The pressure from Byakko was immense. I felt a level of tension I hadn't experienced since Upial. Even though I knew it was just a mock battle.

  I activated my Wind Cloak Sylphid and Future Vision to prepare for Byakko's attack when he suddenly charged at me with his Adamant Cws ready.

  First, I tried to deflect the attack from Byakko's right Adamant Cw with my Thunder Sword, but perhaps because his strength was superior, my sword was the one that got knocked aside instead.

  When my left hand's Samander Sword (the fire spirit bde) crossed with his Adamant Cw, I felt my entire left shoulder—though not my whole body—get pushed back.

  Honestly, this was worse than I expected. While Future Vision lets me predict attacks, I might not be able to defend in time without using wind magic.

  As our bdes cshed, I found myself being gradually pushed back. After several exchanges, Byakko suddenly created some distance.

  "To think you'd st this long. For your age, you might indeed have the strength of a high-ranking B-css adventurer. But Mars, it seems you have no strength left to counterattack. I'll finish this now!"

  Byakko moved in for the decisive blow. I had already decided to use wind magic—with just my sword, I'd lose for sure.

  If I lost here without putting up a fight, Duke Celeans would surely continue his supremacist beliefs toward beastmen. Just as Byakko was about to pounce—

  "Mars! Remember Liner's swordsmanship! You can do this!"

  Barron's desperate voice reached me.

  Liner's sword... I immediately understood what Barron meant. If I could replicate Liner's techniques, I might hold my own without wind magic.

  Not only that—this was the perfect chance to refine my swordsmanship. I rarely got to fight opponents stronger than myself, making this invaluable practice. Still, I prepared wind magic just in case I couldn't fully deflect his strikes.

  Byakko's next attack came faster and stronger than before.

  Don't resist—flow like water... Recalling Liner's movements, I tried to redirect Byakko's Adamant Cw.

  My Thunder Sword slightly altered the trajectory of his cw before being violently knocked aside.

  Unlike before, where I would brace to counter, I used the momentum of the deflection to swing my sword in a wide arc.

  In doing so, my body momentarily lifted off the ground from the ck of tension, but the centrifugal force carried my Thunder Sword toward Byakko.

  "Wha—?!"

  Byakko hastily backstepped to evade.

  "Annoying swordsmanship... To think someone your age could wield a bde like a Sword King."

  He suddenly grew cautious of me. Meanwhile, I kept visualizing Liner's techniques. While my earlier move was partly luck, Liner executed such motions far more smoothly.

  Since enrolling at the Lister Imperial Academy, I had focused on brute-force swordsmanship. Though I trained daily, all my sparring partners were weaker than me, which naturally led to this rigid style. But now was the perfect opportunity to hone a softer approach.

  Before me stood Byakko—stronger than I was. When he hesitated to attack, I took the initiative. I focused on striking powerfully when attacking and moving fluidly when defending.

  Byakko engaged me in turn. Our exchange grew fiercer than anything before.

  The rapid shifts between offense and defense made it hard to perfectly mimic Liner, but I gradually grasped the essence. Soon, I could fight Byakko using only my Wind Cloak Sylphid without Future Vision.

  Yet while I could hold my own, my sword still couldn't touch him.

  "Mars, why are you smiling?"

  Byakko spoke mid-csh. If he could still talk, perhaps he wasn't serious.

  "It's been so long since I fought someone as strong as you, Lord Byakko. I can feel myself improving, and it's thrilling. I'll apologize if that offends you."

  "I see. You find this... fun and joyful."

  With that, Byakko silently intensified his attacks. Minutes passed—how many, I couldn't tell.

  "Stop! This match is a draw!"

  Duke Celeans decred the match over. Huh? What did this mean? Personally, I was satisfied, but was winning mandatory? Sheathing my sword, I offered Byakko a handshake, which he accepted.

  "Next time... let's fight seriously."

  So he hadn't been serious after all.

  "I gave it my all. Thank you for the match."

  As we returned to the others, my friends were all smiles, while Duke Celeans and the beastmen looked stunned. The Duke asked Byakko:

  "Byakko... were you holding back?"

  In response, Byakko removed his Adamant Cws and showed them to the Duke. The cws were severely chipped and damaged.

  "This was their limit. Without Beast King-grade equipment, I couldn't risk using kicks either. Mars's sword would've severed my legs."

  Ah—so he had kicks too. The beastmen were shocked, but Blood looked the most astonished.

  "First time seeing Mars draw his swords... Dual-wielding, no less. And to hold his own against Byakko, even with kicks restricted..."

  As Blood spoke, Elly added:

  "Mars not serious either... Mars's full power... shines."

  This wasn't the time for rivalry. Yet Duke Celeans reacted sharply.

  "What?! Don't spout nonsense— Wait, if Elly says so..."

  Once the Duke accepted this, Byakko added:

  "I had my suspicions. Your will to live felt... cking. I thought you were hiding something."

  "I swung my sword with everything I had. That much is true."

  My frantic defense made Duke Celeans wave it off.

  "Enough. Learning Mars's true strength—and that he has more hidden—is valuable enough. Mars, leave for today. Return tomorrow. We'll discuss the future of House Celeans tonight and share our decision with you then. Bring your comrades."

  "Understood. I look forward to hearing your answer tomorrow morning."

  After we bowed and turned toward our lodgings, Blood unexpectedly followed.

  "Hey, Mars—how do you train?"

  As we walked, Blood's question came.

  "I train nonstop with the S-css group. Oh—Barron, thanks for the advice mid-battle. I'd have been in trouble without it."

  While answering Blood, I thanked Barron.

  "I knew you could replicate Instructor Liner's style. You've trained with him the longest."

  Barron's reply made Blood press further:

  "What kind of training do you do? Mind sharing?"

  I wanted to refuse, but offending Blood now was unwise.

  "Usually, it's me against my master, Barron, and Crice in three-on-one sparring."

  "Wait—Crice uses swords too? She killed Cro with a bow, right? Is she a swordswoman?"

  Blood turned to Crice, who replied:

  "Not like Mars or Barron. And I didn't kill anyone."

  Blood ughed and patted Crice's back—gently by his standards, but still enough to make the slender girl wince.

  "Seriously, is Crice really your second strongest? Elly seems way tougher."

  Elly shook her head.

  "Crice... strong... I... can't win."

  Misha chimed in:

  "Crice is super strong! Because—"

  Oh no—the runaway elf was about to spill something dangerous. If she mentioned Crice soloing a vampire, we'd be in trouble. Everyone panicked—

  Until Elly calmly appeared behind Misha and covered her mouth. Blood watched this, then asked:

  "Hey... can I spar with Crice? We've got time before dinner."

  I gnced at Crice, who sighed.

  "Fine, since we owe you. But my main role is rear-line. I can't hold back much... and might accidentally hit somewhere I didn't aim..."

  Blood paled.

  "R-right... Let me grab some armor first. I may be a Celeans heir candidate, but..."

  "Candidate? There are others?"

  My question made Blood hesitate.

  "You'll hear from Father soon. Until then, I can't say."

  As Blood turned to leave, Crice stopped him.

  "Wait—see my bow's power first. Your armor might not stop it."

  After watching Crice pierce a tree with an arrow, Blood stammered:

  "P-please, no bows. Swords only."

  Thus, the match was set—Crice with her sword against Blood's axe.