[38] Unexpected visitor III

A little while later, with only one day left before departure, Zephyr took the opportunity to explore the Roa Fortress. He spent some time wandering around the local market, buying some intriguing local snacks, before finally heading out of the fortress to practice.

About two kilometres from the fortress, Zephyr found an ideal spot for training. Without wasting any time, he placed his belongings under a large tree and ran out onto a wide expanse of grass in front of him. There, he began to swing his sword with enthusiasm.

"Are? There's someone here," a voice suddenly interrupted Zephyr's concentration. It was Eris, accompanied by her bodyguard, Ghislaine from the beastman Dedoldia tribe, and Rudeus, who appeared to be peeking from a distance.

"Indeed, but that kid—" Ghislaine began to speak but was interrupted by Rudeus.

"Isn't that Zephyr Ranga? Ah, he was a guest at Eris's birthday party yesterday!" Rudeus explained to Ghislaine with an interested tone.

Ghislaine, a beastman with dark skin and prominent muscles, wore open leather clothing and bore numerous scars. She also had an eye patch and a chiseled appearance, giving her the air of a tough boss. Like other beastmen, zhe had grey tiger ears and a tail.

"Hey, hey, isn't his sword style interesting!" Eris exclaimed excitedly, even bouncing up and down with joy while pointing towards Zephyr.

"Hm, Eris is right. His sword style doesn't seem to belong to any of the Sword Gods, Water, or North techniques. It's quite fascinating," Ghislaine added, observing Zephyr's movements closely. His sharp gaze indicated a deep interest in the techniques displayed by the young elf.

Meanwhile, Rudeus had a slightly different reaction. Watching some of Zephyr's sword moves, he was reminded of modern Kendo. Although Rudeus wasn't very knowledgeable, he had some recollection of Kendo from often seeing demonstrations from various clubs while he was still in school on Earth.

'No doubt about it, this style is very similar to the Kendo I know. But why did he look confused when I spoke Japanese? Maybe he doesn't understand, and it's clear he's not hiding anything!' Rudeus pondered, recalling their previous conversation.

Eris, observing Rudeus's expression with some irritation, decided to boldly step forward towards Zephyr, her wooden sword hanging firmly in her hand.

"Hey, you there! Fight me!" Eris shouted with enthusiasm, challenging Zephyr to a duel.

The elf boy, dressed in Shisegumi attire, stopped swinging his sword and turned to face Eris with a puzzled expression.

...

"Ahem, I apologise for Eris's rude behaviour earlier," Ghislaine said politely, bowing respectfully to Zephyr. Although she was a strong and renowned beastman, her respectful attitude towards Zephyr, who appeared to be just a young man without rank or status, reflected his deep regard for etiquette and manners.

"Ahaha~ No need to worry," Zephyr replied with a friendly smile, his sharp eyes shifting towards Eris. "So, are you really serious about challenging me to a fight?"

Eris, with a spirited and slightly frustrated look, responded, "Um~ I'm bored of fighting Ghislaine all the time, and Rudi is so easy to beat!"

Zephyr glanced at Ghislaine, who seemed to have a flat expression, and then at Rudeus, whose face showed deep resignation.

"Alright then. If you don't mind, could the lady over there be the referee?" Zephyr asked, pointing respectfully towards Ghislaine.

"Me? Yes, very well," Ghislaine replied, looking somewhat powerless but ready to perform his duties as a referee.

'This is interesting, I'm curious how someone with a samurai-like style will handle the powers of this world,' Rudeus thought as he observed the duel before him.

Both took their places on the wide grass field. Ghislaine raised his hand, then lowered it decisively to signal the start of the sparring match. As soon as Ghislaine's hand dropped, the atmosphere around them seemed to freeze, all eyes fixed on the next action.

Zephyr and Eris stood upright in the middle of the field, each in a ready fighting stance. They demonstrated different but equally impressive attitudes and techniques. Zephyr, with his characteristic calmness and full control, showcased a technique blending modern Kendo principles with Wind God aesthetics, emphasising honour in every move. His sword moved smoothly yet decisively, as if dancing in the air, utilising speed and precision gracefully.

In contrast, Eris displayed the aggressive and lethal style of the Sword God. Each swing of her sword was incredibly fast and forceful, focusing on speed and aggression. This style was designed to bring down an opponent with extremely powerful and direct attacks, disregarding aesthetic aspects.

At the start of the fight, Eris immediately launched a series of fast and powerful attacks, attempting to press Zephyr with impressive intensity. Her sword flashed as it glided in sharp movements, trying to use speed to dominate Zephyr. Each attack was filled with enthusiasm and power but also revealed instability in her fighting approach.

Zephyr, with his typical calmness, met these attacks with the elegant techniques of the Wind God. He employed smooth yet effective defensive movements, evading each attack with striking precision. Zephyr's movements not only avoided Eris's strikes but also set him up for precise counterattacks.

As Eris became increasingly aggressive with her attacks, Zephyr began to reveal another side of his technique. He used small moments in the fight to deliver quick and calculated counterattacks. His sword glided with a captivating grace, exploiting every gap in Eris's attacks to deliver well-thought-out responses.

Eris, surprised by Zephyr's effective technique, started to lose control over her attacks. Although her enthusiasm did not wane, her aggressive fighting style became less coordinated when facing Zephyr's calm and meticulous approach.

Rudeus watched with great interest, noting every movement and technique displayed. His attentive gaze followed each sword swing and small movement in the fight, trying to understand how these very different styles interacted with each other.

The battle grew more intense, with Eris trying hard to gain an advantage with increasingly powerful attacks, while Zephyr remained calm and graceful, addressing each attack with carefully considered steps.

At that moment, Zephyr decided to showcase a bit of his Sword God style. With a sharp glint in his eyes, he pushed Eris's wooden sword aside, creating a gap that allowed Zephyr to initiate his technique.

Wind God Style

First Form - Dust Cyclone Cutter

Zephyr charged forward with dazzling speed, swinging his sword in a horizontal cyclone pattern. Each movement was performed with precision and elegance, creating a visual effect as if his sword was cutting through a whirlwind of dust surrounding him.

Eris was taken aback by the sudden speed, her eyes widening as she tried to counter the rapid succession of Zephyr's attacks. Despite her best efforts to defend, the attacks flowed with an almost mystical perfection, aided by Touki that made each move feel real and confusing.

"What!" Eris exclaimed, startled by the intensity and speed of the attack, struggling to defend against a barrage coming from all directions. Although she tried her best to resist, it was clear that Zephyr had gained full control of the match.

Ghislaine and Rudeus, observing from the sidelines, were mesmerised by this impressive display of technique. Ghislaine watched with wide-open eyes, while Rudeus recorded every detail with unparalleled enthusiasm.

Eris, though surprised by Zephyr's initial attack, showed no signs of surrender. The tension in the air increased as Zephyr became more serious. With a determined gaze, Zephyr stepped forward and raised his sword above his head, aiming the tip to the right, just above their heads.

"Still holding on? Alright, try this one," Zephyr said in a firm tone, focusing on his next technique.

Zephyr gathered his energy, and with a quick and skilled motion, he released a series of vertical slashes. Each slash was performed with extraordinary precision, forming a pattern like claws gripping the air. His sword glided with impressive speed, creating sharp waves of wind that sliced through the atmosphere as if it were paper.

Second Form - Claw, Purifying Wind

These four vertical slashes swept through the air with sufficient force, creating a stunning visual effect. The wind formed from each sword movement created small whirlpools that seemed to claw at the space around them. The slashes not only targeted Eris directly but also created a sweeping effect that spread rapidly.

Eris felt the strong gusts of wind approaching and quickly activated her reflexes, trying to evade with agile movements. She attempted to block the attacks with her sword, but the strength and speed of Zephyr's strikes made it difficult to counter all at once. Each slash aimed at her seemed capable of cutting through everything, even without making direct contact.

Ghislaine and Rudeus observed with amazement as Zephyr displayed this advanced technique. Ghislaine, with an expression of deep admiration, noted the beauty and effectiveness of the attack. Rudeus, previously noting with enthusiasm, now watched with profound awe, mesmerised by the skill exhibited before him.

Eris struggled to maintain her defence, her movements growing increasingly frustrated yet still spirited. Her sword swung in a defensive pattern, trying to fend off each clawing wind with high intensity. Although she fought hard to counter, it was evident that Zephyr's technique had the upper hand in speed and power.

The fight grew more intense, with Zephyr demonstrating captivating combat

 skills and precise techniques, while Eris displayed unwavering determination. The battle between them became an exciting display of skill and technique, blending different fighting styles into an impressive duel.

In the end, it was clear that Zephyr had demonstrated a remarkable level of skill and technique. The spectators, Ghislaine and Rudeus, were deeply impressed by his abilities, and Eris, though defeated, acknowledged his impressive performance with a sense of respect.