An Understated Dominance (Dustin Rhys)

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.

Aurora locked Crystal’s sword between her dual blades like scissors. With a quick twist of her body, she delivered a powerful kick aimed at Crystal’s lower abdomen.

extensive training. Her mastery of blade techniques was exceptional, and her hand-to-hand combat skills were equally

arts styles with no discernible weaknesses. She was confident she

countered with her foot. The impact echoed

brief exchange had left neither with

Union,” Aurora remarked. “But now,

the hilts of her dual blades together. A twist followed a sharp click, and the two crescent blades fused into a singular, strange,

hilt with her right

wildly, leaving a blur of afterimages as it hurtled toward

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

silk, were made from the extremely rare mithril, making it impervious to weapons and immune to fire and water. They

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

the distance. She swiftly

thrust of her longsword straight at Aurora’s throat. After all, she had the upper

Aurora would be vulnerable without her weapon. Aurora would

hand grabbed Crystal’s sword. Since the mithril

eyebrow as her longsword quivered in her grip. Suddenly, a surge of energy erupted and shook Aurora’s hand. The sword writhed like a

poised to strike, a sharp whistle pierced

the air and veered back toward Crystal. It nearly grazed Crystal’s head and cut off a