An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

Aurora’s strikes were swift, but Crystal’s reflexes matched them. As Aurora’s crescent blades sliced through the air, Crystal’s sword was already in motion.

“Windbreaker Slash!” Crystal called out as her longsword trembled violently. A flurry of sword shadows appeared and clashed fiercely against Aurora’s dual blades like a raging wind.

The metallic clangs echoed as Aurora’s attack was instantly deflected.

Crystal lunged forward from behind the dissipating shadows and aimed her sword at Aurora’s chest and abdomen.

With the remaining shadows masking her move, the thrust was silent and undetectable. It was deceptively harmless but filled with hidden danger.

“Aurora, watch out!” Alicia’s expression changed.

She recognized Crystal’s skill in swordsmanship and extensive combat experience. With a single deceptive move, Crystal shifted from defense to offense and took control of the match.

“Huh?” Aurora’s eyes widened in shock. She didn’t need Alicia’s warning, as her instincts had already kicked in.

She leaned back sharply and crossed her blades in front of her chest just in time to dodge the incoming strike.

A harsh screech of metal rang out as Crystal’s sword scraped against Aurora’s blades, sending a shower of sparks flying.

like scissors. With a quick twist of her

extensive training. Her mastery of blade

weaknesses. She was

impact echoed with a dull thud before they

brief exchange had left

disciple of the Sword Union,” Aurora remarked. “But now,

A twist followed a sharp click, and the two crescent blades fused into

the hilt with her right hand

S-shaped weapon spun wildly, leaving a blur of afterimages as it hurtled toward Crystal with astonishing

hurled her weapon, she sprang forward like a leopard. At some point, she

extremely rare mithril, making it impervious to weapons and immune

spinning weapon whirled toward her like a fan, Crystal wasn’t sure how to deflect

her chance and closed the distance. She swiftly delivered a powerful punch aimed

Crystal countered with a thrust of her longsword straight at Aurora’s throat.

without her weapon. Aurora

dodging or retreating, her other hand grabbed Crystal’s sword. Since the mithril gloves protected her, the sword

Suddenly, a surge of energy erupted and shook

seemed poised to strike, a sharp whistle pierced