Sarah Ironwood assumed her stance once again, but this time Elias was prepared, he took the initiative to attack first.


    A sudden boost of speed to close the gap between him and Sarah, followed by precise rapid strikes aimed at finding an opening to Sarah''s vital points.


    Sarah met his assault head on with bold parries, her sword leaving trails of shimmering light as it shes with Elias''


    "Your daughter certainly is impressive, bing an expert-level mage at just 20 years old. Her swordsmanship is most excellent to look at. Remind me what it''s called again" Lady Isolde remarked as she observed the ongoing battle


    Lord Varricughed at Lady Isolde''s remarks, "There''s nothing impressive to be seen yet, she hasn''t even began to use her swordsmanship," He said, stroking his beard as he watched


    "Is that so? The Ironwood house certainly has their future secured." Lady Isolde said


    "You tter me Sarah still has a long road ahead of her" Varric replied


    "Certainly not, Altough I can not say the same for a certain house" She sneered as she nced over Lord Thane


    "You…" Thane could only grit his teeth and growl in response


    The fight below seemed to be an even match, as each of both parties seemed to perfectly parry each other''s attack, the fight was going nowhere, that was until;


    "[dewalk]"


    Elias'' movement became more fluid and calcted as he activated his skill, with each strike hended, the strength and intensity of his attacks grew exponentially, each sessive attack carriying more power behind it than thest.


    He moved with grace and precision that made it seem like he was dancing to the spectators and observers.


    To say Elias'' skill forced Sarah back on the defensive would be an understatement, as with each attack she struggled to to block the attack, let alone parry it. The weight of Elias'' attack fell heavy on her, her muscles screamed in pained, each time she crossed sword with Elias.


    Elias'' next attack loomed over her like an insurmountable mountain, threatening to end her life should she not do anything about it, ''I''ll get cut down if I try to block this attack'' she thought


    "I guess it''s time then," She said, as raised her sword to meet Elias''


    "Oh, you are approaching me? I won''t be responsible for whatever happens to you if you don''t dodge this" Elias said as he brought down his sword with all his might


    ng! Boom!


    The sound of their sword colliding rang throughout the arena, it was a loud pitch that forced the crowd to instinctly protect their ears. Whilst everyone was doing that, the family heads, n and the King; ric watched closely, waiting for the dust to settle.


    The ringing subsided, and the dust slowly cleared to reveal the status of the fight below.


    A bold smile curved into ce on Lord Varric''s face, "That''s my girl," He muttered


    Elias raised an inquisitive eye brow, he sword was fully extended, resting on Sarah''s, which had taken on a bright sanguine glow. She was down on one knee, surrounded byyered barriers. The barriers cracked and fell apart as Elias withdrew his sword.


    "What a monster, it took six aegis spells plus my sword to dull his strike. And they call me a genius," Sarah chuckled, then spat out bloodied saliva.


    Elias pointed his sword at her, "You, you are not just any mage, are you? You''re a magical swordsman" He said


    Sarah winced as she stood up to her feet, "That''s right, got a problem with that?" She asked, shing Elias a blood stained smile.


    "Hmm, a magical swordsman at your age, you must be quite the treasure to your family. A genius of the Ironwood house I presume "Elias remarked


    "So I''ve been told, but fighting you says otherwise. You''re just, what? 17 years of age? And you''re already this strong," Sarah said


    Elias chuckled, "Let me give you a piece of advice. Do not use me as a gauge for your strength, you will appear weak always," He said


    "What arrogance, I suppose you do have 5he strength to back it up,"


    Elias shrugged, "There are very few magical swordsmen in this world, and there''s a reason for that.


    Swordsmanship and Magecraft are two distinct fields which require absolute devotion if you want to be a decent practitioner of either.


    So most acimed ''magical swordsman'' , are either half baked mages or half baked swordsmen, or in most cases both. They end up bing mediocre warriors.


    But in extremely rare cases, everything works out, and a true magical swordsman is born. A being with the best knowledge and skills of both world, a truly formidable being.


    But by the time such being is born, time would have already taken its toll on them, leaving them with immense strength but with the curse of old age. The youngest magical swordsman ording to my knowledge, should be around 56 years of age.


    And you, a very youngdy, is iming to be a magical swordsman." he exined


    Sarah frowned, "Nothing I haven''t heard before,"


    "I proposed this challenge in order to disy  strength in front of the entire kingdom and make a statement, I guess I''ll just have to use the next two fighters for that.


    I am going to fight you, properly, who knows maybe I''ll learn a few things from you, if you you''re the real deal that is. But if I discover you''re a mediocre fraud, I''ll end the fight immediately….brutally" Elias dered, his voice carrying a serious tone


    Sweat beads instantly formed on Sarah''s forehead, as she listened to Elias'' deration, "Do-Don''t get cocky!" She screamed, as she charged at Elias, her sword glowed even brighter.


    A wild grin appeared on Elias'' face, as he watched Sarah, "That''s the spirit!! Come!" He shouted. Once again, his de and Sarah''s crossed, but this time Sarah''s de ignited in a burst of red me the reflected in her intense gaze.