Thaddeus' posture changed as he steadied his breathing. The grip on his sword tightened, and the air around him grew tense.
"Leonel, I hope you can block my attack like before," Thaddeus said with a calm, confident tone. His voice carried an undertone of challenge. Then he declared, "Celestial Blade Art: Radiant Dawn!"
A radiant energy of light enveloped Thaddeus, casting a glow that spread through the arena. The air seemed to shimmer as his Vitalis Energy coalesced. In an instant, there was a blinding flash, and Thaddeus disappeared.
Leonel's instincts flared. He tightened his grip on his sword, his body reacting faster than his mind. A split second later, a strike came from his left. He turned, his sword intercepting the blow with precision. The clash of metal rang out like a thunderclap.
"Thaddeus," Leonel said coolly, "you used light to block my sight. That might work on others, but not me."
Despite Leonel's calm words, a smile spread across Thaddeus' face. Leonel's senses sharpened instantly as he caught a faint flicker behind him. Another Thaddeus appeared out of thin air, his blade poised to strike.
Leonel spun, blocking the incoming attack. The first Thaddeus vanished as if he were never there. Leonel's mind raced.
That's not just a mirage. It had physical strength… a solid form. How?
Thaddeus chuckled as he stepped back, his sword gleaming. "As expected, Leonel. You figured out it was a clone."
Leonel's eyes narrowed. "I'm surprised. What's with that clone? It wasn't just an illusion; it carried real weight and strength. If someone else were fighting, they might have been seriously injured."
Thaddeus' grin widened. "That's the specialty of this technique. What you fought was a Vitalis Clone, a projection imbued with ten percent of my power. And here's the best part—it doesn't consume much of my energy."
Leonel raised an eyebrow. "Our family has a technique like that?"
"Not quite," Thaddeus admitted. "This isn't a Graythorn technique. But enough chit-chat. Let's get serious."
The atmosphere grew heavier as both fighters released their energy. Winds whipped across the arena, carrying a force that made the spectators lean forward in anticipation. Even the elders watching from the stands exchanged knowing glances, silently acknowledging the skill on display.
Leonel's voice rang out. "Graythorn Sword Art: First Form—Skyfall Slash!"
Thaddeus countered immediately. "Celestial Blade Art: Starfall Barrage!"
Thaddeus' sword danced like falling stars, each strike rapid and precise. The barrage forced Leonel onto the defensive, his Skyfall Slash meeting Thaddeus' relentless strikes head-on. Sparks flew with every clash, the light and energy illuminating the arena in bursts.
Leonel's thoughts moved faster than the strikes raining down on him. Each attack was like a meteor, unpredictable in angle and speed. If I misstep even once, I'll be overwhelmed.
He sidestepped one strike, his instincts calculating the trajectory of the next. Three steps back, then one to the left. Block the overhead strike, pivot to avoid the sweep from the right. His movements were fluid, a combination of intuition and strategy. The clash of their swords rang out like thunder, reverberating through the arena.
"You're good, Thaddeus," Leonel said, parrying another strike.
"And you're annoyingly calm," Thaddeus replied, a grin tugging at his lips. "Let's see how long that lasts."
Their swords met again in a flurry of strikes and counters, each blow precise and calculated. Despite the intensity, there was an unspoken respect between them. They weren't just opponents; they were family, testing each other's limits.
In the stands, Liora Moonshadow watched intently, her hands clenched into fists. "Leonel… you're incredible," she whispered, her resolve hardening. "But next time, I'll be the one on that stage."
Back in the arena, Thaddeus stepped back, his breathing steady but his eyes gleaming with determination. "Let's see how you handle this, cousin."
The air around him shimmered as his energy surged. His blade glowed brilliantly, the light almost blinding. With a roar, he unleashed a powerful strike. Leonel raised his sword to block, but the sheer force of the attack pushed him back several steps, his feet skidding against the stone floor.
Leonel's mind worked rapidly. That strike wasn't just strength. The energy behind it disrupted my balance. I need to counter with precision, not brute force.
He adjusted his stance, his body leaning slightly forward to absorb the next impact. Thaddeus lunged again, his blade a blur. Leonel sidestepped, his sword moving in a controlled arc to deflect the attack. He countered with a swift thrust, forcing Thaddeus to retreat.
Thaddeus grinned despite the near miss. "Still keeping up?"
Leonel smirked. "I'm not the one struggling."
Their swords clashed again, the sound sharp and resonant. Dust and debris swirled around them, stirred by the force of their movements. The crowd watched in stunned silence, their eyes darting between the two fighters as they pushed each other to the limit.
The principles of their techniques became clear as the battle raged on. Thaddeus' Starfall Barrage relied on relentless momentum, each strike building on the last to overwhelm his opponent. Leonel, in contrast, used calculated movements to disrupt Thaddeus' rhythm, redirecting energy rather than meeting it head-on.
Leonel's mind was a whirlwind of calculations. His eyes tracked Thaddeus' movements, predicting the angle of each strike. Two steps back to avoid the sweep. Pivot right to counter the overhead slash. Block the thrust and parry to create an opening. His body moved instinctively, his actions a seamless blend of offense and defense.
Thaddeus growled in frustration as another strike was deflected. "How are you reading me so well?"
Leonel's smirk widened. "Maybe you're just predictable."
Thaddeus' eyes narrowed. "We'll see about that."
He stepped back, gathering his energy. The light around him intensified, the arena bathed in a golden glow. The audience held their breath as he raised his sword, preparing for a final, decisive strike.
Leonel tightened his grip on his sword, his gaze unwavering. The air around him seemed to still, a calm before the storm. He could feel the weight of Thaddeus' energy, a tidal wave poised to crash down on him.
Thaddeus roared, unleashing his attack. "Celestial Blade Art: Radiant Collapse!"
The energy surged forward, a brilliant wave of light and force that seemed unstoppable. Leonel's instincts screamed at him to move, but his mind remained calm.
Three steps to the left to avoid the initial impact. Drop low to evade the follow-up sweep. Counter with Skyfall Slash to disrupt the momentum. His movements were precise, his sword cutting through the air with deadly intent.
As the wave of energy passed, Leonel emerged unscathed, his counterattack striking true. Thaddeus' eyes widened as he was forced to retreat, his balance momentarily disrupted.
The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement reaching a fever pitch. But the two fighters knew the battle was far from over. They locked eyes, their determination unshaken.
Thaddeus grinned, his breathing heavy but his spirit unyielding. "Not bad, Leonel. Not bad at all."
Leonel smirked, his voice steady despite the exertion. "You're not too shabby yourself, cousin."
The elders watching from the stands exchanged approving nods. "They're not at their peak yet," one remarked.
"Indeed," another replied. "But they're getting closer."
Thaddeus twirled his blade, the energy around him pulsating like a rhythmic heartbeat. He took a measured step forward, his eyes gleaming with the thrill of the duel. "Leonel, you're quick on your feet, I'll give you that. But how long can you keep it up?"
Leonel chuckled lightly, not out of mockery but pure enjoyment of the challenge. His grip on his sword adjusted subtly, a tell-tale sign that he was analyzing every move Thaddeus made. "You've got your tricks, cousin. But let's see if they can outlast my patience."
Without warning, Thaddeus launched himself forward. His blade moved in arcs that mirrored shooting stars, the streaks of light trailing behind each swing dazzling the audience. Leonel pivoted to his right, narrowly avoiding a strike aimed at his shoulder, then ducked low to sidestep a follow-up slash.
He felt the breeze from Thaddeus' blade brush past his cheek—a silent reminder of how close the strike had been.
Three steps back, feint right, use his momentum against him.
Leonel's mind worked faster than his body, calculating each movement as if the battle unfolded frame by frame. He sidestepped again, then stepped forward into Thaddeus' guard, his sword angled for a counterstrike. But Thaddeus anticipated it, spinning on his heel to avoid the blade.
"Not bad, Leonel," Thaddeus said, his breathing steady despite the exertion. "You're starting to predict me."
Leonel smirked. "Starting? You're flattering yourself."
The audience roared in excitement as the clash intensified. Each strike sent shockwaves rippling through the arena, kicking up small clouds of dust. The ground beneath their feet bore the scars of their battle, cracks spider-webbing out from the points of impact.
Elder said "They're both adapting mid-fight. Thaddeus is pressing with his relentless offense, but Leonel… he's forcing Thaddeus to reveal his hand."
Lady Seraphina, seated beside him, nodded. "Leonel's precision is remarkable. Every move has intent. But Thaddeus—his resilience is just as impressive."
The elders, watching silently, exchanged glances but said nothing. Their eyes were locked on the arena, reading more than the crowd could comprehend.