Chapter 86 - The Sword Festival, Part 1 (2)

When I saw Titania's opponent, the first thing that hit me was a strange sense of déjà vu. No, not déjà vu exactly. It was more like her appearance tugged at something buried in my memory, like someone had described her to me before, though I couldn't quite place it.

The referee stepped onto the platform, the air seeming to thicken with his presence. His voice rang out, clear and commanding, slicing through the crowd's growing murmurs like a blade.

"You know the rules. Victory is achieved when your opponent is either incapacitated or pushed off the platform. Killing is to be avoided wherever possible. Show the honor befitting swordsmen and adhere to these terms." He scanned them both with a stern gaze before raising his hand. "Prepare yourselves."

Titania and her opponent shifted into their stances, the tension between them crackling like static electricity. Each movement was deliberate, precise, radiating a readiness to strike at a moment's notice.