At the start of the first round, the character controlled by Eriri launched a fierce assault, and the fight looked almost completely one-sided. (Continued)

After closing the distance, he suddenly leaped. He timed his jump and descent with exquisite precision, using the force of his falling body to add power to his strike as he and his blade came crashing down together.

This was—Swift Sky Blade Momentum!

Faced with this powerful blow, Hasegawa Izumi, who had stood motionless, finally moved.

"Nine Solitary Swords. Shattering Blade Style."

He chose to meet the strike head-on. His fingertips glided down the smooth blade of his sword. Then he twisted his wrist and swept his sword out, striking the tip of the bamboo sword.

It was the point with the greatest force, and also the weakest point.

"Crack!"

Two different forces surged from either end. A broken section of the bamboo sword flew away and fell to the ground.

"Huh?"

Kojima Hideo stared dazedly at the broken bamboo sword in his hands, unable to believe what he was seeing.

How had he managed that with a single strike?

He couldn't understand how such exquisite swordsmanship was possible.

The bamboo sword in his hands wasn't shoddily made. It had been crafted using techniques refined over many years. Under normal circumstances, a wooden sword simply couldn't cut through it.

"It seems there's no need for us to keep competing."

Hasegawa Izumi didn't take advantage of the opening to knock his opponent down. He remained where he was and spoke with an indifferent expression.

"I... concede."

Though reluctant, Kojima Hideo lowered his head and admitted defeat, acknowledging the huge gap between them in swordsmanship.

"Next, it's your turn, Busujima Senpai."

Suddenly, the person before them turned the point of his sword, drawing everyone's attention toward her.

Just then, a strikingly beautiful woman with long purple hair entered, holding a wooden sword made of white oak. She swept aside the bead curtain and walked in at an unhurried pace.

Busujima Saeko glanced over the scene and immediately understood what had happened.

He'd defeated everyone in such a short time?

Even she couldn't help feeling a quiet stir of alarm at the sight.

"You've worked hard. Go get some rest."

Busujima Saeko gestured to Kojima Hideo.

"Yes, Busujima Senpai. Be careful of that guy's sword technique! It's incredibly strange!"

Kojima Hideo nodded and gave her a warning, then went to help the others out of the practice area so they wouldn't interfere with the coming showdown.

As the saying went, to understand a sword, first watch the hand.

Busujima Saeko noticed that the hand gripping his sword was unexpectedly delicate and smooth, without a single callus. It didn't look like the hand of an experienced swordsman at all.

His overall presence was also utterly unremarkable. She couldn't sense any strength in him.

But anyone who could quickly defeat the other members of the Kendo Club had to be a skilled swordsman.

"Have you drawn in your presence? That's no easy feat for a swordsman."

As Busujima Saeko assessed him, Hasegawa Izumi spoke up.

"Busujima Senpai, I've sensed your Dominating Intent! I hope this next match won't disappoint me."

Dominating Intent?

Her expression grew slightly uneasy. She felt as though he was hinting at something.

"Already? Is Izumi-chan not going to rest a little? The last fight was short, but it must have been exhausting."

"It's fine. With Lord Sage's strength, that was just a warm-up."

"Lord Sage, do your best, death!"

"I heard Busujima Senpai is in a completely different league from everyone else. Hasegawa better not get careless."

After the dizzying fights, the spectators finally caught their breath. During this brief intermission, they exchanged a few words.

The next fight would surely leave them holding their breath again.

The practice area had been completely cleared.

"My wooden sword is quite a bit longer than yours. Would you like me to use a different one?"

Busujima Saeko asked, hoping to make the match fair.

The wooden sword in her hands was 101.5 centimeters long, while his was only a little over 80 centimeters. As the saying went, an inch longer meant an inch stronger, and the advantage this gave in a high-level fight was considerable.

For instance, it was common knowledge that the weapon most famous swordsmen preferred on the battlefield was the "spear." That was the reason why.

"No need. Let's keep it this way."

Hasegawa Izumi remained confident as he explained the rules of their match.

"All right."

Busujima Saeko accepted without fuss.

In fact, she was looking forward to a match under these rules.

A certain evil impulse, long dormant in her heart, was beginning to awaken.

"Here I come, Hasegawa-kun."

Busujima Saeko gripped her sword with both hands and held it diagonally before her shoulder. Her gaze instantly sharpened.

Even this stance alone revealed a great deal.

"Good! Come on!"

A trace of excitement showed on Hasegawa Izumi's face as he assumed the "Immortal Points the Way" stance.

The next moment, they both moved at once.

"Bam!"

In the blink of an eye, their wooden swords collided in midair!

At close range, their gazes met, feverish and intense, as though sparks were flying between them.

Sorry—I couldn't give you a satisfying match...

Anticipation filled the air, every eye fixed on them.

After a moment of stalemate, Hasegawa Izumi exerted himself for a second time. His arm jolted as he pushed forward.

Her first burst of strength had already faded, and her next had yet to come.

Busujima Saeko felt another surge of force strike her hands. She staggered back several steps, her body swaying before she managed to steady herself.

The sight left everyone astonished, even though they'd had a feeling it might happen.

"Am I really that much weaker than him?"

Busujima Saeko was taken aback.

Women were naturally weaker, but after years of training, her basic strength had long surpassed that of an ordinary person.

And yet she still couldn't match him?

"Busujima Senpai, your sword is too heavy. With a blade like that, you can't even reach me. So please, make an effort and show me what you're truly capable of. Otherwise, this fight will only bore me."

Hasegawa Izumi had no idea what she was thinking. He simply wanted a somewhat intense fight, so he resorted to provoking her.

He could tell that she was holding herself back, and it greatly displeased him.

"Seems I can't hold anything back in front of you."

Busujima Saeko's expression turned solemn, as though she'd made up her mind. She took a deep breath, drawing a large amount of oxygen into her bloodstream.

A few of the spectators watching from the side changed their expressions slightly.

"So she really is using it—the Breathing Technique."

Kojima Hideo looked rueful.

Compared to ordinary people, those who used the Breathing Technique gained a tremendous boost in every aspect, including their ability to inflict harm. That was why it was a regulated technique.

But learning the Breathing Technique required more than a master to pass it on. It also required talent and perseverance; otherwise, it was difficult to achieve anything. And even if one became a master, one still couldn't withstand modern weapons. So the Breathing Technique had also been left behind by the times.

How tragic!

As he lamented, the intensity of the fight in the practice area gradually rose to a level he couldn't follow.

"Phew..."

Busujima Saeko activated the Breathing Technique. Feeling the blood in her body surge, her heart stirred with it, and she prepared to launch a fierce, relentless assault.

"The Breathing Technique? Which style is it?"

Hasegawa Izumi's lips curved into a pleased smile.

The answer was revealed the next moment.

"Moon Breathing. First Form... Dark Moon: Evening Palace!"

Busujima Saeko lowered her body slightly and sheathed her wooden sword, gathering herself for her next attack.

It was a technique much like a quick-draw slash.

She focused, concentrating all her attention on delivering the strongest possible strike!

Time seemed to stand still. She could even hear the sound of blood flowing in her ears as she fixed her gaze on the person before her.

The next moment, Busujima Saeko's body seemed almost parallel to the ground. The instant she drew her sword, she shot forward, coming within inches of her opponent.

"Now this is getting interesting."

Hasegawa Izumi's eyes shone brilliantly. As he praised her, he brought his sword down with a mighty slash.

Break!

Their swords clashed again!

The same result followed.

"What?"

Busujima Saeko staggered back several steps, her expression changing. His strike had landed precisely on the weak point of her attack, instantly diminishing its power.

Could it have been a coincidence?

There was no time to think. She raised her sword and went at him again. The Breathing Technique worked even more efficiently, further increasing her strength and speed.

"Moon Breathing... Third Form: Loathsome Moon, Shatter!"

She drew her arm close to her neck, preparing for a wide, sweeping strike.

It was a two-part sword technique. If the first strike was deflected when the opponent blocked, the second could immediately pierce the vital point of the throat.

One careless move, and it would be a killing blow.

But she didn't succeed.

"Tap!"

Hasegawa Izumi blocked the first strike just as she'd expected, but moved faster than she did just as she was about to launch the second. His sword flashed through the air in an instant.

Broken again!

With no other choice, Busujima Saeko leaned her head back and lowered her center of gravity by bending her knees, barely evading the slash.

Her reaction was swift. She immediately thought of a way to turn the tables: bracing herself with her left hand, she twisted her right wrist and changed the position of her wooden sword.

"Moon Breathing, Eighth Form: Moon-Dragon Ringtail."

She swept her sword sideways, like a divine dragon lashing its tail.

Yet this unexpected change in technique was still firmly blocked by the sword held upright before him.

Broken again!