Chapter 84: Lunatic

The two weapons collided again, erupting in dazzling sparks.

Mel used the force to retreat, and 【Void Walk】 activated once more.

Her figure flickered in the air, constantly changing position.

Every appearance was accompanied by the fierce attack of The New Moon.

"Clang!"

The Sword cane barely managed to parry the curved knife aimed at the back of his neck; Edward's formal coat was sliced by the blade's wind.

This was the first time the eldest noble son showed a ferocious expression.

Mel staggered back half a step, the sound of tearing fabric coming from her shoulder.

She grabbed the edge of the wound with her back hand.

The blood beads seeping through her fingers gleamed with fragmented silver light under the moonlight.

The afterimages of Void Walk overlapped beneath her feet into a blue-purple vortex.

In the next instant, she appeared behind Edward's sword-wielding right side.

The New Moon's edge skimmed past his ear, cutting off a few strands of black hair.

Edward’s pupils sharply contracted—this distance should have been completely outside his attack range.

The Sword cane swept toward her, wrapped in strong wind, but Mel vaulted diagonally, utilizing a void shuffle.

The metal statue behind her collapsed with a crash.

Amidst the flying sparks, she suddenly spun around, the blade precisely stabbing into the joint of his sword-wielding wrist.

Edward groaned.

He then suddenly surged forward, the Sword cane drawing a deadly semi-circle arc.

Mel quickly leaned back, the edge of the Sword cane passing inches from her nose, cutting a few strands of hair that drifted down.

The girl pushed off the floor with both hands and executed a backward somersault, widening the distance from Edward.

Edward gritted his teeth.

Blood continually seeped from the wound on his right wrist, but he still tightly gripped the Sword cane, his eyes burning with fury.

"You damned street performer!"

Mel did not reply.

【True Vision】 was entirely focused on capturing Edward’s every subtle movement.

She saw several possible attack trajectories intertwining in the air, forming a complex net.

Edward suddenly surged forward, the Sword cane thrusting like lightning.

Mel's 【True Vision】 immediately locked onto the most dangerous trajectory.

She slightly shifted her body, and 【Void Walk】 instantly activated.

"Slicing sound!"

The Sword cane pierced the air, and Mel's figure had already appeared on Edward's left side.

The New Moon cut a silver arc, aimed directly at Edward's waist.

Edward reacted extremely quickly.

He swiftly spun around, sweeping the Sword cane out, barely managing to block The New Moon's attack.

The sound of metal colliding echoed in the hall.

Mel did not pause.

She activated 【Void Walk】 again, leaving a trail of afterimages in the air.

Edward's eyes couldn't keep up with her movement; he could only rely on instinct to swing the Sword cane defensively.

"Clang! Clang! Clang!"

The sound of metal collisions was continuous.

Edward was forced into a passive defense.

Mel's attacks were like a fierce storm, coming from every angle, each one precisely aimed at Edward's weak points.

Cold sweat seeped from Edward's forehead.

He realized he was gradually losing the advantage.

Suddenly, he saw a momentary pause in Mel's movements——her Quintessence seemed to be running low!

"My chance!"

Edward rejoiced inwardly and immediately launched a counterattack.

The Sword cane lunged out like a venomous snake, aiming straight for Mel's weakness.

Mel's 【True Vision】 captured the fatal strike.

However, her current Quintessence could no longer support the activation of 【Void Walk】; she could only forcefully twist her body.

The Sword cane grazed past her neck, leaving a wound on her collarbone so deep the bone was visible.

Blood gushed out instantly.

Mel couldn't help but groan.

But she did not retreat.

Instead, seizing the opportunity, The New Moon violently thrust forward.

A wound for a wound!

Edward hadn't expected Mel to launch such a fierce counterattack while injured.

"Lunatic!"

He only had time to turn sideways in a hurry, but The New Moon's tip still slashed across his chest, leaving a long wound.

Both retreated at the same time, both gasping for breath.

Blood streamed from Mel's collarbone.

Edward's chest was also stained red with blood.

"You really are a.... lunatic!"

Edward wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, then looked at Charlotte on the side.

"Is this thing worth fighting so desperately for?"

"She is my friend."

Mel raised The New Moon, but Edward acted as if he had heard the most ridiculous thing, laughing out loud, completely unconcerned about his injuries.

Edward's laughter sounded especially manic amidst the smell of blood.

He staggered back two steps, the wound on his chest making his breathing heavy.

Mel looked down at the constantly bleeding wound on her collarbone, her fingertip gently touching the leaping pulse.

The remaining Quintessence was insufficient to support her activating any further mystical arts.

The girl now was like a fading ember.

In reality, both of them were at their wit's end.

"Friend?"

He shook his head, a hint of contempt flashing in his eyes.

"It seems you really have gone mad."

Edward took a deep breath and suddenly rushed toward Mel, his Sword cane aiming straight for Mel's vital spot.

The girl barely managed to dodge, but the edge of the Sword cane still left a trail of blood on her arm.

"Clang!"

The New Moon and the Sword cane collided again, sparks flying everywhere.

Mel gritted her teeth, enduring the pain of her wounds, and engaged Edward in close combat.

Their weapons weaved complex trajectories in the air; every collision was accompanied by the harsh sound of metal clashing.

Edward's offensive grew fiercer, while Mel's movements began to slow down.

"What's wrong? Where is your proud little trick now?"

Edward taunted.

The Sword cane once again broke through Mel's defense, leaving a deep gash on her thigh.

Mel staggered backward, blood flowing down her leg.

Her breathing became rapid, and the visibility of her 【True Vision】 began to blur.

"It's over, Miss," Edward sneered, raising his Sword cane high.

"To lose your life for someone who shouldn't even exist is utter foolishness."

The Sword cane whistled through the air, chopping toward Mel's face, but Mel's figure vanished once more.

It was still 【Void Walk】!

But this time, the Void Walk lasted for less than 0.2 seconds.

Mel's figure completed its disappearance and reappearance in the blink of an eye, and her position had barely changed.

She had only moved one step to the left.

But precisely that one step allowed her to evade Edward's killing blow!

Mel suddenly reached out and grabbed the opponent's sword-wielding wrist.

The lingering afterimage of the Void Walk spread out behind her.

Blood profusely seeped from the girl's wounds, yet she activated True Vision in the instant the opponent was stunned.

She saw a flash of fear in the depths of Edward's pupils—that was the instinctive reaction to genuine threat.

"You're afraid."

Mel's eyes were filled with madness.

The New Moon's blade precisely stabbed into the spot three inches below his shoulder blade.

She put all her strength into it, fiercely driving the blade into Edward's body, completely disregarding whether her own wounds would tear open further because of this.

Edward's Sword cane clattered to the floor.

He shoved Mel away, staggering back half a step, clutching his profusely bleeding wound in disbelief.

"Lunatic.... You... cough, cough, cough—"

Edward's words were interrupted by a violent fit of coughing; blood spewed from his mouth.

His face instantly turned pale, his body swaying precariously.

Mel's strike had clearly hit a vital spot.

Mel gasped for breath, supporting herself on her knees with her hands, barely standing.

Her entire body was trembling; every breath was accompanied by intense pain.

But her gaze remained resolute, fixed firmly on the swaying Edward before her.

"You... how could you..."

Edward struggled to speak, his voice filled with disbelief.

"Your Quintessence was clearly depleted..."

Mel slowly straightened up, even though every movement sent tearing pain through her wounds.

"Isn't the answer obvious?"

She slowly walked forward and grabbed The New Moon's hilt.

"What logic are you talking about with a lunatic?"

In Edward's horrified gaze, Mel completely let go of her body, allowing gravity to drag her toward the floor.

But her right hand still held firmly onto the hilt of the blade.