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Airi's POV
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The barracks is still on high alert, even after multiple days of no activity.

The soldiers all believed it to be a sudden teleportation of a high-class demon, but the idea was shot down pretty quickly after the dark mana disappeared in an instant.

Etsu is trying to figure out the cause of the sudden explosion of magic power, but we know for certain that it is abnormal mana. Mana that is not inherited, but instead, gathered.

I shiver at the thought of what Ryu had to go through to have gathered that much dark mana. Even the torture he went through would've needed to have been done over 30 times to produce that power.

I also spoke to Astrid about that symbol that I caught a glimpse of in Ryu's eye. It isn't a symbol seen in accessible books, and to Astrid, ¤ is a symbol of a curse, but she isn't certain.

Ryu seems to be recovering though, which is good news, but we aren't sure what will happen when he wakes up again, so the guards are on constant alert around the infirmary, ready to knock him unconscious.

And in order to get my mind of recent events, I asked Etsu to come and spar with me. I haven't seen him for 7 months, but I have been doing constant training, so I want to see how much better I've gotten.

"You ready?" (Etsu)

"Whenever you are." (Airi)

Taking a deep breath, I ease myself into a defensive stance, with my legs spread apart, and my right foot slightly further back. I hold my sword confidently in front of me, with it ready to move in any direction. I point my gaze at Etsu, fully aware of his movements.

I wait for his first move, after all, I've been trained in receiving and countering attacks, not doing them.

Several seconds pass before Etsu becomes impatient and dashes forwards, going in zig zags towards me. He uses the same type of sword as me, a bastard sword.

Just before he reaches me, he jumps up into the air, many times higher than me, and begins his downwards swing as he descends.

Reacting to his attack, I lift my sword flat slightly above my head, with one hand supporting the blade as the attack reaches me, clashing against my sword.

Feeling the weight of the attack, I thrust my sword upwards, attempting to make Etsu lose his balance, giving me an opening to counter attack.

And it happened as I thought it would, with Etsu's sword being pushed off my sword, and Etsu flailing midair. Leaving no opportunities for recovery, I dash towards his landing point, thrusting my sword forwards just before he lands.

It stops just before his throat.

Etsu releases a deep sigh and begins to clap.

"I suppose those months of freedom did you well." (Etsu)

"You flatter me, Etsu, you could have easily stopped that parry." (Airi)

"Who knows, maybe you truly have gotten better than me?" (Etsu)

"Nice joke, I can't be better than the Vice-Captain just yet." (Airi)

"Have more confidence in your fighting style. After all, it's made only through experience, and to be able to pull that off against someone who has been fighting for 20 years is a feat in itself." (Etsu)

Etsu places his hand on my head while speaking, reassuring me of my strength.

"I still can't hold a candle to Captain though." (Airi)

"Not many can, Airi, don't trouble yourself over it." (Etsu)

Turning his back to me, Etsu makes his way back to his starting position. He's around 20 metres away, so it only takes him a few seconds to make it to me during a fight, but for me, that is plenty of time.

"How about we go again? No holding back this time." (Etsu)

"Fine by me. " (Airi)

I once again lower myself into a defensive stance, ready for any attack.

Knowing that I wouldn't move, Etsu wastes no time before dashing towards me, this time in a straight line.

He begins his swing from his left side, by his hip. Reacting in time, I bring my sword to the side, blocking his attack, but not countering.

Etsu leaves me no time for a breath before launching another attack, this time focusing on my chest.

He thrusts his sword towards my stomach, but is stopped by the edge of my sword and thrown to the side, leaving me an opening to attack.

Without hesitating, I take the chance by thrusting my sword towards the opening I made, before it gets knocked out of my hand by a kick.

With no time in between, Etsu swings his sword round to my neck, stopping just before.

"Haah, what did I say, not better than you." (Airi)

"You need to focus more on your surroundings when attacking. Don't lose focus just because you see an opening. You won't be using wooden swords during battle, and I wouldn't have stopped." (Etsu)

Nodding my head, I reach down to the ground to pick up the sword that had been knocked out of my hand.

"You are a good swordswoman, Airi. If you just work on your faults, you'll be able to put up a good fight against the Captain. Not sure if you'll win though." (Etsu)

With a laugh, he begins to head towards the stairs that are at the end of the large room.

Taking a breather, I sit myself down in the sparring ring.

Work on my faults, huh.

"Hey hey, Airiri! How you doing? Are you injured?" (Astrid)

"Nope, just fine Astrid, I think he held back just for me." (Airi)

"How nice of him, he doesn't usually do that." (Astrid)

"You sure of that? I'm pretty sure he did it for you when you first picked up a sword against him." (Airi)

"Well, atleast he wasn't holding back to the point of me not getting injured." (Astrid)

Finishing the sentence, Astrid pouts slightly before remembering something.

"Oh right, Airi." (Astrid)

"What is it?" (Airi)

"The boy woke up." (Astrid)

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Author Notes
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This chapter is by far the most fun I've ever had writing. Being able to write that fighting scene, while also imagining it in my head is something incredible.