Early the next morning, the faint dawn light carried a refreshing chill.
Buena Village was still shrouded in a hazy veil of mist.
It looked peaceful and serene.
In the Greyrat family's courtyard, however, the atmosphere was already tense.
Paul and Cui Ciyou stood facing each other at a distance, each holding a practice Wooden Sword.
One was built like a mountain, his presence imposing;
the other stood tall as a pine, as still and deep as an ancient pool.
Given his personality, Paul had originally wanted a thoroughly satisfying spar with real swords.
But Roxy had insisted so vehemently that she had nearly burst into tears.
In the end, both men had compromised and switched to safer wooden swords.
All the spectators for the spar stood beneath the courtyard's eaves.
Roxy was so nervous that her palms were sweating, both hands clenched tightly around her Mage Hat.
It was as though she could draw a little strength from it that way.
Zenith wore a helpless yet somewhat interested smile, gently cradling Rudeus in her arms.
The red-haired maid, Lilia, stood quietly to one side.
As for Rudeus, he was nestled in his mother's arms.
Within his tiny body, his adult soul watched everything unfolding in the courtyard with extraordinary concentration.
Analysis and appraisal flickered in his eyes.
"Ready, Ciyou, my friend?"
Paul rested his wooden sword casually on his shoulder and grinned, showing a row of white teeth.
He gave his sword a casual flourish, looking utterly unconcerned.
But in that very instant, his entire demeanor changed!
"Then... here I come!"
A second earlier, Paul had looked like a friendly neighbor getting ready for his morning exercise.
Now, the battle-hardened ferocity of the former captain of the S-rank adventuring party Black Wolf's Fang erupted like a dormant volcano, sweeping