The air stilled for a brief moment, their eyes locking amid the swirling debris.
Two figures... one cloaked in emerald gales, the other veiled in faint celestial light... stood facing each other across the ruined field.
"Tempest!"
Then, with a low, defiant shout, Ais forced her magic back under control.
Her aura erupted outward, a surge of wild, divine wind that howled and screamed against the battered landscape.
The pressure alone tore through the air, splitting the ground beneath her feet as Ariel roared to life once more.
That brief stand-off had granted her the calm she needed... just enough time to think, to breathe, to adapt.
'He only has partial control over my Ariel... he can weaken my magic, but only gradually.'
Which meant the counter was obvious.
By repeatedly reciting its chant, Ais could strengthen her magic and regain control of her wind.
'Even if he suppresses it again... I'll just have to recite my chant again.'
'But I won't give him that chance.'
Which was why—
'I'm ending this on the next move.'
And somewhere across from her, Judas reached the exact same conclusion.
Both of them crouched low, the world narrowing to the space between their locked gazes.
Ais angled her scabbard forward, her weapon gleaming as emerald winds swirled violently around her... a living tempest that wrapped her form in divine fury.
Judas pressed one hand to the ground, his other arm coiling like a spring, magic power condensing to the point of distortion.
The dirt cracked beneath his feet.
"Judas," Ais said softly, her voice cutting through the roar of the storm.
"You really are strong."
Even though her body screamed in pain, even though her lungs burned with exhaustion, she smiled... calm and pure.
"Please... let's have more matches like this. It's really fun."
Her words of acknowledgement was heard by everyone in the Loki Familia.
"T-To be praised by Ais... I'm so jealous."
Lefiya stammered, biting her lip as her eyes glistened.
She hadn't blinked once since the duel began.
She couldn't. Every second mattered. Every breath could decide the outcome.
"Judas Spade..."
She muttered under her breath, her voice trembling,
"...I declare you my rival."
Her hands clenched tightly against her robes, trembling from both awe and envy.
Not only had Judas managed to stand toe-to-toe with Ais... the Sword Princess herself... but his magic, his composure, his versatility... they all far exceeded anything she could do.
He was a mirror of what she wished to be... but sharper, steadier, more complete.
'The ability to cast multiple spells at once... such a wide arsenal... and he's even skilled in melee combat. Unlike me, he doesn't panic under pressure.'
The thought ate at her like acid.
'No... stop thinking like that, Lefiya. Comparing yourself will only drag you down.'
She exhaled slowly, forcing herself to focus.
'If there's one advantage I have... it's that I'm the disciple of Master Riveria, the greatest mage in all of Orario.'
Her lips curved in quiet defiance.
'Hmph... let's see if he has a master that can rival mine.'
Meanwhile...
Inside the abandoned church of the Hestia Familia, Alfia sat quietly at a small wooden table, the pages of her book illuminated by the golden evening light.
Her hand froze mid-turn.
Her eyes narrowed.
"...Someone must be badmouthing me again."
The faintest flicker of annoyance creased her calm features.
Just then—
"Mother! I'm home! You'll never guess what adventure I just went through!"
The door burst open with a loud bang.
Belle Cranel, beaming and full of energy, stepped in with his usual reckless enthusiasm.
Alfia closed her book slowly.
"...Good," she said flatly.
Her lips curved into an ominous smile as she stood up and cracked her knuckles.
"Because I was feeling a bit irritated."
"E-Eh?"
The color drained from Belle's face as her aunt advanced toward her like a demon wrapped in silk.
"Wait! I didn't mean to slam the door—!"
Her plea was cut short by a dull thud and the faint sound of Alfia sighing.
"Consider this... as training."
...
"Lil Rafaga."
Draped with swirling blades of wind, Ais lunged forward, her scabbard gleaming in the sunlight.
The ground beneath her feet exploded from the sheer force of her takeoff, leaving a crater in her wake.
This was no ordinary strike... this was her ultimate move.
Judas felt it instantly.
The air pressure shifted, the hairs on his arms rising as his instincts screamed danger.
'She's serious.'
And instead of retreating or guarding, Judas grinned.
That quiet, infuriating grin of his stretched wider as he crouched low and charged straight toward her.
"Is he insane?!"
Someone from the crowd shouted.
"If Judas gets hit by that... no matter how tough he is... he's done for!"
"That's Ais's ultimate technique! Lil Rafaga! The same one that took down numerous floor bosses!"
"Did he give up?!"
Disbelief spread like wildfire through the crowd.
Ren, standing at the edge of the barrier, felt his throat go dry.
'My money...! My whole savings!'
He clutched his head, staring wide-eyed at the suicidal charge.
But amidst the chaos, the top members of the Loki Familia remained silent.
"Even if we don't know much about Judas, from what I've seen so far, he might look impulsive, but he's clearly the type who comes up with a plan as he fights."
Finn spoke, eyes sharp, thumb pressed against his teeth.
His analytical nature had already begun to decipher Judas' fighting style from this single bout.
'Focus.'
Even as a spiraling thrust of death hurtled toward him, Judas' heart remained calm... still as a lake.
He closed his eyes and extended his left arm, palm open, reaching the highest level of concentration he could muster.
'Focus.'
He could feel it... the invisible green threads floating all around him, weaving through the air, intertwining like strands of fate itself.
The instant he perceived them clearly, his eyes snapped open... purple fading into gold.
"Focus."
Several voices echoed over his own, overlapping until it sounded as though many spoke through a single mouth.
"Stop."
When his palm closed, the spiraling wind around Ais suddenly dispersed into motes of light.
"Huh?"
Ais' face twisted into confusion, her stance still poised for a thrust.
Yet even though her magic had been nullified, the sheer momentum behind her strike remained.
Her scabbard pierced forward, the impact slamming into Judas' left shoulder... shock rippling through his body.
Bone shattered.
His shoulder joint dislocated with a sickening crunch.
"Argh..."
Judas bit down hard, blood seeping between his teeth.
His left arm hung uselessly, the entire left side of his body warped and trembling from the blow.
But he didn't care.
He clenched his right fist... lightning erupting and crackling around it.
『Wrath of the Celestial Titan』
Ais braced herself, raising her guard, expecting a frontal assault.
But it was a feint.
'Below.'
A magic circle bloomed beneath her feet.
『Light Cannon』
A blinding flash swallowed her whole, launching her skyward in an explosion of light.
"Haap!"
Launched over a hundred feet in the air, Ais gritted her teeth and cleaved the beam of energy in two.
But as the lights scattered... Judas was already there.
『Wrath of the Celestial Titan』
A direct hit to the face.
Everyone couldn't help but look up as a dragon made of lightning descended from the skies and crashed into the training ground.
Dust and debris scattered everywhere as small sparks of electricity danced across the ground.
The crowd craned their necks, watching in anticipation as the smoke slowly cleared.
When the haze finally faded, a single figure stood tall at the center of the crater.
The other lay motionless on the ground.
Goosebumps.
At that moment, everyone watching couldn't help but feel a shiver run down their spines.
This was a moment that would forever be etched into their memories.
"Judas Spade... he beat the Sword Princess."
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