As the horn resounded, marking the beginning of the duel, Asus remained motionless. His sapphire eyes glinted as he tilted his head, looking at me with an enigmatic smile. "It's been a long time, old friend," he voiced out smoothly, breaking the silence between us.
Keeping my guard up, I raised my sword towards him, responding with a stern tone, "I've never met you in my entire life."
His lips curved into a wider smile, and a hint of playful mischief danced in his eyes. His voice dropped a few notes, turning huskier, more seductive. "Why so cold, Yi-Fei-chan?" he asked, a teasing lilt to his words. The arena held its breath, waiting for my response.
The crowd reacted instantaneously to the interaction. A collective gasp echoed across the arena, followed by hushed whispers, each person turning to their neighbor, their faces a mix of surprise and confusion.
"Did he just call Wang-Yi-Fei 'old friend'?" One of the spectators, a young man with wide eyes, stammered to his companion.
"Maybe they knew each other?" A middle-aged woman in the crowd suggested, her brow creased in thought.
The murmurings grew louder, the audience speculating over our supposed past. "Yi-Fei-chan...That's so informal. Are they close?" A teenage girl squealed in excitement.
"He did say 'old friend'," A man with a grizzled beard chimed in, "But Wang-Yi-Fei seemed to deny knowing him."
"That's one heck of a plot twist," An older man laughed, patting his buddy on the back, "This is going to be a battle to remember!"
Meanwhile, the female fans of Asus were unabashedly swooning over his charming demeanor. "Oh, Asus...he's so dreamy even when he's in the battlefield." One young woman sighed dreamily, clutching her hands to her chest. "That voice of his...It could tempt anyone!" another added, her eyes sparkling.
"Yes, Asus is attractive, but Wang-Yi-Fei, oh my, he's a whole different level," a young woman in the audience was saying, fanning herself as she spoke to her friends. "I mean, not only is he devilishly handsome, he's also a sword master and unbelievably wealthy! What's not to love?"
Her friend, a girl with short hair and bright eyes, nodded in agreement. "I know, right! Have you seen the way he wields his swords? It's like watching poetry in motion. He's not just a warrior, he's an artist."
Another member of their group, a tall woman with striking features, piped in, "And his aura! It's so captivating and strong. You can't help but respect him. He is not just another pretty face, he's got depth and a world of experience behind him. It's very...intoxicating."
Their conversation was not unique. All around the arena, other fans of Wang-Yi-Fei were also voicing their admiration.
"He may be rougher, but that just adds to his charm," a woman in her thirties murmured to her friends, "He's got that rugged, experienced appeal that pretty boys like Asus just can't match."
Yet another girl added, "And let's not forget his fortune! Being the strongest human also comes with many perks, and riches is one of them. Asus may be a prince, but Wang-Yi-Fei is like a king in his own right."
One such fan girl, with bright pink hair and matching pink glasses, squealed, "Oh my gosh, imagine if Asus and Wang-Yi-Fei ended up together! They'd be such a power couple."
Her friend, a dark-haired girl, playfully slapped her shoulder. "You're hopeless! But I can't lie, it's an interesting thought. Wang-Yi-Fei's reserved and stoic character would perfectly complement Asus's flamboyant and flirty nature. It would be a match made in heaven!"
Another fan girl with an excited expression on her face chimed in, "And the tension between them! It's perfect for a slow burn story. I mean, did you hear how Asus called him 'Yi-Fei chan'? It's like he's openly flirting with him!"
A girl with a pile of sketchbooks on her lap nodded in agreement. "Oh yes, I can already see it. The demon prince of temptation trying to seduce the strongest human. It's the perfect plot for a manga!"
In the blink of an eye, the atmosphere of the arena shifted dramatically. As if following a cue from an unseen director, the crowd hushed, their breaths hitched in anticipation. The playful smile on Asus' face slipped slightly, replaced by an expression of intrigue.
The 36 ethereal swords behind me glowed with an intense golden light, casting long, daunting shadows on the ground. They floated in an imposing formation, their points aligned towards Asus, their edges shimmering like the surface of a calm lake under the noon sun. Their presence was a visual testament to my resolve and formidable power, a tangible threat that filled the air with palpable tension.
The swords hummed with dormant power, emanating a divine aura that seemed to distort the space around them. Each sword was an extension of my will, my determination, waiting for my command to be unleashed. The sight of these spectral weapons was nothing short of awe-inspiring, prompting gasps of wonder and trepidation from the spectators. In this moment, the full extent of my power was on display for all to see, a sight that commanded respect and instilled fear.
My eyes never left Asus, holding his gaze with an unwavering sternness. My annoyance was evident in the hard lines etching my face, but there was something else lurking in the depths of my eyes. A silent promise of a serious fight, a warning that I wouldn't be holding back.
With a flick of my wrist, one ethereal blade detached from the assembly and soared towards the heavens, casting a golden trail in its wake that pierced the cerulean sky. Then, with a commanding wave of my hand, the remaining 35 blades surged forward, sweeping across the arena like a shimmering storm.
Asus responded with a swift incantation, and suddenly, he seemed to fracture into dozens of identical forms. The crowd gasped as the illusory replicas dispersed in every direction, scattering like leaves in a strong gust of wind.
Despite their supernatural speed, my ethereal blades responded almost instantaneously, redirecting their trajectory with unnatural precision. They pursued the fleeing illusions relentlessly, cutting through the air with razor-sharp precision. Their luminescent trails crisscrossed the battlefield, painting a dazzling spectacle of a golden whirlwind against the azure backdrop.
And then came the collisions. The moment a blade met an illusion, a bright burst of energy erupted. One by one, the illusions shattered like glass under the ethereal blades' touch, their fragmented forms dissolving into shimmering particles before fading away. The crowd watched in awe as the once crowded battlefield was gradually cleared, the ethereal blades continuing their relentless pursuit until no illusion remained. The entire spectacle unfolded in a matter of seconds, yet its effects echoed throughout the silent arena.
Q: Is there anything you fan girl over?