Cheers erupted from all directions as Kai emerged, a single sword resting at his waist. Walking with a smile, he eagerly awaited the fight. On the opposing side, his opponent made his entrance, and the crowd roared,
"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you've all been waiting for: The Black Swordsman, Verse Burviou!" The cheers crescendoed like thunder.
Kai remained focused, watching his opponent enter the arena. With dark red hair reminiscent of blood and scars extending from his neck to his face, Verse exuded a certain charm.
As he laid eyes on Kai, a blue radiance emanated from his gaze, accompanied by a smile. "Someone at the expert realm of swordsmanship, how interesting," he remarked.
In the realm of swordsmanship, one could discern a person's skill and mastery over their weapon with a mere glance. These realms included the Novice realm, Expert realm, Dominant realm, Master realm, Grand Master realm, and even higher stages that few had ever reached.
However, mastery did not guarantee victory; it merely offered a glimpse of what to expect.
"5... 4... 3... 2... 1. Let the fight begin!" The crowd erupted in cheers as the two men sprang into action.
Unsheathing his katana, its purple glow illuminating the air, Kai dashed forward, meeting his opponent's two swords at the midpoint. The clang of metal on metal rang out, sharp and clear.
Ting
Their blades clashed with a fierce intensity. Kai dodged a swift slash from Burviou and countered with a precise strike of his own, but Burviou effortlessly evaded it. Undeterred, Kai's speed surged in an instant.
He blocked another strike just in time, his katana carving a crescent arc through the air that forced Burviou back a few steps. The Dark element began to cover his blade, which he a swift deflection to Burviou's attack pushing the attack aside.
BOOM
The ground shook from the impact of their collision. Burviou smirked, his confidence unshaken.
"You're skilled, but your abilities can't match mine, nor your strength," he taunted. Despite not being as formidable as Elijah, who was at (E-)rank, Kai remained at the (F+) rank, while Burviou had reached the early stages of (E-)rank. Although the power gap might seem slight, it was incredibly vast.
Without hesitation, black samurai armor materialized around Kai, adding an aura of menace to his presence.
"Let's see what we can learn," he thought, determination etched on his face. Both combatants disappeared into a blur of motion, their swords clashing amidst the roaring cheers of the crowd.
Ting Ting Ting
Suddenly, Burviou appeared above Kai, his eyes blazing with intent. Kai swiftly assumed a defensive stance, raising his katana to meet the incoming attack. Kai voice echoed through the arena, "Oni." With a swift, downward slash "Black!"
BOOOM
The impact was deafening. Dust and debris filled the air, and the crowd gasped, straining to see through the haze. As the dust settled, two figures emerged, locked in a deadly dance of steel.
BOOOM
As spectators believed the fight had concluded, two figures emerged from the dust, their swords dancing in a choreography only they could comprehend. Burviou was pushed back, his swords crossed to block Kai's previous assault. Despite effortlessly dispelling two incoming slashes, his focus momentarily shifted from Kai.
Suddenly, Kai materialized behind Burviou, narrowly evading a cut that grazed his hand. "That was close, but what just happened?" Burviou wondered as Kai disappeared once more. "Is he an assassin rather than just a swordsman?"
From the spectators' viewpoint, Kai walked ahead of Burviou, who appeared perplexed, as if unable to see him. Frustrated and sensing imminent danger, flames erupted from the ground, forcing Kai to retreat and reappear in Burviou's line of sight.
Curiosity piqued, Burviou inquired, "What was that? I thought you were merely a swordsman."
Considering his response, Kai finally spoke, "Yes, I am. That skill merely harnesses the ability of my Dark element." He didn't elaborate further, but Burviou deduced the reason behind the technique.
"Hahaha! So, you exploited my momentary lapse in focus caused by fear," Burviou chuckled. His observation was accurate, surprising Kai with his quick understanding of the ability. The skill capitalized on people's fear to render Kai invisible to them.
In moments of doubt, Kai capitalized on Burviou's fear, intensifying it as he failed to comprehend the situation fully. However, the skill's flaw lay in its requirement for silence and immobility, resembling an assassin's technique, albeit differently. Burviou shook his head before rising, engulfed in blazing flames.
"You shouldn't have revealed your strategy," he remarked with a smile. "But regardless, you realized its futility against me, didn't you?"
"Yeah, once you laid eyes on me, your fear dissipated, rendering it mostly ineffective," Kai explained.
"I see," Burviou responded. Both men locked eyes before lunging forward once more.