"Compared to a swordsman who dedicates their life to training swordsmanship like you, my swordsmanship is only learned as a hobby. So, don't have high expectations for my sword skills, Doni."
Facing a great swordsman like Doni, Ren didn't want to embarrass himself. He knew his limitations, and acknowledging those shortcomings from the start was his way of maintaining his dignity. However, behind those humble words, there was a burning spirit—he wouldn't back down just because his opponent was superior in one aspect.
Doni laughed heartily, his voice echoing in the fading afternoon air.
"Hahahaha! Ren! Since you've allowed me to draw my sword, I'll treat you well. But if you can't make me happy, be careful—I'll pierce my sword through your body!"
After saying that, Doni raised his foot. Initially, he walked slowly towards Ren, as if measuring the distance. Then, his pace began to accelerate little by little, until suddenly his foot slammed hard into the ground.
*BAM!*
His figure shot forward wildly, leaving a blurry afterimage in the air.
On the other hand, Ren could only feel a strong wind hitting his face, making his eyes narrow. His mind raced.
'No magical energy is being used, no other powers are being employed. This is just a sword swing, pure physical attack, but it produces an extraordinary effect. Even without Divine Authorities, with just his swordsmanship, Doni might be on par with a Paladin. Haiz, it seems I have to learn fighting techniques like Doni and Luo Hao. It's embarrassing to be helpless when my Divine Authorities are sealed.'
In less than 0.1 seconds, various thoughts flashed through Ren's mind. He could barely see the incoming attack—Doni's vertical slash was so fast and precise. Fortunately, Ren possessed Heavenly Eyes; with a hair's breadth of distance, he tilted his body to the side, avoiding the slash.
*SWOOSH!*
Doni's sword split the air right where Ren had been standing, leaving a fine crack line on the sidewalk.
*SWOOSH!*
Seizing the opportunity, Ren swung the replica Excalibur towards Doni's head without hesitation, taking advantage of his opponent's slight opening after the attack. However, Doni's reflexes were truly terrifying. With an instinctive movement, he raised the sword in his hand to parry, its blade moving swiftly above his head.
*CLANG!*
The knight's sword met the half-broken replica Excalibur, sending sparks flying in all directions. The loud impact echoed, vibrating the air around them.
The power of each was so great that both Ren and Doni were pushed back. However, they only took half a step back before their bodies stabilized again, their feet firmly planted on the ground. Dust flew between them, but neither wavered.
"Phew... You have good eyes, Ren. But that's not enough to defeat me!" Doni said, wiping his sword blade with his palm. Then, his foot slammed into the ground again.
*BAM!*
His figure shot towards Ren again, the sword in his hand vibrating violently.
In an instant, Doni's movements became an illusion—his sword produced afterimages in the air, like a mirage deceiving the eyes. The tip of the sword turned into a white shadow, and with terrifying speed and cunning, Doni thrust towards Ren's neck. The attack came from an unexpected angle, filled with killing intent without a hint of mercy.
'So fast!'
Ren reacted quickly, twisting his body and raising the replica Excalibur to parry.
*CLANG!*
The sword blades met, and a violent vibration from the impact flowed through to his bones.
However, Doni didn't give Ren a chance to breathe. With a wild smile on his face, he pressed harder. The ordinary sword in his hand moved as if alive, flowing from one attack to the next without pause.
*SWOOSH!* *CLANG!* *SWISH!*
His blade slashed from various directions—towards Ren's shoulder, then his chest, then his waist—in a rhythm so fast that it was difficult for ordinary eyes to follow. Each slash carried pure power, and the wind generated from his swings made dust swirl around them.
Ren, who had only learned swordsmanship as a hobby, began to be overwhelmed. Compared to Doni—a sword maniac who had dedicated his life to the sword—his skills felt like child's play. He tried to parry and dodge, but Doni's movements were too agile and directed. Heavenly Eyes helped him see some attacks, but it wasn't enough to compensate for Doni's experience and natural talent.
"Too slow, Ren!" Doni shouted while laughing, his voice full of excitement.
He spun his sword in a circular motion, then slashed towards Ren's arm with even greater ferocity.
*CLANG!*
Ren raised the replica Excalibur to parry, but Doni's blade shifted slightly at the last second.
*SRRT!*
The sword grazed Ren's left arm, leaving a thin red line on his skin. Blood began to drip slowly, although the wound wasn't deep.
*WHOOSH!*
Stepping back half a step, Ren glanced at the wound on his arm, then looked back at Doni with a faint smile.
"You are indeed strong, Doni. I admit, your swordsmanship is superior to mine."
However, instead of being intimidated, his adrenaline surged. The small wound only fueled his desire to fight more seriously.
"Hahaha! That's just the beginning!" Doni replied, laughing, then shot forward again.
*SWOOSH!*
His sword slashed diagonally from above, aimed at Ren's right shoulder.
*CLANG!*
Ren parried with the replica Excalibur, but the force of the slash pushed him back, his feet leaving friction marks on the sidewalk.
*CLANG!*
Sparks flew again, and the cracks on the blade of Excalibur seemed to widen. Every impact with Doni's sword made Ren's weapon vibrate violently, as if ready to collapse at any moment. However, Doni showed no signs of stopping. Despite being pressured, Ren had no intention of giving up. Adrenaline rushed through both of their bodies, and the fight that was initially just a test had now turned into a dazzling yet terrifying dance of death.
*SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!* *SWOOSH!*
*CLANG!* *CLING!* *CLANG!* *CLING!*
Suddenly, their speed increased drastically. Doni shot forward, his sword slashing with movements so fast that they left blurry afterimages in the air. Ren retaliated with swings of the replica Excalibur, dodging and parrying as fast as he could.
"..."
For Alice, who was watching from a distance, the figures of the two Campiones became blurred—only faint silhouettes moving like lightning, no longer clearly distinguishable by the naked eye. The sound of hard metal clanging rang out repeatedly, mixed with the strong gusts of wind that shook the surrounding trees. Sparks flew every time their swords met, illuminating the darkening Greenwich area with small orange flashes.
They moved in various directions, like two colliding storms.
Alice could only stand frozen, her eyes trying to follow the fight but to no avail.
"Too fast... I hope they're satisfied with just dueling with swords without having to use their Divine Authorities. Of course, I know the possibility of that happening is almost nil."
Remembering the troublemaking personalities of the Campiones, Alice wasn't optimistic. There had never been a precedent for a duel between Campiones that didn't involve the use of Divine Authorities.
*CLANG!* *CLING!* *CLANG!* *CLING!*
Even for a witch, the speed and power of these two Campiones were beyond reason. Ren and Doni's figures were now truly just blurry shadows flashing from one point to another, leaving traces of cracks on the sidewalk and vibrations in the air.
*CLANG!* *CLING!* *CLANG!* *CLING!*
The incessant clanging of metal mixed with the roar of the wind, creating an ear-splitting symphony of chaos. Every time their swords met, sparks ignited brightly, as if marking the increasingly intense climax of the fight.