The First Match Begins
Rias immediately stepped forward with a bright smile.
"Teacher, don't worry."
Her red eyes flickered toward Shera with a playful but meaningful glint, the corner of her lips lifting slightly as if she were suppressing a laugh.
"We definitely won't disappoint Guardian Elder."
After all—
Today's first match would be between her…
And a student from Secret Sword Summit.
She certainly would not disappoint Shera.
The way she said it carried more than confidence. There was a quiet bite hidden beneath her tone, something sharp and deliberate. Not disrespectful—no, never that—but unmistakably bold.
A few of the nearby disciples caught it.
Some frowned.
Some smirked.
And some simply held their breath.
A shift in her stance sent a quiet tremor through the space around her, like the ground knew what was coming. The breeze, drifting slow over cracked earth, paused - just briefly - as though listening.
