91 Twister (2/2)

Again, there was an explosive force of steam that pushed my sword arm back. I could feel hot water graze the skin on the back of my hand.

”Argh!” I screamed.

But neither the failed attack or the pain in my hand deterred me in the least. I simply gritted my teeth and continued to twirl around a third time—back to clockwise—while making sure each twirl pushed me forward and drove him back. My third attack was a one-handed downward slice that Azuma parried by raising the butt of his spear at the exact moment my sword came crashing toward him.

This action broke his stance momentarily, and I used that time to reverse my sword grip by transferring my falchion from my right hand to my left. In the same breath, I twirled a fourth time—counterclockwise now—and sent my reverse sword slashing toward Azuma's chest. But the bastard blocked it again.

Seriously, there was only so many times a guy could pull off such an amazing dance of swordplay that would have made even Geralt of Rivain proud, you know?

My frustration stayed my hand and stopped the combo I was chaining, giving Azuma enough breathing room to raise his spear high and right back down on my head in a blow that would have cleaved me in two if I hadn't raised my falchion in time to block it with both hands. Still, the impact was so powerful it drove me to my knees. Find authorized novels in Webnovel，faster updates, better experience，Please click for visiting.

My arms ached from the strain and I could taste blood in my mouth. My ears rang from the cheers of the dozens of Magesong soldiers who'd surrounded us. Above me, I could see Azuma's maniacal face staring back at me. There was definitely murder in his eyes.

The only good thing about this situation was that the Augmentare Azuma cast was finally gone. That last blow must have depleted it somehow. That and Fool's insight was still active. I doubt I could have survived this long without its support.

”Your fight with Jonas strengthened you,” Azuma remarked in an almost happy tone marred only by his weak voice. ”You're a competitor too, deep down, aren't you?”

”I-I don't know what you mean,” I hissed through gritted teeth.

Azuma shook his head. ”We're not so different.” His smile was manic, almost crazy-like in the way it grew on his face. ”I let you live last time for this very reason. Now I can truly enjoy our battle.”

”You're really crazy, Azuma,” I said, pushing back against the pressure he was shoving down at me. Even worse, I could feel his killing intent. It was smaller compared to Jimmy's, but much sharper—like a honed blade eager to carve me up. But despite this obvious threat on my life bearing down on me, a grin was forming on my face. Perhaps, Azuma was right about me after all. This pissed me off so much that I just had to have the last laugh. ”Don't think you're winning. I just need to keep you here until my general gets the job done.”

Azuma raised an eyebrow almost like he'd had an epiphany. His next words, however, erased the smug smile plastered on my face. ”He really is incredible... he said you would say that.”

”W-what?” My mind was suddenly in turmoil. There were only a few ways I could interpret Azuma's meaning. None of them good. ”W-who said that?”

Azuma sent me a pitying gaze, and for an instant, his forceful killing intent subsided.

”It seems you were too inexperienced to contend wits with him, Dean,” Azuma said. His voice was almost a whisper.

”Oh, spirits...” The strength in my arms was being sapped by the realization dawning on me. ”He figured out my plan… He knew I would try to split your forces and keep you guys focused on me…”

Azuma nodded in an almost reverent way. ”The Lord of War knows all.”