Dimensional Descent

CLANG!

Spear and sword met, an overwhelming strength traveling up Leonel's arms and making his teeth chatter.

Leonel found an uncontrollable Force sending him back, his feet gliding along the moist ground as waters continued to flood inward. At this point, it felt that it would only be a matter of time before they were forced to use Force to glide atop the green water.

Leonel's gaze shifted to Amery's blade, his lip curling when he realized it was the very same wooden sword from the day, he hadn't even bothered to take out anything better, nor did he feel like he had to.

There was something very special about Amery's Sword Force. It was powerful and seemed to be even more useful than a blade itself. It almost felt like blasphemy to use anything other than a wooden sword because that was the only thing that could bring out its true strength.

Leonel knew that this was just an illusion. Or, rather, he deduced that it was, an instinctual sharpness of his eye and experience coming to the conclusion. He could see through and understand much more of Amery's Force now, and he knew well that it wasn't because of his Spear Force…

Leonel's aura surged, a crown appearing upon his forehead as a shimmering golden spear took up its center.

Amery seemed to respond in kind, a bright golden sword forming upon his.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!

The flurry of exchanges was heated, but there was no doubt who had the upper hand.

In swiftness, Amery was faster. In power, Amery was stronger. In skill, Amery was more deft and dexterous, his sword responding to every situation with the relaxation of a leaf blowing in the wind.

The battle seemed to carry him from stance to stance, nothing seeming to be too difficult for him to respond to.

to appear along Leonel's body, Amery's blade treating his metallic skin like thin sheets of paper. Only the most minor of shifts and dodges

had had for Aina not seeming to be present in the slightest. '… So that's the difference between them. That's what my Spear Force is lacking… That's also what my Bow Force is lacking… It seems that there's a shortcut

BANG!

one thing that remained unblemished and untainted, untouched

His will.

purple fog rose up, the shimmering halo above Leonel's head vibrating as he stretched out his

did Amery dare to call himself the Sword Deity? It

Star Order had already told Leonel that at the highest levels, Force could curate a personality of its own. And, in that case, wouldn't that mean that the highest levels of comprehended Blade Forces would also have to reach

his whole life honing his blade, refining his Force, and tempering his skill in order to birth a Sword Force that had its own dignity and pride, one that not only embodied strength, but also a

have as many years as Amery did… Nor did he need

suddenly gain a violet tint. The royal violet gold color it now

BANG!

The singular golden spear tripled, forming two smaller units to its side, the now semi-circular crown glowing with a

would advise that you stop hold back."

CLANG!

neither took a single step back. The viciousness of their clash was somehow completely understated, not even the slightest wind splintering outward for just a moment. And then… The

BOOM!

landed heavily on the

up his sword in a fencing stance, gazing upon his wooden blade with a

"Alright," he said lightly.

motion, it seemed to have flickered and vanished. When Amery's hand rose up once more, a completely different sword had

SHIIING!

rose into the