With a swiftness that was almost impossible to track, Aldric’s blade sliced through the air, leaving only a fleeting glimpse of its sharp edge. Everywhere it went, raindrops evaporated instantly, creating a void in its wake.
Miles’s eyes narrowed as he swiftly raised his sword to defend himself.
The clash echoed through the air. Aldric’s blow landed heavily against Miles’s blade. It sent Miles stumbling backward, and his grip wavered for a moment.
“That power…” Miles’ expression turned grave.
Aldric’s last attack had been unexpectedly strong. Miles might have been seriously injured if he hadn’t reacted in time.
Aldric sheathed his blade decisively, his expression cold as he spoke. “You’re no match for me. Move aside,” he said firmly, showing no concern for Miles’ presence.
Miles, undeterred, raised his sword defiantly. “Hmph! Don’t get too cocky, “he retorted.
He added, “I’m a disciple of the Sword Union. Maybe I’m not as gifted as Dustin, but I’m no ordinary fighter. And you? You’re just a nobody who dares to start trouble!” 22
Strength alone didn’t guarantee victory. Some individuals possessed natural strength but lacked true prowess in combat.
“If all Sword Union disciples were like you, it would be truly disappointing,” Aldric remarked, shaking his head in disappointment.
With fury burning inside him, Miles advanced and brandished his sword. ” Such arrogance! How dare you look down on the Sword Union! I’ll show you the consequence of your disrespect!
His attack was swift and precise, carrying a fierce intensity. The blade trembled slightly, hinting at its deadly potential.
“You’ve overestimated yourself!” Aldric scoffed as he unsheathed his long blade with a cold glare.
A surge of blade aura burst forth and enveloped Miles like a sudden avalanche. He instinctively stopped his attack and raised his sword to block.
He swung his weapon repeatedly to fend off the relentless blade aura. But with every block, he was pushed back, and his movements became more frantic as he fought to keep up.
“Get lost!” Aldric’s voice pierced the air as he swiftly closed in and kicked Miles’s abdomen.
Miles cried out in pain as he was sent flying several feet away. He crashed heavily onto the ground like a limp ragdoll.
“Miles!” Ruby’s expression changed as she rushed to his aid.
“Ugh!” Miles groaned as he forced himself upright, but his stomach roiled with nausea. Suddenly, he lurched forward, expelling the remnants of his meal in a messy splatter. In that instant, he looked quite disheveled.
Aldric’s expression remained icy as he looked at Miles with contempt. “Can’t even withstand a single hit!”
Miles’s anger flared, and he retorted, ” You’re taking advantage of my injury!
If I were at full strength, a mere amateur like you wouldn’t stand a chance against me!”
Earlier that day, he had faced Marco in a fierce battle, enduring serious injuries that weakened him to just 70% of his usual strength. Thus, accepting defeat at the hands of Aldric proved hard to swallow.
Aldric’s sneer deepened as he remarked, “Skill speaks for itself. Making excuses and refusing to acknowledge defeat-what future do you envision for yourself?”
“You” Miles found himself at a loss for words. The discomfort in his stomach worsened, and it caused him to retch involuntarily again.
Aldric brushed off Miles, considering him unimportant, and focused on Dustin.
“Your turn!” he declared, dismissing Miles as a minor figure. His real challenge lay with Dustin, the one who had defeated Marco.
“I have no interest in the pointless duel. If you’re here for fame, there’s no need to fight. I concede,” Dustin responded casually.
There were just too many people caught up in the ruthless pursuit of fame. They fought relentlessly, solely for the sake of recognition.
