The Wolf Knights' cheering section immediately rose to their feet and began singing the Wolf‑song again — for the second time that day. The melody swept across the Arena, sunlight glinting off Andrea's armor. The female Wolf Knight drew her sword and bowed respectfully toward the eastern stands.
The crowd erupted.
"What an atmosphere!" the announcer shouted. "The female Wolf Knight bows to her supporters! A true knightly gesture!"
Andrea's expression was calm and confident. Her heart no longer knew fear — only the burning desire to prove herself.
The western gate opened.
Christina Silverwood walked onto the battlefield with slow, dignified steps. Her long sword rested easily in her hand, her gaze steady and confident — the gaze of a veteran who had survived a hundred battles.
The Wolf Knights' cheering section applauded her out of respect.
Then the entire Arena joined in.
The thunderous applause shook even the stone walls.
Christina bowed to the crowd.
The respect was mutual.
The duel had not yet begun, but Andrea and Christina were already walking toward each other.
They met at the center.
They stopped face‑to‑face.
They looked into each other's eyes.
And they shook hands.
The crowd gasped with emotion.
"What a display of sportsmanship!" the announcer cried. "This symbolizes the strong alliance between the Silver Knights and the Wolf Knights!"
The two female knights stepped back and took their fighting stances.
The referee raised his arm.
"Begin the duel!"
The two warriors charged at the same moment.
The clash of steel came so fast that most spectators saw only flashes of light. Both wielded longswords — and both wielded them at a master's level.
Their blades danced.
Their feet glided.
Their movements followed each other in perfect rhythm.
In the royal box, Captain John Scarlett nodded with genuine admiration.
"Beautiful," he murmured. "It's like watching a sword‑dance. Both of them are incredibly talented. In terms of raw skill, they're not inferior to you, Eris."
Eris Scarlett leaned forward, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"So this is what it looks like when the strongest Silver Knight and the strongest Wolf Knight clash."
The crowd went wild.
Steel rang out again and again.
The two female knights fought as if the fate of the world depended on them.
Only one could reach the finals.
The audience watched the battlefield in breathless silence.
Ten minutes had passed — and the two knights were still fighting with the same determination, the same intensity as in the first second. The rhythm of their sword clashes was so fast that most spectators could no longer see the blades — only the flashes of light and the sparks bursting from every impact.
Christina's earth‑element technique was solid, stable, unshakable.
Andrea's wind‑element technique was light, fast, unpredictable.
Two opposite styles — in perfect balance.
No one in the stands dared to whisper.
They had never seen such an evenly matched duel in the history of the Knight Tournament.
In the Royal Box
The King leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with excitement.
"This is an extraordinary duel. Both the Silverwood and Wolfwood houses have raised remarkable knights."
Captain John Scarlett nodded.
"Even I can't tell which one will win."
Eris Scarlett watched Andrea's movements with sharp focus.
"Andrea Wolf isn't using Feral Mode."
John's head snapped toward her.
"She isn't using what?"
"That powerful Wolf technique," Eris explained, "the one that doubles their speed and strength."
John's eyes widened.
"You're telling me… the Wolf Knight is only using half her power right now?"
"Yes," Eris nodded. "She's enjoying the fight, so she doesn't want to use it yet."
The Princess stared at her in disbelief.
"I thought you'd be fighting a Wolf Knight in the finals."
John cut in:
"And you're sure that technique isn't exclusive to that windstorm girl you fought?"
"Positive," Eris replied. "Andrea Wolf is stronger than Anita. At least, that's what I've heard."
In the Wolf Knights' Box
Anita leaned against the railing, watching the duel with a wide grin.
"Look at her. Andrea's having the time of her life. Without Feral Mode, I wouldn't have lasted five minutes against Christina. Actually… with how strong her earth‑element defense is, maybe even with Feral Mode I wouldn't have beaten her in ten minutes. Then I'd burn out, and she'd win. I wonder how our fight would've ended if I'd faced her too."
Young Wolf answered calmly:
"It doesn't matter. You held your own against the Hero. This duel is almost over."
Noelle spoke without taking her eyes off the battlefield:
"I agree. The moment Andrea uses Feral Mode, there won't be a defense in this world that can withstand her strikes."
On the Battlefield
The two female knights clashed again.
Steel rang.
Dust rose.
The entire audience leaned forward as one.
Only one could reach the finals.
And neither intended to give up her place.
The dust on the battlefield swirled slowly around the two female knights. For ten minutes the audience had watched their sword‑dance in breathless silence. The rhythm of clashing steel was like a battle‑song only the greatest warriors could perform.
Christina suddenly stepped back and nodded with genuine respect.
"You're an incredible opponent, Andrea. I've never fought anyone this worthy. But I know you're not using your full strength. What are you waiting for? Don't you want to use that strange technique Anita used against the Hero?"
Andrea stopped, drew a deep breath, and her eyes darkened — not with fear, but with resolve.
"I wanted to defeat you without it… but you're strong. As expected from the strongest female Knight."
It's time to go wild.
Feral Mode.
In the next instant, the spectators saw only a blurred shadow.
Andrea vanished from sight — then reappeared behind Christina.
The Silver Knight collapsed to the ground as if the earth had been pulled out from under her.
The crowd gasped.
Christina's Thoughts
"She became so fast I couldn't even react?"
Christina lay on the ground, trying to piece together what had happened.
"She didn't cut me… but not because my earth‑element defense protected me."
She glanced at her leg.
"She only tripped me with the dull side of her blade. She didn't even use the wind element."
A cold realization ran through her.
"If she wanted to, she could have cut me down… but she didn't."
Her heartbeat quickened.
"Was she trying to show me she could defeat me at any moment?
How did you become this strong, Andrea Wolf?"
Christina sprang to her feet, anger and respect burning together in her eyes.
"You're not taking me seriously, Andrea? Am I too weak in your eyes?"
Andrea slowly raised her sword.
"Use the technique you used to cut off the Ogre's head."
Christina froze.
"You mean my final sword technique? That attack is meant to slay evil — not to kill a comrade."
Andrea smiled.
"Feral Mode was also created to fight Magical Beasts. So we're even."
Christina drew a deep breath. Her gaze darkened, her voice grew solemn.
"I understand. But I'll only use it because I'm not holding Silverstrike. Good thing we're not allowed to use our legendary blades."
Even so… this technique is dangerous, even with a blunt tournament sword.
Andrea stepped forward and took her stance.
"Attack. I'm ready."
The crowd roared.
The air vibrated with tension.
Between the two female knights, a force gathered that was rarely seen in this world.
In the next moment, Christina raised her sword…
And the battle for a place in the finals ascended to a new level.