"Mark, you can try that attack again when you recover enough," us said. Mark nodded, breathing heavily.


    He hadn''t been at his strongest before using that attack, so us wanted him to try again once he was fully rested. Of course, the strong vibration from the sh told us that Mark was no pushover.


    us knew that if Mark had been at full strength, he would have managed to push him back, just like Danny and Daniel had done. The duel wasn''t for fun.


    He wanted to see not only how strong they were but also if there was something unique about them that couldn''t be shown on their status pages.


    So far, he wasn''t disappointed. Their progress was clear. He could tell they were training harder than most, driven by their friendship with him and the desire to match his strength.


    "Who will go next?" us asked, turning to the rest of his friends.


    Anna and the others exchanged nces, mentally preparing for what was toe. In the end, Kilian stepped into the arena, his sword glowing with a thinyer of Sword Qi that radiated intense heat.


    "Not bad... You have awakened Sword Qi and even learned how to use it with your fire element. This should be an excellent fight," us said, making Kilian smile slightly.


    When he broke through to the Grandmaster stage, his understanding of the sword improved slightly, allowing him to unlock the Sword Qi every swordsman craves.


    However, it was just in itsmon Sword Qi form. us had already stepped into the Adept stage and would soon advance to the Enhanced Sword Qi stage.


    "This kid is not bad at all. At such a young age, he has already awakened Sword Qi," Ohema said, looking at Kilian.


    "Huh... What is Sword Qi?" us''s mom asked, clearly at a loss.


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    "It''s that energy covering his sword. Mine is golden-white due to my light energy, and Kilian''s is golden-red due to his fire element. Its use is simple but profound... To any swordsman with Sword Qi, all attacks unleashed with the sword would have an amplified effect.


    In other words, all attacks unleashed with the sword will be much stronger than they would have been without it," Miriam exined, making us''s mom nod.


    "Does this mean he would be able to defeat us?" she asked.


    "Not even close," Miriam said, almostughing at her innocent question. "Even though he has unlocked Sword Qi, his understanding of it is still weakerpared to us. But even without us using Sword Qi, Kilian stands no chance.


    us is just unusual," Miriam exined with a tone full of pride.


    us''s mom said nothing more. She just focused on us and Kilian, who were about to get started.


    "Here Ie too," Kilian said, and with a quick move, three of him appeared, each wielding the same sword, identical in all aspects.


    "Right off the bat, huh?" us''s eyes narrowed as he watched the three Kiliansing at him from three different directions. One was approaching from the left, one from the right, and one straight ahead.


    us knew Kilian would use the [Cloning Sword Strike] he had given him to gain an advantage, so he prepared to entertain him and see how long he wouldst.


    After all, the skill requires high endurance to use effectively, and Kilian had been training quite hard.


    us watched as the identical Kilians closed in. The skill allowed Kilian to create two identical clones, each capable of being the true version of himself.


    It was a technique designed to confuse and disorient. But, unfortunately for Kilian, us''s perception was unmatched. Even as Kilian shifted between clones, us followed his every move with sharp eyes.


    ng.


    The Kilian on the left shed with us, their swords meeting in a shower of sparks. us had chosen amon sword for this duel, yet he wielded it with unmatched precision.


    As their des locked, the clone on the right swiftly moved behind us. In a split second, Kilian switched ces, taking control of the clone and striking at us from behind.


    us moved forward just in time, dodging the strike by a hair''s breadth. He knew that if it had been relying solely on reaction speed, Kilian''s strategy would have worked perfectly, resulting in a decisive blow.


    "That was a good move, Kilian, but you''ll have to be faster than that," us said, a smirk ying on his lips.


    Kilian''s jaw tightened.


    He took a deep breath and steadied himself again. The clones dissolved into thin air as he prepared for the next round, eyes locked on us, who stood unbothered, ready for whatever came next.


    Kilian used the skill again, but this time he was much faster. His swords glowed crimson, tinged with the fierce energy of Sword Qi. All three versions of him charged straight at us, their movements synchronized and deadly.


    us''s smile widened, understanding Kilian''s strategy. Kilian nned to strike with all three versions at once, masking which one would deliver the true blow until thest possible moment.


    ''A true genius move,'' us thought, but his eyes remained locked and calm. He watched closely, studying the subtle differences between the clones and the real Kilian, ready for the moment of truth.


    The three Kilians closed in, their swords cutting through the air. us''s grip on his sword tightened, and time seemed to slow. The real attack would be decided in an instant—Kilian''s eyes flickered, revealing his intent.


    us reacted with wless precision. In a single, fluid motion, he spun to his left, meeting the true Kilian''s sword mid-swing. The impact sent a shockwave through the clearing, the crimson Sword Qi shing against us''s steel.


    Kilian''s eyes widened in disbelief. us''s smile never wavered. "Impressive move, but not enough," he said, pushing Kilian back with a controlled force.


    Kilian staggered, his clones dissolving like smoke. For 45 minutes, he tried every strategy he could think of, but he never managed to catch us off guard. Every attack was defended effortlessly.


    "Nice one, Kilian, but work on your speed. This skill requires two things: endurance and speed. With quick strides, you''ll be able to catch anyone off guard," us said beforending a swift kick to Kilian''s side during his next attack, sending him flying.@@novelbin@@


    us turned his focus to the remaining four.


    Kay, the only archer among them, stepped forward, determined. They all knew they couldn''t defeat us, but that wouldn''t stop them from trying to push him back.


    "You''re wondering how an archer and a swordsman are going to spar, right?" us asked as Kay stepped into the arena.


    "Yes," Kay nodded.


    "It''s going to be simple. You''ll stand there, and I''ll start from here, leaving 200 meters between us. All you have to do is shoot at me using any skill in your arsenal. I''ll defend and move toward you until there''s no space left between us.


    If, before I reach you, you manage to push me back, I''ll count it as your win," us exined, a confident smile on his face. Kay''s eyes narrowed, considering the challenge.


    "What if I identally kill you with my arrow?" Kay asked, half-serious.


    "identally kill me? Ahaha," usughed heartily.


    "Kay, buddy, I''m not underestimating you, but I don''t think you can even injure me, let alone kill me. Just give it your best shot."