Bestowal

"Flawless!"

The gemstone on Paul's two-handed greatsword flashed with crystalline radiance. He plunged the blade into the ground, and light flames instantly wrapped around him, transforming into countless interlocking translucent shields. This move had been personally taught to him by his teacher, Pasari. It was a compressed domain power akin to absolute defense, far surpassing ordinary protective magic.

Even Paul himself had never expected to be completely suppressed by an opponent he had once defeated so quickly, forced to use this move so soon into the duel.

Samuel's successive attacks failed to break through Flawless's domain. His body sprang back, widening the distance between himself and Paul. A massive glowing mark appeared beneath his feet, carrying an intense aura of destruction, as he pointed his longsaber at Paul.

Dawn Extinction? Paul sneered inwardly. Samuel had used this move in their previous duel as well, and Paul had easily broken it then. He knew its characteristics well. It too contained domain power and covered a wide range, but it consumed enormous energy, while its attacks were relatively scattered—precisely the kind of attack Flawless's defensive properties countered.

Although Samuel had now displayed strength surpassing his own, as long as Paul could withstand this ultimate move, he could launch a counterattack while Samuel's stamina was greatly depleted, reversing the disadvantage in one stroke—or even turning the tables entirely.

In fierce battle, opportunities vanished in the blink of an eye. There was scarcely any time to judge or think; often, one could only make a single choice, with more reactions coming from instinct. Samuel's blade had already erupted with incomparably icy sharpness. Paul made his decision in an instant. Rather than evade, he pushed his domain power to its limit and used Flawless to take the attack head-on.

Light blazed across the arena, and