A Dance of Blades
The training ground was packed, nobles and knights alike gathered to witness the duel between Renji Asakura and the Hero, Leon Brightwind. The tension in the air was thick, an electric buzz of anticipation.
Renji took a deep breath, his dark aura swirling faintly around him as he faced Leon, who stood tall and confident, radiating golden light like a beacon of righteousness.
"You sure you're ready for this, Asakura?" Leon smirked, resting a hand on the hilt of his sword. "I won't hold back."
Renji rolled his shoulders, flashing his usual cocky grin despite the nervous pit in his stomach. "Bring it on, golden boy."
With a signal from the referee, the duel began.
Leon wasted no time, lunging forward with blinding speed. Renji barely managed to parry the first strike, his feet skidding back from the sheer force. His arms shook. The hero's strength was on another level.
"Damn," Renji muttered, blocking another powerful blow. "This guy is a monster."
The crowd watched in awe as Leon pressed his relentless assault, his sword cutting through the air with precision. Renji dodged, sidestepped, and barely avoided a direct hit, his mind racing.
I can't beat him head-on. I need to think—use what I know!
He focused on Leon's movements, memories of countless hours spent playing the game flashing in his mind. Renji's footwork became sharper, his movements more calculated. He began to dodge with ease, countering Leon's attacks with swift parries.
Step by step, Renji found his rhythm.
Something changed. He no longer felt like he was fighting; it was as if he was dancing. His strikes flowed, his footwork turned precise, and his dark aura blended seamlessly with his movements.
Leon's brows furrowed. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?"
Renji smirked, flipping his blade to deflect Leon's incoming strike. "Yeah... I think I am."
The fight escalated. Sparks flew with every clash, the sound of steel against steel echoing through the air. The ground beneath them cracked with the force of their strikes. The golden radiance of the hero and the deep, dark aura of Renji swirled around them in a mesmerizing display.
Watching from the seats, a noble poet felt inspired by the sight before him and spoke in awe:
"Two blades that dance in moon and sun,
A hero bright, a villain undone.
Step by step, they weave their fate,
Light and dark in perfect weight.
The blackened rose, a shadow's bloom,
Dares to defy its destined doom.
And though the golden sun shall reign,
The darkened blade will rise again."
The crowd murmured in awe, captivated by the spectacle before them.
Renji grinned, his breathing heavy but his excitement palpable. He was keeping up with the hero, something no one had expected. But deep down, he knew—it wasn't enough.
Leon's eyes burned with resolve. "Time to end this," he declared, his aura surging to its peak.
Renji braced himself, but before he could react, Leon's blade struck true, sending his sword flying from his grip. The impact forced him to his knees, sweat dripping down his forehead.
The match was over.
Leon stood victorious, sword pointed at Renji's chest.
For a moment, silence hung in the air. Then, to Renji's surprise, applause erupted.
The nobles, knights, and even the servants clapped—not just for Leon, but for him as well. No one mocked him, no one jeered. Instead, they whispered in admiration.
"To think he could fight the hero like that..."
"He's strong. Stronger than we imagined."
"Maybe he's changed after all."
Leon extended a hand to Renji, a smirk on his face. "You're not half bad, Asakura."
Renji looked up at him, surprised but grateful. With a chuckle, he took Leon's hand and stood. "Guess I gave you a run for your money, huh?"
Leon nodded. "Yeah, you did."
As they stood there, facing each other, there was no hostility—only mutual respect. And for the first time since arriving in this world, Renji felt like he truly belonged.