Chapter 41
The moment the spar began—
Paul knew.
Something had changed again.
Rudeus didn't take a stance.
Didn't prepare.
He simply—
Moved.
Step.
Strike.
No wind-up.
No signal.
Paul reacted instantly—
But the timing felt… off.
Not wrong.
Just—
Impossible to read.
Clash.
The impact came from an angle that didn't match the motion.
"…What was that?"
Rudeus didn't answer.
Because even he didn't fully know.