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Mariana growled under her breath, retreating slightly to reassess. Her sharp eyes scanned David, who stood unbothered, a faint smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. "I\'ll admit," she said, her voice laced with grudging respect, "you\'ve got some skill to back up your words. But don\'t think for a second to let your guard down."

Her mind raced, questions swirling like a storm.

Who is this man? What family does he come from? And how can he be this strong while at the same cultivation level as me?

David remained in the centre of the training ground, unmoving despite her relentless barrage of swordplay. His movements were calculated, his obsidian sword meeting her steel blade with a resounding crash each time. Sparks flew in every direction, but he had yet to take even a single step back.

With a subtle flick of his gaze, David activated his skill,

[Point of View]

, peering into Mariana\'s background. The system\'s display unfurled before him:

"[Character Profile:

Mariana Va Ironblade

Background:

Sister of the Archon of Warfare and the 2nd Captain of the Guards. Full of regret for not matching her sister\'s magical abilities, she devoted herself to the blade, imbuing her inner flame into her swordsmanship.

Rank:

Master Swordmaster]

"

David skimmed over her stats, but he didn\'t bother delving further. He already knew the truth: no matter how fierce her resolve, she couldn\'t match him.

Mariana launched into another assault, her frustration mounting. David, however, remained steadfast, his hand still tucked in his pocket as if this was nothing more than a casual spar. Her strikes became more frantic, her flame-imbued sword flaring with heat as it clashed against his unyielding obsidian blade. The lack of effort from him was infuriating.

"Stop holding back!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the training ground.

With a growl of determination, she activated her skill,

[Instant Flame]

.

Her body blurred into motion, her speed accelerating beyond what most could follow. She dashed around David in a circle, leaving behind a blazing trail of fire that crackled and roared with intensity. The training ground transformed into a ring of flame, her speed creating an almost hypnotic display of light and heat.

David, however, remained calm, his sharp blue eyes tracing her movements without difficulty. To him, she wasn\'t fast; she was

slow

.

Is this really the best she can do?

he mused to himself, his expression impassive.

Mariana poured all her strength and fire into a single strike, her steel sword aiming for David\'s center with unwavering precision. She felt the culmination of her skill and power in this moment, confident this strike would at least push him back.

But David met her attack head-on. Without even a glance at his skill

[Celestial Wheel]

, he raised his obsidian sword and intercepted her strike. The collision sent a shockwave through the training ground, extinguishing the flames Mariana had left in her wake.

For a brief second, time seemed to freeze. Then, with a deafening

CRACK

, Mariana\'s steel sword shattered into countless fragments, the pieces scattering like shards of starlight across the ground.

Mariana stumbled back, her hand trembling as she stared at the broken hilt in disbelief. The weight of her failure pressed heavily on her shoulders, but she refused to let her knees buckle. She raised her gaze to meet David\'s, her amber eyes burning with frustration and curiosity.

David sighed, his obsidian blade dissolving into nothingness as he stepped forward. "I warned you," he said evenly, his tone devoid of malice. "You pushed too hard."

Mariana clenched her fists, her pride in tatters but her spirit unbroken. "Just who

are

you, David?" she demanded, her voice a mix of anger and awe.

David offered her a faint smile, his calm demeanor only adding to the enigma surrounding him. "Just someone passing through," he replied cryptically before turning to leave, leaving Mariana to grapple with the questions swirling in her mind.

Mariana stood motionless in the center of the training ground, her hand gripping the shattered hilt of her once-proud sword. Her frustration bubbled beneath the surface, her pride wounded and her plans dashed. She had aimed to teach this noble, David, a lesson in humility for intruding on her training—an opportunity to demonstrate the supremacy of the Ironblade lineage and drill respect into his haughty demeanor. Instead, she had been outmatched, made a fool in her own spar.

David was an enigma, his relaxed demeanor masking strength she hadn\'t anticipated.

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Who is he, really?

she wondered bitterly, her thoughts spiraling as she replayed the clash in her mind. Yet, amidst her frustration, she had to swallow the bitter truth: David had defeated her. Though the taste of it stung, Mariana vowed to uncover his secrets and exact her revenge someday, in some form.

As the training ground faded into the distance behind him, David walked through the grand corridors of Castrum Belli Ignis, his thoughts momentarily at peace. The air was cool, the dim light from the crystal light casting long, flickering shadows along the walls. Suddenly, Luna emerged silently from his shadow, her presence fluid and seamless as though she were born from the darkness itself.

"Did you enjoy toying with the weak?" Luna asked, her tone dry but tinged with mischief.

David smirked, glancing at her out of the corner of his eye. "Toying with the weak? What are you talking about? Mariana practically forced me into that spar. If anything, she toyed with herself."

Luna folded her arms, raising a brow. "Still, you shouldn\'t let your guard down. That\'s how you defeated you, remember?" Her voice carried a sly teasing edge, though her underlying concern was clear.

David chuckled, nodding in acknowledgment. "Fair point, Luna. Lesson learned."

As they continued walking, they arrived at their guest quarters, the grandeur of the halls giving way to a more private, intimate setting. David paused by the door, his expression shifting to something more serious. "Has the presence that was spying on us ceased?" he asked.

Luna\'s eyes glimmered as she nodded. "Yes, the moment we stepped inside the room, the spying stopped. But don\'t assume they\'ve given up; whoever it was will likely try again."

David\'s lips curled into a faint smile, a spark of determination lighting his eyes. He stepped into his chambers, his mind set. "Then let\'s give them a reason to regret lurking in the shadows."

Extending his hand, David activated his skill,

[Nightveil Embrace: Living Shadow Fabric]

.

Like a flowing tide, void-like silk emerged from the air itself, wrapping around his body in layers. The black material shifted and pulsed as if alive, molding into a majestic and seamless bodysuit that radiated power. His face became concealed behind a mask forged from living shadows, its surface smooth and dark save for the glowing purple slits that served as his eyes.

Luna watched silently, her gaze unwavering as David adjusted the suit\'s fit with precision. His presence in the suit exuded an aura of dominance and mystery, an embodiment of his intent.

David turned toward Luna, his voice calm yet resolute. "It\'s time to meet whoever\'s been spying on us. I am the light that shall execute the shadows."

Luna smirked, stepping closer as her own form shifted slightly, her shadows swirling around her like a cloak. "Let\'s hunt, then, my Lord" she said, her voice laced with anticipation.

With a final glance at the room, David stepped into the hallway, the shadows parting before him like an obedient tide. The hunter was ready to face the lurking predator in the dark.