Lin Fei adjusted his grip on the wooden sword, breathing slowly and even.
Across the platform, Mo Xuanyu stood calm, blade lowered but steady. Not a hint of nerves. Not a tremor in his hands. For someone with a reputation for fainting, his silence was unsettling.
He beat Zhang Liang with timing, not power. If I underestimate him, I'll be the fool.
Lin Fei tightened his stance, knees bent, weight centred.
Treat him like any worthy opponent. Probe, observe, and then strike where he falters.
The instructor's voice rang out. "Begin!"
Lin Fei advanced, measured, his first strike a downward cut at Joshua's shoulder — simple, clean, a test of reflexes.
Joshua's blade lifted at the perfect angle, not clashing with brute force but sliding just enough to divert the strike off-line.
The impact hummed through the wood, but Joshua's expression didn't shift. He pivoted lightly, eyes locked on Lin Fei, not the blade.
Lin Fei's brow twitched. So steady. No panic. That wasn't luck against Zhang Liang.
Joshua's thought was colder, sharper. Balanced stance. No wasted motion. He respects me. Good.
Lucian's voice cut across the courtyard. "Beautiful first block, Ghost! Look at you — like a painting of cold water!"
Joshua ignored him. Lin Fei almost smiled despite himself.
Lin Fei pressed harder, switching angles. Low thrust. Diagonal sweep. A quick feint toward Joshua's ribs.
Joshua's blade answered each with minimal effort. A tilt of the wrist. A half-step aside. Redirection instead of confrontation.
But Lin Fei wasn't a brute like Zhang Liang. He shifted seamlessly, keeping Joshua on the defensive. Step by step, Joshua yielded ground until the edge of the platform scraped under his heel.
Lin Fei's eyes narrowed. Corner him. Don't give him space.
Joshua's lashes lowered. He felt the stone edge, the narrowing of options. His grip tightened slightly.
[Ding!]
[System: Vessel stamina low. Opponent rhythm detected. Recommendation: Break the cycle. Force imbalance.]
"…I know," Joshua murmured under his breath.
Lin Fei exhaled, adjusting. He's calm, but he can't keep this pace. One more strong exchange, and he'll slip.
He struck fast — overhead, then swept low in a fluid chain meant to overwhelm.
Joshua caught the first, then let the second glance off. The third came low—Joshua didn't block.
Instead, his blade dipped, hooking just enough against Lin Fei's wrist. A subtle angle, a soft touch—redirecting, not resisting.
Lin Fei's strike faltered, his own momentum sliding wider than intended.
Joshua stepped in, his blade rising in the same motion, the wooden tip brushing against Lin Fei's ribs before stopping dead.
The courtyard gasped.
Lin Fei froze, eyes widening. When—?
Joshua's voice was flat, cold. "…Predictable."
Lin Fei stepped back quickly, breathing sharply. His ribs prickled where the tip had pressed.
He read me. Perfectly. Every feint, every angle… he wasn't reacting. He was waiting. Watching. Calculating.
The thought sent a chill down his spine — not anger, not humiliation, but a jolt of respect.
He steadied his grip again, raising his blade. "You're not who I thought you were, Mo Xuanyu."
Joshua's gaze was steady, impassive. "…I was never who they thought I was."
Lucian cheered loudly from the rail. "Hear that? That's my Ghost — mysterious, terrifying, devastatingly handsome!"
The instructor scowled. "Lucian, silence!"
Lucian saluted mockingly. "Aye, silence with flair."
Lin Fei exhaled slowly. "Then I'll strike as myself. No holding back."
He advanced again, this time sharper, his blade snapping in rapid, precise strikes. No wasted energy now — just pure intent.
Joshua met him, calm as still water. His parries grew smaller, his footwork cleaner. With each clash, he stole half a heartbeat from Lin Fei, redirecting rhythm piece by piece.
Lin Fei lunged, thrusting for Joshua's chest. Joshua's blade swept down, sliding the thrust off-centre. At the same instant, he pivoted — not back, but forward, stepping inside Lin Fei's reach.
His blade's flat pressed against Lin Fei's neck.
Lin Fei froze. His sword was still extended, but useless.
The courtyard erupted again.
"Impossible—"
"He disarmed him without disarming—!"
"That's… that's control."
The instructor raised his hand. "Match—Mo Xuanyu."
Joshua stepped back, lowering his blade. He bowed once, precise. Lin Fei exhaled slowly, then returned the bow with unexpected sincerity.
"You fought clean. You deserve this win."
Joshua's expression didn't change, but his voice was soft, flat. "…Good fight."
Lin Fei blinked, then smiled faintly before leaving the platform.
Lucian bounded up the steps before the instructor could stop him, clapping Joshua hard on the shoulder. "That was magnificent! Cold, merciless, terrifying — you almost smiled. Admit it."
Joshua gave him a flat look. "…Noisy."
Lucian grinned wider, leaning close. "You like it."
Joshua turned away without answering.
But in his chest, the faint warmth of a soul fragment stirred.
[Ding!]
[Reward: +1 Soul Fragment (minor). +1 Passive Skill – Rhythm Sense.]
Joshua's lashes lowered, hiding the faintest flicker of something like recognition — a whisper of firelight, and a voice he couldn't name.
"…Not enough," he murmured.
Lucian tilted his head, golden eyes bright. "What's that, Ghost?"
Joshua glanced at him, cold and steady. "…Nothing."