An Understated Dominance by Marina Vittori

“A draw?”

Kaden’s announcement sent the crowd into an uproar. This outcwas unexpected by many.

In martial arts, there was no room for a draw. Once the match started, someone had to cout on top,

especially in this highly anticipated championship match. Otherwise, what was the point of fighting if no winner

was declared?

And more importantly, what would happen to the bets without a winner? Would the bookmaker take all the

wagers?

“Yes! A draw is fine,” Abigail exclaimed, practically jumping with joy.

She had only planned to take shandling fees to enjoy herself. Yet, she hadn't expected this outcat all. It

seemed like fate was making her rich.

“I wonder if the two contestants are satisfied with this arrangement.” Kaden turned his gaze to Dustin and Glenn.

Both men had pushed themselves to their limits. Their energy reserves were drained; and they had no strength

to continue.

The battle ring was destroyed, and the defense formation was shattered. There was no place left for a rematch.

So, a draw was the only sensible choice.

“Do you have the strength to swing your sword again?” Glenn didn’t respond to Kaden but instead focused on

Dustin.

“I've got one more move,” Dustin replied honestly.

That last strike, the Draconic Edge, had drained him of almost all his mystical pure energy. He only had enough

strength for one more move.

“Shere.” Glenn wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. “It’s hard to accept that it ends here. We've

fought this long, so there has to be a winner. How about a sword duel without using our internal energy? Let's

see who is better.”

“Sounds great.” Dustin nodded.

Without the battle ring and defense formation, their fight could endanger the bystanders. But if they limited

themselves to just using the sword, there was no risk of that.

“We'll continue to fight. This time, we won't use internal energy. We're going to have a sword duel.”

“Sword duel?” Kaden raised an eyebrow. He glanced at the guildmasters of the three major guilds. Seeing no

objection, he finally responded, “Sounds good. It's your call.

The nervous spectators finally let out a collective sigh of relief. If this had ended as a draw, it would've been

unsatisfactory to everyone.. Even the bettors would lose everything.

This new arrangement, focusing on just using the sword, was the perfect solution-fair, safe, and with a clear

outcome.

“Get ready. I'm drawing my sword!” Glenn grabbed the Voidreaver sword from the ground and aimed its tip

squarely at Dustin.

Dustin said nothing and raised his Dragon Sparrow sword.

The two men stood still for a second, then launched into action.

Without using internal energy, it was just a raw test of physical strength. Their speed was nothing short of

terrifying. They blurred into two

streaks of motion and collided with each other in the ruins.

The sound of metal clashing filled the air, accompanied by sparks flying in every direction.

Their movements were so fast that it was impossible to tell them apart. Even without internal energy, the sheer

force of their strikes created ripples in the air like waves of wind.

The spectators, watching from a distance, felt a chill run through them. It was as though standing too close

might tear them apart.

After several minutes of fierce fighting, Dustin and Glenn suddenly stopped.

Glenn's sword had pierced Dustin's shoulder. The sharp tip had torn through his skin and muscle and was

drawing blood.

“Did he win?”

The spectator behind Glenn saw his sword pierce Dustin's shoulder and assumed he had won.

Sof the bettors were celebrating, while others were lamenting their loss. But those watching Dustin's side

saw something different.

Though his shoulder was impaled, his sword had stabbed deep into Glenn's chest. With a slight push, it would be

a fatal strike. To them, it was clear- Glenn hadn’t won. Dustin had.

In the end, Dustin's sword mastery had outclassed Glenn's.

Glenn glanced down at the sword lodged in his chest, and his expression hardened with a swirl of complex

emotions. He had always believed his sword mastery was unparalleled, but he never expected to be defeated by

Dustin in the end.

Their cultivation levels were evenly matched, but the gap in theit sword mastery was quite big. It only made him

realize how much more he needed to improve.

“Thank you for sparing my life. | admit defeat.” Glenn withdrew his Voidreaver and bowed his head.

He wasn’t the type to sulk over defeat, nor did he care about the championship title. His life’s pursuit was to

achieve the pinnacle of sword mastery. If he lost, it meant he wasn’t skilled enough or hadn't put in enough

effort-no other excuse.

“Good match.” Dustin bowed his head in return to show his respect. This match hadn't been easy for him, and it

was fair to say it had been dangerous and challenging.

Glenn was simply too strong. He controlled nine flying swords with masterful precision, without a single flaw in

his technique.

If they hadn't agreed to settle the match with a normal sword fight, Dustin wasn’t sure he could've won.

“Alas... In the end, it was just one move short of victory.” Cyrus couldn't help but sigh. When he first heard that

the two would settle the match with a duel, a sense of unease crept over him.

Glenn had always focused on mastering his sword aura. While his sword skills were impressive, they hadn't yet

reached their full potential. Against most opponents, they were more than enough. But facing a peerless talent

like Dustin, they fell short.

But now, it was too late to change anything. The match had been decided.

The silver lining was that Glenn didn’t seem disheartened. Instead, there was a spark of determination in his

eyes- an intensity he hadn’t been there before. That drive would carry him forward from this point on.

Sometimes, failure wasn’t the end. It could ignite the passion that pushed someone to new heights.