No, why was she thinking about whether Ren Ashbell could compete with him? It should be whether he could compete with Ren Ashbell.
That was three years ago, at just thirteen years old, she dominated the "Spirit Blade Dance Festival Individual Competition" (known as the first generation, at that time dressed as a girl, Kamito Kazehaya), and she was called the "strongest blade dancer" among Spirit Users.
With the spirit magic armor "Vorpal Sword" and the spirit contract on her left hand as a mark, her splendid and beautiful blade dance captivated everyone's attention, even the Spirit Users who were defeated by her and their supporters were deeply attracted. Even the Fire Elemental Lord, who had burned the entire Ordesia Empire due to Rubia's betrayal, calmed his anger because of her appearance.
Her blade dance had always lingered in Claire's mind. Even after three years, she still found it hard to forget that exquisitely elegant blade dance. It was her appearance that brought the events to a close, and although Claire still had to silently bear the remaining repercussions, it was much better than before.
With admiration and gratitude in her heart, Claire always remembered her. Every night, she would recall that graceful figure.
However, after she won the blade dance festival championship and made a wish to the Elemental Lord, she completely disappeared.
She thought she would never see such a beautiful blade dance again in her life, but who knew she would be able to witness a blade dance that could rival Ren Ashbell today.
Claire focused intently on Roa's movements, every moment he raised his hand, every step he took.
Like a blazing flame burning fiercely, a new light rose, constantly flickering in this forest.
With every breath, every tension and relaxation, each movement was so dazzling.
If one had to summarize it in one sentence, it would be: Dazzling (elegant), truly too dazzling (elegant).
Claire was immersed in Roa's blade dance, unable to extricate herself.
Roa's goal was to try to teach her the Breath of the Sun, so he maintained a relatively slow pace.
If he fully unleashed the Breath of the Sun, then at this moment, Claire would only see a flash of fire rising, and then it would vanish like fireworks; that set of blade dance would have already been completed.
The flames streaked across the sky, forming a trajectory of the sun wheel, the flames wrapped around the sword body, burning the atmosphere.
Roa's movements were smooth, directly connecting to the next slash.
The sword turned, his body leaped high, twisting his form, the knight's sword burning with flames slashed down from above, again tracing out a sun wheel trajectory.
The long sword wrapped in flames transformed into a fire wheel, cutting through the air, the flames spreading in all directions.
The sun spirit danced gracefully, that sun radiated scorching vitality, surrounded by rolling flames, the knight's sword cut through everything.
That was not a flame that destroyed everything, but a light that could drive away all evil.
All filth would dissolve in this flash of fire, and this was also the original intention of this blade dance.
Roa's blade dance was naturally extremely magnificent, even making Claire feel intoxicated.
She loved this kind of blade dance, but by the end, she deeply sighed, her face showing a look of sorrow.
Needless to say, she already knew that she could never learn such a blade dance.
Such an exquisite blade dance was not suitable for her broad and open fighting style. While she was delighted to see such a dazzling blade dance, she was also trapped in the sorrow of being unable to master it. At this moment, Roa had already stopped his movements, his golden eyes fixed on Claire's cheek.
"Claire, do you really want to become stronger?"
Claire was slightly taken aback, waking from her daze. Looking at Roa's extraordinarily handsome face, recalling the boy's elfin-like figure, a blush crept onto Claire's cheeks. Perhaps Claire herself did not realize that the way she looked at him now was filled with admiration and reverence.
Claire was originally a fire attribute Spirit User and a genius in this area, so she was extremely sensitive to fire attributes.
Thus, the more sensitive she was, the more she could feel the essence of Roa's Breath of the Sun, which was precisely why she felt so troubled.
Claire nodded seriously, "I want to become stronger, stronger than anyone else. I want to catch up to her pace. I still have many things to do, but with my current self, I can't succeed at all. So, please help me."
Roa sighed, "Then, come with me."
Claire opened her mouth, the hope on her face fading, a slight bitterness at the corners of her mouth. She looked at Roa and said, "Can I really do it? Such a dazzling blade dance, can I really learn it?"
Roa hated seeing others give up on themselves. He stepped forward expressionlessly and gave Claire's forehead a heavy pat.
Roa said irritably, "What happened to your usual pride? Didn't you shout that you wanted to get the highest-level spirit contract? What? Now you're giving up without even trying a blade dance?"
Claire opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but in the end, she said nothing.
Under Roa's gaze, she raised her head and said to him, "Then, please guide me."
Roa smiled and nodded, handing the knight's sword to Claire. Claire took the knight's long sword but was startled by the heat she felt upon grasping it.
The knight's sword radiated heat; even after leaving Roa, it still had such a high temperature.
Holding the knight's long sword, Claire looked up at Roa, beginning to recall the boy's figure.
However, after just one glance, how could she remember it? She couldn't even execute the first move of the waltz.
Well, this was within Roa's expectations.
Looking at Claire's somewhat immature sword moves, Roa moved forward and grasped Claire's hand. Due to the sudden action, Roa's movement stiffened. Claire wanted to say something to cover her shyness, but when she looked up, she saw Roa's serious expression, which was very close to her.
Perhaps influenced by his attitude, Claire's shy expression faded a bit. Sensing the unique scent of the boy, Claire felt a bit dizzy.
In her heart, Claire shouted: Isn't this too close?
Roa's magnetic voice came through.
"Claire, don't think too much. I'm going to teach you now; just follow my steps and feel it."
Roa stood behind the girl, close to her, and began to control her movements.
This was true hand-holding teaching.
Claire's hands were very soft, but Roa's mind was not on that; he genuinely hoped Claire could gain something.