The sun rose over A1 City, casting a golden glow on the arena as the second day of the competition began. The crowd was even larger than the day before, with nobles and commoners alike gathering to witness the next set of duels. Among them sat the noble family, watching from their high balcony, their expressions unreadable.
Rajiv, still sore from his intense battle with Liang Bai, stood with his teammates in the waiting area. Though his body ached, his mind was sharp—he had learned a lot from his fight. Now, it was Yokudo's turn.
The announcer's voice boomed across the arena.
"For our next duel, we have an extraordinary matchup! From the distant lands of the East, a warrior with unwavering determination—Yokudo! And his opponent, a noble swordsman known for his precision and strength—Callum Graves!"
Yokudo stepped into the arena, his stance relaxed but focused. His dark eyes locked onto Callum, who stood with his sword drawn, exuding confidence.
"I've heard about you," Callum said, adjusting his grip. "You are coming to prove yourself, huh? Heh."
Yokudo remained silent, simply raising his sword.
The referee signaled the start of the match.
The Fight Begins
Callum wasted no time, dashing forward with a powerful downward slash. Yokudo parried, sparks flying as their swords clashed. Unlike Rajiv's fight, which had been chaotic and filled with bursts of energy, this was a battle of technique and precision.
Callum's movements were smooth, each strike flowing into the next. Yokudo, however, was no slouch—he countered each attack with his own quick and sharp strikes. The two danced across the battlefield, neither gaining an advantage.
Then, Callum changed his approach. He stepped back, took a deep breath, and his sword started glowing faintly with energy.
"I was hoping I wouldn't have to use this," he muttered. "But I suppose you deserve to see it."
Yokudo's grip on his sword tightened.
"Show me, then."
The next moment, Callum vanished.
Yokudo barely had time to react before Callum reappeared behind him, slashing with incredible speed. Yokudo twisted, blocking just in time, but the force sent him skidding backward.
"He's fast," Rajiv muttered, watching from the sidelines.
Callum's sword style wasn't flashy—it was calculated. Every attack had a purpose, every movement was controlled. He wasn't just fighting; he was breaking down Yokudo's defenses, one step at a time.
But Yokudo wasn't done yet.
He closed his eyes for a brief second, then inhaled. When he opened them, a sharp change occurred in his stance. His sword, which had been steady, now seemed weightless in his hands.
"Alright," he said. "My turn."
With a burst of movement, Yokudo counterattacked.
Their swords clashed again, but this time, the balance shifted. Yokudo started matching Callum's speed, predicting his strikes, adjusting his rhythm. The crowd gasped as the two warriors exchanged blow after blow, their movements too fast for most to follow.
Callum gritted his teeth. "Not bad…"
The fight was only getting started.