Countless people couldn't help covering their ears, their faces filled with shock and awe.
It was rely the clash of blades—why did the sound cause such piercing pain in their eardrums? Why did the vibrations resonate deep within their internal organs?
"Cut the microphone feed from the caras now!"
The host covered his ears and urgently shouted toward the broadcast room.
At the sa ti, everyone felt equally exhilarated!
Was this the clash of gods?
Could such a spectacle truly be witnessed at a re Seven Star Sword Art Festival?
On the field.
Two blades, identical in length, width, and thinness of their edges, were locked in a stalemate.
Similarly, two youths, identical in appearance, height, and features, stood face to face, glaring at one another.
The only difference was that one wore an expression of frenzied excitent, while the other remained expressionless and lifeless.
Eiji continuously increased his strength, attempting to overpower his duplicate through sheer force.
Yet, as he exerted more power, an equal and opposite force emanated from the opposing blade—their strengths were perfectly matched!
"Demon Light Flowing Blade!"
Eiji flicked his wrist.
Instantly disengaging from the "Sword God's" blade, he swiftly swung his sword upward in a reverse grip!
The Sword God's face remained impassive as he similarly retracted his blade and t the strike head-on!
Amid another piercing tallic clang.
Eiji was forced back three steps.
The Sword God also retreated three steps.
Vibrations continued to ripple through the air, but Eiji, with his exceptional force-dispersal technique, swiftly neutralized the impact.
Mirroring his actions, the Sword God, under the pressure of the vibrations, perford the exact sa maneuver.
Their rhythms were perfectly synchronized.
"Has he completely copied my sword techniques as well?"
Eiji licked his slightly dry lips.
Ignoring the screams from the female spectators, Eiji charged forward once more, taking the initiative!
"Flowing Light and Dazzling Colors!"
Blade light swept across like a raging storm!
The erratic pacing of the strikes challenged human limits, disorienting both eyes and mind. The dissonance between cerebral judgnt and bodily instinct was enough to make an opponent vomit blood.
"Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang—!"
For a mont, the sound of clashing steel echoed incessantly.
The Sword God perfectly tracked every one of Eiji's erratic strikes, intercepting each one with identical timing and rhythm!
"He's morized the pattern too?"
Eiji thought to himself.
Although "Flowing Light and Dazzling Colors" employed unpredictably paced strikes, it followed a fixed rhythm to ensure Eiji himself could maintain control without confusion.
Just like Kurogane Ouma's "Heavenly Wind," "Flowing Light and Dazzling Colors" had its own distinct cadence.
It was precisely because of this fixed rhythm that he had once been able to execute coordinated sword techniques with Ais!
However, since his opponent was also himself, he naturally knew this rhythm as well.
The erratic strikes posed no threat whatsoever to him!
But suddenly—
—!
Silently.
A flash of cold steel shot forth!
This strike was utterly unexpected—even the Sword God failed to react in ti!
"Swish!"
Eiji swung his blade, aiming directly for the Sword God's wrist.
This was a strike he had deliberately concealed—no one knew he possessed such a skill!
Abruptly, his vision blurred.
Eiji's surefire strike suddenly t nothing but air.
"Sword Step!"
Eiji's eyes widened in disbelief.
The Sword God had used Sword Step, retreating from this blade with absolute, overwhelming speed!
This Sword God had even replicated his Blazer ability!
"Oh my! After an intense exchange, the situation has suddenly shifted!"
The comntator, while excited, didn't forget his duties.
"Look! The real Sword God has drawn a second sword! A genuine second blade—an identical Device! He actually has two! This has never been heard of before! Though it's a pity that this sudden dual-wielding style still couldn't defeat the fake Sword God!"
On the stage, a second Bling Blade had sohow appeared in Eiji's hand.
During his battle with Twin-Wings, he had awakened the ability to materialize multiple Devices simultaneously and replicate sword-type weapons. But the very next day, he left this world. After returning, he had never used dual-wielding in the Seven Star Sword Art Festival!
This utterly unexpected move had initially succeeded in breaking through the Sword God's defense.
Yet, due to Sword Step's exceptionally sharp evasion capability, the strike ultimately failed to land.
"Tch, why did I have to create such an overpowered evasion technique back then?"
Eiji muttered under his breath, chastising his past self.
"But this ans I can't carelessly use my ability now!"
This fake version of himself also possessed the Absolute GodSpeed ability.
In other words, if both of them activated their abilities simultaneously, attempting to absolutely surpass the other's speed, it would instantly devolve into a bug-like process similar to "Heavenly Light Flash."
Then both he and Sara would collapse simultaneously from ntal exhaustion.
Even if his current magical power undoubtedly exceeded Sara's remaining reserves, the situation would forcibly end in a draw.
"In that case—"
Countless thoughts raced through Eiji's mind.
He quickly formulated a new strategy.
Silently, he stepped forward, actively charging toward his false self!
Facing his assault, the other him fearlessly advanced to et him.
Eiji swung both blades simultaneously, like two cots streaking side by side, unleashing an endless torrent of slashes toward the Sword God!
The Sword God remained expressionless, raising his sword to counter.
But soon, under the relentless assault of Eiji's dual blades, he began to falter and struggle.
With the Twin Wings Style enhancent, Eiji could instantly mobilize his entire body's strength. For a swordsman of his caliber, each strike was delivered with full power. Wielding two blades didn't disperse his strength—it truly felt like two people striking at once, even forming coordinated attacks!
The pressure generated this way was more than double that of a single sword!
"Incredible! The real Sword God has completely gained the upper hand! Go on, finish off that impostor!"
The comntator cheered enthusiastically, demonstrating the qualities of a devoted fan.
"However, that fake Sword God doesn't seem to be drawing a second sword. Shouldn't Contestant Sara be able to replicate all of a Blazer's abilities?"
"Hmm, this old man has noticed that as well. It seems Bradley Lily's ability isn't as omnipotent as we previously thought."
"Oh? What do you an by that?"
The analysis from the comntator's booth imdiately captured the attention of everyone watching nervously below.
"Bloody da Vinci's ability, Fantasy Mimicry, is indeed terrifyingly astounding. But it appears to depend on her own understanding!"
Kaieda cleared his throat and spoke his speculation in a weathered tone.
"She can reproduce the parts she knows, but she's powerless when it cos to what she doesn't know."
"Take the fake Sword God on the field as an example. She created it based on the previous Sword God as a template, so this Sword God is the previous Sword God. Once the real Sword God reveals new techniques, the fake one falls behind because the previous Sword God—limited by Brad Lily's knowledge—simply doesn't possess those techniques!"
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