The setting sun hung half-submerged behind distant, ink-green valleys, its golden light blindingly brilliant.

Yedi and Qingruo stood ten paces apart.

The Yedi of old would have accepted her challenge without hesitation—and so he must now.

Both prodigies of the Empire cherished swordsmanship as their own sacred language. A duel between them was a conversation beyond words.

Yet unease gnawed at Yedi’s heart.

Dusk deepened. Night approached.

Time was running out.

He had to end this duel before the sun vanished completely—and leave enough time to return. If the Nightshade Ring’s effect wore off here… the consequences were unthinkable.

Before Qingruo’s eyes, the teacher she revered, trusted, and truly respected—would transform into a girl. A girl who looked even younger than herself.

Yedi would shatter.

Other consequences were equally unimaginable.

"Senior Qingruo, here." A junior girl handed Qingruo her diamond-shaped platinum shield. Many underclassmen, hearing Teacher Yedi had come, lingered after their own classes to watch the third-year swordsmanship lesson.

Of course, quite a few were here just to see Qingruo.

Calling her the academy’s "campus flower" felt utterly inadequate for the Empire’s most beautiful genius, future leader of the Holy Temple Knights, and heiress of the Redvini Family—one of Asgard Empire’s three ancient Judicator clans.

Qingruo radiated popularity among both boys and girls, a beacon of hope for every soul in the academy.

She took the shield. "Teacher, what weapon will you use?"

Yedi knew his star pupil well. When she wielded a shield in her left hand, she meant true battle. Unlike him, Qingruo—though female—towered with athletic grace, her frame the pinnacle of feminine softness yet her spirit forged in unbreakable steel.

Gripping a platinum longsword in one hand and the slender shield in the other, she resembled a Valkyrie at Ragnarök.

"I’ll use this." Yedi bypassed his training saber. A student hurried over, carrying a two-handed longsword from the training ground’s edge.

*Shing!*

Golden light flashed under the setting sun as Yedi drew the blade one-handed.

"It’s starting…" A bespectacled underclassman whispered excitedly, clutching a notebook. A die-hard Qingruo fan, he knew every detail of her feats. "How long has it been? We’re finally seeing Teacher Yedi and Senior Qingruo duel again. This might be the Empire’s highest-level swordsmanship match."

"Senior Qingruo has never lost in the academy—except to Teacher Yedi!" The boy’s glasses glinted.

"But…" A muscular third-year with dark skin and crimson crew-cut stepped forward, his face prematurely lined. "The Student Council President has never beaten Teacher Yedi either."

Many students half-believed the rumor: Yedi was the Empire’s strongest. Qingruo was only seventeen—losing was natural.

"Even so," a red-haired sophomore argued, fists clenched, "Senior Qingruo always nearly wins! Teacher Yedi only edges her out by the slimmest margin!" She’d fiercely defend Qingruo’s honor—and she spoke truth.

The crowd swelled, merging with Class 3-1 until nearly two full classes gathered.

"Qingruo," Yedi proposed, "since this is a swordsmanship duel, let’s forgo Sacred Power. It’ll help us focus on the art itself."

"Of course." Qingruo’s expression shifted, emanating an unnerving aura.

Months apart, and this pressure alone proved her terrifying growth.

*This woman might surpass me one day. Back when I…* A shadow crossed Yedi’s heart.

"Teacher Yedi," Qingruo’s voice cut like an invisible blade, "may I begin my assault?"

Such fierce battle spirit—from a girl. Unthinkable.

"Begin." Facing real blades, Yedi never hesitated.

Even if his opponent was his student.

Even if she was once the woman he’d secretly loved.

*Once.*

Now, Yedi was Tiyi at his core. Biologically female, regardless of acceptance.

How could he love another woman?

Sensing Yedi’s flicker of hesitation—though puzzled—Qingruo never wasted an opening in combat.

"Teacher… this is what you taught me—"

She lunged. Leather boots slammed the earth. Her figure flashed like winter light toward Tiyi.

In a heartbeat, she was before Yedi. Shield forward. Longsword raised high behind her shoulder.

*So fast!* Yedi startled—not just at her speed, but at his own rustiness against such a rival.

*Clang!*

Qingruo’s blade slashed a dragon-like arc, crashing onto Yedi’s sword with crushing force. He skidded backward, boots tearing up dust.

*Such power!* Yedi’s eyes narrowed. His hands went numb; only switching to a two-handed grip at the last second saved him.

*How did she gain such strength?!*

No—her power had grown, but the real issue was *his*. His strength had plummeted.

His male form was mere illusion. His body remained female—weak, unaccustomed to this shape.

Enough to handle ordinary foes. But against Qingruo? A crippling disadvantage.

At the pinnacle of swordsmanship, the slightest gap decided everything. Here, the gap yawned wide.

"Teacher Yedi?" Qingruo felt it instantly—his sword lacked its old might.

She’d planned a follow-up strike, but Yedi recoiled farther than expected. Yet against *him*, she’d never lower her guard. She surged forward, sliding into a thrust.

Her sword was barely shorter than Yedi’s two-hander. Trained in true armored Holy Temple Knight techniques—devout, disciplined, explosively powerful.

*Clang!*

The thrust was flat. Fast. Brutal.

Knowing his weakness, Yedi didn’t parry. He planted his blade like a shield before him—a move demanding godlike reflexes, perhaps only he’d dare it. Still, the impact drove him stumbling back.

The students gasped at the breathtaking, perilous move.

Yedi’s skill remained peerless.

It ignited Qingruo’s fighting spirit. She’d never believed she could win—but she’d always *wanted* to.

*Whoosh!*

Qingruo retracted her sword in a blur, shield snapping up defensively.

Just as expected. Mid-retreat, Yedi planted a foot, reversed momentum, and leaped. His two-handed sword slashed down one-handed—maximizing reach.

*Thud!*

Before the blade even fell, Qingruo’s shield was already raised.

She knew Yedi too well. Knew better than anyone: never judge him by past battles.

Absolute vigilance. Always.

As she blocked, she shoved outward with her shield. Her overwhelming strength sent Yedi’s sword flying wide.

*This can’t be real—must be a trap!* Yet staying alert, she stepped forward, leg extending, sword cleaving down.

Yedi’s blade was already deflected. The power gap was undeniable. Once, Qingruo’s strength had merely lagged slightly behind Yedi’s peak. Now? It crushed any advantage his swordsmanship might offer.

Worse, Yedi had spent months refining *female* sword techniques. Returned to a male form, his body and strength hadn’t adapted. Did his swordsmanship even hold an edge anymore? Uncertain.

Facing the descending blade, Yedi twisted aside—barely. The sword whistled past his cheek.

But Qingruo’s shield followed, ruthless and swift.

It hurtled toward his face.