A Duel? No, This Is A Duel Between The Golden And The Black Female Knights!

The second spotlight turned on!

It first shone on the central circle, then slowly began to move to the other side.

Finally it illuminated the other female knight!

A black-clad female knight, Xiya Blackwing, the Black Wing Knight!

The gorgeous and noble gown was changed as well; she quietly stepped back to change while everyone was absorbed by the duel.

The Black Wing Knight also had long black hair, straight, glossy and flawless.

Her black wings fully unfurled! Proclaiming her sovereignty and strength!

Compared to Nia Skywing’s determined and slightly cold gaze, Xiya’s eyes were calm and composed, carrying an undeniable gravity.

Across the circle they stared at each other; their glances crossed in sparks at the center!

Likewise, Xiya’s right vambrace was not removed; it bore the same pair of wing emblems, but black wings—deep and beautiful.

Her left hand gripped an identical finely made longsword, arm stretched leftward, ready to duel Nia.

The two had changed into identical outfits.

Xiya Blackwing wore a dashing black uniform-style top, elegant and simple, with red trims at the shoulders and cuffs.

Her lower half was a deep-red pair of shorts, tight and smooth, fitting perfectly against her long, toned legs!

Her legs were sheathed in tall black boots that joined with the shorts, clinging tightly to her thighs.

The boots were glossy and elastic—practical and protective.

In this ceremonial duel, the atmosphere and tone did not falter.

Everyone watched the duel with great enthusiasm.

The two were the most important and powerful female knights of their family!

On the surface, this was a contest held for the sake of the entire banquet…

“……..”

“……..”

The Golden Knight and the Black Wing Knight stepped to the edge of the circle.

Ruby pupils and sapphire pupils tangled and crossed with each other.

They slowly and gracefully extended their hands, swords meeting across the space.

The banquet guests had long been anticipating this duel!

This would be the most important moment of the banquet!

No one dared to make a sound; they stared fixedly at the center, afraid of disturbing the duel!

“……..”

Except for Naiye Lycoris, crimson spider-lily eyes reflecting a helpless emotion.

When the carriage arrived, he saw the two of them greet him simultaneously.

He had basically guessed the condition of the Skywing Knight Family.

No wonder the Sky Wing Knights were routed in the war against the Elemental Knight!

It wasn’t only because they couldn’t win in open combat, there were political factors as well!

By now anyone could see the Skywing Knight Family had split internally into two factions.

This was natural: the Skywing Knight Family was an aristocratic class with many nobles beneath it, each forming their own factions.

Even so, these noble groups would normally heed the single most central voice at the top.

That was the Sky Wing Knights.

But now?

Another voice had emerged, opposing the original Sky Wing Knights.

This was a huge hazard for any family power.

This was a grave taboo! If the family’s split wasn’t resolved, in the Academy war the Sky Wing Knights would sooner or later be completely crushed by the Elemental Knights led by Fire Lina!

Don’t be fooled by the fact that the Elemental Knights has only seized one area so far—such a victory is already a tremendous morale boost and a critical blow to the enemy’s spirit.

No wonder President Meiyu would even use Young Master Naiye to try to stop the war.

The Fire Elemental Knight Fire Lina was truly the knight most worthy of Auriel’s knightly will!

So Young Master Naiye grew curious: why had Nia and Xiya, once very close, become opposed?

This duel was ostensibly an exchange of techniques, but in reality it was the two of them point‑blank against each other!

It was also a pure main-line vs. branch-line struggle among nobles—so why was the branch-line Black Wing Knights opposing the Sky Wing Knights?

This duel was no longer an ordinary contest!

Outside the circle, Nia and Xiya stood facing each other.

Their gazes met; there were no words, only silent rapport and combative intent.

They each represented different ideas and philosophies.

Since they couldn’t persuade each other, they would use the most traditional Auriel knight method to decide superiority!

The battle was about to begin; the two female knights lifted their legs in unison and stepped into the center circle.

They raised their swords at the same time, standing opposed.

Even before it began, there had already been countless clashes!

They silently took their combat stances; the fight was about to erupt.

No drumbeat, no horn, no announcement to begin.

Only the spontaneous thought—attack together!

Nia struck first; her figure was swift as a gale, blade aimed straight at Xiya’s shoulder!

Xiya was composed and calm, sidestepping and countering with a reverse slash at Nia’s waist, which was easily parried.

Their movements were elegant and precise, like a carefully choreographed yet dangerous dance.

Blades met with sparks flying!

Each of Nia’s attacks was full of force, while Xiya used nimble footwork and precise parries to evade and defuse the assaults.

They traded blows, sword light flashing; neither used any of their personal powers, so it seemed evenly matched in swordsmanship alone.

Only the clash of blades filled the banquet; everyone’s gaze was fixed, involuntarily marveling at the finesse of the fight.

And this was merely a warm-up, their level had already surpassed the two Sky Wing Knights from earlier!

As the duel progressed, Nia’s and Xiya’s movements grew faster, sword shadows weaving, dazzling the eye!

Nia’s swordsmanship was vigorous and fierce; each strike carried immense force, escalating to try to utterly break her opponent.

Xiya used softness to overcome hardness; her swordplay flowed like water, always finding and exploiting openings at the critical moment to neutralize attacks.

Clang!

The Golden Knight, Nia Skywing, slowly retreated after an exchange.

She straightened her posture; after stopping her assault, she placed her left hand behind her waist, the sword in her right hand elegantly pointed at the floor.

Her firm long thigh extended, full and graceful curves revealed, she looked at Nia with pride.

“Xiya Blackwing, your swordsmanship grows ever more exquisite!”

It was clearly praise, but the tone carried an innate pride.

The Black Wing Knight Xiya, of course, knew what she meant.

A light flickered in Xiya’s eyes; her proud, composed expression began to change, resentment rising within.

It was apparent from the recent exchanges.

Though they were evenly matched, Nia actually controlled the tempo of the fight.

If she hadn’t paused, the Black Wing Knight Xiya’s stance would have gradually begun to collapse.

There was another point… Xiya’s sword talent was indeed formidable.

At first she was merely a wealthy young lady; she became a female knight only five years ago.

And her instructor was Nia Skywing.

Now she had only paused to catch her breath; the true duel was about to begin!

One could feel both gathering strength, especially the Black Wing Knight Xiya—she would undeniably be defeated in raw swordsmanship!

They clashed again, blades carving graceful arcs through the air.

Nia stepped forward in an arrowed lunge, blade aiming at her opponent’s throat—Xiya sidestepped and countered with a reversed thrust at Nia’s ribs.

Nia calmly and swiftly parried; blades met with a crisp ringing.

But in that moment, Xiya Blackwing’s footing clearly retreated—she was pushed back.

The duel intensified; their movements had surpassed ordinary limits!

Xiya unfurled her black wings! The sword in her hand was gradually cloaked in black energy, followed by a spinning attack.

Black sword light, like lightning, streaked fiercely toward Nia’s left shoulder.

Faced with such a dangerous strike, Nia became serious; with a precise lean-back she avoided the lethal blow.

At the same time, one sword strike broke Xiya’s assault! This blow was even heavier than before!

Even using her own power, Xiya Blackwing’s attack was once again thwarted.

The situation on the field became clearer and clearer, and Nia Skywing had not even used her golden power yet.

Yet the battle was not over, not by a long shot!

At this moment the banquet hall’s atmosphere grew tense; most people still thought this was a very high-level duel.

But some observant ones grew nervous, because the situation no longer seemed so easy…

“Hmph!”

The Black Wing Knight Xiya fully spread her black wings!

The previously ethereal black wings behind her became progressively clearer and more solid!

She began to truly unleash her power!

Her imposing aura forced everyone to hold down their skirts! At the same time it pushed them backward.

The knights on the floor stepped forward, shielding the ordinary young ladies as they retreated!

“Young Master Naiye, please be careful.”

“Mm, thank you.”

A Sky Wing Knight approached Young Master Naiye and escorted him backward.

Young Master Naiye obediently came to the long table, his expression calm compared to everyone’s panic.

Young Master Naiye still calmly picked up the goblet placed there.

He continued watching the duel in the central circle.

Of course, after reaching safe positions, everyone still watched this immensely grand and imposing duel!

At this time Young Master Naiye also noticed many people unusually tense, sweating as they stared at the fight.

It seemed these people were likely members of both factions.

After all, today’s duel was extremely important.

Although at present Nia Skywing held the slight advantage.

But to decide the victor, the Golden Knight and the Black Wing Knight had to exert their true abilities!

“……..”

Young Master Naiye downed the goblet in his hand, then glanced at it.

Smooth and clean, quite large! But there wasn’t much wine in it, so Naiye wasn’t very drunk.

“How annoying…”

Nia Skywing muttered something under her breath, her expression growing grave.

The golden wings behind her began to fully show; the sword in her hand was also being covered by golden energy.

Facing the Black Wing Knight’s tremendous strike, even she could not simply ignore it.

She had to take it seriously, but she couldn’t dodge or be crafty, she had to face this massive attack head-on in this duel.

Otherwise she would be seen as lacking momentum and weakening, thus being judged weak, and then the Black Wing side’s momentum would grow!

So no matter what, she had to take it—regardless of whether she could withstand it.

A surging energy began to gather in Xiya Blackwing’s sword; she widened her eyes, vacant yet filled with boundless oppression!

The finely made longsword grew darker and darker; the gathered impact could easily shake the skies!

An oppressive, imposing aura began to sweep the entire banquet hall! The Sky Wing Knights stepped forward in unison and collectively raised a barrier, enclosing the two within the central circle.

Because golden and black energies raged within, everyone could only see blurred golden and black silhouettes.

Nia and Xiya’s gazes and sword light flickered; they looked at each other with a trace of reluctance.

Yet they were about to engage in a duel that might well decide life and death.

The Black Wing Knight squinted, suppressing her inner feelings, sword pointed to the heavens!

A pitch-black void condensed accordingly!

Then she slowly swung the sword down.

At this critical moment, Nia Skywing, who was supposed to resist the attack, suddenly widened her eyes!

She turned her head to look toward one side of the banquet!

Xiya Blackwing saw the scene and instantly halted her motion as well!

They both looked in the same direction in terror.

Crack!

A clear sound of glass shattering rang out, echoing throughout the entire banquet!!!