A solid move, but still lacking refinement.

Watching Aifei’s assault approach, I shook my head slightly. A small crimson sword materialized in my hand.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

With fluid precision, I wielded the tiny blade, deflecting every sudden slash—as effortlessly as swatting passing insects.

“What… what is this?!” Aifei gasped. Her prized Blade Waltz of Light, halted by a mere miniature sword?

“You’re remarkably skilled,” I remarked. “To master swordsmanship’s waltz to this degree in this era… genuine talent.”

Even I, the Dreadwyrm, felt genuine admiration. Such a sword dance should be impossible in this world—yet Aifei had achieved it.

“Take this! Light Sword Art — Crescent Luna Slash!” Pride flaring, Aifei gave no reply. In a flash, she slashed her blade. A crescent-shaped shockwave tore from its tip, slicing the air with sharp whistles and metallic screeches.

“Useless.” My expression unreadable, I met the massive slash with the tiny sword.

Zzzzt~~

Sparks and violent currents erupted at the point of contact. Heat rippled through the air; the scene turned momentarily eerie.

Still, the sight felt surreal—the slash alone stretched over three meters.

CRASH!! With the slightest pressure, it shattered like tofu.

“This… impossible.” Aifei’s composure shattered. Her strongest techniques, effortlessly neutralized? Absurd.

“Hmm~ Honestly, you’re not bad. But you lack proper training and potent magic…” I mused, pointing the tiny sword at her. “How about this? I’ll forgo my magic. Sword-to-sword, just this blade. Fair?”

“Are you insulting me?” Aifei stared, disbelief etched deep. This was a clear slight against her knightly honor.

“Insult? Hardly.” I spoke calmly. “I only wish to witness the Knights’ Captain’s swordsmanship. Even if cut down, I’d hold no grudge. If I lose, hand me a proper sword—we duel as equals.”

“Fine. Since you insist… I’ll end this quickly.”

She vanished—and reappeared before me, blade descending.

CLANG!!!

I blocked it.

Clash! Clash! Clash!

Aifei unleashed her finest technique: rapid strikes targeting every perceived opening.

CLANG! Yet every blow was parried by me, expression utterly nonchalant. Not a single strike neared my body.

Why? Why couldn’t she break through? Openings everywhere—yet nothing landed.

Confusion and fear churned within her. The swordsmanship she’d honed since childhood, effortlessly countered by a toy-like blade. Even her steadfast spirit began to crumble.

“If there’s nothing left… my turn.”

I spotted the flaw. A flick—her sword flew. The tip of my tiny blade rested against her forehead.

“You’ve lost. Do I pass?” I asked, tone perfectly neutral. To me, it was merely ordinary.

“This…” Aifei collapsed to her knees, hollow-eyed. Despair flooded her chest.

Once, she believed herself among the world’s elite magical warriors—if not the very peak. She thought she could trade blows evenly with the current Champion. That conviction was her pride. Now? A hollow joke.

After this man appeared, titles like “Knights’ Captain” or “Strongest Magical Warrior, the Light Sword Maiden” meant nothing.

Her magic was infinitesimal beside his. Her swordsmanship, crushed without mercy.

He had shattered every fragment of her pride.