Therefore, if the girl had not launched one ferocious attack after another, disrupting the magic Reiger was preparing, she would have already fallen into the frozen time, becoming a puppet at Reigerâs mercy.
By then, no matter how strong the girlâs abilities were, they would prove futile.
Yet this woman managed to rush up just in time to prevent Reiger from casting his magic every time, which indeed surprised him.
As for the girlâs strength, that was the second point that surprised Reiger.
At first glance, the woman seemed young, at most around 20 years old, but at this moment, she demonstrated a strength that could be compared to that of veteran Sword Saints or even surpass it, which was truly astonishing.
This was the first time Reiger had encountered a Sword Saint on the Akasha continent who was only slightly older than himself.
Moreover, she was a Sword Saint who had walked a long distance on this path, not a newly-crowned one.
"Interesting."
Reigerâs eyes shone with a transparent luster, as he gave up the thought of casting magic and adjusted his breathing.
"Pi liââ"
Streaks of lightning immediately began to flicker around Reigerâs body, causing the girlâs ice-blue eyes to suddenly sharpen.
"Boom!"
The next moment, there was a sudden boom of thunder, and Reigerâs form transformed into a bolt of lightning, his blade furiously slashing toward the girl.
"Thunder Light Flash!"
The slash of lightning tore through the air, aiming without mercy at the girlâs throat.
This fast and fierce strike, if landing accurately, was bound to take the girlâs life.
However, this strike, which hardly anyone on the entire continent could face head-on, the very strike that had made Reigerâs name, was actually dodged by the girl.
Yes!
She dodged it!
In the moment when the lightning burst forth, the girl, as if she had eyes that could see into the future, managed a perfectly timed sidestep that barely avoided the lightningâs violent flash!
"Huh?"
Surprise flashed through Reigerâs eyes, which were glowing with a transparent sheen.
In contrast, after avoiding the oncoming Thunder Light Flash, the girl did not retreat but advanced, closing the distance to Reiger while raising her ice sword, bringing it down in a strike.
"Clang!"
Another crisp sound of collision rang out, but this time it wasnât the sound of the black blade clashing with the ice sword, but the sound of the ice sword breaking.
The girlâs ice sword shattered the moment it came down on Reiger, causing her to pause in shock and furrow her brows deeply.
The figures of the young man and woman finally passed by each other, pulling the distance between them open once again.
The air seemed to stand still at that moment.
"Gurgle..."
Someone involuntarily swallowed loudly.
That person was none other than Sgranot, who had been watching the fight from the sidelines with an indifferent gaze.
His pupils shrank as he looked at the young man and woman who had just engaged in a fierce exchange, with emotions surging in his heart like tumultuous waves.
The reason was that the strength displayed by both of them made him feel utterly out of their league.
Both of them... indeed, they were stronger than he was!
Upon realizing this, Sgranotâs first feeling was none other than a distorted sense of unwillingness.
And yet these two people were both so young, with so much potential, which made it impossible for Sgranot to hide his envy.
"Damn it, when did becoming a powerful Sword Saint become so easy for others?"
All Sgranot had was this thought.
Coincidentally, a similar idea crossed the minds of the young man and woman standing opposite each other in the arena.
They looked at their similarly-aged opponents and felt each otherâs power, each experiencing a peculiar emotion.
Undoubtedly, this was the first time they had encountered peers whose strength they could acknowledge.
Without a doubt, they both also realized that not only was the other powerful, they each had some unique qualities.
"Interesting."
The girl spoke first, using the same expression of sentiment as Reiger had just before, opening her mouth to speak.
"I originally thought that the so-called Thunder Light Sword Saint, whoâs been making waves recently, was just some potential bumpkin, but it seems Iâve underestimated you."
The girlâs gaze turned serious as she looked at Reiger.
"Your strength is definitely not that of a newly-crowned Sword Saint."
"Even for me, it took a full three years to go from becoming a Sword Saint to being as strong as I am now."
"And you, youâve become a Sword Saint in less than half a year, havenât you?"
The girl spoke thus.
"It seems I am inferior to you," she said.
If these words were heard by those who knew of the girlâs reputation, they would surely shock everyone.
After all, this was the first time the girl had ever admitted to being lesser since she was born.
Of course, for Reiger, who was unaware of the girlâs background, he didnât really take this evaluation to heart.
"Youâre not bad either," Reiger said in a casual manner, "itâs not just about strength, you seem to have some rather special abilities too."
"Being able to sense in advance when I was about to unleash magic and decisively stopping it."
"Being able to catch my âThunder Light Flashâ and almost miraculously dodge it at close range."
"Iâm very curious, what ability is that?"
To this question, the girl actually gave an honest answer.
"Itâs not some great ability, just a sixth sense," she said indifferently.
"Sixth sense?"
Reiger looked directly at the other party.
"My sixth sense has been very strong since I was little," the girl said, nodding and speaking frankly, "Itâs not just simply being able to sense something, but always having a flash of insight at critical moments and being aware of things others cannot perceive."
"Some call it divine revelation, believing it is a special trait possessed only by those favored by the gods, the chosen ones of heaven."
"Some think itâs a kind of innate prophetic ability. Indeed, I have had premonitions of disasters happening around me and managed to stop them in time."
"According to the âVoid Hunter,â I might be a âVoid Magicâ susceptible person, and I have a strong tendency in this area, which is why I display an ability similar to âVoid Magicâ without actually using magic."
"Unfortunately, I donât have the talent to become a magician, otherwise, perhaps I could be like you, a prodigy who excels in both swordplay and magic?"
The girlâs explanation made Reiger take another look at her.
In his eyes, although the girl was excessively cold, there didnât seem to be anything unusually different about her from an ordinary person.
However, those who are susceptible to âVoid Magicâ were not meant to exist in this world; those who become so usually have some kind of anomaly.
Some have three hands.
Some have three legs.
Some have three eyes.
And so on; only those with such abnormalities that ordinary humans do not possess might be susceptible to âVoid Magic.â
As for himself, it was reflected in his soulâhe was not of this world, but from another.
And this girl?
What made her different from ordinary people?
Perhaps sensing the doubt in Reigerâs mind, the girl spoke out directly.
"I have two hearts," she said.
Upon hearing this, Reiger was startled for a moment, then he activated his ability to perceive the world clearly and looked towards her chest.
There, indeed, were two hearts.
In light of this, the possibility of her being susceptible to âVoid Magicâ was not just a casual statement after all.
At that moment, the girl spoke again.
"Youâve asked all your questions; now can I ask you?"
The girl faced Reiger, then suddenly said.
"Personally, I donât really want to be your enemy," she stated.
"Not only because you are strong but also because you are younger and more talented than I am."
"I see great potential in you."
"So, how about we turn our swords into plowshares?"
This sudden statement from the girl not only stunned Reiger but also alarmed Sgranot who was standing by.
"Hey! This isnât what we agreed on!" Sgranot said, his complexion turning an ashen hue.
However, the girl paid no attention to Sgranot.
"As far as I know, thereâs no irreconcilable hatred between us, right?" the girl said straightforwardly.
"Think about it," she suggested.