Villainess X Villain: They are obsessed with each other!

Chapter 272: Chapter: 271 Terror of Jasmine[2]

Kavin stood in the center of the enormous arena as the final echoes of the previous match gradually faded away.

Countless spectators filled the surrounding seats, their conversations creating a constant sea of noise that rolled across the stone structure.

Despite the overwhelming atmosphere, Kavin’s attention remained fixed on the man standing opposite him.

His opponent appeared deceptively ordinary at first glance.

The man was tall and handsome, possessing the calm appearance of a wandering scholar rather than a warrior.

Long black hair flowed down to his lower back before being neatly tied behind him for the match. His face carried no arrogance, no hostility, and no impatience.

Only his eyes revealed the truth.

They were sharp and focused, carrying the confidence of someone who had spent countless years refining a single skill.

In his hands rested a Honjo Masamune.

The blade reflected the sunlight as if it were a mirror, its polished edge gleaming with frightening sharpness. Even from a distance, Kavin could sense the care with which the weapon had been maintained.

Masamune the Sword Demon.

The man had become so obsessed with swordsmanship that he had eventually adopted the sword’s name as his own.

Within the rankings, his reputation was famous. He was a Steel Path spell caster whose mastery of the sword had reached terrifying levels.

Well... terrifying by normal standards.

Jasmine was still better.

Unfortunately, Jasmine was not the one standing in this arena.

Kavin was.

That alone made this situation considerably less comforting.

Adding to the problem was the fact that Masamune had already passed the Second Heavenly Trial.

The difference between them was enormous. Under normal circumstances, there was no scenario where someone at Kavin’s level should be capable of defeating an opponent like this.

If anyone else had been standing here, the match would have already been decided.

Kavin released a slow breath and reached for his weapon.

A Wakizashi materialized in his hand before he caught it effortlessly by the hilt.

Although he was far from a true weapon master, Jasmine and someone else had forced him through enough training sessions over the years that he could at least avoid embarrassing himself immediately.

The memory alone made him grimace.

Jasmine’s version of sword training usually involved pain.

Lots of pain.

"Begin."

The referee’s voice echoed across the arena before the man quickly retreated to a safe distance.

Kavin immediately prepared himself.

Surprisingly, Masamune did not attack.

Unlike many of the ranked fighters Kavin had encountered over the years, the Sword Demon showed no arrogance.

There were no insults. No taunts. No attempts at intimidation, instead, the man calmly lowered his head.

"I hope our duel will be memorable."

His voice was gentle and sincere. The unexpected politeness caught Kavin off guard.

For a moment he simply stared, then he awkwardly copied the gesture.

"Same."

Masamune nodded. The moment the greeting ended, however, his entire demeanor changed.

The calm and humble man vanished.

What remained was a swordsman.

He straightened his back and slowly drew the Honjo Masamune from its sheath. The sound of steel sliding against steel seemed unnaturally clear amidst the noise of the arena.

The Sword Demon raised the blade above his head with both hands as his gaze locked onto Kavin.

The pressure radiating from him changed completely, those eyes resembled a hawk staring at prey.

"Weird guy..."

Kavin muttered under his breath while raising his own weapon.

Then he made the first move.

"Time Field."

The spell activated instantly.

A transparent rectangular dome appeared around Masamune before the swordsman could react. The structure shimmered faintly under the sunlight before disappearing just as quickly as it had arrived.

To most spectators, nothing seemed to happen.

The effect appeared insignificant. Yet Kavin knew exactly how dangerous it was.

Masamune’s reaction speed had slowed by one-tenth of a second.

Only 0.1 seconds.

An amount so small that most people would never notice it. But battles between experts were often decided by far less.

A delayed reaction, slightly slower movement and sometimes brief hesitation, those tiny disadvantages accumulated until they became fatal.

Masamune immediately understood what had happened, he gave a small nod of acknowledgment.

Then he disappeared.

Kavin’s pupils contracted violently.

If someone had looked closely into his eyes at that moment, they would have seen a reflection flash across them.

Masamune.

The swordsman had already crossed the distance between them.

The terrifying part was that Kavin’s brain registered the attack only after it had already begun.

Clang!

The Sword Demon unleashed a simple downward slash. There was nothing flashy about it.

It was one of the most basic attacks any beginner learned when first picking up a sword.

Yet within Masamune’s hands, that simple strike carried terrifying power.

Kavin reacted instinctively as his Wakizashi rose to intercept. The moment the blades collided, Kavin felt his heart skip.

The Wakizashi split apart.

The steel had been cut cleanly through the center.

One half remained in his hand while the other spun through the air before crashing against the arena floor.

Kavin’s eyes widened.

The cut was so smooth that for a brief moment the weapon appeared completely intact before separating.

His body immediately retreated. Several rapid steps created distance between them as his mind raced.

Was that skill? Or some Steel Path ability?

He quickly searched for traces of mana.

Nothing....there had been no activation.

Which left only one answer....pure swordsmanship.

"Damn."

The word escaped his mouth before he could stop it. For the first time in a long while, Kavin felt genuinely impressed.

His opponent wasn’t merely strong.

He was absurdly skilled. Without hesitation, Kavin discarded the ruined Wakizashi.

A new weapon materialized in his hands.

A Kusarigama.

He gripped the sickle firmly while allowing the attached chain to slide through his fingers. The curved blade gleamed sharply under the sunlight, its hooked edge designed to tear flesh and leave horrific wounds.

The chain rattled softly as he stretched it outward.

His eyes measured the distance. Once satisfied, he looked toward the Sword Demon.

Masamune still stood calmly in place, his blade resting at the ready.

Kavin sighed....then he offered the man an apologetic smile.

"I hope you can forgive me."

The Sword Demon blinked.

Kavin casually spun the chain once around his arm.

"You see..." His grin widened.

"I’m not very good with weapons."