Chapter 213 Show of Power (1/2)
Grande ”You wish to spar against me?” Aseen your students' skill, I look forward to seeing their teacher's accoave him a nod, and without any further words, both walked onto the training field They faced each other, then drew their swords
Grandmaster Solin was the first to attack
With a sudden dash, he surged forward,so fast that Arran could only barely see his movements His sword struck a dozen ti with a speed and precision that left Arran breathless The display of swords he had ever seen
He had known a Grandmaster of the House of Swords would be skilled, but this was far beyond his expectations
Grandmaster Solin's skill and speed were utterly inhuman — as far beyond Arran as Arran was beyond an untrained co it o, and he wondered whether he could ever achieve such a level of absolute htblade all of five seconds to defeat the man
She didn't display any of the Grandth, nor did her e onlooker, she would seem little more skilled than a novice — and not a particularly outstanding one, either
Yet although her movements were slow and sile one of Grandmaster Solin's attacks was casually deflected, and a htblade's sword lay at the h the audience, and a look of astonishment appeared on the Grandhtblade merely smiled and drew back her sword, then ain
A frown crossed Grandmaster Solin's face, and he launched another attack a ht the man's previous display was near the pinnacle of swordsmanshi+p, but this time, he easily surpassed his previous effort With what only could be called a God-like show of skill and power, he assaulted Brightblade once again
This tihtblade ain he was defeated in seconds Over and over, the Grandmaster tried to match her, yet each ti her
In the span of half an hour, Brightblade bested Grandmaster Solin well over a hundred ti more than a few seconds He tried many different tactics and styles, but each was defeated with ease by his opponent Not a single one of his attacks ca her
Finally, after another quick defeat, Grandmaster Solin stepped back and sheathed his sword ”I've seen enough,” he said calnored the shocked audience as he began to head for the building where they had first htblade at his side while Arran and Snowcloud hurriedly followed behind the two
He did not speak a single word until they had entered his chah Arran could not tell whether this was because the man was speechless with shock or because what he had to say required secrecy
Inside Grandave Brightblade a long look, a cohed deeply
”In the past, our House of Swords had two Elders,” he said ”Both of them fell just before the truce was for under both of them Just the memory of their skill fills me with awe to this day”
He paused briefly, his eyes focused on Brightblade Then, in a soft voice, he said, ”Cohtblade did not reply She merely looked at Grandmaster Solin, her expression calm as ever
”I do not knohether you are an unparalleled genius or one of the Society's old monsters,” the Grandmaster continued ”But it doesn't matter Our House's resources are yours to use Your students will be accepted as core members of the House of Swords, and if you wish, you will be accepted into our council of leaders”
”Thank you, Grandhtblade replied ”I will accept your offer” She smiled, then added, ”And I intend to keepyour members”
A joyous look appeared on the Grandmaster's face ”To have you teach us… it will transforh ”And none of the other Houses will understand what happened”
Brightblade slance at Arran and Snowcloud, she said, ”To es, an exceptionally skilled swords than an exceptionally skilled baker — less so, perhaps, since one cannot eat swords”
She frowned slightly, she added in a casual tone, ”Hunters are feared for their resistance tooff a simple Flamestrike would draw far ave today”
This was a warning, Arran knew, and a clear one at that He and Snowcloud could show their strength and skill without drawing unwanted attention, but if they showed their resistance to ht,” Grandmaster Solin said ”This blindness has always been one of the Ninth Valley's weaknesses Had we acknowledged the Hunters' skill rather than just their toughness, I believe we could have defeated thehtblade nodded in agreement ”But there are matters we have to discuss,” she said ”Perhaps you could arrange quarters for my students, so that we may talk in peace?”
”Of course,” the ed to one of our Grandmasters I will have your students escorted there I can arrange for servants as well, so that you and your students can—”
”No servants,” Brightblade interrupted hirow too comfortable” She chuckled, then added, ”Nor myself, for that matter”
Grandmaster Solin nodded in approval ”Toothe spirit Very well I will have your students seen to their quarters But first…”