Chapter 111: Ryker Vs Mira [2]

"Begin."

Immediately Sylas said this, their cultivation was reduced to the required level. Both fighters felt the familiar restriction settle over them, their Originat reserves dropping to the 1st level of the Spirit Realm. Every move, every skill, every technique had to be measured.

Ryker stretched his hands to the side. A flash of metallic light erupted from his palm, and a longsword materialized in his grip. The blade was forged from condensed silver metal, its surface gleaming with a cold, sharp light. Faint runes were etched along the flat of the blade, pulsing with a soft, metallic glow.

The hilt was wrapped in dark leather, worn and familiar in his hand. The sword hummed faintly, responding to his Originat. Summoning his Armament had cost him a small fraction of his reserves, but it was necessary.

Mira’s eyes flickered to the blade, a hint of interest crossing her features. She also summoned her Armament, which was surprising as it was a sword. A blade of pure, condensed light materialized in her hand, a rapier-like sword with a slender, elegant blade that seemed to glow from within.

The hilt was wrapped in silver wire, and a small, radiant gem rested at the pommel, pulsing with a soft, golden light. The blade seemed to hum with its own energy, casting faint, shifting patterns of light across the arena floor. Her Originat flowed into the weapon, the cost of summoning it barely noticeable to her.

Ryker’s gaze narrowed. He had expected a different weapon, perhaps a bow or a staff. A sword meant she was confident in close combat.

He didn’t give her time to adjust.

He moved. His feet pushed off the stone floor, closing the distance in an instant. His sword sliced through the air in a horizontal arc, aimed at her midsection. His Originat surged briefly, fueling his speed.

Mira met his strike head-on. Her rapier flashed upward, deflecting his blade with a sharp, ringing clash. Sparks of light and metal scattered across the arena. She had used a small burst of Originat to strengthen her parry, conserving the rest.

Ryker twisted, driving his sword toward her shoulder. His Originat pulsed, reinforcing his strike.

Mira sidestepped, her movements fluid and precise. Her rapier darted forward like a serpent, aiming for his ribs. Her blade was fast, nearly invisible in the bright light.

Ryker pivoted, his sword coming down to block the thrust. The blades met again, the sound echoing through the coliseum. He felt the impact vibrate through his arm, his Stone Skin, if he had one, would have absorbed it, but he relied on his sword and reflexes.

They broke apart, both fighters assessing each other. Their Originat had flickered during the exchange, each testing the other’s speed and control.

Seeing this small clash, the spectators were glad. It was a clash of swords, clean, precise, and elegant. The kind of fight that was more about skill than brute force.

Meanwhile, Lucien watched the battle closely. He had scanned Mira with his Obsessive Eye. She possessed an A-Rank Sword Origin Talent and an A-Rank Light Origin Talent. She was also a bearer of a physique, which placed her on the same level as Ryker in terms of talents and capabilities. This wouldn’t be a fight decided by raw power alone.

Ryker was decisive. He took things to the next level.

He poured Originat into his sword Armament, a substantial amount this time. A metallic, golden aura surged around the blade, the silver surface gleaming with intense energy. A circular rune of golden light appeared before his sword, spinning rapidly as it gathered power. The rune consumed a noticeable portion of his reserves.

"Golden Crescent Slash."

Ryker swung his blade, and a crescent arc of golden energy shot forward, tearing through the air toward Mira. The attack was fast and powerful, leaving a trail of shimmering light in its wake. His Originat drained further as the skill flew toward his target.

Mira’s eyes narrowed. She didn’t retreat. Instead, she raised her rapier, and a soft, golden light bloomed around her blade. Her sword began to hum with energy, glowing brighter with each passing moment. She channeled a significant amount of Originat into the weapon.

"Luminous Edge."

She swung her rapier upward, releasing a blade of condensed light, a crescent of radiant energy that met Ryker’s attack head-on. The two crescents collided in the center of the arena. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the coliseum, a burst of golden light and metallic sparks scattering across the floor.

The students shielded their eyes, the brightness momentarily blinding.

Ryker’s gaze was fixed on Mira. She had matched his attack with her own. That was a counter, a strong one. But he had felt something different in her strike. Her Originat had surged with precision, her control evident. She had spent a similar amount of Originat to counter his attack.

He didn’t speak. He didn’t need to.

Ryker raised his sword again. This time, he didn’t summon a rune. Instead, he poured his Originat directly into the blade, letting it flow through the metal like liquid fire. The silver surface began to glow, not with the golden light of his earlier attack, but with a deeper, more concentrated energy. The air around his sword seemed to sharpen, the edge of the blade humming with a faint, metallic ring.

He focused his will into the blade. Sword Qi.

A circular rune appeared before his sword, spinning once, then dissolving, its energy fusing into the metal. The blade absorbed the rune, and the glow intensified, the edges of the sword shimmering with a razor-sharp light. The cost was significant, nearly half of his remaining Originat was poured into this single strike.

He swung.

"Golden Crescent Slash."

The crescent that shot forward was different. It was denser, sharper, its edges carrying a faint, metallic gleam. It moved faster than before, cutting through the air with a sharp, whistling sound. His Originat reserves dropped dangerously low, but the attack was worth it.

Mira’s eyes widened.

She sensed it instantly. The attack wasn’t just Originat, it was Sword Qi. The blade had become an extension of his will, his intent woven into the strike.

He’s using Sword Qi.

She didn’t have time to dodge. She channeled Originat into her rapier, pouring everything she had into the blade. A brilliant, golden light enveloped her sword, and a crescent of pure Sword Qi burst from her Armament.

"Luminous Edge."

The two attacks met.