Through something deeper in him.

He closed the distance. His body stepped forward even as it broke, and finally lightning surged.

Not controlled.

Not refined.

This time pure wild and feral.

"Discharge."

Sjsh sbsnCalix chuckled lightly.

It was a strange feeling—one he hadn’t experienced in quite some time. The sensation of being pushed back, of being forced into a corner where every movement demanded precision and grit for the survival.

It wasn’t frustration, nor it was fear.

Rather, it was... a familiar feeling. Something very nostalgic.

He rolled his shoulder slightly, feeling the sting where Vian’s earlier strike had landed. The pain seemed to ground him. Reminding him that this is what it means to fight someone stronger.

And yet—

Even now, even against this overwhelming presence, his mind remained calm. After all, it was still not enough to compare to that Black Knight...

The thought passed quietly.

Then—Shing.

The sound of steel leaving its sheath echoed across the arena.

Amethyst lightning crawled along the blade the moment it was drawn, crackling with wild intensity. The air around Calix shifted as his mana surged outward, no longer restrained.

Across from him, Vian stood still.

Watching.

Waiting.

Almost... happily welcoming it.

Calix exhaled slowly, his eyes sharpening as the dazzling tricolor within them began to swirl with a cruel intensity.

Overwhelming mana flooded his body, as he felt his body being strengthened immensely. Lightning erupted from his body in unstable arcs, wrapping around his limbs and coiling along his blade like living energy.

"I’ll be going all out," he said, his voice steady.

A brief pause.

"Hope you’re ready."

The next moment, he disappeared. He was faster way faster and sharper than before

A streak of pure and feral violet lightning tore through the arena, leaving vague afterimages in its wake.

Vian’s instincts flared instantly.

For the first time, his calm expression cracked slightly as his pupils shrank. Instinctively, he tilted his head, barely making it in time.

And the blade passed.

Close.

Far too close.

A strand of his golden hair was cut cleanly, drifting through the air as the amethyst blade sliced past his neck.

Vian stepped back immediately, golden light bursting around his body in a defensive flare.

But Calix was already there.

He twisted mid-motion, lightning exploding beneath his feet as he reappeared in front of Vian again. His sword came down in a sharp, controlled diagonal slash aimed to split him open.

Vian reacted without hesitation.

Light condensed instantly in his hand, forming a blade that met the strike head-on.

The collision rang out.

A sharp metallic clash echoed across the arena as light and lightning collided violently, mixed sparks scattering in every direction.

The force behind it pushed both of them apart for a brief moment. But neither gave space.

Calix stepped in again, his movements now far more aggressive. Gone was the measured restraint—every strike he threw carried intent.

Precision. Pressure.

His blade moved like a storm, each swing backed by crackling lightning that distorted the air around it.

Vian matched him, not with overwhelming force but by subtle control.

Every movement was clean and efficient.

His light blade intercepted each strike at just the right angle, redirecting rather than resisting.

Where Calix was a violent and sharp storm, Vian was a smooth and absolute wind.

Their weapons clashed again and again, the sound of steel ringing continuously as the arena floor beneath them began to crack under the pressure.

Calix shifted his stance suddenly and launched a kick toward Vian’s ribs. Vian raised his arm just in time.

The impact exploded with energy, sending a shockwave outward that made the barrier flicker.

Vian slid back a step.

Just one.

Calix didn’t let the moment go. He surged forward, lightning flaring brighter as he thrust his blade straight toward Vian’s chest.

Vian twisted, but it was not enough. The blade grazed his shoulder sharply.

A clean cut appeared.

Crimson spilled, as the crowd gasped.

For the first time since the dual began, Vian had been hit cleanly. Vian glanced at the wound briefly, then looked back at Calix. A faint smile touched his lips, not mocking—just... acknowledging.

"Good, haha I knew you were something." he said softly.

Then he moved, faster than before as light erupted beneath his feet as he closed the distance instantly. His blade flashed once as Calix felt it.

Pain tore across his side as the light blade cut through his guard, leaving a deeper wound than the one he had inflicted.

Calix staggered half a step, his breath hitching for just a moment. But he didn’t stop.

Lightning surged again.

He forced his body forward despite the pain, his blade swinging in a wide arc. Vian blocked, but this time the force behind Calix’s strike pushed him back even more than before.

With each strike, Calix was pushing more and more mana into them, strengthening them, however it was also rapidly devouring his mana.

Though, he didn’t seem to care much about it.

The rhythm of the fight changed. It was no longer one-sided at least yet, after all Calix knew victory against this guy was just a foolish dream.

However...

Calix adjusted.

He had a goal in his mind, even if he can’t win he would at least force Vian to use that cheating ability of his, thus...

His movements became sharper, less wasteful. Each strike now aimed not just to hit—but to force Vian into reacting. To break that perfect control of his.

Yet, Vian responded in kind.

His light grew brighter, denser, his counters becoming more aggressive. He no longer simply deflected—he also began to strike back with intent.

Unknown, to Calix thoughts he was enjoying this battle far too much.

The clash intensified.

They moved across the arena in blurs of gold and violet, their bodies appearing and disappearing as they exchanged dozens of blows in seconds.

At one moment, Calix’s blade grazed across Vian’s cheek, drawing a thin line of blood. At the next, Vian’s strike pierced through Calix’s guard, leaving a deep cut across his shoulder and chest.

Neither they slowed, nor they hesitated. The crowd was silent now, watching them battle.

Then, they passed each other in a final exchange—Both blades flashing at once, as they separated standing with some distance between them.

Silence.

Everyone watching understood. This was no longer a simple duel, this was a clash of intents where one wanted to push the other more while the other wanted to see what more could the one pushing do.