Gray’s mind raced even as pain throbbed through his arms from the earlier kick. His breath came in short, sharp bursts.

  The old break in his arm screamed with every movement, and the fresh strain from blocking made his vision flicker for a second.

  She felt it too. Tamemoto’s aura. She knows.

  The noble beside her — a young man with sharp Solvaris features and expensive traveling clothes — looked furious.

  “Who cares about their family?” he snapped. “I want them killed! Now!”

  The woman didn’t even glance at him.

  She kept her sword raised, eyes locked on Tamemoto with open curiosity.

  Gray forced his breathing steady. Rebecca’s voice echoed in his head —

  Deception is a weapon when you have nothing else.

  He stepped forward slightly, placing himself between the woman and his brother.

  “He’s Tamemoto of the Kurogane family,” Gray said, voice cold and flat. “A young master gaining experience in the world. Touch him, and you’ll answer to Orihara.”

  The woman’s eyebrows rose. She wasn’t scared — if anything, she looked more intrigued.

  “I see,” she said softly. “Then let me experience your skills as a vow for my honor. We will make it a duel.”

  The noble’s face twisted. “I said I want them killed!”

  The woman finally turned her head and gave him a single, flat look.

  The noble shut his mouth instantly.

  Gray felt the shift in the air before he saw it.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  The woman’s aura flared.

  It wasn’t like Gauis’s — Gauis’s presence was a quiet, invisible pressure that cut like a hidden blade.

  This was sharper, brighter, like a sword being drawn in sunlight.

  The air around her seemed to tighten. Gray’s skin prickled. His channels burned in response, the damaged nodes screaming in protest.

  “Hngh—!” Gray grunted, staggering slightly as pain lanced through his core.

  He tried to tap his own aura — just a flicker, just enough to coat his arms.

  Pain exploded.

  His veins felt like they were on fire. A hot, tearing sensation ripped through his core.

  Gray staggered again, spitting a small mouthful of blood onto the dirt. The taste was metallic and bitter. His arms shook violently.

  “Gah—!” he gasped through clenched teeth, the sound ripping out before he could stop it. His knees buckled. He dropped to one knee, knife slipping from numb fingers.

  Tamemoto’s eyes widened in panic.

  “Gray!”

  The younger boy felt it too — the overwhelming pressure from the woman’s aura.

  But something inside him stirred.

  The faint spark he had been slowly awakening over the past months pushed back.

  Tamemoto’s small frame trembled as he tried to project his own aura outward, wrapping it around his body like a thin shield.

  It wasn’t strong, but it was there.

  He stepped forward, standing protectively in front of Gray.

  The woman’s eyes softened with surprise again.

  “Both of you…” she murmured. “Interesting.”

  Gray tried to stand, but his arms gave out. Pain surged through his body like fire. He collapsed forward, palms hitting the dirt.

  “Ngh…!” he groaned, voice hoarse, blood dripping from his mouth.

  The noble behind the woman looked ready to explode, but he stayed silent under her gaze.

  The market around them had gone strangely quiet. Foot traffic slowed. People watched from a distance, but no one dared intervene.

  The woman lowered her sword slightly. She looked at Tamemoto — the only one still on his feet.

  “You have courage,” she said. “And you have the spark. Let’s see what you can do with it.”

  She sheathed her main sword, then drew a shorter blade from her side — lighter, balanced, clearly meant for training or quick duels — and tossed it hilt-first toward Tamemoto.

  “Since this is a duel,” she said calmly, “I want it fair. Use this.”

  Tamemoto caught it awkwardly.

  The sword was almost half his height. He stared at the blade, heart pounding.

  The woman raised her own sword again, aura still flaring softly.

  “Come,” she said. “Show me your honor.”

  Gray tried to rise, but his body refused. Pain locked his muscles.

  “Tam… no…” he rasped, voice breaking.

  Tamemoto looked back at him — eyes wide, afraid, but burning with something new.

  Then he turned to face the woman.

  He raised the sword in a shaky stance.

  The duel began.