The arena filled once again, but this time the energy felt different. The earlier matches had already set expectations high, and now everyone was waiting to see what would happen next. The name on the board had already spread through the crowd, and whispers followed it like a shadow.
Yura stepped into the arena calmly, her posture straight, her expression cold and unreadable as always. The dual-bladed weapon rested naturally in her hands, its balance already familiar from the short time she spent training with it. There was no hesitation in her steps, no wasted movement, just quiet confidence.
Across from her stood Seiyan.
He looked relaxed, almost too relaxed, his short sword resting on his shoulder as if this was nothing more than a casual spar. His eyes scanned Yura from head to toe, and a faint smirk appeared on his face, one that carried more arrogance than amusement.
"…So this is my opponent," he said, his tone light but clearly mocking. "Did they run out of real fighters?"
A few students in the crowd chuckled.
Yura didn't react.
Not even slightly.
Seiyan tilted his head, amused by the lack of response. "What, no comeback? Or are you just nervous?" he continued, stepping forward slowly. "I mean… it's understandable. Fighting someone like me isn't easy, especially when you're…"
He paused briefly, his smirk widening.
"…just a girl."
The words hung in the air, and this time, the crowd reacted louder. Some laughed, others watched closely, waiting for a reaction.
Yura finally moved.
Not to attack.
Not to speak loudly.
She simply lifted one of her blades slightly and pointed it toward him.
"…Start," she said.
Her voice was calm.
Flat.
Unbothered.
Seiyan blinked for a second then laughed. "Alright. Don't say I didn't warn you."
The signal was given.
And instantly-
Seiyan moved.
His speed was sharp, immediate, his body cutting across the arena in a straight line toward Yura. The moment he stepped in range, his sword swung, the motion clean and precise, aimed directly for her shoulder.
Yura reacted just as fast.
Her body shifted slightly to the side, her blade intercepting his strike at an angle that redirected the force instead of stopping it completely. The clash rang out, sharp and controlled, and before the impact even settled, she moved again.
Her second blade came up.
A counterattack.
Fast.
Seiyan stepped back just in time, his smirk still present but his eyes slightly sharper now.
"…Not bad," he admitted.
Yura didn't respond.
She stepped forward.
This time, she attacked first.
Her movements were fluid, each strike connecting into the next without pause. The dual blades allowed her to chain attacks together seamlessly, alternating angles and directions in a way that forced Seiyan to stay on the defensive for a moment.
But only for a moment.
Seiyan adjusted quickly.
His sword moved faster now, intercepting her attacks with precision. His strength became more noticeable with each clash, the force behind his strikes heavier than expected for a weapon his size.
Joyeuse is not just a blade of speed. It carries enhanced properties supernatural strength that allows it to pierce and cleave through materials far beyond normal limits. Each strike can stun, disrupt, and even inflict lingering poison-like effects over time.
Seiyan smirked slightly as their blades collided again.
"You feel that?" he asked.
Yura didn't answer but she noticed.
There was a slight delay in her movement after each clash, a subtle disruption in her rhythm.
"…Poison effect," she murmured quietly.
Seiyan's grin widened. "Smart."
He stepped in again, his speed increasing as he chained multiple attacks together, each one sharper than the last. The blade flashed in quick succession, forcing Yura to block, dodge, and reposition continuously.
Her stamina held.
Her breathing remained steady.
But the pressure was building.
Speed, strength, and control, Joyeuse allows Seiyan to maintain a high pace without exhausting himself quickly, giving him an advantage in prolonged fights.
Seiyan's attacks didn't slow.
If anything-
They became faster.
Yura's feet shifted across the ground as she adjusted, her dual blades working together to create openings, to redirect force, to maintain balance under pressure. Her style wasn't explosive it was controlled, efficient, and precise.
But Seiyan matched her.
Step for step.
Strike for strike.
"…You're fast," he admitted, his tone more serious now. "I didn't expect that."
Yura's eyes narrowed slightly.
"…You talk too much."
She stepped in again, her speed increasing just enough to shift the pace. Her blades moved faster, her transitions smoother, her attacks less predictable than before.
Seiyan blocked but this time, he had to work for it.
Their weapons clashed again, sparks flying as the sound echoed through the arena. The exchange continued, faster and faster, both of them pushing their limits as neither gained clear advantage.
From the stands, students leaned forward.
"She's keeping up…"
"No-she's matching him."
"Wait… no, they're equal."
Kairo, still recovering, watched closely, his eyes focused despite the fatigue in his body. "…She's insane," he muttered.
Tyouro grinned. "Told you. She's built different."
Back in the arena, Yura stepped back briefly, adjusting her stance as she analyzed the fight. The poison effect was subtle, but it was there. If this dragged on too long, it would become a problem.
So she changed.
Her grip shifted.
Her stance lowered.
Her movements became sharper.
More aggressive.
Seiyan noticed immediately.
"…Now you're serious."
Yura didn't respond.
She moved.
Faster than before.
Her blades cut through the air in a clean arc, forcing Seiyan to block instantly. The impact pushed him back slightly, his smirk fading just a bit as he adjusted to the sudden increase in pressure.
Yura didn't stop.
She followed with another strike, then another, her dual blades working in perfect sync as she pressed forward relentlessly. Each movement was precise, each attack calculated not wild, not reckless.
Controlled aggression.
Seiyan countered, his speed rising to match hers again, but this time-
He couldn't mock her anymore.
Their clash intensified.
Speed met speed.
Skill met skill.
Neither of them backing down.
Neither of them slowing.
The fight had only just reached its real beginning.
And now-
It was getting serious.