In the arena, Liora and Leonel stood opposite each other, the tension between them palpable.
"Let's not waste time. We can start now," Liora said, her voice carrying across the silence.
"Yes," Leonel replied, his tone calm and composed.
The entire arena erupted in cheers, the energy electric. Up in the stands, Lady Seraphina watched with a mix of pride and concern. Beside her, First Elder Valtor leaned in, his gaze steady.
"Don't worry. He's going to be okay," Valtor reassured her. "He's powerful among all the youngsters. If my guess is correct, he's already at the peak of Sword Initiate."
The other elders exchanged surprised glances, and Valtor continued. "The technique he's practicing is more advanced than even most of us have noticed."
The elders nodded, accepting Valtor's assessment.
The Fourth Elder said, "You used your eyes didn't you?"
Valtor's eyes glimmered. "Yes, I possess the Astral Eye. It allows me to see the true nature of one's energy well it just one of its function."
The Third Elder grinned. "So that's how you always know when we're slacking off."
The Fifth Elder chuckled. "No wonder I could never get away with sneaking out of training sessions."
They laughed, the tension easing slightly as they teased each other.
Lady Seraphina's eyes narrowed as she watched the battle unfold. "That brat actually advanced, and he still didn't inform me. It's like he wants a love punch."
The elders chuckled, easing the tension with light-hearted banter.
"You always did have a way with words, Seraphina," the Fourth Elder said, chuckling.
The Fifth Elder grinned. "I think he inherited that from you."
Seraphina rolled her eyes playfully. "Let's hope he doesn't inherit my temper too."
The elders laughed again, the camaraderie clear.
In the arena, Liora made the first move, her blade slicing through the air. Leonel dodged effortlessly, a playful smile on his face.
"Nice try," Leonel said, his tone light.
"You always make it look so easy," Liora replied, a hint of admiration in her voice.
"Just part of my charm," Leonel teased.
After a few more exchanges, Liora's expression turned serious. "Let's be serious now," she said, her voice firm.
"As you wish," Leonel responded, his demeanor shifting. Their posture and temperament changed, signaling the intensity of the battle to come.
"Moonlit Elegance: First Form—Gentle Snowfall," Liora called out, her blade moving with grace.
Leonel didn't use a specific sword art. Instead, he deflected her attack with ease. "You can see the flow of the sword, can't you?" he asked, surprising Liora.
She blinked, taken aback. "How did you know?"
Leonel's eyes twinkled. "It seems you've awakened your eye or something. I know the Graythorn family has special eyes, and only few people can awaken it. but just because you have a special eye doesn't mean you can win."
He shifted his posture and whispered, "Graythorn Sword Art: First Form—Skyfall Slash."
Leonel's blade moved with incredible speed and power, projecting a forceful slash that seemed to cut through the very air. Liora barely managed to block it, her eyes wide with shock.
How does he even cultivate like this? We're the same age, and I'm literally older than him, but the pressure of his sword is different, she thought, struggling to keep her composure.
"Oh, you blocked it," Leonel said, his tone teasing. "Impressive."
Liora huffed, frustrated. "Don't get cocky!"
The two exchanged rapid strikes, their swords moving so fast that the audience could barely keep up. Leonel suddenly disappeared from his position, reappearing at Liora's side. She desperately blocked his strike, her face contorted with effort.
"Come on, get up. We didn't even start, and you're already down," Leonel teased, a playful grin on his face.
Liora's eyes blazed with determination. "Moonlit Elegance: Second Form—Crescent Veil!"
A huge, moon-like silver crescent energy attack surged toward Leonel. He didn't flinch, raising his sword calmly.
"Gale Shadow Strike," he called out. A powerful wind and shadow enveloped his blade, clashing with Liora's attack and canceling it out.
Liora's eyes widened in shock. "How the hell did you do that?"
Leonel grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Practice daily. It's that simple," he said with a wink.
Liora's frustration boiled over. "You infuriating—!"
The audience watched in awe as the two continued their intense duel, each move more spectacular than the last. Their swords clashed, sending sparks flying, and their determination was evident in every strike.
Despite their exhaustion, neither fighter was willing to back down. Their resolve and skill captivated everyone watching, making it a duel that would be remembered for years to come.
Up in the stands, the elders continued their conversation.
The Fourth Elder remarked, "It's impressive how these youngsters push each other. It reminds me of our own youth."
The Third Elder nodded. "Indeed. It's fascinating to see the next generation carrying on our legacy with such determination."
The Fifth Elder, always the light-hearted one, laughed. "I just hope they don't surpass us too quickly. My ego might not survive it!"
The other elders chuckled, the camaraderie between them clear.
Leonel and Liora continued their exchange, both fighters testing their limits. Leonel's eyes sparkled with mischief as he pointed out Liora's moves.
"Your footwork is good, but you're not fully committing to your strikes," he said, deflecting her attack with ease.
Liora gritted her teeth. "I know what I'm doing!"
"Do you? Because it looks like you're hesitating," Leonel teased, his playful grin never fading.
Liora's frustration grew, but she couldn't deny the truth in his words. "Fine! Let's see how you handle this!"
She launched into a series of rapid attacks, each strike more precise and determined than the last. Leonel parried and dodged, his movements fluid and effortless.
"Better," he said, his tone approving. "But still not enough."
Liora's eyes blazed with determination. "Don't underestimate me!"
She pushed harder, her attacks becoming more intense. Leonel met each strike with calm precision, his eyes never leaving her.
"You're improving," he said, his voice calm. "But you still have a long way to go."
Liora's frustration boiled over. "You infuriating—!"
The audience watched in awe as the two continued their intense duel, each move more spectacular than the last. Their swords clashed, sending sparks flying, and their determination was evident in every strike.
As they paused to catch their breath, Liora looked at Leonel, her eyes filled with a mix of frustration and admiration. "How do you stay so calm?"
Leonel smiled, his eyes twinkling. "Practice, patience, and a lot of self-discipline."
Liora sighed, her frustration fading. "I guess I have a lot to learn."
Leonel nodded. "We all do. But that's what makes us stronger."
Leonel suddenly disappeared from his position, reappearing at Liora's side. She desperately blocked his strike, her face contorted with effort.
"Come on, get up. its already second time. We didn't even start, and you're already down," Leonel teased, a playful grin.