smiles.

"Very strong, you'll pass the Gems of Strength exam very easily" Gary said with a smile.

Gary came forward and countered with several attacks, though slower and not as strong as my attacks. He kept attacking in difficult places, making it difficult for me to block him.

The fight between us continued, blocking and attacking each other.

Gary was a true genius when using a sword. My sword attack was about twice as fast and powerful, but he still managed to block and dodge it. While I just kept quiet there.

I wanted to defeat him without using the movements of the beasts, but I could see that Gary was starting to get exhausted. If I continue on like, I might be able to defeat him.

I felt like the crystal stone had given me an advantage so having more stamina made the fight unfair. If Gary loses, it makes Gary honored to lose everything I have.

I put the sword in my mouth. Biting the sword hilt tightly, I crawled like a wild beast. Most people who saw him would probably laugh at Ray imitating the movements of a beast but not with Gary. He stood there waiting, watching my every move.

I ran towards Gary, Gary moved straight to slash me on the ground, I quickly jumped to the side and grabbed his leg to use swinging my body against him. I then attacked behind his body with a sword. He was unable to react to this strange move.

Gary was great at swordsmanship, he swiftly moved to avoid Ray's attack. Ray's attack is faster than Gary's movements, so he can't avoid it all.

Gary fell down and knelt to the ground. He looked at me with a big smile.

"I think you're still my only Rival, Ray."

We returned to the room together, when entering our room was greeted with surprise. People sat around the table chatting happily, but there were also newcomers in the room.

The new guy looked directly at the two of us, he got up from his seat and came to introduce himself.

"Hi, I'm your new roommate, Martha."

She was the girl who did the Archery test with the best grades. Now this explains me where I've seen that name before, it's on our door. Even so, there is still something that confuses me. I'm sure I've seen it before.

"Martha, I never remember you coming from school in Ranny town" Gary said.

"Indeed, my mother is one of the leaders of the adventure guild, they gave me special permission to take the test and put me with you guys because you guys still have the slot room."

That surprised me. I finally remembered why he looked so familiar. She looked almost identical to the woman I met ten years ago on the way to Renny's town. Women are also an adventure. Martha must have had a relationship with that woman.

When I wanted to ask Martha about it, an announcement was heard telling us to go to the dining room.

"Please go to the dining room, where you will be notified of your rank and belt."

The sound was heard throughout the dorm room.

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