Chapter 43: Versus Lilith

Noah could feel the tsion in the air as he stood face to face with Lilith. Her presce alone made him shiver, a mix of fear and uncertainty coursing through his veins. He knew that this counter would be differt from their childhood fights. Lilith had awaked her strgth and become a formidable oppont.

As Noah tighted his grip on his wood sword, he couldn't help but feel a sse of dread. He knew deep down that the outcome of this fight was not in his favor. The system's mission had hinted at his inevitable defeat, and now he understood why.

Lilith's amber eyes bore into him, devoid of any emotion. It was as if she had become a completely differt person, her strgth radiating from every pore. Noah could feel the weight of the challge ahead, but he was determined to give it his all.

With a swift movemt, Lilith raised her wood sword, signaling the start of their battle.

Noah flinched, a phantom blow already stinging his cheek. Where was she? He spun, blade whipping a, catching only air. A gust of wind ruffled his hair, and a glint of amber flashed behind him. He barely parried, the wood hilt jarring his hands.

Lilith, a blur of speed and precision, rained blows upon him. Each block st shudders through his arms, each near miss whispered of defeat. Her sword, imbued with the ethereal glow of her awaked class, carved through the air with chilling grace. Noah, fueled by desperation, retaliated with wild swings, each one easily deflected.

He was a storm against a mountain, fury against ice. Panic threated to consume him, but a spark of defiance ignited in his chest. He remembered the trials, the lessons learned, the will to survive honed by hardship. He wouldn't surrder, not to Lilith, not to fate.

With a growl, Noah shifted his stance. He wouldn't match her speed, so he wouldn't try. He focused on anticipation, on reading the flow of her attacks. He became a wall, a storm cloud gathering power. The next blow came, a feint to his left followed by a brutal slash to his right. He saw it coming, a flicker in her eyes, and met it head-on.

Wood splintered, the clash echoing through the silt ara. The force st them both reeling, Noah's heart hammering against his ribs. He didn't break eye contact, a feral grin spreading across his face. He wasn't just defding now; he was hunting.

He pressed the attack, his movemts sharp and controlled. Lilith, surprised by his sudd shift, faltered. He exploited every oping, every misstep. The forest became a dance of flashing wood and desperate parries, the air thick with the sct of sweat and splintered wood.

The final blow came as a surprise, not to Noah, but to Lilith. He didn't go for a powerful swing, but a deceptive thrust. The tip of his sword, honed to a sharp point on a nearby rock, found its mark – toward her armpit.

A gasp escaped her lips, the first emotion he'd se on her face since the fight began. He didn't hesitate. He followed through, disarming her with a swift kick. Her sword clattered to the g, the ethereal glow fading into darkness.

Lilith stared at him, disbelief etched on her features. Noah lowered his own sword, panting, his body screaming in protest. He had won, against all odds, against his own fear. He had survived.

A slow smile spread across his face, mirroring the one he saw forming on Lilith's. It wasn't a smile of defeat, but of grudging respect, of the thrill of a worthy oppont. They had pushed each other to their limits, and in doing so, discovered a strgth they never knew they possessed.

Lilith lowered her wood sword, the glow fading away. She extded a hand to help him up, her rare smile returning.

"And you, Noah," she said, "are too stubborn."

They both shared a laugh, the tsion from the match dissipating. Wh suddly, Noah asked.

''What are you going to do now?''

Lilith whose face had became expressionless again said plainly.

''Nothing, I'm a villain like you but considering I've lost in the first exchange, let's call it draw. I'll be going, you better hurry or you won't be able to catch. There is only one day left after all.''

Leaving those words behind Lilith disappeared like a phantom but only after adding.

''I'm sorry back th I've my reason for leaving without saying anything. Let's talk later.''

''Eh?" Noah was rooted on the spot, having not expected Lilith known for not expressing herself well to apologize.

He felt something wasn't right but nevertheless hearing this apology, ev if she didn't said it face to face and it felt like she was reading a letter, it was still an apology theless, she took the first step and he wouldn't be a man if he kept being stubborn especially wh remembering what his father said that night he first got his room.

''Sure, why not.'' Noah responded feeling somehow lightheaded.

It was the first time towards reconciliation.

Meanwhile, a few meters from Noah's currt location, Lilith stood, she clched her first upon hearing Noah's positive response. Unknowingly, the corner of her mouth rose.

"Yes, I did like those two taught me." she mumbled, her icy demeanor softing just a tad, a spark of warmth in her usually cold eyes. She was able to express herself thanks to Francesca and Ilya's help.