Horizontal slash, vertical slash, and thrust. Those three movements were the most basic of strikes that made up every movement in every sword technique. No matter how complicated someone's swordsmanship was, repeatedly practicing those three strikes would improve every other facet of a sword style.
However, Epsilon was up against a staff. A blunt weapon with long range, the closest counter to sword, second only to a bow or spear.
'Did Orum do this on purpose??'
He didn't have anytime for those thoughts, as it was time for their battle to begin.
Galahad shot forward, swinging his staff over his head, aiming straight for Epsilons own. He panicked, not sure on how to proceed.
'He left the rest of his body open, should I thrust?'
No, his blade was just an inch too short. Instead, he raised his blade over his head to defend, and so the two pieces of wood clashed, and a loud Thwack sound echoed through the room.
Galahads strike was heavy. Epsilon could feel his grip shake and weaken, but he was able to successfully hold his ground. That wasn't all though, Epsilon shifted his blade downwards, letting the staff slide down it, causing Galahad to fall forwards.
Epsilon didn't even need to aim anymore. If he just followed this motion and swinged his sword, it would naturally hit Galahad's head.
His victory was within reach, and yet, Galahad's smile only grew wider.
"Excellent!"
With his right arm, Galahad wrapped it around the back end of his staff, before swinging it as hard as he could.
Epsilons legs were then swept from under him. His body tilted backwards, weightless for an instant before gravity took hold. His arms flailed, letting go of his sword as the world flipped upside down. A heartbeat later, his back slammed into the ground with a bone-rattling thud, knocking the breath from his lungs.
He laid there dazed for a moment.
'What?'
Galahad stood over him, with that enormous smile now replaced with a subtle smirk. He extended out a hand with gratitude,
"Was that really your first time holding a sword? White demon?"
Epsilon grabbed it, as he was then hoisted back up onto his feet.
"Yes... why do you keep calling me that?"
"It was you who beat up a sleeper on your first day, right? Its the nickname that everyone started calling you by."
'Everyone!?'
Epsilons face turned pink, as he then rushed to pick back up his wooden sword. He then pointed it at Galahad before declaring.
"Fight me again!"
Well, he actually didn't want to, but Epsilon felt like he was onto something. His body was still rushing with adrenaline, and his heart was beating wildly. He didn't want to lose this feeling just yet.
Galahads smile grew once more.
"That's the spirit!"
Epsilon was able to accurately measure the strengths of his weapon, and use it to counter Galahads staff. However, he lost because he had failed to gauge the skill of its master, and paid dearly for it.
This time, he wouldn't make that mistake again.
Taking that same swords stance as before, he readied himself as Galahad did the same. Orum didn't bother to intervene, it was good for the others to watch as well.
Shortly before the two fought though, a short conversation was going on. Gracia nudged Sylas as she commented,
"Was he the one that was watching us yesterday?"
Sylas nodded, but then Gracia also added,
"He's using your stance too, you think he's better than you?"
"What kind of a question is that!? He's doing it all wrong! He can't even concentrate on the opponent fully, and besides, its clear that he that he wasn't able to copy everything."
Gracia shook her head,
"Still though, he is very talented. A genius even."
Sylas snarked,
"Isn't your father Immortal flame? How come he didn't teach you about this stuff?
being a genius isn't just a matter of how quickly you can learn."
"It isn't?"
He sighed before explaining,
"When confronted with great challenge, there are two kinds of tendencies humans will exhibit. It doesn't matter how hard you train, changing your tendency is impossible. First, there is the tendency of regression, those who take a step back and lose their cool. But there is also the tendency of progression, those who keep victory in their sights and take a step forwards. Those with the tendency of progression, are the ones that can be called a genius."
Progression was a key element of humanity. It was how they had come so far, as it was the genius's who constantly invented, and strove to improve. Fire, torches, and then eventually lamps. Humans conquered the night, through the tendency of progression.
Gracia then said,
"I think he's still a genius."
"Want to bet a memory? Let's see if he can go beyond what he's just copied from me then."
**
The moment the fight began, Galahad rushed forwards, but unlike before he released an onslaught of thrusts with the intent of dismantling Epsilons defence. It should've worked, Epsilon was severely more inexperienced than him.
His breath slowed as he shut out the world around him. Every sound, every movement faded until only the Galahad, his weapon, and himself remained. His fingers hovered, steady but poised, his eyes locked and focused. A single bead of sweat traced his temple, unnoticed. He exhaled slowly, the weight of concentration pressing down—but in this moment, nothing else existed.
And thus Epsilons defence somehow held. He was able to parry and push aside, every single thrust of Galahads staff with great effort and unyielding focus. Wood continuously scrapped against wood, as a screeching sound trembled through out the room, but Epsilon never lost focus.
'Not yet..'
Galahad shifted his staff, and steadied it by firmly gripping its back end with his free hand. And then, he swung it with all his might. Rather than blocking though, Epsilon quickly changed his grip on his sword, and angled its blade to allow the staff to glide right up it.
Rather than forcefully blocking this strike, Epsilon slightly altered its course and re directed it above his head, as he then..
...took a single step forwards. With a thrust of his sword, victory should've been within reach, but then he felt something small and circular collide against his jaw. Time seemed to slow, and so Epsilon gazed at it with his eyes.
'It's bending!?!??!?!?'
Somehow, the staff was bending in a way that shouldn't've been possible. It's upper quarter was completely curved, and forced to hit Epsilon right in the face.
'Is he using his Aspect ability? That cheat!'
Epsilon was sent rolling across the floor, as he felt his jaw slightly dislocate.
Gracia muttered,
"Don't even—"
But Sylas was already bursting out laughing.