The instant Professor Veyra gave the signal, golden light surged around the edges of the arena once more.
The moment the barrier fully formed, both fighters moved.
Null struck first.
He closed the distance with frightening speed, his wooden blade cutting straight toward Eselin's shoulder in a clean, precise slash. There was no hesitation behind it, no wasted movement. It looked less like a student attacking and more like someone who had repeated the same motion thousands of times.
Eselin reacted instantly.
Their swords collided with a sharp crack that echoed through the arena.
She twisted her wrist and redirected his blade sideways before stepping inward, aiming a quick slash toward his ribs. Null leaned back just enough to avoid it, then countered immediately with a thrust aimed at her stomach.
Eselin pivoted around it smoothly. The tip of his sword barely brushed the edge of her uniform.
The crowd erupted into cheers almost immediately.
