Chapter 33: Allen VS Paul, This Is the Silent Blade!

Allen's pupils contracted. His sword, too slow to redirect, could no longer stop Paul's strike. Instinctively, his palm reached forward, shifting the grip to expose a bit of the hilt—ready to use Water God Style's —Ryuu Ougi— to neutralize the assault.

"No! That won't help me grow!"

He aborted the technique and took Paul's blow at the end of the hilt.

Infused with dōki (fighting spirit), the strike launched him back. Though he barely managed to stay upright, lacking Water God techniques to disperse the force, his feet plowed a half-meter groove in the dirt.

Yet in the very instant he regained balance, he channeled dōki in reverse and hurtled toward Paul!

Clang! Their blades screamed as they locked, mere centimeters apart.

Paul, sword raised to guard his throat, barked at Allen who was stealing glances at his lower half:

"You're too focused on my throat! That last swing was decent—but now where are you looking?!"

Gritting his teeth, Allen twisted his blade mid-swing, redirecting it toward Paul's other side.

But Paul's sword was already hovering near Allen's throat again.

"No good! His Sword God Style is faster!"

Allen twisted aside, narrowly dodging, and aimed for Paul's ribs with a returning slash—but Paul's blade, once again, met his.

Allen stepped back, ready to press again, but Paul raised a hand to halt him.

Gone was his usual playful face. Paul was solemn.

"Allen, regulate your breathing. Clear your mind."

He raised a finger to the air just in front of his throat.

"Focus only here. Forget about feints or follow-ups. Let the body move, not the brain."

"Then strike. That's all there is to it."

He squinted. "I'll count to three. At three, strike. Got it?"

Allen took a deep breath, immediately calming his breath.

Eyes serious, he gave a nod, then closed them.

'Faster than thought...'

He opened his eyes again and stared at Paul's throat.

"Ready."

Paul, watching him with interest, licked his lips.

"One."

Allen crouched, lowering his stance.

"Two."

He drew the blade behind him, angled low, ready to slice upward. His vision tunneled to the space before Paul's neck.

"S—"

As Paul made the hissing prelude to "three," Allen's pupils shrank to pinpoints!

In that instant, the world blurred—the courtyard faded, leaves vanished into mist, sounds dulled into silence, and even Paul's watchful gaze disappeared.

All that remained—a single point of light at Paul's throat.

Then, from the darkness, a ripple.

And a thought, distant yet sharp.

'I see it…'

Another, louder.

'I cut it!'

A flash.

Color returned. Sound returned. Gasps burst from the second floor where Zenith and Lilia watched.

Allen blinked. That light—a dream?

His blade trembled before him, poised an inch from Paul's neck.

No illusion.

He looked down. The hilt in his own hand.

Paul grinned, flicked the blade aside with a finger, and yanked Allen into a tight hug, thumping his chest.

"Excellent! That's it! Remember this feeling! That is Sword God Style! That is Silent Blade!"

At that moment, Sylphy's soft voice came from the gate.

"Um, Rudy's ready now. Shall we go, Allen?"

Allen turned. Sylphy stared at him, blinking. Her green hair, now chin-length, danced in the breeze. Her eyes—no longer timid—were calm and observant.

Paul gave Allen a push.

"Go on! Be careful! Don't bring the blade that close this time. Rudy doesn't have dōki armor!"

Allen nodded. "Right! We agreed if I get within one meter, I win."

A relieved sigh echoed from Zenith upstairs.

Allen looked up and waved his sword playfully.

"Relax, ma'am! I'll sheath it before I get close! Honestly, I'm more worried he'll blow me away with a fireball!"

Zenith chuckled behind her hand and waved him off.

Allen waved back and nodded at Paul before heading off with Sylphy.

As they left, Paul's smile faded. He touched his neck, revealing a faint red mark—and a bead of blood.

'That dōki… almost pierced mine. This talent—is this really the power of a nine-year-old? Already grasping the Silent Blade...'

He looked toward Allen gently ruffling Sylphy's hair as she awkwardly walked ahead.

'Philip, you've birthed a terrifying genius. When will you finally meet him again?'

At their usual hilltop training spot, Rudy stood with arms crossed, eyes gleaming with confidence, half-sunken in waist-high grass.

Allen chuckled. "Ready?"

"Today I've got a surprise for you."

Allen glanced at Sylphy. "You wait at the top."

Sylphy hesitated, then looked to Rudy.

"Be careful, both of you. Don't overdo it."

Allen raised an eyebrow. Was she suggesting Rudy had the upper hand?

He became intrigued.

Once Sylphy climbed the hill and leaned against the tree, Rudy and Allen stood a hundred meters apart.

Sylphy gave a nod, her soft voice drifting down with the breeze.

"Begin!"

(End of Chapter)

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