For a moment, the training yard became completely silent.
The wind slowed.
Even the distant birds seemed to quiet down.
William Rhys stood calmly with one hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
Across from him, Lyra stood with the same relaxed posture she used during training.
But Evan could feel the difference.
The air around them had changed.
It felt heavier.
Sharper.
Like two invisible blades were already clashing.
Lyra glanced toward Evan.
"Step back."
Her voice was calm.
But firm.
Evan didn't argue.
He quickly moved toward the edge of the training yard.
"Watch carefully," Lyra said.
Evan nodded.
"You want me to learn from this fight?"
Lyra gave a small smile.
"This is a rare opportunity."
Her eyes shifted back toward William.
"Men like him don't duel often."
William chuckled softly.
"I feel strangely honored."
Lyra ignored the comment.
She continued speaking to Evan.
"High-level sword fights are not about strength alone."
She raised her sword slightly.
"They are about timing… intent… and control."
Evan tightened his grip on his wooden sword.
"I'll watch closely."
Echo's voice appeared in his mind.
[Observation recommended.]
[Recording combat data.]
Evan focused.
In the center of the yard—
William slowly drew his sword.
The blade slid free with a quiet metallic whisper.
The moment it appeared—
The air itself seemed to grow tense.
Even from a distance, Evan could feel the sharp pressure radiating from it.
A sword aura.
William rolled his shoulders slightly.
"It has been quite some time since I last had a proper duel."
Lyra finally drew her own blade.
Her sword looked much simpler.
No decorations.
No flashy design.
But the moment it left its sheath—
William's smile widened.
"Ah…"
His eyes sharpened.
"So that's it."
Lyra didn't reply.
Instead—
She stepped forward.
And vanished.
Evan's eyes widened.
Where did she—
CLANG!
The sound exploded across the yard.
William's sword had already intercepted Lyra's attack.
The two blades collided in the center of the yard, sparks flying through the air.
The impact alone kicked up dust across the ground.
Evan blinked in shock.
I didn't even see her move…
Echo spoke calmly.
[Combat speed exceeds Master's visual tracking ability.]
William laughed.
"Excellent!"
He twisted his blade and pushed forward.
Lyra slid back one step.
William followed instantly.
His sword moved like flowing water.
One strike.
Then another.
Then another.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Their blades collided again and again.
Sparks burst through the air like tiny stars.
Evan tried desperately to follow their movements.
But they were too fast.
Too precise.
Every swing carried perfect control.
William attacked from above.
Lyra blocked.
He spun and struck from the side.
Lyra stepped back and redirected the blade.
Their swords moved so quickly they became flashes of silver.
Echo spoke again.
[Both combatants possess extremely refined sword technique.]
[Subject William Rhys specializes in fluid strike sequences.]
Evan swallowed.
Fluid is was understatement.
William suddenly stepped back.
His sword pointed forward.
"Let's raise the tempo."
Before Evan could process the words—
William moved again.
His figure blurred across the yard.
His sword cut downward with explosive speed.
Lyra pivoted.
CLANG!
The ground beneath them cracked slightly from the impact.
A powerful shockwave rippled outward.
Loose leaves are scattered across the yard.
William grinned.
"Marvelous!"
He stepped forward again.
But this time—
His sword glowed faintly.
A thin layer of Qi wrapped around the blade.
Evan's eyes widened.
He's coating the blade with Qi…
William swung.
A crescent of compressed energy shot forward.
The attack sliced through the air like a storm.
Lyra didn't move.
Instead—
She raised her sword calmly.
And swung once.
CLANG!
The energy attack shattered instantly.
The broken Qi scattered like mist.
William blinked.
"…Impressive."
But Lyra was already moving.
Her foot stepped forward.
Her sword flashed.
William barely managed to block.
CLANG!
The force pushed him several steps back.
Dust slid across the ground beneath his feet.
William laughed breathlessly.
"So you finally decided to attack!"
Lyra's expression remained calm.
"You were talking too much."
She moved again.
Her sword struck three times in an instant.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
William blocked the first.
Barely deflected the second.
But the third strike forced him to slide back several meters across the yard.
Evan stared in awe.
She's overwhelming him…
Echo confirmed.
[Combat dominance shifting toward Lyra.]
William steadied himself.
Then he smiled again.
"Very well."
His grip tightened on the sword.
"For an old man, I should at least try a little harder."
His Qi flared suddenly.
The pressure across the yard increased.
Even Evan could feel the pressure now.
William's sword moved.
Faster.
Sharper.
The next strike came like lightning.
CLANG!
Lyra blocked it.
But William followed immediately.
CLANG!
CLANG!
CLANG!
Their swords became blurs again.
The ground trembled beneath their movements.
William's attacks grew more aggressive.
His blade spun, cut, and thrust with terrifying precision.
But Lyra remained calm.
Every attack was blocked.
Redirected.
Or avoided by a single step.
Finally—
Lyra moved.
One precise strike.
CLANG!
William's sword was knocked slightly off balance.
In that tiny opening—
Lyra stepped forward.
Her blade stopped just inches from William's throat.
The yard went silent.
William froze.
Then slowly…
He sighed.
"Well."
He lowered his sword.
"I suppose the result is clear."
Lyra stepped back and lowered her blade.
The duel was over.
Evan exhaled slowly.
He didn't even realize he had been holding his breath.
William sheathed his sword.
"What a shame."
Evan blinked.
"What do you mean?"
William smiled faintly.
"I had hoped to gain a talented disciple today."
His eyes moved toward Lyra.
"But it seems the boy is already in very capable hands."
Lyra said nothing.
William turned toward Evan.
"When we meet again someday…"
His gaze sharpened slightly.
"I would like to duel you."
Evan blinked.
"Me?"
William nodded.
"Yes."
His voice carried quiet interest.
"I want to see how far you've grown."
Evan hesitated.
Then nodded seriously.
"I'll accept that."
William smiled.
"Good."
He bowed slightly toward Lyra.
"Until next time."
Lyra returned the gesture.
Then the old sword master turned and walked toward the gate.
Within moments—
He disappeared down the road.
The training yard became quiet again.
Evan looked toward Lyra.
"That was incredible."
Lyra glanced at him.
"What did you learn?"
Evan thought carefully.
"…That I have a very long way to go."
Lyra smiled faintly.
"Correct."
Echo spoke softly inside his mind.
[Master has gained valuable combat observation data.]
"Wait, Lyra... was that fight hard for you?"
Lyra giggled softly
"Nope."
"Why? You looked like you were fighting seriously..."
Lyra stepped beside Evan before gently wrapping her arms around him from behind. Then she whispered in his ear.
"My prince, I could have defeated him without even drawing my sword, and in one go. But wouldn't that be useless for your training?"
Evan sighed.
"So, this wasn't even a serious fight. You focused on my training?"
Lyra giggled
"Precisely, my prince."
Evan looked toward the distant road where William Rhys had disappeared.
Somewhere out there—
A legendary sword master was now waiting to see how strong he would become.
And one day—
Evan intended to face that man again.
Not as a student watching from afar.
But as a swordsman standing on equal ground.