The dust on the open ground began to swirl wildly, creating small vortexes that obeyed the will of the sword wielder. The atmosphere around the battle area turned grim. The air pressure dropped drastically, making it hard for anyone watching to breathe.
Rayand and his subordinates held their breath. They recognized these signs. Gaile, the strongest monster in the Red Sand group, was preparing his ultimate move. A move that had long been a nightmare for anyone daring to challenge Red Sand.
Rayand felt a twinge of anxiety for Arvin. Could that young man withstand the attack?No one had ever withstood or dodged Gaile's ultimate attack without losing a limb.
Arvin stood calmly in the center of the small storm. His robe fluttered violently, yet his feet were planted firmly on the ground as if he were an immovable iron stake.
"Young man, I hope you don't die!" Gaile shouted from behind the vortex of wind. His voice echoed, full of warning yet also respect. "This is my strongest technique. I cannot hold it back once it is unleashed!"
Arvin smirked, his light sword and fire sword crossed in front of his chest. "Just unleash all your power, Gaile! I will withstand that attack! Don't disappoint me with a half-hearted strike!"
"Hahaha! I like your spirit! Get ready, Young Man!"
"Attack me whenever you want!"
Gaile closed his eyes for a moment. The mana in his body exploded outward, fusing with the wind element in his new swords that had been reinforced by Arvin. His body was now enveloped in a transparent green aura spinning furiously like a mini hurricane.
He is so confident, Gaile thought as he saw the unmoving Arvin. Very well. I'm sure he can withstand my maximum power! Or at least... survive.
On the other side, Arvin activated his eye's analysis ability. He observed Gaile closely, scanning every muscle contraction, mana flow, and the opponent's stance.
So that's how his invisible movement works? Arvin thought in amazement. He compresses wind on the soles of his feet for explosive speed, while simultaneously refracting light around his body to become invisible to the naked eye. Brilliant. Thanks for the new knowledge, Gaile!
Zap!
Suddenly, Gaile's figure vanished from sight. Not because he ran, but because his speed exceeded the ordinary eye's ability to capture images.
Only the deafening whistling of wind remained.
Whoosh!
In a fraction of a second, Gaile had reappeared. He was not in front, not behind, but in the air, right above Arvin's head at point-blank range. His body spun vertically like a giant buzzsaw, with the two great swords serving as the primary blades.
"Wow!" Arvin exclaimed, his eyes widening in awe at the beauty of the lethal technique.
"Dual Sword Skill: Judgment Slash!"
Gaile's shout thundered.
The two massive swords swung down at supersonic speed. The wind enveloping them was so sharp that the ground around Arvin was scored before the swords even touched it.
However, for Arvin, who possessed time perception above normal humans, the attack was clearly visible. He could see the trajectory of the swords. He could see the point of impact.
Arvin didn't dodge. He raised both his magic swords—Light on the right, Fire on the left—forming a solid defensive cross above his head.
CLANG!
The sound of clashing metal and magic exploded like thunder striking right by the ear. The shockwave swept dust and gravel in all directions, forcing Rayand and the others to shield their faces with their arms.
Crack!
The ground beneath Arvin shattered instantly, sinking fifty centimeters deep due to the excruciatingly heavy pressure. Cracks spread like spiderwebs beneath his feet.
Arvin's knees bent slightly, but he did not collapse. His light and fire swords glowed brightly, holding back Gaile's two wind blades that sought to split him in two.
"Ugh... the power is terrifying!" Arvin grumbled through gritted teeth, feeling his bones vibrate. "If I couldn't see your movements, my body would have been neatly sliced into six pieces by now."
Above him, Gaile's eyes widened. He was still in the position of pressing his swords down, hovering in the air due to the wind's thrust.
Gaile was shocked internally. He blocked it?! You must be joking! This young man can detect my movements which are impossible to see? And he withstood the weight of this attack with such a small body?!
Gaile jumped back, landing lightly a few meters in front of Arvin. He stared at the young man with disbelief. His breath was ragged.
Likewise, Rayand and his four comrades were truly dumbfounded. Their mouths hung open, as if their lower jaws had forgotten how to close. They had just witnessed the impossible. An academy student withstanding Gaile's killer move.
One of Rayand's colleagues even rubbed his eyes repeatedly, making sure he wasn't dreaming or under an illusion spell.
What am I seeing right now? That young master could withstand Sir Gaile's attack? He truly is a monster in human form!
Arvin straightened his body, dispelling the magic swords in his hands. He dusted off the shoulders of his special academy outfit casually.
"Are you surprised because there is someone else besides Paul Harlan who can withstand your attack?" Arvin asked with a smirk.
Gaile stared at him sharply. "How do you know that name? Paul Harlan is a name only known by war veterans on the border. Are you really a member of the Vedegra family from the Astoria Kingdom? Or are you actually an intruder?"
"Who do you think I am? Gaile, I'm almost 17 years old! Almost 17! And I haven't even left this kingdom's territory in my entire life!" Arvin exclaimed, objecting to Gaile's accusation.
"Then, where did you learn that name and his fighting style?" Gaile pressed.
"Didn't I tell you it's a secret?" Arvin winked.
Of course he knew. In the game, Gaile was a former rival of Paul Harlan who came from the same village. The difference was, Paul chose to become a royal soldier, and Gaile became a mercenary.
"And for now," Arvin continued, changing the topic, "I will show you something good as a bonus."
"What do you want to show me?" asked Gaile curiously, his guard not yet fully lowered.
"Lean your body back slightly and prepare your swords to block an attack," Arvin ordered.
Though confused and curious, Gaile's warrior instinct told him to obey. He stepped one leg back, raising both swords in a defensive cross in front of his chest.
Meanwhile, Arvin walked leisurely away from the tall, burly man for about five steps.
Then, he turned around. His gaze changed. Cold, sharp, and deadly.
Arvin bowed slightly, taking a stance that was... very familiar to Gaile.
Wait, that is...
Woosh!
Suddenly, a strong wind blew around Arvin's body. Not ordinary wind, but pure mana wind that he mimicked. Dust flew, weeds and laundry hanging around the shacks waved wildly to and fro due to the strong air pressure.
Gaile was utterly shocked. That was his mana gathering technique.
Zap!
Arvin vanished.
"What?!" Gaile's eyes widened. "Don't tell me—"
In his shock, Gaile suddenly saw Arvin's afterimage already in the air, spinning vertically right in front of him at point-blank range. Arvin used his bare hands coated in sharp mana as a substitute for swords.
Damn! I won't have time to block that attack! His speed is even higher than mine!
Gaile closed his eyes, resigned to receiving a blow that might break his ribs.
However, the impact never came.
The wind stopped blowing.
Gaile opened his eyes slowly. He saw Arvin's hand stopped just one centimeter in front of his face. Arvin's fingertip, coated in blue aura, touched the tip of Gaile's nose gently.
Boop.
Arvin landed smoothly on the ground.
"Tsk! I said prepare yourself. But why were you surprised and froze like that, Gaile?" Arvin complained in annoyance, hands on his hips. "If this were a real fight, your head would already be rolling on the ground."