"Wow, Theo. You saw that coming?"
Neike was taken aback, seeing Theo deflect his third thrust, aimed at Irene.
It was as if Theo had foreseen the future, deflecting his attack with precision.
Neike had no intention of holding back.
Just moments ago, he had intended to end the battle with that strike.
"This is fun, really fun."
A grin spread across Neike's face, much like a boy discovering a beautiful seashell on a beach.
It was a technique he had never shown to anyone, not even to Piel.
Yet, Theo had read it.
In stark contrast, Theo's face remained as calm and composed as ever.
"You sure had a lot to say to my fiancée. I never knew you were so talkative, Neike."
"Ah, sorry, Theo. It seems you misunderstood. I was just having fun sparring with Irene. No other intentions, really."
With that, Neike lunged again, seemingly aiming his spear at Irene's stomach.
But in a swift twist, he redirected it towards her right thigh.
Cling!
Yet, once again, his attack was parried by Theo's longsword.
"You blocked that too?"
Neike exclaimed in genuine surprise.
Just like before, Theo had read his intentions perfectly.
"Irene, quickly, grab your sword!"
"Y-Yes... got it!"
Urged by Theo's shout, Irene went to retrieve her weapon, lying about fifteen paces away.
"Ha! You think I'll let her?"
Neike swiftly maneuvered to block Irene's path.
"Stay."
Theo was even faster, immediately positioning himself between Neike and Irene.
"That speed... It's just like when you faced Noctar. You looked pretty worn out after that match. You recovered already?"
Rather than pursuing Irene further, Neike lunged at Theo with his spear.
The very same attack that had torn the grip from Irene's hands after just two deflections.
Even with Theo using the amplified [Overload], it was a thrust difficult to deflect.
Whoosh!
However, Neike's spear only sliced through the air.
Fortunately, the enhanced [Observer's Eye] did not miss the trajectory of Neike's spear.
Instead of blocking, Theo moved closer, right into Neike's guard.
It was a space too narrow for a longsword swing.
'But this will also seal off Neike's attack.'
Delving into his pocket with his left hand, Theo pulled out a dagger and swung it towards Neike's chest.
"Woah!"
But Neike, maintaining his stance, leaned his upper body back dramatically.
It was a move that required both flexibility and core strength, but Neike executed it effortlessly.
Thud!
Neike anchored himself to the ground with one hand, lifted a leg, and forcefully spun around in the air to kick Theo.
Theo didn't miss this fleeting opportunity as Neike spun.
Crossing his arms in an X to block the kick, he immediately hurled the practice dagger he held in his left hand towards Neike.
"Whoa!"
But even mid-spin, without a clear line of sight, he deflected it effortlessly with his spear.
A defense so skillful it was almost supernatural. He had relied solely on the sound of the airborne dagger, a testament to his innate battle instincts.
"...Unbelievable."
"Just look at the level of this match… Does Neike have eyes on the back of his head?"
"Did Theo always move like that? He's not just keeping up with Neike; he's actually pressuring him."
Whispers of astonishment spread among the audience as they exchanged stunned glances.
But on the field, neither Neike nor Theo had the luxury of paying attention to the crowd.
Their focus remained intensely locked on each other.
Even a split-second distraction could land either of them flat on the ground.
"Theo!"
Irene picked up her sword once again.
"Ah!"
A grimace of pain crossed her face as her injured palm throbbed.
Blood seeped from the hand gripping her sword, but there was no time for her to dwell on the pain.
'I need to help him somehow... Theo is nearing his limit.'
Determinedly, Irene positioned herself beside Theo.
"Haha. You're something else, Theo. Setting aside your speed, your movements flow as naturally as water. Have you been secretly accumulating real combat experience?"
Neike chuckled, casting a teasing glance at Theo.
In response, Theo made a distinctive 'tch-tch-tch' sound by clicking his tongue three times - a prearranged signal with Irene, indicating she should seize the opportunity to land a decisive blow on Neike.
"No, it was something I saw with my own eyes."
Simultaneously with his statement, Theo drew another practice dagger from his pocket and hurled it at Neike before charging forward.
"...Huff, huff..."
He felt his breath growing short.
Every muscle in his body screamed in agony.
His eyes felt like they were about to burst.
More than anyone, Theo knew he was running out of time.
Clang!
Neike effortlessly parried the airborne dagger.
It seemed that throwing daggers wouldn't work on him.
Of course, Theo didn't expect it to hit - it was just a diversion, a tactic to stall Neike's movements for a split second.
In the blink of an eye, Theo closed the distance, and with built-up momentum, he swung his long sword.
Whoosh!
The blade drew a silver arc in the air, heading straight for its target.
But yet again, it was effortlessly blocked by Neike’s spear.
As if he had anticipated this, Theo immediately pivoted on the spot, aiming for Neike's right shoulder.
Using the momentum, he added rotational force to his strike.
"Ah!"
Neike exclaimed in surprise, raising his spear in defense against the heavy blow that made his stance waver for the first time.
Rather than counterattacking, Neike quickly took two steps back.
'Even while backing off, he doesn't show any openings.'
Irene, staring at Neike's back, bit her lip.
Theo immediately pressed forward, pursuing Neike.
He was well aware that the longer the distance in a sword versus spear fight, the more the swordsman would be at a disadvantage.
'Now's my last chance.'
Blood trickled from his nose, moistening his parched lips and dripping down his chin.
There was no time to wipe it away.
Neike possessed a talent so profound that any praise or title would fall short.
Theo couldn’t afford to give him time to adapt to his swordsmanship.
He swung his sword horizontally.
"Haha, Theo, don't push yourself too hard. Your nose is bleeding. I was wondering why your movements were so erratic... You're on borrowed time, aren't you?"
Neike bent his upper body to dodge Theo's horizontal slash.
"..."
Theo didn't respond.
Instead, he aimed a powerful kick at Neike's lowered head.
Mirroring Theo's earlier move, Neike crossed his arms in an X-shape to block the kick.
"Hmm!"
Sensing an attack from behind, Neike quickly dropped flat onto the ground.
A few strands of his hair were clipped as Irene's sword whizzed just above his head.
Yet, Neike still held onto his spear.
Swiftly, he swung it low, almost brushing the ground.
Both Theo and Irene leaped into the air.
As they did, Theo drew another dagger and hurled it at Neike.
"Whoa!"
The dagger embedded itself in the ground, precisely where Neike's head had been moments before.
As Neike tried to rise, another dagger flew towards him.
'This one's unavoidable.'
Neike locked eyes with the incoming dagger.
Just as it was about to hit his forehead, he forcefully tilted his head down.
Like hammering a nail, the dagger pinned into the ground.
Had it been a real dagger with a sharp edge, Neike wouldn’t have dared to try such a move.
However, it wasn't without consequence.
Blood flowed from a cut on the center of Neike's forehead.
"...Truly impressive."
A cold glint appeared in Neike's eyes, the innocent look he had moments ago completely gone.
With a swift motion, without even looking, Neike aimed a backward kick at Irene who had been targeting him from behind.
"Ugh, ack!"
Caught off guard by the unexpected kick, Irene barely managed to block with both arms.
Irene's arms were already trembling fiercely.
The fact she hadn't dropped her sword already was commendable in itself.
In that moment, Theo charged at Neike once again, swinging his sword wildly.
"Whoa."
With his still cold eyes, Neike reflexively let out another exclamation.
He could see it in all the chaos: Irene's swordsmanship, Noctar's axe technique, and even Piel's intricate rapier skills.
They were elements from all the opponents he'd faced until now.
'Theo, you're truly incredible. You've managed to interpret techniques from various weapons and styles of various opponents and make them your own.'
Before Neike's eyes stood Theo, who appeared ready to collapse at any moment.
Blood seeped from the small ruptures in his eyes, and the blood trickling from his nose stained the collar of his shirt a vivid red.
Captivated by Theo's fierce determination, which radiated an unexpected beauty, Neike's eyes reverted to their usual innocent glint.
"What a sight."
This moment held more value than any actual battle they'd ever encountered.
While deflecting Irene's intermittent attacks, Neike's focus remained on absorbing every nuance of Theo's sword.
Just as Theo's sword began to slow...
Peeeep─!
The sound of the referee's whistle rang out.
The match was over.
