"Hey, Leona, I'm not familiar with this person. Just who in the world is she? Does Sylvia have a chance against her?"

 

"Probably not. Erina Vitalis, while her physical strength is below mine or yours, she's a monster. The world's strongest swordsman. In fact, some consider her a criminal, but nobody dared chase after her because that's how terrifying she is. Her swords are dwarven masterpieces and she's known as the one who can split the earth and sky. Of course, they are inferior to Zeshia, but with the powerful enchantments they posses, their no joke either."

 

As I gaze once again down in the crater… nope. No matter how much I focus, I can't get any sort of reading from that woman. Be careful Sylvia.

 

"And now, since both sides are ready, let the 3rd round….. Begin!"

 

------

 

"Aren't you going to draw both your swords?"

 

"Thank you for your *yawn* consideration, but there's no need. One will suffice."

 

"Taking me lightly, are you? Don't think I'll hold back."

 

Erina tilted her head slightly at Sylvia's remark.

 

"I'm a bit confused though. Just by looking at you, I can tell you have good judgement. You're not someone that doesn't know the difference between your own sword skills and mine. Yet you are unafraid. Is it perhaps because you don't know my identity?"

 

"Hmph. Anyone who properly studies the art of the sword, even in the human race, would stumble upon your name at one point. I didn't think you would see right through me, though."

 

Sylvia knew her opponent was too strong. Because she was an excellent swordsman, she could grasp how great the difference in strength was between them, just through pure instinct alone. She couldn't win here. And more than that, it was true, the one before her eyes was genuinely—the world's strongest.

 

In the best case scenario, this was an enemy someone should face after following the path of a swordsman for years, even decades, of constant tireless training…. No doubt, in the battlefield right here, she could not qualify as an opponent in the same dimension as she was now.

This meeting was too premature. It would not even be a contest to begin with. And Erina knew this all too well. Basically, by asking that question, she gave Sylvia a chance to give up, without hurting her.

 

How kind. This person, as weird as she is, gives a warm and kind feeling. But, I'm sorry too. I can't possibly leave.

 

She was certainly scared. Just from her gaze, Sylvia could feel her entire body shaking, and cold sweat sliding down her back.

But, that she had a reason to fight that terror. She had a reason to stay here! Therefore—

 

"Sorry. But I won't back down here! HAAA!"

 

Sylvia charged straight for the enemy who apparently was still in a relaxed state, full of openings. But just before getting close to her, she instantly jumped back again. Scared and extremely sweating.

 

"It seems your instincts are in the right place. If you would have finished that charge, you would be sitting in a puddle of blood now. Don't get me wrong, I have no grudge against you. And I'll try my best not to hurt you too much. But currently as we are enemies, I have no choice but to slice you."

 

The moment she took the first step forward, Sylvia's entire body, her instinct, her soul…. All of them shrieked.

 

Run away...

Run away...

I'm begging you, run away...

If you don't, you will die here—

 

But she clenched her teeth, and faced that pressure directly.

 

"Ooooohhh!"

 

Sylvia emitted a powerful red aura. Her magical energy was enveloping her. The special spell Erugal. It's a powerful technique that boosts a swordsman's speed and skill. However, it doesn't last too long. Yet Sylvia judged it was necessary to use it. And that judgment was correct.

 

Erina attacked with the wind coiling around around her. The moment Erina swung her katana, Sylvia's eyes lost sight of the attack. In confusion, she hurled her body backward.

 

At that instant, the air where Sylvia's nose was had been was split. Something invisible and absurdly sharp flitted across her eyes, just barely scraping her nose.

 

This is absurd. I can't―see her strikes!

 

Because it was much too fast, much too sharp, she could not even see the afterimages of the katana. To deal with this…

 

"Zero Stance - Full Moon Counter!"

 

Once, twice, three times, four times―the invisibly entangled steel gave births to white flashes that Sylvia tried to intercept. Ten clashes in all. Against the invisible chain of attacks that Erina sent out with little pause, Sylvia had traced back their movements from her gaze, just barely defending herself. Receiving the slashes had sent numbness from both hands to her shoulders. It wasn't just speed―but also heavy force, despite being sent by only one hand. The katana was heavier than Sylvia's greatsword.

 

Her steps, her slashes, everything she did was completely silent. Is this really the level of the strongest? Still, I can't just defend.

 

Against the Erina, Sylvia set forth. And using a unique step, she created an afterimage by suddenly changing her body's speed as she moved forward―

 

"Zero Stance - Omega Thrust!!"

 

Erina attacked the afterimage brought forth by the illusory footwork. Her katana slashed it, but since it was nothing more than an afterimage, the blades cut only air. As a result―

 

She's open now! She never needed to defend, that's why… I can strike!!

 

In that instant, blood surged out from all over Sylvia's body.

 

"Eh?"

 

Muscles burst through her skin all over her body, and blood flew all around. Why? Sylvia realized it too late. It was simple. Erina predicted all of this. She showed Sylvia what she wanted to see, and with high speed she created a shockwave that tore Sylvia's body.

 

She really is… unreachable…

 

As Sylvia's body almost collapsed, strangely enough, Erina stopped her fall.

 

"Sylvia, was it? You're not that bad. But your still just a child. After this is all over, if you wish, come and see me. I wouldn't mind giving you a lesson or two."

 

With those words, Sylvia let out a small smile, before fainting. The 3rd match was decided.