During the days when Akira patiently and meticulously taught her magic, Ais had always harbored a desire deep in her heart—a fierce longing to clash with him in a no-holds-barred duel.
And now, at long last, that long-awaited moment had finally come.
Standing on the sidelines, Riveria could only shake her head helplessly, her face filled with exasperation as she muttered, "You guys really are a bunch of absolute battle maniacs…"
Even so, she was well aware that with her healing magic, she could easily restore any injuries that might occur. In other words, there was no real danger—only intensity.
So, since everyone was so eagerly looking forward to this duel… why not?
"Start!"
As Finn's clear and commanding voice echoed across the training grounds, the atmosphere immediately turned electric.
Akira and Ais shot forward like twin bolts of lightning, hurtling toward each other with unstoppable momentum. Their weapons carved fierce arcs through the air, their speed producing sharp howls of wind as they closed the distance in the blink of an eye.
Akira's one-handed sword collided violently with Ais's Desperate, which gleamed with a deadly chill. The impact rang out with a deafening clang!
The two blades pressed against each other, grinding and screeching with unbearable metallic shrieks as sparks burst between them, scattering like fireworks in the dusky sky.
Yet in that brief moment of direct confrontation, Ais felt a jolt of unease surge through her.
It was as if her slender weapon had struck an immovable wall of steel—unyielding, unbreakable. No matter how much force she poured into her blade, she couldn't break through his defense.
Within mere seconds of the deadlock, Ais's strength gave out first. She stumbled back several steps before she could regain her footing, barely avoiding a complete fall.
Watching from the side, the trio of seasoned adventurers—Finn, Riveria, and Gareth—were visibly stunned. None of them had anticipated that Ais, one of Orario's most promising young swordswomen, would be overwhelmed in the very first exchange.
"His strength… it's even greater than Ais's, and she's Level 3." Riveria murmured, her voice tinged with disbelief.
"Is he really a half-elf and not a dwarf?"
Even Finn, usually calm and composed, furrowed his brows slightly, muttering, "I assumed his magic and skillset were already exceptional… But to think his physical prowess is this extraordinary... Akira, you really do defy expectations."
"Here it comes." Gareth warned, sharp-eyed.
Suddenly, Akira stomped the ground with explosive force. The stone beneath his feet shattered as he surged forward, his body becoming a blur of motion—a speeding arrow loosed from an unbreakable bow.
The blade in his hand sliced through the air with a piercing whistle, swift and merciless—swoosh!
His sword, shimmering with energy, cut a silver trail across the air and slammed against Ais's hastily raised weapon.
Ais gritted her teeth, holding Desperate with both hands as she met the ferocious blow. A tidal wave of force slammed into her, and though she was strong in her own right, her youthful frame and light build betrayed her.
Under the pressure of that devastating strike, she staggered backward uncontrollably. Her boots scraped against the stone floor, and she nearly toppled over.
Though she hadn't expected to win, being pushed back this decisively still surprised her. Yet instead of feeling discouraged, a wild exhilaration rose within her.
A spark lit in her golden eyes.
Akira, you're amazing…
But Akira didn't let up.
"Ais! Use magic!" He shouted, a fiery eagerness flashing in his gaze.
Without hesitation, Ais obeyed. Her voice was steady and low as she began to chant, "Tempest—"
Ariel.
A short but potent magic that summoned the wind spirit's blessing to envelop her body, enhancing attack power, defense, movement speed, and even allowing for brief bursts of flight.
Suddenly, emerald winds spiraled around her without warning, wrapping her like an ethereal cloak. The vibrant currents danced like living creatures, and her golden hair, glittering like threads of sunlight, whipped wildly in the storm.
With a sharp exhale, Ais pushed off the ground.
Boom!
A thunderous burst of force erupted beneath her feet, scattering dust in all directions as her figure vanished. The added acceleration from the wind turned her into a literal gale—a violent, relentless force hurtling toward Akira like a thunderbolt.
The air surged with pressure, rippling and cracking. Ais closed the distance in a single step.
The world blurred around her, smeared into colors by her blazing speed. Only one figure stood out in stark clarity—Akira, holding his radiant blade, utterly calm in the face of her assault.
Then, with a howl like a hurricane's wail, Ais brought her sword down from above at a slanting angle.
Clang! Clang-clang! Clang!
Each slash tore the very air apart, leaving streaks of white light and ringing shockwaves. Blades crashed again and again, their rapid rhythm creating a constant storm of sparks.
Their weapons never rested. Sword met sword, and the two combatants moved faster and faster, exchanging dozens of strikes within seconds. The speed and precision of their blows left only flashes and afterimages.
The very air around them was shredded. Pebbles and dust lifted from the ground, only to be sliced into finer dust. Even the sturdy stone floor was carved with deep gashes, their duel leaving scars upon the battlefield.
Despite Ais's frenzied attack, Akira met her blow for blow, parrying with reflexes that bordered on inhuman.
Another loud clash rang out—clang!
Both fighters leapt backward simultaneously, panting slightly as they took a brief pause to reassess.
Akira flexed his slightly numb right hand and grinned, a wild look gleaming in his eyes. "That's not enough, Ais. Your wind... it's not nearly strong enough."
Hearing those words, Ais's brows furrowed. She bit her lip, and a flicker of frustration flashed across her eyes.
Even her magic hadn't been able to suppress him…?
"I didn't expect Akira to taunt her like that." Finn murmured, unable to hide his surprise.
"His entire expression changed... Just what kind of education is Astraea giving this kid?" Riveria sighed again, pressing her hand to her forehead.
"It seems I might have to re-evaluate our teaching methods…"
"Hahaha, that's just how gifted children are." Gareth said heartily, stroking his thick beard with amusement.
Then, a curious and teasing voice suddenly came from behind them.
"So, what's the real reason this brat is fighting Ais? And what's this kid even doing here?"
Turning his head only slightly, Finn replied casually, "Oh? You are awake, Loki?"
"Of course I'm awake! Who could sleep with this racket going on?" Loki huffed, her crimson eyes narrowed with dissatisfaction.
"Besides, I'm not the only one. Everyone's watching."
Sure enough, the three looked around and saw dozens of Loki Familia members gathered around the training grounds, all holding their breath as they watched the fierce duel between Akira and Ais unfold.