The swordsmanship I pursue is not about cutting down my opponents... but about cutting through the 'invisible fears'.
Dongyun Academy
Fifth Martial Arts Stage
Bow and Sword Duel Special Session
The viewing seats are few, but the air is filled with a tense atmosphere of impending battle. This is the "Realm of Bow and Sword," a specialized martial arts event approved by the student council. It is held only three times a year and features "ranged versus melee" rules.
Koudo Saya is dressed in silver archer attire, her longbow resembling a crescent moon. Across from her stands Himuro Manri, the cold-faced challenger from the swordsmanship club. A key reserve of the swordsmanship club in his second year, he stands upright with eyes as cold as ice. "In this battle, I will only strike thirteen times." Saya does not respond, but slowly draws her bow.
[First Phase: Distance Lock] Himuro Manri starts with a horizontal slash step, moving silently as if cutting through ice, but Saya does not rush to shoot. She is calculating the wind speed, her opponent's stride, and his center of gravity shift—each judgment must be made in 0.5 seconds. The first arrow is released—whoosh! The arrow, like a fine thread, cuts through the air, aimed directly at Himuro's left shoulder. "Draw your sword." Himuro Manri calmly swings his sword horizontally, accurately deflecting the arrowhead in 0.3 seconds. The shattered arrow falls to the ground, but he does not rush forward. He only says, "You took 0.6 seconds to prepare; that's still too slow." Saya slightly furrows her brow as she nocks the second arrow.
[Stage Two: Rapid Breakthrough and Induction]
In the next several rounds, neither competitor scored. Saho's archery reached the human limit of precision, but Himuya's response speed and "sword wind" footwork flowed seamlessly.The observing officials, like Shirakawa (the Vice Minister of Swordsmanship) and Nanou (the Vice Minister of Archery), began to show signs of concern.
"This isn't just a simple probe."
"They are using this 'trial match' to read each other's convictions."
[Turning Point: The Heart of Archery Shakes]
At the seventh arrow, Hooudo Saho's left hand suddenly trembled.It wasn't an external injury, but a psychological response. At that moment, Himuya Wanli's expression turned cold. "Your heart is wavering," she said. In an instant, she dashed forward with a sword as fast as a hurricane, piercing the shooting dead angle.Himuya's sword stopped less than five centimeters from Hooudo Saho's brow, but she did not move. The arrow was already nocked, and Himuya's throat subtly moved. For the first time, she spoke in a low voice: "You don't shoot because you're afraid that if you really hit me, you would lose the ability to hold the bow, right?"
The Revelation and Respect of the Ice Chamber
This is a battle of swords against bows and a trial of the heart. The Ice Chamber slowly retracts her sword and bows her head: "I lost."
The audience gasps, but Shaya does not move. She only responds softly, "You did not lose. You simply saw my unrealized weakness."
The Ice Chamber chuckles lightly. "It is precisely for this reason that you are strong beyond measure."
[Chapter Ending]
After the battle, Shaya stands alone before the target and gently breaks the last arrow that was never shot."I know I still can't control my emotions, but I won't run from them anymore." She turns and leaves the training platform. The "Archery and Sword Duel" was recorded in the student council archives: "The arrow didn't fly, and the sword didn't fall, but they both saw into each other's hearts."