The powerful blue flashes of Melissa's sword energy clashed relentlessly against the starlight that surrounded me. What seemed like fragile starlight—so delicate it could vanish with a touch—perfectly blocked her sharp and swift sword energy.

In a state of pure concentration, I let the starlight scatter around me, my sword movements shielding me from all external threats. What felt like an eternity in my mind had likely only lasted a few seconds in real time.

Even after I stopped my sword movements, the starlight still floated around me.

There was no longer any need to target my opponent directly.

[Sword …