Chapter 246: Noah’s First Duel. Ichigo retrieved a bottle of water from his bag and gulped it down in one motion, disappearing rapidly down his throat. 𝚏𝗿𝗲𝐞𝐰𝚎𝕓𝐧𝚘𝘃𝗲𝐥.𝐜𝚘𝕞 "Ahh!" he exhaled with obvious satisfaction, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand before breaking into his usual smile. "That was really intense," Ichigo said while glancing toward Kenji, who was gathering his equipment with a dejected, gloomy expression. "He was a genuinely skilled opponent—I learned a lot from fighting someone with such disciplined classical technique." Noah smiled at Ichigo’s humble assessment but chose not to reply. Ichigo’s modesty was admirable, but Noah had detected something that his friend wasn’t saying out loud. He had clearly been holding back significant portions of his true capability during the match. He was operating well within his comfort zone, Noah observed silently. The question is how much power he was actually concealing. Ichigo’s victory had looked challenging from a spectator’s perspective, but Noah recognised the subtle signs of someone who had maintained reserves throughout the competition. The fluid adaptations, the transitions between techniques, and the way he’d controlled distance and timing all indicated capabilities beyond what had been displayed. Smart strategy, Noah thought. Don’t reveal everything in early rounds when you don’t need to. The announcer’s voice echoed across the arena, interrupting Noah’s analysis of his friend’s performance. "Five-minute preparation period for our next competitors. Fighters should use this time for final warm-ups and mental preparation." The brief intermission allowed spectators to discuss what they’d witnessed while giving the next pair of fighters time to settle their nerves and make any final adjustments to their equipment or strategy. Noah watched as the second match participants took their positions. The fight that followed proved Noah’s assessment correct. Both fighters operated at the Level 5-6 range, which seemed to represent the tournament’s general standard, but their styles created fascinating problems that pushed both competitors to their limits. Clang! Clang! Swoosh! The exchange was brutal and unforgiving, with neither fighter willing to give ground or accept defensive positions. Their techniques flowed between attack and counter-attack, creating a back-and-forth duel that showcased their pure skill. Crack! Thwack! The decisive moment came when one fighter committed too heavily to what appeared to be a winning combination, only to find himself trapped in a counter that resulted in a clean break of his forearm against his opponent’s perfectly timed attack. "Ahh!" The cry of pain echoed across the arena as the injured fighter staggered back, clutching his obviously damaged arm while his opponent immediately stepped away to avoid causing additional harm. "Medical assistance required!" the referee called out, bringing the match to an immediate conclusion while tournament staff rushed to provide proper care for the injury. Noah processed what he’d observed with a growing understanding of the competition’s average skill level. Three contestants so far had demonstrated skill in the Level 5-6 range, suggesting that the tournament organisers had successfully gathered practitioners of impressive ability. He decided to follow the same strategy as he watched the injured fighter receive medical attention. ’I’ll operate at Level 6 during my match unless my opponent is strong and requires escalation.’ The approach would allow him to compete effectively while maintaining the mystery surrounding his true capabilities. An advantage that could prove crucial in later rounds when more skilled opponents might appear. Another five minutes of preparation were announced, and the familiar voice of the tournament coordinator rang across the arena. "Both contestants, please report to the combat platform for your scheduled match." Ichigo immediately turned toward Noah, delivering a firm back pat of encouragement. "Go kill it out there! Show them what you’re made of." Ichigo said with a broad smile. Noah appreciated the gesture. "Thanks, I’ll do what I can." Noah calmly ascended to the platform. His confidence was evident but not arrogant; he had the bearing of someone who understood his capabilities without needing to prove anything through posturing. He settled into a relaxed waiting position, using the brief interval to centre his mind and prepare for whatever challenge his opponent might present. A moment later, his designated opponent arrived on the platform with a composed expression. The man appeared to be in his mid-thirties, which was considered the prime age for martial artists, where experience balanced perfectly with physical power. His brown hair was neatly maintained, and his brown eyes were focused and unyielding. His movements suggested confidence without overconfidence, respect for the art without fear of competition. The opponent approached Noah with a respectful stance, nodding with courtesy before speaking with traditional martial arts etiquette. "May the best swordsman win," he said with sincere respect that acknowledged both the competitive nature of their encounter and the mutual honour inherent in testing skills against worthy opponents. "Likewise," Noah replied with matching courtesy, appreciating his opponent’s approach to what promised to be an exciting contest. The referee positioned himself appropriately before beginning the familiar ceremonial routine that marked the beginning of each match. "Standard tournament rules apply. Victory by decisive strike, surrender, or referee stoppage. Begin when the leaf touches the platform." The leaf was released, and both fighters settled into their opening stances as it descended with slowness that built tension throughout the watching crowd. As combat commenced, it became immediately clear to Noah that his opponent operated at approximately Level 6 swordsmanship. His opponent was certainly not weak by any reasonable standard. Against most of the previous competitors, this man would likely have emerged victorious through his superior skill and experience. Unfortunately for him, poor bracket placement had resulted in facing Noah, making his defeat almost inevitable regardless of his good skill level. He’s good, Noah acknowledged with honest respect as they began their initial exchanges. Just not good enough to beat me. Noah maintained his predetermined Level 6 rhythm, matching his opponent’s technical skill while carefully concealing the true extent of his abilities. To spectators, it appeared to be an evenly skill-matched contest between practitioners. Clang! Clang! Swish! But as the fight progressed, subtle differences became apparent to those with trained eyes.