Luciel thrust his sword at Flower.
Flower chuckled. "Court swordsmanship? That flashy style might impress girls, but in real combat? Useless." He casually deflected Luciel's attack.
Luciel, with his strength at less than 30% of his peak, struggled against Flower's powerful strikes.
Flower smirked in contempt.
Luciel's mind, however, was calculating. "Strength: 4.2. Speed: 4.2. Physique: 3.8..." He silently analyzed his opponent. "What's the best strategy to win?"
The crowd watching shook their heads.
"A third-year student challenging a fifth-year? Ridiculous."
"How could Bourne appoint him as vice president? He's embarrassing the Swordsmanship Association."
"If Bourne were here, he'd defeat Flower in seconds."
Members of the Swordsmanship Association were tense.
"Damn it! The president is absent, and the vice president just finished extreme training. Otherwise, we wouldn't have to endure this humiliation!"
Only Maris remained silent, observing closely.
Luciel wouldn't go down easily. His swordsmanship, which even Bourne admired, still gave him a chance.
As the fight progressed, the mood shifted.
The once-dismissive audience grew astonished. Even Flower's expression became serious.
"This isn't court swordsmanship!" he muttered.
Luciel's technique was elegant yet lethal, like a viper striking from the shadows. Despite his weaker strength, each of his strikes forced Flower to stay on guard.
"The vice president's swordsmanship… it's similar to the challenger's cross swordsmanship, but more refined!"
"There's no cross swordsmanship course in Orland. Did he learn it from the magic puppet?"
"If that's true… that's terrifying!"
Susan, from the Sword Flower Association, was equally stunned.
"That's modified Hanzhe swordsmanship! He's stripped away the unnecessary movements, leaving only pure efficiency. If he created this himself…" Her eyes gleamed with admiration. "Luciel's swordsmanship talent is monstrous."
Flower grew frustrated. Unable to land a decisive blow, he roared, "This next strike will end it!"
Luciel's eyes sharpened.
As Flower lunged, Luciel saw it—his opponent's fatal flaw.
Luciel's sword moved unnaturally slow, like a heavy weight dragging it down.
The crowd gasped.
"Is he exhausted?"
But in a flash, his sword pierced Flower's chest—swift, precise, unstoppable.
Flower was sent flying, crashing to the ground.
A stunned silence filled the arena.
Flower had lost.
"Impossible!" Flower gasped. "The third realm of swordsmanship… 'lifting weight as though it's light'...! How can you comprehend that?!"
Only those knowledgeable in swordsmanship understood the gravity of Flower's words.
Susan's hands covered her mouth, eyes wide with disbelief.
"That's a skill knights can only achieve…"
The Swordsmanship Association erupted in cheers.
"The vice president won!"
"Luciel defeated Flower!"
Luciel stood amidst the celebrations, catching his breath. He had perfectly exploited his opponent's flaw, proving that strategy and precision could outmatch sheer strength.
As his name echoed throughout the hall, Luciel stood at the center of admiration, respect, and awe—his brilliance undeniable.