Kiara stepped back inside the doorway, ensuring she remained within the protective threshold.
Zion and Lucian walked out into the alley and faced one another.
Lucian removed a silver-grade sword from her storage card. The blade shimmered with restrained refinement, a deliberate choice to balance the disparity against Zion's gold-grade weapon.
Zion's eyes briefly flashed red.
"Scanning target," he murmured quietly. "Four-star rank. Advanced stage. Sword mastery: Level Five."
Lucian raised his blade and pointed it directly at him.
"You may begin."
From behind them, Kiara called out clearly, her tone sharp and precise. "Zion. No skills. No lethal force. No permanent injury. Everything else is permitted."
"Roger, Big Sister," Zion replied, saluting briefly before gripping the sword with both hands.
Lucian frowned slightly at Kiara's phrasing.
Was he being underestimated?
Did the store owner believe Lucian was incapable of forcing Zion to use skills?
