The two shining swords clash, and that’s when something strange happens.

The purifying light that was faintly covering their swords begins to gradually change every time they clash.

Taula thrusts her sharp sword forward, and Princess Lily spins along with her sword to dodge. Princess Lily uses that momentum to swipe with her sword, and Taula ducks as if her upper body is sinking.

A few of Taula’s hairs are left dancing in mid-air, cut by the pressure of Princess Lily’s slash, and gently fall to the ground.

Taula cuts upwards from that low position, and Princess Lily holds her sword with both hands to block this attack.

A metallic sound echoes.

And it’s then that it happens. The light on the sword handle that Taula is holding with her outstretched hand starts moving like lightning.

The sword handle starts crackling, and the pale light starts spreading with thin lines, as if encroaching on the air around it.

Both ladies jump back and take some distance.

One of Princess Lily’s legs falls into the pond, and water splashes.

The sparkling water flies around and is about to touch Princess Lily’s sword that she’s holding behind her, but this time, the purifying light whirls around Princess Lily’s sword. It’s like wind, like a tornado.

The water is blown away.

They step forward once again, and get close.

Somehow my eyes can see those movements now, and I can tell Princess Lily is stepping forward faster than before.

But the movements themselves are the same.

I see. Is the purifying light pushing Princess Lily’s body like wind?

Taula has her eyes wide open in surprise. Princess Lily is stepping in more deeply than she expected.

That small difference in how the sword is being swung means Taula’s one armed swing can’t keep up.

I figure it’s over, but then…

There’s something that feels like a flash of lightning between Taula’s right hand that’s holding the sword and her free left hand.

That pale light that’s moving like lightning is actually her purifying light.

It perfectly traces the trajectory of Princess Lily’s sword, and repels it with an intense shine.

“Kya.”

Princess Lily screams with surprise as she falls back.

Taula’s sword is stopped near her throat.

It’s quiet for a second. They look directly at each other. But it’s different than before, their eyes feel like both understand the same thing.

Taula slowly sheathes her sword and puts out her hand towards Princess Lily to help her get up.

I guess Taula won the mock battle.