The Adventures of an Overpowered Knight in Another World Chapter 621- Clash: Fighting With All Their Strength (3)

Had she been carrying the Earth Tycoon’s excrement this entire time? Silvia's expression shifted from a peculiar paleness to a complete vacancy. Reinhardt appeared to find the situation quite amusing. He let out a soft chuckle, observing Silvia as she fully grasped what she had been lugging on her back. "Don't overthink it," he stated, flicking her forehead. "Your contribution has been acknowledged. You performed excellently this time." With that, he nudged the substantial sack towards her. "Commander?" "Keep the gold. You and Vangeance earned that. I'll handle the minerals, but the gold is yours." This was their recompense, their prize for risking their lives. . . . Nearby, a boisterous crowd had congregated around the sparring ring, observing Kevin versus Vangeance. The two engaged in a fierce duel. Kevin lunged forward, his movements rapid and incisive. He had already attained the transcendent state, harmonizing his physical being with his blade. [Holy Blade Art]! he proclaimed, unleashing the sword technique he had mastered. The wooden sword sliced through the air like a streak of intense light. He executed one move after another. The knights assembled watched with undisguised amazement. Kevin’s swordsmanship had evidently improved dramatically, yet it still proved insufficient to overcome Vangeance. The latter adeptly dodged and deflected every assault without budging from his spot. He had maintained the same stance from the outset, never retreating a single step. His gaze calmly tracked Kevin’s blade. Each motion, every thrust, was deciphered as if reading an open book. Kevin's sword never came remotely close to striking him. The contest persisted for several minutes until Kevin finally ceased, panting heavily as he gazed at Vangeance. How? What is happening? There was no question that he had advanced to Level 6. He had also mastered the transcendent state. Still, he could not force Vangeance to shift even an inch. Naturally, Kevin had refrained from employing [Tiamat] or his unusual abilities. However, Vangeance had also abstained from using any of his own skills. Both were relying purely on their inherent stats and swordsmanship. Yet, despite this parity, it felt as though the chasm between them remained unchanged. Vangeance offered a subtle smile. "What? Did you truly believe I would permit you youngsters to surpass me?" Observing Kevin’s dumbfounded look, he continued, "You aren't the sole recipient of a level-up. I am now a Level 7 High Ranking Knight." Vangeance brandished his wooden sword. Though his swordsmanship retained its characteristic unrefined, aggressive style, a new layer of refinement had been interwoven into its execution. "You are still a century away from being able to challenge me." Vangeance moved, and before Kevin could even register the action. . . TAP. A single, perfectly placed strike dislodged the sword from his grasp. The duel concluded. Kevin had been vanquished. Vangeance surveyed the assembled knights, his gaze eventually settling on Rolan. A grin spread across his face. "Care to try?" Earlier, Rolan had visibly expressed immense eagerness to fight. Now, that enthusiasm had evaporated. Rolan shook his head, a wry smile touching his lips. "I'll abstain." As he was older than Kevin and the others, he had borne the brunt of Senior Vangeance's previous victories against him. Today, he had harbored the hope of finally altering that dynamic. Alas, it seemed his aspiration would remain unfulfilled. He could discern, with a mere glance, that Vangeance had anticipated every single one of Kevin’s attacks. It wasn't merely a disparity in stats or swordsmanship. It was the [Heart of the Sword], a transcendent state he had witnessed Silvia and other high-ranking knights employ. Rolan declined the challenge, as did the others. But then, quite unexpectedly, an individual nobody had anticipated stepping forward entered the ring. Her long, orange hair swayed gently in the morning breeze. She was clad in a simple training outfit that accentuated her statuesque build, bestowing upon her an aura of both stunning beauty and heroic valor. The person stepping onto the sparring ground was none other than Delicia. "Big sister Delicia?" Kevin exclaimed, his eyes wide with disbelief. Vangeance also regarded her with surprise, but after a brief moment, his expression shifted to one of curiosity and genuine interest. Although his intention was merely to challenge the juniors and reassert his superiority, Delicia's acceptance of his challenge presented a welcome development. Their commander held significant expectations for this woman. Vangeance had long been curious about the extent of her acquired strength. He raised his wooden sword, directing its tip towards her. "Very well. Let us witness it." No superfluous words were exchanged. The instant both raised their swords, the confrontation commenced. They moved in unison. Delicia surged forward, and Vangeance responded with a fluid parry. CLAK. . . CLAK. . . CLAK. . . In a mere matter of seconds, dozens of maneuvers were exchanged. Delicia possessed years of combat experience. Vangeance had participated in countless battles under life-threatening circumstances. Within mere exchanges, both combatants adeptly discerned each other's techniques, predictable patterns, and offensive flow.

Vangeance's fighting style appeared wild and unrestrained, yet hidden within that apparent disarray was a remarkable precision and immense power. Each blow he delivered carried substantial force.

Delicia's approach was the polar opposite. Her sword danced with speed and fluidity, her strikes soft and flowing, possessing an almost ethereal grace. Nevertheless, every movement she made was sharp, lethal, and deadly.

CLAK... CLAK...

Their blades met repeatedly. Despite being merely a sparring match, the intensity of their combat captured the attention of even the seasoned, high-ranking knights present.

"Whoa..."

Kevin and Rolan observed intently.

While Vangeance maintained a clear advantage, making the fight one-sided, it was not as straightforward as Kevin's previous spar. The exchange involved feints, subtle parries, and abrupt shifts in rhythm, highlighting the significant gap in experience.

For several minutes, the duel raged on.

Initially, Vangeance was undeniably in control, always a step ahead. When Delicia attacked, he countered; when she defended, he intensified his pressure.

Yet, he sensed an odd inconsistency. A faint jolt ran up his arms with each sword clash, as if the impact consistently fell short of his expectations.

He had calculated the precise strength needed to block or deflect her attacks countless times. But each time, his judgment appeared to be incorrect.

This momentary lapse, though brief, represented a fatal opening in a battle of such caliber.

Seizing the opportunity, Delicia surged forward. Her sword, with a fluid, twisting motion, bypassed Vangeance's defense and was poised to strike his upper right quadrant.

However, thanks to his superhuman reflexes, Vangeance reacted at the last second, narrowly evading the lethal blow.

A gasp of shock rippled through everyone present, including Vangeance himself.

"He moved..."

Kevin whispered in disbelief. Having just sparred with Vangeance, he found it hard to accept that Delicia had forced him to retreat, even a single step.

"Well done," Vangeance conceded. Though it was only a half-step and his attention had been momentarily diverted, the fact remained that he had been displaced from his position.

He couldn't fault the distraction, as it was entirely a result of Delicia's actions.

"Let's conclude this now."

He had witnessed enough. He had perceived the extent of Delicia's newfound strength. The difference was profound, as if she had undergone a complete transformation.

What had happened to her?

Pondering this, he glanced down at his wooden sword.

In that moment, he noticed something amiss.

His wooden blade was dented, with a substantial crack running through its center.

Had the duel continued for just a bit longer, her next strike would have splintered the sword.

Vangeance's eyes widened. He finally understood the peculiar sensation he'd been experiencing throughout their exchange.

Turning his gaze to Delicia's sword, he saw it in a similar state – dented, cracked, and barely intact.

It was Delicia herself.

Her combat abilities far surpassed what her displayed level indicated. The reason he couldn't accurately gauge the force of her attacks during their clashes was his own ingrained assumptions. Because he knew her level was lower than his, he had subconsciously limited his expectations of her power, a flawed judgment that had consistently thrown him off balance.

Nevertheless, the fact that she had pushed him to this extent through sheer physical prowess, relying solely on her own body and sword, was truly astonishing.

"Miss Delicia has become considerably stronger," Vangeance stated, regarding her with genuine admiration.

"Thank you," Delicia replied with a sweet smile. She too was surprised by the significant surge in her strength.

Just as Delicia turned to step out of the ring, he called out to her.

"Miss Delicia... take this with a grain of salt..." Vangeance spoke again, his tone suddenly becoming serious.

"I might be mistaken, but I suspect your swordsmanship is hindering your potential."

He gestured towards the sword she had been wielding.

Delicia tilted her head. "Hindering me?"

Vangeance nodded. "It doesn't quite align with you. Naturally, I'm not suggesting your swordsmanship is poor. Your techniques are sound and highly refined. However, your raw power operates on an entirely different level."

He moved closer and lightly touched the weapon she had used.

A small fissure snaked across its surface. The wooden blade had come perilously close to shattering from their exchanges.

That observation alone spoke volumes.