Chapter 226 To the House of Flames (1/2)
Blade bared, Arran slowly circled Doran, search for an opening in his opponent's defense Even if it was just a friendly cohtly Bad habits were hard to shake, and any carelessness picked up in training would show itself in battle
While Doran used a two-handed grip to hold his sword, Arran used only his right hand With his strength returned, there was little need for him to use both hands, and his new style sole-handed combat
Doran was the first to move In a quick combination, he launched a series of three strikes, two feints followed by a powerful attack
Arran blocked the attack effortlessly, then used Doran's momentum to make an attack of his own Before the adept could recover, Arran's blade already lay against his neck
They both stepped back, then began to circle each other once more
This tile quick movement, he struck forith his blade Doran parried, but it was as if Arran's blade cut through the defense, and the blow connected
Doran stepped back, a puzzled frown on his face ”How did you do that?”
”Practice,” Arran replied with a grin
Of course, the truth was that his neord style contained a trace of his insight into binding and severing, with the binding part aiding his defense and the severing part strengthening his attacks
Several dozen es followed, all of which Arran won easily As they fought, the other adepts and their teachers for the match Doran washim defeated so easily caused more than a little curiosity
If the continued defeats caused the adept any frustration, there was no sign of it on his face Instead, he fought enthusiastically, eager to test hiainst the unfamiliar style
Finally, after nearly half an hour, Doran lowered his sword His broas covered in sweat, and his movements betrayed a hint of exhaustion
”It's no use,” he said ”Seeing that ridiculous beard of yours, I can't help but be distracted” Despite his weariness, he flashed a broad grin at Arran
Before Arran could defend his beard's honor, Master Kallias stepped forward from the small crowd that had for,” he said ”Lady Brightblade taught it to you?”
Arran nodded, unwilling to reveal that he was the style's creator
”You're fortunate to have so skilled a teacher,” Master Kallias said ”That style… I think it contains soht”
”I haven't fully mastered it yet,” Arran replied This wasn't entirely false — the style was still unfinished, after all And to truly master it, he would first have to co so,” the Master said ”But for noould you ainst ht you”
Arran happily obliged, eager to test his style would fare against a more skilled opponent
They sparred for half an hour, and Arran could not help but be excited by the results While Master Kallias was a far ed to hold his own, claies
This caused the others to grow evenDoran was no sether Even besting a Master once or tas beyond est of the Masters in the House
In the hours that followed, Arran sparred against the others in the group, both adepts and Masters curious to experience the unfamiliar style for themselves
The practice was both useful and enjoyable, and with many different opponents to learn from, he made several small improvements to his style
When the adepts' practice session came to an end several hours later, Arran was almost disappointed that it was over already
As the other adepts left, Doran walked over to hiain? We'vethe Thousand Cuts this past year”