A colossal arc of yellow-tinged light erupted within the arena, like a sky-splitting energy blade tearing through dimensional barriers. A hemispherical dome descended like a starry curtain, enveloping a five-mile radius. Within it, yellow starlight radiated outward, coating every flower, stone, and blade of grass with a shimmering glow.
All luminous objects lost their weight, drifting upward like helium balloons.
Lindwan had become the absolute master of gravity in this space.
His face twisted in agony, teeth clenched until his knuckles whitened. Slowly, he sank to one knee before slamming both palms onto the ground.
—BOOM!
The earthen star-curtain blazed brighter. Every glowing plant and stone froze midair.
Gritting against violent internal tremors, Lindwan pressed his palms flat to the earth. His Command Token markings flared intensely—he was still charging power!
Above him, Verlith released the tree branch she’d gripped.
Floating on her back with knees bent, her skirt fluttered upward while silver strands danced in the wind. Like a leaf adrift on water, the sensation of weightlessness felt strangely new.
The silver-haired maiden glowed like concentrated firefly essence, radiating ethereal luminescence. Truly, the light framing her form was breathtaking.
Verlith reached out to touch the yellow stardust on her pale skin—but her fingers grasped only air.
Just as she savored the floating sensation, Lindwan moved.
"In my anti-gravity domain, your feet can’t touch earth," he growled. "Your speed—useless against gravity’s pull!"
"Took you long enough to devise a counter," Verlith shrugged, hovering high above him. "You accepted my sword duel challenge not to test blades, but to buy time figuring out how to neutralize my speed."
"You saw through me?!" Lindwan’s eyes flashed with shock.
"Of course. If you could’ve beaten me with swords alone, you wouldn’t need tricks. But your swordsmanship falls short."
"Even so!" Lindwan’s voice hardened. "I’ve found victory—and you’ll taste its final blow!" No shame colored his face; only lethal resolve.
"Surprising indeed," Verlith murmured, stretching her limbs midair.
"Earth Command: Weight Amplification!"
The yellow glow shifted to green. Gravity snapped back instantly.
Verlith plummeted—no branches to grab, no footholds. Panic struck. Lindwan had intensified gravity fiftyfold. Was he trying to crush her into pulp?
*Too low to kill me,* she thought. *Just injuries—*
"Earth Command: Gravity Shift!"
Lindwan’s second order cracked like thunder. Sweat drenched his hollow-eyed face as he pushed beyond exhaustion.
A crushing pressure slammed into Verlith. Her glow turned blood-red.
Before she could react—
Every green-lit object reversed direction. Branches hardened into weighted spears. Stones sharpened like blades. Grass blades morphed into needles—all aimed at her heart.
They shot toward her like a storm of death. One hit would end her.
"Lind-whatever! Brutal move!" Verlith yelled. "I let you scheme—now face my answer!"
"Your tricks end here!" Lindwan sneered. "After this, wait for your father Longya to scrape you off the ground!"
"Idiot! Longya’s not my dad!" Verlith snapped. Trapped midair, she calculated: *Dive down injured, then strike at full speed. He’s exhausted—he’d fall in one hit.* But severe wounds here meant death by beasts or Netherbane Squad.
No choice left.
Her eyes narrowed. "What you’re about to see stays buried," she whispered. "Or I’ll bury you."
Silver hair stirred without wind. Her skirt rippled softly.
Blinding light erupted behind the maiden—laced with killing intent.
White feathers unfolded in rhythmic waves.
*Whoosh!*
Snowy wings burst open, spanning the sky.
Lindwan froze, jaw slack.
Above him floated a being beyond mortal beauty—untouched by dust, divine yet terrifying. "Transcendent" barely captured it. Her pink eyes held glacial fury.
Power: 100% unleashed.
She swept her wings.
A hurricane-force gale shattered every gravity-charged projectile, carving a safe zone around her. Breaking gravity’s chains, she hovered effortlessly between heaven and earth.
Raw Nature Energy erupted from Verlith—a terrifying pressure that crushed downward like a collapsing star. That floating silhouette radiated invincibility.
Lindwan had never felt such power. Had she shown this first, he’d have fled without a second thought.
His knees buckled.
*Thud.*
He knelt, trembling. "Y-you’re an Elven Sorcerer?!" he choked. "That pressure... unimaginable..."
This fight was never equal. Among sorcerers, spiritual pressure decided battles before they began. Facing Verlith was like a rabbit confronting a lion—only submission remained.
"Tsk. Almost got hurt thanks to you," Verlith dusted her skirt.
She vanished.
Reappeared before Lindwan in a blink.
Sword in hand—*shink!*—the blade’s shriek shattered his spirit before it touched skin.
He bowed his head, awaiting death.
The sword withdrew.
Confused, he looked up—
*CRACK!*
Her fist caved in his left cheek. He flew backward like a sack, crashing to earth.
"Cough...!" Blood flecked his lips. A tiny boot slammed into his right cheek—*thwack!*—sending him rolling.
"Kill me... if you dare... stop playing..." Lindwan spat, sweat and blood mixing.
Verlith’s foot pressed his chest. *When did I start enjoying this?* she wondered idly.
"Honestly? I want you dead."
"Then do it! What’s the point of this?!" he screamed.
"That punch and kick weren’t mine," she said coldly. "They were for the two Mercenaries you murdered. Feel it now? Hell’s fury?"
