N/T: Translation made by our friend 'Irving'. A big round of applause for him :)
Chapter 652
Raon watched Sylvia facing the vice head with a gentle smile.
'She's in good condition.'
Even though she had exerted her full power, Sylvia had easily subdued Krisen, so her aura and stamina were not significantly depleted.
In contrast, the vice head was extremely agitated after being mocked in front of numerous spectators. This created the best possible situation for Sylvia to confront him.
"It was surprising that Lady Sylvia easily defeated Krisen, but there's actually no need to watch this match."
"That's right. It's a fight between a Master and a Grandmaster."
"Honestly, it won't be easy to deplete his stamina or aura."
"But you never know. Seeing how she overwhelmed Krisen, there's enough possibilities!"
"Possibility, my foot. Stop talking nonsense."
"You bet money on it, so you're probably hoping for the best, right?"
Most of the spectators already considered the sword duel between Sylvia and the vice head to be over, regardless of the actual outcome of the fight.
Hey.
Wrath, who had been glaring at the spectators, turned his gaze to Raon.
Do you think mom can win?
'My answer remains the same.'
Raon shook his head calmly.
'If they fight 1,000 times, she'll lose 999 of them. If today isn't the one time she can win, she's definitely going to lose.'
He had taught Sylvia the vice head's swordsmanship and the martial arts to counter it.
But the opponent was a Grandmaster, far superior to Sylvia.
Even with the dragon heart energy center and knowing all his martial arts, winning was nearly impossible.
The King of Essence thinks she'll lose a thousand times if they fight a thousand times.
Wrath clicked his tongue briefly, looking at Sylvia's back.
But you said how you lose is also important, didn't you?
'Yes.'
Then the King of Essence will watch quietly. To see how mom loses. To understand what you wish for.
With those words, he landed on Raon's shoulder.
'Got it. But she's not your mother.'
Raon smiled wryly and took a step closer to the training ground.
"Mom."
He waved, calling her mom again, as he had done in the morning.
"Raon?"
Sylvia turned around. Her eyes were stiff as plaster. It seemed she was severely nervous, considering her opponent.
"Think about the training you've done so far."
He gave the most necessary advice to help her relax.
"Right. That's true."
Sylvia bit her lips tightly and nodded.
"I can't go through that hellish time again."
Sylvia's rigid gaze softened, then filled with madness.
"Uh..."
Raon shook his head with a bitter look.
'That's not what I meant.'
He had hoped for her to relax, but not in that manner.
"I'll be back."
Sylvia nodded gratefully and headed to the center of the training ground.
'Her eyes show neither the desire to win nor the fear of defeat.'
She probably knew better than anyone there how hard it would be to win.
But she wasn't thinking about losing either. She was simply full of determination to show her resolve.
"Are you both ready?"
The host, who seemed the most nervous, took a deep breath and approached Sylvia and the vice head.
"Yes, I'm ready."
Sylvia answered calmly, gripping her sword.
"I'm ready."
The vice head, still flushed from the earlier insult, nodded with a gritted expression. He looked ready to start right away.
Hearing their readiness, the host looked up at the highest platform. Glenn also nodded, signaling to start.
"Then..."
The host raised his hand between Sylvia and the vice head.
"The second sword duel begins!"
As soon as he lowered his raised hand and stepped back, the vice head moved.
He rushed in fiercely, as if trying to finish Sylvia off as quickly as possible.
Clank!
The vice head's swift swordsmanship aimed straight for Sylvia's collarbone.
Sylvia anticipated his move and calmly turned her left ankle.
She spun her body like rippling water, perfectly evading the vice head's attack.
"Tch."
The vice head clicked his tongue in displeasure and sharply altered the trajectory of his sword, which had been thrusting straight ahead. His sword flashed white, falling towards Sylvia's head.
Thud!
Sylvia moved with just her right foot. Her body slid to the right as if on ice.
Boom!
The vice head's sudden attack smashed into the ground, missing Sylvia.
"Hoo..."
Sylvia took a slightly rough breath and raised her sword to mid-stance.
"Your movements are impressive."
The vice head frowned as he pulled his sword from the ground.
With a cold gaze, he charged at Sylvia again, using fast yet mysterious footwork. Even while next to her, there were afterimages visible.
"Hup!"
Sylvia inhaled deeply and stepped back to the left. She deflected the vice head's lightning-fast strike and moved counterclockwise.
She used the training ground widely to create a path to evade the opponent's attacks.
"Ugh!"
The vice head, irritated by Sylvia's evasive maneuvers, bared his white teeth.
"Like a slippery eel!"
His sword emitted a bright light, producing three radiant swords. It was the manifestation of the Ten Forms Sword. The three brilliantly shining swords pressed in on Sylvia from her left and right.
Sylvia took a step back as she looked at the vice head's sword, which had transformed into three blades. She took a half-breath and infused the flow of a majestic river into her sword, which was tilted downward.
Piiiiik!
Sylvia's blade, rising like a wave, twisted the light sword and cut into the vice head's shoulder. Though the aura shield prevented a deep wound, red blood flowed from his shoulder.
"Hoo..."
Despite injuring the vice head, Sylvia didn't feel any joy. She lowered her stance, preparing for the next move.
"Ha..."
The vice head widened his eyes in disbelief, looking at the blood pooling on his shoulder. His eyes began to turn red.
Now it begins.
'No.'
Raon bit his lip, watching the drop of blood fall from Sylvia's blade.
'It hasn't even started yet.'
***
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The vice head of the senators Killuan frowned as he unleashed the Ten Forms Sword.
'What is this?'
He had intended to deal with Sylvia as quickly as possible and then face Raon, but that damn woman was absurdly good at evading.
Even though he had unleashed an attack that should have been unavoidable, she seemed to see through his every move and dodged all his offensives.
'Is she hiding her strength?'
No, that couldn't be it.
Sylvia's face was pale, and cold sweat dripped from her forehead. There wasn't a hint of composure in her.
Killuan twisted his mouth as he looked at the wound on his shoulder, which had already healed.
'Right. I was just careless.'
It was true he had ignored Sylvia to focus on Raon. If he fought properly from now on, he could win within ten moves.
'But I must not use the astral sphere.'
Using the astral sphere or the latter moves of the Ten Forms Sword had deadly power but consumed a lot of aura.
Since his sword duel with Raon Zieghart was right after this, he had to conserve his strength as much as possible.
'I will finish this with the difference in techniques.'
The Ten Forms Sword had a total of thirty-six moves. So far, he had only used the first twelve moves, but to finish quickly, he decided to use the middle twelve moves.
Ssssh!
Killuan's eyes calmed down as his sword split into five beams of light.
Chi-ing!
The blades of light, flying like a tiger, aimed for Sylvia's arms and legs simultaneously. If she retreated, the Ten Forms Sword's Silver Thread Pursuit would only become faster.
Given Sylvia's movements so far, she would surely step back, making this the worst possible move for her.
Thunk!
But instead of retreating, Sylvia bit her lip and charged forward.
'What...?'
Killuan's eyes widened as he saw Sylvia approaching.
'What is this!'
Instead of retreating in panic, she ran towards the swords. This was an unexpected move.
Sylvia nullified the Silver Thread Pursuit with a single movement, then a blue light surged from her sword.
Fwoosh!
The brilliant energy of her sword rushed towards Killuan's waist.
'Damn!'
Killuan gritted his teeth. He hadn't considered defense, so it was too late to block with his sword. He used his astral energy to form a wall at his side.
Slash!
Sylvia's sword cut through the astral energy wall and sliced his waist. The wound split open, and red blood spurted out. Although the bleeding stopped quickly, the throbbing pain irritated him.
"Ugh!"
Sylvia panted heavily, her whole body trembling with exertion. Cold sweat poured from her face, seeing that, he felt even more irritated.
"How dare you!"
Killuan bit his lip until it bled and moved swiftly. His body seemed to turn into light as he appeared before Sylvia.
Fwoosh!
Five beams of light from his sword slashed fiercely, leaving no room for evasion. This was the Spiritless Sword Flash, one of the fastest moves of the Ten Forms Sword.
Sylvia didn't run forward or retreat. She stepped forward with her left foot and bent backward.
The five beams of light from Spiritless Sword Flash missed Sylvia's nose by a paper-thin margin. Her blonde hair cut by the sword wind, fluttered faintly.
"Good! Let's see how long you can dodge!"
Killuan's forehead veins bulged as he unleashed the fifteenth move of the Ten Forms Sword, Fire Lotus Transcendent Wind. Six blades, like a pinwheel, rushing at Sylvia.
Chiiiing!
The blades, rotating as one, split apart just before reaching Sylvia, aiming for her arms, legs, and neck.
Clang!
Once again, Sylvia remained calm. She bit her lip and drew a circle with her sword. The rippling energy wave nullified all the blades of Fire Lotus Transcendent Wind.
"Huh..."
Killuan swallowed dryly, watching Fire Lotus Transcendent Wind dissipate.
'It's a coincidence.'
There's no way such a coward could break the Ten Forms Sword! It was impossible!
Grinding his teeth, he used the strongest move among the middle twelve, the Black Iron Prison. The trajectory of the light sword, which filled the air thickly, shot towards both of Sylvia's shoulders.
Chiiiing!
Sylvia's sword twisted narrowly, rising like a flying hawk. Like a lightning rod grounding a bolt of lightning, Killuan's attack was drawn to her blade and struck the ground.
Boom!
The impact was so powerful that the center of the training ground, where Black Iron Prison landed, was utterly destroyed.
"Ugh..."
Sylvia clutched her chest, seemingly injured internally, and groaned. However, she showed a determined gaze, gripping her sword tightly, indicating she would continue fighting.
'Just a hair's breadth.'
Killuan clenched his fist, looking at Sylvia's calm eyes.
'It's been by a hair's breadth since the beginning.'
It could be considered a coincidence a few times, but dodging even the middle twelve moves by such a narrow margin was no coincidence.
'She knows my swordsmanship. The Ten Forms Sword.'
There was no other explanation for their ongoing sword duel.
'Could it be...'
Killuan glanced at Raon behind Sylvia. He was smiling leisurely.
'Did he ask the head of house for the Ten Forms Sword manual?'
It all made sense now. Raon had used his wish not for another martial art but for his Ten Forms Sword.
'He's insane. Completely out of his mind!'
The Ten Forms Sword was not a bad martial art, but it's not the highest level martial art that can reach transcendence either.
Despite being able to obtain a much superior martial art more suited to him, Raon had chosen the Ten Forms Sword to orchestrate this situation. Killuan couldn't believe it.
Killuan bit his lip, meeting Raon's gaze, which seemed to say, 'You just figured it out?'
'I was caught in their trap from the beginning.'
All the provocations, conserving strength for the next sword duel—everything was part of Raon Zieghart and Sylvia's strategy.
'I've been humiliated, but it's not too late.'
He took a deep breath to calm his agitated mind.
'I'll put a definitive end to this.'
If he tried to conserve any more strength, he might end up expending even more. He needed to bring Sylvia down as quickly as possible, even if it meant using the final twelve moves and astral sphere.
"You used your brain well. But..."
Killuan's cold eyes fixed on Sylvia.
"Your chance is over."
From the blade of his sword, astral sphere condensed into a spiral, culminating in a massive explosion of light
***
'Astral sphere...'
Sylvia bit her lip, watching the immense astral sphere blazing from the vice head's sword.
'Now it's really starting.'
The vice head had been saving his strength for Raon, his next opponent.
But realizing she had grasped the Ten Forms Sword, he had decided to end it quickly.
Rumble.
The sword of light, originally made of astral energy, was now burning as an astral sphere.
Just seeing it made it hard to breathe, as if her heart was being squeezed.
Honestly, her body felt as heavy as a wet cotton ball from the fight so far. She had severe internal injuries, causing intense pain in her abdomen and chest.
But now was not the time to fall. She had to see the end of this fight with her own eyes.
Chaaaaaak!
The vice head charged in without any defensive stance. His sword was now twice as fast.
'Whirlwind Demon Cut!'
The Whirlwind Demon Cut of the Ten Forms Sword simultaneously targeted the opponent's waist and lower body, combining tremendous speed with illusions and feints to obscure the true target.
Sylvia's hand trembled as she held her sword, watching the vice head's relentless approach.
'Focus.'
A single moment of misjudgment could determine the outcome. She had to concentrate until the very end and pinpoint his intended target.
Chiiiiiing!
The vice head's blade, closing in, descended sharply like a lightning bolt. He was aiming for her right waist.
Thunk!
Sylvia stepped forward with her left foot, pivoting on her left ankle while leaning her upper body backward.
Chiiiiiing!
The vice head's sword grazed her waist. An intense pain, as if flesh had been torn away, surged through her, but she ignored it.
She thrust her right leg forward and aimed her sword at the vice head's thigh.
Screach!
Because the vice head was focusing on the offensive, his aura shield was weaker than before. Her blade cut deeper than the wounds on his shoulder or waist.
But her own injury was much worse. The internal damage had worsened, and she felt as if her whole body was burning with pain.
However, there was no time to recover. The vice head, intent on ending it, charged again, ignoring his wound.
His aura blade, formed of an astral sphere, multiplied into eight. It meant he was using the latter twelve moves of the Ten Forms Sword.
Hwaaaa!
The white-glowing blades, like the graceful fingers of a dancer, descended elegantly. If she blocked it directly, her body would be crushed.
Sylvia utilized the Wandering Steps footwork Raon had taught her. Twisting her body to avoid five blades of astral sphere, she used her astral energy to deflect the ones aimed at her head and chest.
Boom!
Even though she didn't clash directly with the blades but only deflected them, her wrist was twisted and she felt nauseous. The internal injuries she had suppressed worsened.
'Not yet...'
Despite the pain searing through her mind, Sylvia didn't retreat.
Pushing through the waves of astral sphere full of murderous intent and malice, she counterattacked. Her blade, piercing through a fleeting opening, sliced the vice head's forearm.
"Gah..."
Although Sylvia had attacked, she was the one who spat blood. Dark, dead blood stained her lips.
"Let's see you struggle to the very end!"
The vice head's sword flashed with brilliant light. Eight blades, imbued with his will and astral sphere, swirled around Sylvia's.
Sylvia bit her tongue. Even in this extreme situation, she remained calm, distinguished between the attacks she could evade and those she had to block.
Thump!
In the blink of an eye, she calculated and executed the Wandering Steps, drawing a sword shield to her right and front.
Whooosh!
However, time was too short, and she was overpowered, resulting in cuts to her collarbone and thigh.
Even with an aura shield, the sword blades energy carved out chunks of flesh. Blood spurted, staining her hair and clothes.
"Your struggle ends here."
The vice head twisted his lips as if everything was over and slashed diagonally.
The ultimate move of the Ten Forms Sword, the Sun-Splitting Strike. The blade descended sharply, forming a fan-shaped sword energy that filled the training ground.
"Huff..."
Sylvia abandoned the idea of stopping the bleeding. She channeled even the aura she was using for it into her sword.
'The Sun-Splitting Strike has a wide range but has openings.'
Maybe because she was in extreme concentration, time seemed to slow down. Her remaining sense detected the opening in Sun-Splitting Strike.
"Arghhh!"
Sylvia let out a battle cry as she struck the opening she sensed with her astral energy. Blue light poured down like a grand waterfall.
Crash!
The right wing of Sun-Splitting Strike shattered like a thin glass window.
Boom!
Sylvia pulled her body through the gap, moved to the vice head’s right side, and thrust her sword.
The blue light flashing from the sword tip pierced through the vice-head’s aura shield and sliced his abdomen. A small hole appeared, and blood began to flow from his stomach.
“Arrghhh!”
The vice head screamed, swinging his sword wildly. The astral sphere rained down like a bombardment.
“Huff...”
Sylvia threw herself to the side but couldn't completely avoid the astral sphere bombardment. Her waist and calf were roughly torn apart.
“You wretch, how far do you intend to go?”
The vice head looked at Sylvia with a mixture of exhaustion and disbelief.
“Haa...”
Sylvia smiled faintly at his twisted expression. Even with her vision blurry, she could clearly see his face.
‘This feels a bit satisfying.’
She had wanted to see that expression on his face ever since he tormented the maids in the annex building. She was glad it was her, not Raon, who made him look like that.
It wouldn't have been possible without Raon's teachings and the artificial energy center created from the dragon heart.
At this moment, she was deeply grateful for her son.
“Thank you for underestimating me.”
Sylvia smiled, swallowing the blood that had risen to her throat due to severe internal injuries.
Her hair, tied back, had come loose, and her entire body was drenched in blood, as if painted with red paint.
Yet, she did not lower the hand holding her sword. Even if her grip were to be torn apart, she would hold her sword high until the end.
“Shut up. Shut up!”
The vice head roared and charged. He looked like an enraged bull. There was no longer any composure in his swordsmanship. It was filled only with the intent to win at all costs.
Swish!
Even though she blocked, blood sprayed from her shoulder. The vice head's blade had grazed her deeply.
‘He's changed...’
As the vice head fought with all his might, even the familiar techniques of the Ten Forms Sword became difficult to read due to their speed and complexity.
Sylvia narrowly dodged an astral sphere strike descending onto her head, missing it by a hair. She bit her lip. It was crazy. A single misjudgment could mean not just defeat, but death.
Swoosh!
Her abdomen was slashed. The pain was so intense she wanted to collapse, but she bit her lip and slashed at the vice head’s waist.
A chunk of flesh fell from her thigh, and so much blood flowed out she felt she might faint. Despite the chilling shiver running down her spine, she bit her tongue and slashed at his ankle.
The exchange of blows continued, each costing flesh and bone.
The vice head, with his ample aura, only sustained minor wounds, but every time Sylvia's blade met his, it felt like a piece of her life was being chipped away.
It was excruciating. Agonizingly so.
But she could endure. Physical pain couldn't surpass the mental anguish.
Compared to the pain of not being able to protect her family or the maids she considered her children, these injuries were nothing.
Sylvia smiled, covered in blood. Amidst her ghastly appearance, a benevolent smile bloomed. It was beautiful yet eerie.
“You crazy woman!”
The vice head ground his teeth and stepped back.
"You, what are you doing! Aren't you going to stop her after seeing her like this?”
He shouted at Raon, demanding he stop Sylvia.
But Raon, with his arms crossed, did not move. He watched the training ground with an unwavering gaze, full of trust in Sylvia.
“Kuuh! Fine! I'll end this for good!”
The vice head, sweating coldly, executed the secret technique of the Ten Forms Sword, Wind Demon’s Great Destruction. Ten swords of light swirled around, creating a massive blade storm.
The storm of astral sphere spread across the entire training ground, extending shards of light as if to swallow Sylvia whole.
Facing the suffocating storm of light, Sylvia bit her lip.
‘Wind Demon’s Great Destruction.’
The Wind Demon’s Great Destruction was the one Raon had warned her to be most wary of.
A deadly martial art meant to corner the opponent and cut off their breath in an instant. To counter it, she had to aim for the fleeting moment when the blades of light gathered.
As if awaiting death, she closed her eyes and heightened her senses. Her perception, sharpened to the extreme due to the pain, read the flow of Wind Demon’s Great Destruction.
Kuuuuuuuuuu!
The blades of light that had been tearing through the heavens and earth converged above Sylvia's head.
At that moment, Sylvia raised her sword. Her blurry eyes flashed red.
The blue light that traveled up her blade danced gracefully. The blue blade pierced through the light blades, targeting the core of Wind Demon’s Great Destruction.
Kuwaaaaaaaaaaaa!
Before the sword strike could take shape, it exploded, creating a massive shockwave that spread throughout the entire great training ground.
“Ah...”
The vice head was unable to move, having been hit by the shockwave while forming his technique.
“Hngh...”
Sylvia walked forward, her steps faltering. Blood stained the floor with each step.
With her trembling arm, she raised her sword and struck down at the head of the vice head.
But she had no strength left. The blade didn't cut his head but lightly tapped it before falling.
Clang!
Sylvia's sword fell to the ground. She smiled at the vice head, as if she had reached her limit.
“…I have lost. But the Shining Light Style has not been defeated.”
With those final words, she collapsed backward. But she didn't hit the ground.
Raon had appeared to support her back.
"Y-You... What are you two...?"
The vice head, wiping a streak of blood from his forehead, muttered as if grinding his bones.
Raon didn't look at him. He wiped the blood from Sylvia's face and carried her off the training ground.
His touch was so noble that no one among the crowd dared to speak. It was as if time had stopped.
“Well done.”
Raon smiled faintly at Sylvia, who had not walked down on her own two feet as she had said.
The victor and the defeated were decided. But the victor's face was twisted, and the defeated one smiled broadly. It was as if their roles had reversed.
“Wha-what is the Shi-Shining Light Style?”
The vice head asked, wiping the blood trickling down his forehead.
“It’s the martial art of the annex building...”
Raon replied, brushing Sylvia's hair. A red lightning flashed in his eyes as he looked back.
“The martial art that will defeat you.”
