But...

  For Rogue, it was too late!

  If Kenley couldn't seize even this 0.2-second opening, then he might as well retire from his career!

  Although Rogue quickly regained control of his body, Kenley's strike followed without delay.

  Rogue immediately swung his sword to block while constantly adjusting his stance, trying to fully face Kenley head-on, leaving no opportunity for a flanking attack.

  But...

  The most renowned aspect of the Roland Floral Swordsmanship was that it never fixated on direct assaults—every attack came from tricky angles, such as the flanks, the back, or under the arms.

  This was precisely why the Roland Floral Swordsmanship was hailed by coaches as the pinnacle of PvP swordsmanship. Though it was slightly inferior to Wilk's techniques, it was still undeniably a master-level sword style!

  "Floral Dance—!"

  Kenley narrowed his eyes. With a sweeping pivot, his body moved like a drifting Roland flower in the wind, adjusting seamlessly to Rogue's movements in an elegant and unique posture.

  "There's no mistake!"

  Roland's eyes widened in shock! She was certain—Kenley was using her very own Roland Floral Swordsmanship!

  How could she not recognize her own swordsmanship after all these years? From the moment Kenley adopted the initial stance, to executing Petal Drift, and now Floral Dance—if she failed to recognize her own technique, then all her years of training would have been in vain.

  The First Bloom—Purple Floral Verse. Where did he learn it from?

  I haven't even completed my training yet, nor have I taught it to anyone else. Could he have stolen it?

  Roland couldn't help but wonder.

  Yet, as she racked her brain, she could not recall a single battle in which a young man named Kenley had ever demonstrated such swordsmanship.

  Kenley had no time to care about Roland's astonishment. His stance shifted again, and so did the tip of his sword. The blade, following Kenley's precise adjustments, slashed forward in an almost incomprehensible manner—like fluttering petals in the wind.

  "The back—!"

  Rogue was utterly shocked. If he took a hit to the back, no matter what negative effect the strike carried, he would suffer double the consequences!

  Unacceptable!

  Clenching his teeth, he seemed to unleash an explosion of untapped potential. His body twisted sharply, keeping up with Kenley's movement at an incredible speed. Such a rapid adjustment—he actually managed it!

  Against an ordinary opponent, they would have been struck already.

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  "This guy… he's got some skill," Kenley couldn't help but acknowledge his opponent's quick reaction.

  The Imperial Military Sword clashed at the last moment, barely allowing Rogue to evade the fatal thrust. However, another fresh scratch appeared across his chest plate.

  "Ugh!"

  Rogue let out a muffled groan—Weakness!

  Damn it! How does every one of this bastard's strikes carry a special effect?

  Where did this genius even come from? Why had Rogue never heard of someone like Kenley before?

  Rogue's mind could no longer function rationally. With the Weakness debuff affecting him, he had no means of defending himself.

  Damn it! If I can't defend, then I'll abandon defense and strike instead!

  Rogue raised both hands high, forgoing any clumsy blocks or dodges. Instead, he aimed a direct, all-out cleave at Kenley's front!

  It's over!

  From the sidelines, Roland watched the scene unfold and could already predict Rogue's fate.

  If Kenley had truly mastered the Roland Floral Swordsmanship, then Rogue's reckless abandonment of defense played right into Kenley's hands.

  This was precisely what made the Roland Floral Swordsmanship so terrifying and fearsome to its foes. Every attack was calculated, each step meticulously leading the opponent into a prearranged trap.

  As expected.

  Just as Roland had anticipated, she saw it clearly—the talented young man's lips curled into a barely noticeable smirk.

  Rogue's reckless slash was proof of his desperation, utterly falling into Kenley's rhythm. His stance was wide open, his movements sluggish—Kenley's speed far outmatched the now-panicked Rogue.

  "Severed Branch—!"

  Kenley's figure flickered. Like a venomous snake striking from the underbrush, a thin, silver sword light flashed like a line between sea and sky, piercing straight through Rogue's front!

  "Ughhh—!"

  Rogue let out a miserable cry!

  Although the attack struck his breastplate, the Cripple effect still took hold!

  The Cripple debuff caused instantaneous, nerve-induced pain in the struck area.

  Even in a game, players despised the "Cripple" effect. The AR devices' pain simulators would send signals to the brain's cortex, compressing the sensation into a safe, controllable range—yet it was still unbearably unpleasant.

  And this was reality.

  One could only imagine the agony radiating through Rogue's chest.

  A few fractured ribs—could you even fathom the pain?

  Wracked with unbearable pain, Rogue collapsed onto the ground, drenched in cold sweat, completely losing control over his body.

  Though the Cripple effect lasted only 0.2 seconds and quickly faded, the instant wave of pain still echoed throughout his entire being.

  Just as everyone thought Kenley had delivered his final strike, he suddenly shifted his blade once more.

  That same, elegant, flower-like sword posture was drawn again.

  "Floral Bud—!"

  Kenley's sword struck rapidly at Rogue's back armor—three swift thrusts!

  "Bang! Bang! Bang—!"

  Kenley's sword moved at an inhuman speed, his strikes like three streaks of flowing light crashing against Rogue's backplate.

  Just as Rogue had regained control over his body, he was instantly hit by Floral Bud's Stun effect.

  Since the attack was from behind, the melee debuff was doubled, increasing the original 0.2-second stun to 0.4 seconds.

  However, Kenley had no intention of following up with Full Bloom, as it was a killing move—an execution technique. The Heavy Wound effect would inflict continuous damage on the enemy.

  Kenley could already sense a certain Sword Saint barely holding himself back from calling the fight to a halt. If he struck any further, it could become a life-threatening situation.

  Though Kenley despised Rogue's arrogance and conceit, Roland was still present—he couldn't let her down.

  With a cold snort, Kenley took advantage of Rogue's stunned state.

  He lifted his sword and, with a swift smack, knocked Rogue's blade out of his hands. Then, with a few elegant spins in the air, Kenley effortlessly caught the sword in his own grasp.

  "Round Three—Kenley wins!"

  Silence.

  The entire training ground fell into utter stillness.

  None of the knights-in-training could utter a single word.

  The third match had been nothing short of spectacular!

  Though Kenley was their rival, how could these sword-wielding aspirants fail to recognize the sheer brilliance of his swordsmanship?

  The most terrifying part?

  Despite the flurry of techniques, the dizzying exchanges, and the relentless back-and-forth—

  The entire battle had lasted no more than five seconds.

  Can you even fathom how much had just transpired in those five seconds?

  Every second, every clash of blades—

  A true masterpiece!