I knew that Kal was strong.
He was someone I had faced countless times before in duels. While staying at the Alrn family, I often watched him train with other knights.
However, directly facing that strength was a completely different story.
“Ugh!”
As I blocked Kal’s swung sword, my body was pushed back, widening the distance I had just narrowed.
Damn it. I can block the strikes, but being pushed back is such a nuisance.
Why is that guy so strong despite not having a bulky build!? Is he some kind of hybrid between exterior and interior muscles?!
“You blocked that too! Your skills have surely improved after going through actual battles. Truly impressive, my Lady.”
Kal, standing a few steps away, expressed sincere admiration, but to me, it felt like nothing more than taunting.
He was the one who had been torturing me while holding the initiative until now, and even if he had grown stronger, all it did was irritate me!
“Are you pretending to compliment me because you’re embarrassed you can’t pierce through my shield?♡ Your sword skills are just plain pathetic!♡”
“Haha! What’s there to be ashamed of? It’s your shield after all!”
What was more annoying was that Kal was not easily provoked by my taunts.
Usually, at this point, he would feel frustrated, but he remained composed.
Had he built up resistance from hearing insults so frequently?
Here it comes again. The strike beginning from above on my right.
That attack seemed like a powerful strike aimed to deal damage, but at the same time, it was a feint.
If I don’t respond, he will swing it down for real, but if I do respond, he’ll turn that into a feint and aim for the next strike.
Since he is calm about facing me, he can easily afford to play around, aiming to pierce my shield.
From the perspective of the one being attacked, this is nothing short of frustrating.
If I don’t want to fall for that, I know I need to move my feet and attack, but I didn’t do that.
It wasn’t a situation that demanded I take such a gamble.
“Wow.”
After easily dealing with two strikes, Kal’s eyes widened in genuine surprise. He didn’t expect his strategy to be countered so easily.
Honestly, I was surprised too.
While my proficiency with the shield had surely increased, before that, my body felt unusually light.
“Is this all you can do with such a pathetic sword?♡ I doubt you could even fix my hair!♡”
“I have no idea since I’ve never tried! Would you like to give it a go?!”
“I’ll pass!♡ How can I trust a pervert like you?♡”
The back-and-forth continued.
Kal swung his sword to break through my defense, and I desperately blocked his strikes.
To an outsider, it might have looked like an intense battle of wits, but I knew better.
Kal still had a few tricks up his sleeve.
His ferocity during our training with Poseil,
His best effort when dueling Duke Burrow,
None of those were at this level.
“You managed to block that too!”
How long had we been stuck in this stalemate? The change brought on by the elevation of the divine began to be felt in my body.
It felt incredibly comfortable to channel divinity within my flesh.
I didn’t have to think about it; it was as natural as breathing, and the divine filled my body completely.
Not only that, I could feel that my physical abilities had increased overall.
I could see things I hadn’t seen before.
I could block things that I couldn’t have previously.
I could react to things I shouldn’t have been able to.
It was clear.
Strength. Agility. Reaction speed. Dynamic vision.
All of them had become a level higher.
Is this what it means for divine power to ascend?
I couldn’t perceive it when looking in the mirror, but facing a strong opponent made me feel that change naturally.
Armaadi! I’m sorry for labeling you as a mere pervert without any reason! How am I supposed to know my body has improved without a status window?!
So please, give me a status window! A status window! Just give me something to help me understand my condition!
“You useless mutt♡ Can you really do no better than this?♡”
“I’m not sure! Want to give it a shot?!”
“Please!♡ I can’t trust a pervert like you!♡”
The exchange continued.
As Kal swung his sword to break through my defense, I desperately blocked.
It may have seemed like a fierce battle of skill from the side, but I knew.
Kal wasn’t even trying his hardest yet.
As we continued our exchange, I realized he had hidden many things.
“Kal, you’re a mere dog of the goddess, aren’t you?♡”
“What do you mean?”
While I was getting used to the changes within me, one conviction began to form.
If Kal continued to fight like this, I was certain I could seize victory someday.
By taking advantage of his kindness, I could surely land a proper blow.
Not just a hit that leaves a bruise, but one that could knock him out entirely.
“Aren’t you just a loyal mutt?♡”
“Thanks for the compliment!”
I chuckled back at Kal, who smiled at the insult.
While I was sure he was grasping my weaknesses, I was also doing the same to him.
I understood not only the shortcomings of his swordplay but also what he did not want to hear.
“It’s unfortunate♡ I’m not looking for a cute puppy like you!♡”
“...What?”
For the first time, I saw a change in Kal’s face, revealing his emotions.
Taking advantage of the gap created by that moment, I aimed to strike him with my shield.
However, Kal was still Kal.
The instant he noticed my movement, he quickly moved his sword to block my attack.
“I’m looking for a terrifying dog with sharp fangs!♡”
“You sure about that?♡”
“Ah, maybe you actually went all out?♡ Ha ha!♡ It turns out you’re just a castrated dog!♡ Poor you!♡”
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“...Understood. I’ll speed up a bit.”
Kal’s sword was charged with magical energy.
Aura.
Ha ha. Yes! How much better would it have been if you had done this from the start?
I know you’re deeply loyal, but you shouldn’t just blindly cater to your master; you should think about what your master truly intends. You useless mutt.
Do I need to put in this much effort?
While observing the gradually intensifying aura, I infused my shield with divinity.
At that moment, a smile reflected in the back of the shield.
It was a smile not intended to tease my opponent but one that genuinely expressed my joy at this situation.
“I’ll show you just how sharp the fangs of a loyal dog can be.”
“Really?♡ You shouldn’t overdo it♡ It would be too embarrassing if all your remaining teeth fell out♡”
The immediate goal is...
To color that pure magic aura.