Kael adjusted his stance, eyes locked on the woman before him. Her massive sword rested casually over one shoulder, its sheer size making it seem as though her movements should be slow, deliberate.
Then she lunged.
It wasn't a clumsy charge, but an explosion of speed so sudden Kael's instincts barely saved him. The blade cleaved the air where he'd been standing a heartbeat before, its force sending a rush of wind across his face.
Fast… far faster than I expected.
He ducked another swing, his boots grinding against the packed dirt as he slid back. She was relentless, her movements fluid despite the sword's size, each strike whipping through the air with lethal precision.
Damn… despite that oversized blade, she's extremely fast. And this… he parried narrowly, sparks flying. …this probably isn't even ten percent of what she can do.
Kael's grip tightened on his weapon. He could feel the itch to use more of his arsenal, but he restrained himself. I can't go all out not here. I have to keep at least some of my strength hidden.
The woman pivoted suddenly, bringing her sword down in a devastating vertical slash. The pressure hit him before the blade did, forcing Kael to react. He channeled mana into his weapon, forming an imitation of sword aura just in time to block. The impact rang out like a thunderclap, and the ground beneath him cracked as he was driven back several meters.
She didn't let up. Her next attack came immediately, each strike a hammer blow, her relentless rhythm forcing Kael into pure defense.
On her next swing, Kael saw it a small gap in her guard, inevitable when wielding such a massive weapon.
"Shadow Arts—Form Two: Crescent Fold!"
Three crescent-shaped slashes erupted from his blade, black arcs of energy slicing through the air toward her. The woman's eyes narrowed as she felt the danger. She vaulted back in a single smooth motion, landing well clear of the attack.
The crescents tore through the spot she'd been standing, gouging deep lines into the arena floor.
If I'd been there, she thought, a brief smile playing on her lips, that kid might've actually cut me up.
"Get ready, kid," she called out. "I'm going to try a little harder."
Kael frowned. "A little harder? You've been trying to kill me since the start."
Before he could finish, her sword flared with a golden, fire-like aura that shimmered with heat. It wasn't just for show; Kael could feel the weight of it, the sheer presence pressing against his skin.
"I thought you said a little harder! Why the hell are you using aura?!"
"Well," she said with an almost playful tone, "I realized you're not as weak as the others who come here."
Then she vanished.
No she didn't vanish. She simply moved so fast that her presence blurred. In the blink of an eye, she was in front of him, her blade crashing down. Kael's imitation aura shattered instantly under the force. He rolled aside, his body screaming in protest from the pressure alone.
He backed up rapidly, breathing hard. "I know I said I wouldn't use skills but."
Mana surged through him. Power of Wind Lvl 2! His body lightened and his speed spiked, his movements becoming a flurry of dodges and counters.
Even so, she was still faster. Her aura-enhanced strikes weren't just quicker they were heavier, each one threatening to break through his guard entirely.
Kael's mind raced. He had to push further. He activated his Mana Perception, the world sharpening as every thread of energy came into focus. He began shaping his mana, trying to forge a complete, true sword aura.
It was close so close just a final push and...
The cold edge of steel brushed his throat.
"I guess I won," she said sweetly, her face softening into an almost childish smile.
Kael smirked, despite the stinging sweat running down his face. This damned bitch…