{"Wait until he strikes first, whichever direction he strikes, dodge it then strike the hand that holds the blade."}
As soon as Marlos called out 'begin', Gathas charged forward with his enchanted blade, aimed at my chest.
The last time I checked my level, I was about level 50 and with my stats stack with perks like perception plus fifty and minus one hundred kill aura, I knew this duel would be one sided. With my base stats alone, I wasn't going to lose which meant I could use this duel as practice as well as teaching this new recruit humility.
In any situation, never underestimate someone or look down upon them because karma's a bitch...
I dodged the first strike of Gathas blade and counterattack with a strike of my own. The strike connected with his arm platting and made a tiny scratch. I then dropped the blade down quickly to make a cut on his thighs which elicited a groan from him. He made his attempt for a counterattack too but when I made mine, I pushed myself back a few steps out of range of his blade.
Gathas let's out a loud grunt as his eyes burn red in anger. I knew if he gets this angry, his will be blurred and his decision making skills will be on instinct.
I can't have that. He needs a clear head. Even though this is a duel, he would be my student and as a teacher, I need to teach him self control. Instantly my minus and one hundred kill aura kicked in and Gathas eyes turned back to normal, he's anger subsiding.
"What the fuck..." Gathas exclaimed as he looked around confused. He shook his head a few times, looked at me and tried to get angry again but he was subdued. "What did you do to me?! What is happening to me!"
"What you mean? I did nothing to you. Now are you going to stand there or are we going to duel?"
I provoked him into another fit of rage. I was riling him up to the point that he's eyes wanted to burn a hole right through my face but as the temperature rose around us emitted by him, it instantly was cut off and him and the area around us returned back to normal.
"I suggest you should stop getting so angry, in a duel such as this, anger will only serve to cloud your judgment and cause you to make poor choices. Calm yourself and strike me again. You say you're a Hallow? Prove it."
His anger rose once more but this time his breathing changed. Before, he was huffing,
his breathing lathered and then my passive skill stopped it, but now he was taking in deep breaths and exhaling it out. It was a common technique people would use to steady their breathing and thus calming themselves.
"Alright, I'll admit that you have a point but I know what you're doing and this time your strategy won't work."
Gathas gripped both his hands on the handle as he lifted his blade over his right shoulder. He spread his feet apart but also taking a step back and lead forward a little, it was as if he was going to charge at me.
"Bombarda!"
In an instant he charged at me at full speed, if I remember correctly, bombarda is a tank skill and most knights knows it. It was a simple move but has deadly consequences... for the user and the person or the person's getting hit by it. I'll give it to a family such as the Hallows to teach their younger generations this move before sending them off to the academy.
{"Master, hold out your unoccupied hand forward with your palm open. Lift the rapier up as if your about to thrust the blade. When he comes close enough, block the move with your unoccupied hand, you are way over his level, so you could stop it with ease, then thrust the blade forward to break the shield and counterattack. Also remember to take a step back and hold your ground as the skill will push you back hard."
I did as he instructed and awaited for him to get close enough, so I could hold his shield and pierce it with the rapier.
{"Master, I have a suggestion,"} Lucifer's voice rung in my head as he was half way towards me. {"I know a thing or two about rapiers since I used to own one. The thing to remember is that a rapier is not as deadly or as damaging as other blades since it's own blade is very narrow and the weight is light. The blade won't kill if you choose not to. I suggest when you pierce the barrier and shatter it, then use the momentum of the blast back/recoil to bounce a few steps back and then charge forward. Strike the arm that holds the blade, don't worry if it hits the plating because the shock from the blow will weaken his grip onto his blade. Then when you are on the other side of him, use the momentum to spring yourself towards him again and strike his other arm. Continue to do it on his legs and body. You don't have to win by injuring him but to continuously weaken him into submission."}
{"We should have a duel next time Lucifer, rapier against rapier. I want you to teach me more about it, what you just said intrigued me and your knowledge is profound."} Gambert praised Lucifer whilst also challenged into a duel.
{"Sorry Gambi, I said I used to have one and besides, I'm a bit rusty, it's been ages since I used one."}
{"That's a lie father and you know it."}
{"What do you mean, little pumpkin? I really haven't used a rapier since my last duel with Zilma some century ago."}
{"Father, I've never once known you to be 'rusty' at anything. I believe you've always told me about how great your muscles memory skills are. I remembered one time you told me how good your archery skills were when you were younger but haven't used it since and then proceeded to show me your amazing skill of archery by hitting all the targets dead centre."}
{"Fine, I'll accept your challenge Gambi but I warn you, I haven't lost a duel in sword fighting."}
{"Wait... what about your duel with Zilma? From the way you said it, he either broke the blade or beaten you and took it."}
{"I definitely won that duel, it was kinda one sided actually. But when I went home, I saw a little nick on my shoulder, it wasn't painful or deep, merely a scratch, so I hadn't noticed it at all until I finished my shower and flexed my glistering wet muscles in front of the mirror, it was then I noticed it. How could I not with a perfect body like mine. So long story short, I gave him my rapier as a reward the very next day."}
{"Oh honey, I'm so horny for you right now. I have your glistening wet muscles in my mind and juices are now flowing down my legs. Want to do it right now?~"} Lilith moaned.
{"Come here, dear. Let's try for another little one!"}
{Yes!~"}
{"Father! Mother! Can you guys not do this right now?! Master is currently in a duel!"}
{"Oh! Sorry. Master block it now! And then pierce it with the blade."}
I did as instructed and blocked the barrier as Gathas barrier slammed into the palm of my hand. I then raised the rapier and jabbed it into the barrier to shatter it. Once the barrier shattered, I brought the blade down on to his arm as he swung his blade at me. His arm clashed with blade which cause his arm momentum to falter.
As Gathas tried to stop his momentum from pushing forward and falling face first to the ground, I turned around and used the force from my move to spring forward and tried to strike his other left thigh. Gathas tried to stand back up with my strike to his left leg, Gathas immediately dropped down on to his left knee which forced a grunt out of him. I continued this set of moves combo, striking his other arm and leg.
Gathas collapse onto the ground in agony.
"No more! I concede! I can't feel my arms and legs!" Gathas shouted as he laid on the ground unmoving.
"The winner of this duel is Ryan Huang!" Marlos proclaimed.
I walked over to Gathas and offered to help him up. To my surprise, he accepted the offer, I looked around for the instructor but he was no where to be seen, so Grayson rushed over to help. We both grabbed one of his arms and hoisted him back up to his feet. We then carried him to the hospital wing for treatment.
I could hear all the new recruits cheering as we slow walked through the camp towards the courtyard.
"Can you teach me how to fight like that?" I heard Gathas mumbled in an semi conscious state.
"Of course." I smiled and gave Grayson a 'job well done' type of nod.
Grayson returned the smile and the nod and mouthed the words, 'congratulations, sir.'