I'm a Immortal Tavernkeeper, But My S-Rank Daughter Doesn't Know That!

Wanda and Gracela stood up, both panting, but their eyes burning with determination.

The hall, still impregnated with the electricity and magic of the previous techniques, looked more like a battlefield than a meeting place.

The tapestries were scorched, and the glow of the chandeliers mixed with the greenish-blue light emanating from the combatants.

Wanda took a deep breath, feeling the weight of her sword vibrate in her hands. Her body was exhausted, but her mind was focused. She knew she couldn’t afford to let her guard down. Gracela, the Sword Monarch, was a formidable opponent, and her next move would be decisive.

"Are you ready for the next round?" Gracela asked, her voice laden with a mixture of weariness and respect.

"More than ever," replied Wanda, with a defiant smile. She felt Victor’s gaze on her, a source of silent strength that encouraged her to continue.

Gracela raised her sword again, the blade glowing with an intense emerald light. "Come on, then!" She spun her sword in a wide arc, summoning a new technique. "Forest Fury!"

Suddenly, magical vines sprouted from the ground, advancing towards Wanda with surprising speed. The vines were thick and sharp, like steel blades, and moved with deadly precision. Wanda jumped backwards, dodging the first attacks, but the vines continued to chase her, forcing her to move constantly.

Wanda knew she needed a strategy. She concentrated her energy, allowing the electricity to build up in her sword again.

"Thunder Shield!" With one swift movement, she spun the sword in a circle, creating an electric force field around her.

The vines crashed into the shield, being electrocuted and retreating momentarily.

However, Gracela wasted no time. She advanced with astonishing speed, her sword glowing with an even more intense green light.

"Snake cut!" She delivered an arcing blow, and the blade seemed to elongate, transforming into a snake of energy that attacked Wanda.

Wanda barely had time to react. She raised her sword, blocking the attack at the last second. The force of the blow knocked her back a few steps, but she stood her ground. "You’re not going to take me down that easily, Gracela!"

The spectators watched in tense silence, unable to take their eyes off the fight. Aluella bit her lip, her eyes fixed on Wanda.

Victor, on the other hand, kept his posture serious, even though his heart was pounding. He trusted Wanda, he knew she had the ability to win, but the worry was still there.

Gracela smiled, admiring her opponent’s resilience. "You’re really impressive, Wanda. But I have one more card up my sleeve." She raised her sword once more, the blade now glowing with blinding intensity. "Sword of the Earth!"

The blade turned to stone, thick and heavy, but Gracela handled it with ease. She struck a powerful blow, and the impact was tremendous. Wanda blocked the attack, but felt the ground shake beneath her feet. The force of the blow was unbelievable, as if the entire earth was being channeled through Gracela’s sword.

"Crackling lightning!" Wanda shouted, infusing her sword with even more intense electrical energy. She unleashed a series of rapid blows, each charged with electricity. Gracela’s blade absorbed some of the attacks, but the electricity was beginning to weaken the stone.

Gracela stepped back, breathing heavily. "You’re stubborn, Wanda. That’s good." She raised her sword once more, her determination unwavering. "Let’s see if you can handle it. Devastating Earthquake!"

As Wanda collided with the wall, her body absorbed the impact, causing a sharp pain to shoot through her limbs. The force of the shockwave reverberated through the hall, shattering nearby windows and sending shards of glass flying through the air like deadly projectiles. Dust and debris swirled around her, making it difficult to see and breathe. Gasping for air, Wanda fought to regain her footing, her heart pounding in her chest. The once pristine hall was now a chaotic scene of destruction, with crumbling walls and splintered furniture strewn about. Determined to escape further harm, Wanda pushed through the pain and mustered all her strength to continue moving forward, searching for a way out of the crumbling labyrinth. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Wanda stood up slowly, her body aching, but her mind still focused. "You won’t beat me, Gracela," she said, her voice firm. "I still have one last trick."

She raised her sword, and a golden aura began to envelop the blade. "Divine Blade!" With a fierce cry, she lunged forward, striking a powerful blow. The golden blade sliced through the air, emitting a brilliant light.

Gracela tried to block, but the force of the blow was overwhelming. The golden blade shattered Gracela’s stone sword, and the impact threw her backwards. She fell to her knees, the broken sword in her hands.

The spectators held their breath, the tension in the air almost palpable. Victor stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Wanda. He knew the duel was coming to an end.

Gracela stood up slowly, her expression serious. "You really are incredible, Wanda. I admit defeat." She bowed her head in respect. "But remember, true strength lies not only in skill with a sword, but in determination and heart."

Wanda lowered her sword, still gasping for breath. "I know. Thank you for this fight, Monarch of the Gracela Sword"

The spectators applauded, the tension finally dissipating.

"You were incredible, Wanda!" Aluella said.

Victor approached, placing a hand on Wanda’s shoulder. "You’ve really improved a lot since we last saw each other."

Bel watched with wide eyes, still trying to process the magnitude of the fight she had just witnessed. The skill, strength and intensity of the blows exchanged between Wanda and Gracela were something he had never seen before. Each movement, each named blow, seemed charged with an almost supernatural power. He slowly approached Victor, who was standing next to Wanda, an expression of pride and relief visible on his face.

"Master," Bel began, his voice laced with excitement and confusion, "how come you never taught me these named moves? That was... that was incredible! Why have I never learned anything as cool as that?"

Victor looked at Bel with a mixture of amusement and seriousness. He knew that Bel’s curiosity was justified; after all, the fight between Wanda and Gracela wasn’t something you saw every day. He patted his pupil on the shoulder, signaling that he wanted to talk somewhere a little quieter. The two of them moved a little away from the crowd, which was still enraptured by the show.

"Bel," Victor began, with a patient tone, "I don’t name my moves. I’ve never found it necessary. And besides, I don’t have the magic in my body to do what Gracela and Wanda do. What you saw today was the result of years of training and an innate talent for manipulating magical energy that they have. That’s something even I can’t replicate, and frankly, neither can you just yet."

Bel frowned, trying to understand. "But you can cut down trees with a single blow. I saw you do it in the backyard that day. How do you explain that, then?"

Victor laughed, a short, humorless laugh. "That blow wasn’t magic, Bel. It was pure physical strength. I’ve been training my body and my technique for years, and that allows me to do things that seem impossible to most people. But make no mistake: what Gracela and Wanda did today is a completely different level of power. I believe they were both still holding back so as not to destroy anything in this room."

The two of them walked down the hall while Victor continued to explain.

"You need to understand, Bel, that true strength doesn’t just come from spectacular moves or flashy names. It comes from dedication, discipline and heart. I never needed magic to be strong, and neither do you."

Bel looked at Victor, still feeling a twinge of frustration. "But does that mean I’ll never be able to do what they do? I’ll never be able to use magic in my blows?"

Victor sighed, thinking about how best to respond. "It’s not that you’ll never be able to, Bel. But each person has their own path. Gracela and Wanda have a natural affinity for magic. You, on the other hand, have incredible physical strength and a determination that I rarely see. Use that to your advantage. Don’t try to be someone you’re not."

Bel reflected on his master’s words. He had always admired Victor for his strength and skill, but today he saw a new side to the battle, a side he desperately wanted to understand and master. However, he knew that Victor was right. He had his own strengths and abilities, and it was on these that he should focus.

As they walked, Wanda approached, still a little breathless, but with a smile on her face.

"Bel, did you enjoy the show?"

Bel smiled shyly. "It was incredible, Wanda. I’ve never seen anything like it. You and Gracela are really impressive."

Gracela gave Bel a friendly pat on the shoulder. "Thanks, cousin. But remember, magic is just a tool. What really matters is how you use it. Keep training, and who knows what you can achieve?"

Victor nodded, agreeing with Gracela. "She’s right, Bel. Keep dedicating yourself and you’ll find your own strength, your own path. And who knows, one day you might be able to create your own signature moves."