chapter 0.54 Jin vs Leona II

 Reactions of the Silent Witnesses

On the outer rim of the arena, beneath the pale moonlight, the silent audience stood—watching.

Naoko Rochey "did not blink. Her silver eyes, like polished glass, reflected every motion, every strike. Her expression was unreadable, as if she were watching a theatrical performance rather than a real battle. Only the faint tilt of her head betrayed mild interest. Her arms were crossed, her long silver hair drifting gently in the night breeze, and the moonlight kissed the highbones of her flawless, ageless face.

She said nothing. But the air around her felt colder, heavier—like the presence of a deity waiting to be entertained.

Beside her, Amelia Amberhart stood tall, arms behind her back. Her golden eyes narrowed, flickering between Leona and Jin. She knew what her daughter's friend was capable of—and yet, even she could feel it:. Jin was still holding back. There was no mistaking it. That calm, precise rhythm. That terrifying restraint. Amelia's lips pressed into a thin line.

"She's fast," she muttered under her breath, more to herself than anyone else. "But he's calculating."

A few steps behind, Reina Amberhart stood with her hands clenched at her sides. Her golden eyes trembled slightly, reflecting the flurry of blades. Jin's presence sent a quiet chill crawling up her spine—not because of fear, but because of the unknown He was still a mystery to her. A cruel enigma. His voice earlier was almost kind… almost human.

But this version of him—cold, precise, brutal—*this* was what she feared.

Reina glanced at him, confused.

"His behavior has changed radically. "

Indeed Leona's eyes were shining

The heat in her blood surged. Her grip on her sword tightened. Every clash with Jin, every shockwave that pushed her back, was a call to rise higher. She had fought many. But never someone like this.

And neither of them had yet broken a sweat.

. She lunged.

With a roar, Leona spun and brought her sword down with a radiant flash—**Lionheart Technique: Sky Sever**—a wide vertical slash imbued with ancestral mana that shattered the ground beneath her and sent shards of stone flying.

Jin. **sidestepped it**, just barely.

Dust exploded upward.

And from the haze—he struck.

A glimmer in the mist, a whisper of motion—

**Clang!**

Leona blocked it, barely, stumbling backward. Jin's red eyes glowed softly, and he whispered:

**"Lunaris Step."**

His form blinked—*once*, *twice*, *thrice*—a flickering shadow dancing around her like a phantom under moonlight. Leona spun, parried, slashed, but her blade passed through air every time.

— hen —

**CRACK. !**

A powerful impact sent her skidding back. Her boots dug trenches into the arena floor, sparks flying beneath her heels.

Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, but she smiled. "So that's how fast you can move," she whispered, wiping it away with the back of her glove.

Jin twirled Nihil once, planting it gently into the ground.

"Not even close," he said.

[Art of the Star Sword]

"The First Moon" 

The air suddenly grew *still*.

Jin raised his hand—not toward Leona, but upward. The mana in the air bent around him, light shifting unnaturally. A red sigil formed above him, carved into the sky like a wound:

"Moonless Art – Hollow Orbit" 

It was beautiful, ominous—four crimson circles floated behind him like the broken rings of a dead moon. From each one, spears of compressed mana shot out, spiraling toward Leona with terrifying speed.

She reacted fast.

"Lionheart Ward!" she shouted, raising her sword and stabbing it into the ground.

A glowing lion's head formed around her, a dome of golden mana roaring with energy. The spears struck—**BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.**—and the ground shook with the force.

Smoke clouded the arena.

 Leona's Counterattack

And from the smoke—Leona charged.

She was wounded, yes. But now her blade burned brighter than ever.

**"Lionheart's Final Roar!"**

She leapt into the air, her sword ignited in white-blue flame. Her body spun with the momentum of a falling star, and she came down at him like judgment.

Jin didn't move.

He simply **raised one hand**, palm open.

As her sword descended—

**CRASH.**

He caught it.

With one hand.

Sparks flew wildly. The flames hissed and danced around him. His glove cracked slightly—but his stance remained solid.

"…I've seen enough," Jin said softly.

Then, with a flick of his wrist, he pushed her back—just enough to end it without disgrace.

Leona landed on her feet, panting, her sword lowered.

For a long moment, silence reigned.

Naoko raised a brow faintly, as if amused.

Amelia's expression remained unreadable—but there was a glint of satisfaction in her eyes.

Reina stepped forward, breath caught in her throat.

Leona straightened her back and gave a slow, respectful nod.

"…You're terrifying," she said, half-laughing. "I want a rematch."

Jin looked at her, expression unreadable.

"…Next time," he said simply, and turned away.