That's exactly how it went.
With such an overwhelming gap in strength, there naturally wasn't much room for chaos.
However, this wasn't quite the one-sided crushing victory everyone had initially imagined for the Kendo Club president.
The two raised their bamboo swords, while a member of the Kendo Club stood by as the referee.
The referee's gaze was fixed on their club president.
Earlier, the Kendo Club president had been bested in the war of words with Durandal, which certainly affected his state of mind.
So, this Kendo Club member was waiting, giving his president time to regain his composure.
Fortunately, the club president was no mere figurehead. After several deep breaths, his expression finally returned to normal.
Seeing this, the member acting as referee let out a quiet sigh of relief and announced the start of the match.
Although neither participant was wearing protective gear, the venue wasn't the proper wooden floor marked with crossing lines and starting positions, and one side wasn't even wearing a kendo uniform, none of that hindered the duel from proceeding.
After all, this wasn't an official match.
Just as he had done countless times in training, after the start was called, the Kendo Club president didn't move immediately.
Instead, he wanted to study his opponent's stance, posture, and so on, to gauge her mindset and style.
Even though choosing kendo as the battleground was inherently taking advantage, this young man was genuinely dedicated to the way of the sword.
Therefore, he didn't look down on his opponent because of it, but rather treated her as a formidable rival of equal standing.
As for Durandal, she had originally intended to defeat him right from the start. But seeing his serious attitude towards kendo, she decided to grant him the corresponding respect.
For about half a minute, they stood in tense silence. Beads of cold sweat gradually began to trickle down the Kendo Club president's forehead.
To become the club president, his talent and skill were undoubtedly above average.
Precisely because of this, he was able to sense something extraordinary about his opponent during this standoff.
He had thought the pressure from that kendo newcomer, Sakura, was immense enough. When facing her, he had felt her presence like a towering mountain.
Yet, the person before him now was even more formidable. That pressure was like the ocean or the sky—vast, boundless, with no end in sight.
Any chance of winning?
The Kendo Club president understood clearly: against a newcomer like Sakura, he could still rely on his greater experience to secure a victory.
But against Durandal? He would definitely lose!
However, his gaze suddenly swept across the crowd behind Durandal, and there, standing conspicuously, was a pink-haired figure—Elysia.
Gritting his teeth, the Kendo Club president raised his bamboo sword and launched an attack at Durandal.
Crack!
Everyone heard a sharp, crisp sound as the two bamboo swords met.
Durandal didn't choose to strike any part of his body. She knew perfectly well that even if she held back her strength, she might not avoid injuring him.
Even striking his sword might be more than he could handle, but it was the best choice available.
This seemingly casual parry from Durandal, however, made the Kendo Club president's body jolt violently. A tremendous impact traveled from the bamboo sword down to his hands.
He desperately wanted to grip his sword tighter, but he couldn't.
His hands were completely numbed by the massive force, and the bamboo sword clattered to the ground.
No one thought the club president was putting on an act.
Anyone could see the violent trembling in his hands, and even the slight trickle of blood seeping from his palms.
And all of this was caused by nothing more than Durandal's casual, single strike.
Surrounded by stunned silence, Durandal bent down, picked up the fallen bamboo sword, and tossed it to the Kendo Club member acting as referee.
"He lost," she stated calmly. "Take him to the hospital to have his hands checked, so he doesn't lose the chance to practice kendo in the future."
"…"
The Kendo Club member silently took the sword and immediately went to check on his president.
The crowd of onlookers gradually began to murmur with discussion.
Just as everything seemed settled, Elysia walked over, a beaming smile on her face as she looked at Durandal.
"You won~! What reward would you like?"
"Reward?"
Durandal was taken aback.
Before she could react, she saw Elysia lean in and gently plant a kiss on her cheek.
"No saying you're unsatisfied, or I'll really get angry this time!"
As she spoke, Elysia had already turned around and was striding off in the direction of home.
Durandal touched her cheek, where a lingering warmth seemed to remain.
Her face slightly flushed, she sighed inwardly. Was Elysia just upping the ante for fun?
Was causing her this much trouble really that enjoyable?
Watching Elysia's retreating back, Durandal shook her head slightly. Picking up the bamboo sword, she glanced around and spotted Sakura.
"Here, returning this."
Durandal handed the bamboo sword back.
Sakura took it, her expression somewhat downcast as she stroked the sword.
"I suppose… I won't be able to stay in the Kendo Club after this."
Hearing this, Durandal smiled. "Miss Sakura, in your opinion, how do I compare to that Kendo Club president when it comes to pure kendo skill?"
Sakura was slightly taken aback, then replied, "Of course, Miss Durandal, you are superior."
Durandal's smile widened. "Then, Miss Sakura, is your reluctance because of kendo itself, or because of the Kendo Club?"
At this point, Sakura caught on. She looked at Durandal with a hint of surprise. "You… you're willing to teach me kendo?"
Durandal thought for a moment, then shook her head.
"At most, I can teach you some techniques. How far you go ultimately depends on you. If you're interested…"
Durandal pulled a business card from her pocket. On it was clearly printed the address and contact information for the Flame-Chasers organization.
"You can come find me at this place on Saturday. We can discuss it in detail."
With that, Durandal waved goodbye and hurried off in the direction Elysia had gone.
Just around the corner, she found Elysia waiting right there for her.
"I thought you'd gone ahead," Durandal said, slowing her pace.
"Leaving you alone with another girl? I wouldn't feel at ease, so of course I had to stick around and keep an eye on things~," Elysia replied.
Durandal: "…"
What to do… Elysia seemed to be getting deeper into her role…
"Are you angry?" Elysia tilted her head, then said in a sweet, teasing tone, "Then… I'm sorry, I shouldn't have doubted your character?"
Durandal facepalmed.
Alright then. Elysia was clearly in high spirits right now. It was probably best not to spoil her fun.
"I just thought Sakura would be a good fit to join the Flame-Chasers, that's all."
Almost against her better judgment, Durandal played along, offering her reason.
"I know that!" Elysia nodded lightly, smiling.
"I guessed as much from your first reaction when you saw her. The way you looked at her wasn't any different from how you looked at Kevyn, Mei, Eden, Vill-V, or Mobius."
…Or how you looked at me when we first met, Elysia silently added in her heart.
--+--
T/N: Elysia's in love~~~ And durandal's being dense as hell~