The hall filled with an energy heavy with tension as the general advanced, his katana drawn. The steel gleamed under the dim light, and the silence was crushing, broken only by the sound of his breathing and the faint creak of his armor.

Facing him, Ei stood firm, controlling my body with a precision only a god could possess. The spear she held crackled with Electro energy, like an extension of her own power. Her gaze was cold and unyielding, and in that moment I realized that what was about to happen would not be a simple display of strength—it would be a clash between two different ways of understanding eternity.

The general attacked first, lunging forward with surprising speed for someone of his size. His katana sliced through the air in a wide arc, aiming for a decisive blow. Ei did not flinch. She moved the spear with lethal grace, effortlessly deflecting the attack, sparks flying as the weapons collided.

“This man is no ordinary opponent,” I thought, watching from my inner prison. The general had spent years on the battlefield, and every movement proved it. His attacks were precise and calculated, searching for any weakness.

But Ei was different. Her control over the spear was absolute. Every strike from the general was met with flawless defense, the spear spinning fluidly, blocking and deflecting each blow with unsettling ease. And it wasn’t just defense—Ei counterattacked with a force and speed that defied logic. The spear cut through the air in rapid motions, each one meant to overwhelm her opponent.

The sounds of battle echoed through the hall like a storm. The clash of steel, swift footsteps, and controlled breathing filled the air, while the Electro energy of Ei’s spear lit the room with violet flashes, each brighter than the last.

The general, however, was not intimidated. With a battle cry, he unleashed a series of quick, precise slashes, his movements calculated to force Ei to retreat. But she gave no ground. Instead of stepping back, she advanced, her spear moving like lightning, surrounding the general in a whirlwind of attacks that forced him to retreat.

At a decisive moment, Ei made a move where the spear spun around itself, creating an arc of electricity that crashed against the general’s katana. The impact was so powerful that the sound reverberated off the walls of the hall, and the general was thrown backward, his weapon trembling in his hands.

The general’s face showed astonishment and respect. He knew he was facing a being beyond the mortal realm, yet even so, he did not back down. Taking a firm stance, he drew a deep breath and charged once more. This time, his attack was different: his movements were slower, but far more deliberate, seeking to exploit any weakness in Ei’s posture.

But he found none.

With one final motion, Ei knocked his katana aside with a twist of her spear, and in a single elegant movement, disarmed the general. The katana flew through the air, landing far from its owner, while the general remained standing, disarmed and panting.

“The battle is over,” Ei declared, her voice cold and resolute.

The general, sweating and exhausted, dropped to his knees before her. His respect for the Shogun had increased tenfold after the battle, and though he had lost, he accepted it with honor.

“Shogun… you have proven your power. I accept your decision.”

His voice was heavy with exhaustion, but there was genuine admiration in his words.

Ei nodded, and with a gesture, the Electro spear dissipated into the air. The hall fell into a reverent silence as those present watched in awe. The Tenryou Commission knew that what they had just witnessed was not a mere battle, but a reaffirmation of the Shogun’s power and leadership.

After the battle, Ei still had control of my body. She walked out of the hall with steady, decisive steps, while I remained trapped within my own mind, completely stunned by what I had just witnessed. Physical fatigue had not yet set in, but I knew that once I regained control, I would feel it in full.

At last, we reached the residence. Ei opened the bedroom door and walked toward the bed. I felt the weight of my body sit on the edge, but it was not me controlling it. The sensation was strange, as if I were floating, watching from afar.

“You were incredible,” I thought. “But… can you give my body back now?”

Ei remained silent for a moment. Then, slowly, I felt control return to me. As if someone had lifted a heavy blanket off me, the fatigue came rushing in—but this time, it wasn’t only mental. An overwhelming physical exhaustion washed over me all at once.

I nearly fell backward onto the bed, gasping as the sudden weariness seized every muscle in my body. The weight of the battle, which I hadn’t felt until then, now crashed down on me with full force.

“How the hell do you endure this like it’s nothing?!” I shouted, unable to stop myself.

Ei let out a soft laugh in my mind—one she seemed to be holding back, as it was obvious she wanted to burst out laughing—but she said nothing. She simply left me there, utterly exhausted, as the fatigue slowly dragged me into a deep, heavy sleep.