Chapter 52: Power of a strike (1/2)

Arthur could feel the pressure emitting from Ashley's body. Although Arthur said he wouldn't help Novis. Novis was still considered his student and Arthur had his own pride on the line as a teacher.

”Novis this will be your toughest battle yet, so far you have only fought hooligans who have no experience fighting but this girl right in front of you has been training with the sword every day for the last 10 years.”

Novis didn't need Arthur to say anything, just from looking at Ashley he could tell she was different from the others.

One of the students was currently looking after Ben. His helmet was now off and his face regained colour slightly. Another student took Ashley's place and was currently holding the white flag between the two contestants.

”Show him the strength of our family's kendo style!” Daiki shouted.

Ashley thought what would happen if she purposely lost, it might give Novis a greater chance for him to convince her father. But their two reasons why she couldn't. Her father was skilled and had the eyes of an eagle. If she performed anything during the match that was slightly off, he would be able to tell. The second reason though, was she could tell from the last fight that Novis was strong. The warrior inside her didn't want to lose.

”Ready…and…GO!”

The student dropped down the flag and Ashley came dashing in. With a jump in her step, she attacked quickly. The attack was fast so Novis knew he wouldn't be able to dodge. He blocked the strike then swung back at Ashley but as he did Ashley jumped backwards.

As soon as Ashleys's feet touched the ground she jumped back in again for an attack. If Novis hadn't practised so much with Arthur, he would have been a goner by now. Ashley continued to jump in for an attack and jump backwards. Novis would swing in between but would always miss.

Novis currently whished he was in VSW right now. He wasn't as skilled as Arthur with the sword but what Novis did have was the use of other weapons. If it was in the game Novis could attack Ashley from a distance using the chain sword and then come at her with his dual sword's.

But that wasn't an option right now, so he needed to think of something else.

So far in the match, neither of the two had scored a point on each other. Daiki was impressed. He didn't think Novis would be this skilful at blocking. Daiki predicted that Novis must have had at least the same amount of training as his daughter.

This was simply not true. The reason for Novis amazing growth was the dream world and the game. In both of these scenarios, Novis was able to fight with a simulation of his life on the line. Humans, when pushed to the edge with their life at risk, learnt the quickest. It had activated something in Novis's brain.

The problem with the kendo dojo, they were always safe behind the gear. Even if they were hit, they knew major damage wouldn't come to them. There was no risk apart from the fear of losing.

Ashley's arms were starting to get tired. Her frame was smaller than Novis's and she didn't have as much strength. After seeing what happened to Ben, she knew she couldn't take a strike head-on. That left her with the only option of dashing in and out. This had worked in the past but not on Novis.

”Dam it! She's so fast, I can't hit her.” Novis said in his mind.

”Calm down Novis, think about your strengths and her weaknesses,” Arthur said.