Alexander realized something was wrong.
Hilde had not gotten any faster, nor could she have suddenly gained some insight mid-battle that let her react to his attacks.
So the problem was... with him.
Alexander glanced at the Front Dragon Gate and Rear Dragon Gate hovering in the air, then looked down at his hands.
Had Dragon Gate Magic affected me so badly that it was interfering with my movements?
But no, that wasn't right.
Neither my strength nor my speed should have dropped. It was affecting me, yes, but not to that extent.
I still had more than half my mana left.
And although the Rear Dragon Gate had boosted Hilde's physical capabilities enough to rival his, she was still no match for the power of the King Dragon Sword.
So...
What was going on?
Once or twice could be explained away as luck or a mistake.
But missing by a hair every single time? Something was clearly wrong.
"Tell me, don't you have any other moves?"
Hilde wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and slowly straightened.
Mana from the Rear Dragon Gate poured into her body, keeping her brimming with stamina while boosting her speed and strength. She felt better than ever.
Perhaps she still fell a little short of Alexander in raw power.
But Alexander's greatest mistake had been failing to give it his all from the very beginning.
"What exactly did you do?"
Alexander frowned slightly, unable to understand.
The sensation was deeply unnerving.
Years of battle had honed Alexander's swordsmanship to its utmost limits. He was confident that even against a faster opponent, his anticipation and technique could give him the upper hand.
Yet now, facing Hilde, all the experience and instincts he took such pride in told him one thing—
She had