An Understated Dominance

"Hmm?" Crystal frowned as she watched the strands of hair flutter down from above.

Aurora's unexpected Boomerang Slash had caught Crystal off guard. She had narrowly avoided a hit by quickly ducking her head.

If she had been just a bit slower, it wouldn't have been just her hair but possibly her head.

Despite Aurora's young age, her skills were impressive. This realization prompted Crystal to approach the situation with greater caution.

"Quick reflexes," Aurora commented as she smoothly retrieved her weapon with a flick of her wrist.

The technique she had just executed was a signature move of her own creation. It was challenging for anyone encountering it for the first time. The fact that Crystal had managed to evade it just in time disappointed her.

"Your technique is decent but lacks refinement," Crystal remarked coldly.

If Aurora's earlier move had been more precise, she might not have evaded so easily.

"Really? Let's see if you can handle this! "Aurora snorted and charged at Crystal again. She hurled her dual blades and spun them toward Crystal with increased speed and force.

Only a keen-eyed observer would notice a thin steel wire attached to the blade hilts. It was almost invisible unless closely inspected.

"Trying the same trick again?" Crystal narrowed her eyes. Her sword lunged forward like a serpent and aimed for the hilt of Aurora's dual blades.

A metallic clang resonated as Crystal deftly intercepted Aurora's thrown blades.All content © N/.ôvel/Dr/ama.Org.

As if anticipating the move, Aurora flipped her palms and pulled. The dual blades circled her before accelerating toward Crystal with increased velocity. At the same time, she used her palms like swords to strike Crystal's shoulders from both sides.

She was skilled in bone-crushing grip technique. A direct hit from her palms could instantly dislocate and incapacitate her opponent's shoulders, rendering them unable to continue the fight.

"Tantrumia Slash!" Aurora's relentless assault forced Crystal into action.

Leaping into the air, she somersaulted to evade Aurora's strikes. With a swift maneuver, her sword extended like a whip and delivered a muffled blow to Aurora's back.

Aurora was caught off guard as the sword struck her forcefully from behind. It ripped through her attire to expose the mithril armor beneath.

Though the mithril armor protected her from injury, the blow from Crystal's hidden force knocked Aurora off balance, and a searing pain burned in her back.

She gasped sharply as a grimace of pain crossed her face. Even without looking, she felt the heat of her reddening back. Aurora couldn't believe how adeptly Crystal wielded the sword like a whip. It was a difficult attack to defend against. "As expected from the daughter of the Celestial Alliance's guildmaster. You're certainly well-off and powerful. You even had soft armor made of mithril," Crystal remarked sarcastically.

"You-" Aurora gritted her teeth, and her expression darkened. Despite initially gaining an edge by snipping a lock of Crystal's hair, she was now at a disadvantage.

"Excellent swordplay, Crystal!" Miles cheered from the stands as Crystal gained the upper hand.

"That's how it's done! Let's see how arrogant she can still be!" Ruby pumped her fists excitedly. She looked relieved.

"The Sword Union disciple is truly impressive. Keep it up!" Cheers erupted from those who had bet on Crystal, and the venue became lively.

"What is Aurora thinking? She's being too reckless." Alicia frowned, and she looked worried. After a successful strike, one should follow up with a different move to keep the opponent guessing.

Repeating a technique might work against Divine-level martial artists but not against elite fighters like Crystal. She wouldn't fall for the same trick twice. Instead, she'd seize opportunities to exploit weaknesses and gain the upper hand.

"So, that's the Hexfold Breaker technique of the Sword Union? It really lives up to its reputation," Grace murmured approvingly, her eyes narrowing.

The Hexfold Breaker technique was the Sword Union's ultimate skill, With just six moves, it offered limitless variations. Crystal's flawless execution moments ago attested to her mastery of it.

"This is interesting." Fenley smirked, and his interest was piqued.

Considering the Sword Union disciple's impressive swordsmanship, he pondered how formidable Glenn might be.

"Come on." Unfazed by her earlier setback, Aurora charged forward with her blade again.

She refused to believe that, as Alloy's daughter, she couldn't handle a mere Sword Union disciple.