The white marble of the hall still bore the scars of previous battles. Two figures stood facing each other in silence.
The torchlight danced across Relia's immaculate armor. She raised her eyes, standing tall, her expression stern.
— Relia Luminus. Second of the Foundation of Protection.She slowly lifted her blade.— Trained by the Silent Wall himself. I will stop you— the new Black Calamity.Her tone was neutral. Without hatred. Only conviction.
Samuel said nothing. He simply looked up at her. No words. No unnecessary gestures. He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword and drew it in heavy silence.
The battle began. Their auras burst forth in a single surge.Relia struck first.
"Blade of Light."
Her sword lit up with a golden glow, slightly extending as if the light itself sharpened its edge. She slashed without warning. A vertical strike. Samuel stepped aside; the steel grazed his coat, tearing off a strip of fabric.
He retreated silently. Analysis. Distance. Position.
"Awakened Speed."
Relia vanished for a second. Her body had become a streak of light, rushing toward Samuel at full speed. He raised his arm without hesitation.
"Celestial Shield."
A semi-transparent circle appeared just beside his cheek. Her blade clashed against it with a sharp screech, but it held. He slid back, absorbing the blow.
She didn't let up. Two strikes. Then three. Each attack was precise, with no wasted motion. Samuel parried without a word. His boots glided across the smooth floor.
Relia ran toward a wall, planting her foot against it.
"Muscle Reinforcement."
Her muscles tightened, and her next leap shattered a stone slab beneath her. She came down from above, blade glowing. Samuel couldn't move in time. He raised his hand once more.
"Celestial Shield."
The impact created a wave of pressure.
"White Explosion."
A muffled detonation burst on contact, sending Samuel crashing into a column. He rolled, then rose in a single motion. Two ribs at least were cracked.
He inhaled calmly. No complaint.
"Muscle Reinforcement."
His grip on the hilt tightened. He leapt forward. His sword cut the air.
"Razor Wind."
A crescent of slicing wind surged forth, silent and deadly. Relia raised her arm.
"Shield of Light."
The projectile collided with the golden barrier and scattered in a burst of wind and sparks.
Still silent, Samuel stepped back. Relia advanced. She stopped five meters away.
— You're not afraid, she murmured. But you're slow. And all you do is react.
She extended her hand.
"Glittering Projectiles."
Ten radiant arrows formed around her, circling, humming. Then they lunged.
Samuel moved. He leapt, rolled, ran along the left wall. Three arrows narrowly missed. Two more exploded against a pillar. He pivoted, slashed at the air.
"Razor Wind."
Two of the arrows shattered. But another struck his side. He gritted his teeth, landing on one knee, one hand clutching his wound.
Relia stared at him.
— You won't last. Light always burns away shadow.
Samuel raised his gaze, wordless. His thoughts were elsewhere. He was analyzing. Feeling. Learning.
He rose slowly. Blood seeped from his hip. But his breathing remained steady.
He took a step forward.
Relia frowned.
He vanished for an instant— right before her eyes.
"Awakened Speed."
His blade came from the side. She raised her shield just in time. The impact rattled the ground.
She stepped back. Twice. She turned— he was already behind her.
Another strike.
"Shield of Light."
She blocked just in time. But her shoulder was hit. She recoiled, off balance for the first time.
She regained her stance.
— Hmph…
She raised her guard again. The respect in her eyes was now genuine.
Samuel remained silent.
But his eyes said everything.