[Star sword combination]
That was the most basic swordsmanship taught in the [Silver Knights Order], beginning as an Rank-F skill, it would level up accordingly with the familiarity and proficiency of the user in the sword art, and its limit is said to be Rank-D at max; as newer, higher ranked sword arts are acquired by the time many reach Rank-D in their proficiency.
And since the sword art merely contained of sword swing in basic angles, such as stab, horizontal, vertical, and diagonal slashes were used as the bases and also as the complete sword art, clearly displaying limits; that seemed to be ever-changing if looked from another perspective.
Of course, with many flashy and stronger sword arts, this basic sword art was forgotten most of the time.
And currently, in front of Velor, the same sword art limits was said to be set stone to never rank up above Rank-D, was being displayed on an other level.
While it remained at the same, Rank-D, rank.
"... Impossible....." Velor muttered, gazing at Ito's horizontal slash(left-right), and Parth's upward diagonal slash (top left-bottom right) clashing against each other with a sharp metallic clunk.
Sparks. Very subtly, but sparks could be seen being produced as they pulled back their swords; as they were still travelling in their sword-path.
With a few steps difference between them;
Ito's stance changed in that instance as Parth lunged towards him; with his legs, spread wide and planted firmly on the ground, Ito's sword blocked Parth's, which was aimed at his left knee joint with a vertical arched swing, and in a solid and swift half-anti-clockwise circular swing, Ito changed Parth's sword's path, that pushed back Parth's sword while Ito used the built up momentum to swing his sword diagonally downward (top right-bottom left) as he changed his grip into a double hand grip, aiming to slash Parth's armoured chest.
CRE-!
As soon as Ito's sword began to scar Parth's chest armour, Parth jumped back and avoided begin damaged anymore, as he felt like it was his chest itself that was being slashed instead of the armour that he wore atop.
Yet, he didn't grimace as he readied his stance, with his dominant right leg in front, again. He knew that it was an habit that was unbefitting of a swordsman, to have a dominant foot, but currently, he, who was giving his best, didn't care.
He could change his stances, directions, and even put in more strength behind his sword strike upon putting his weight upon his right foot, so he had yet to change his habit that he had gotten comfortable with.
Noticing Parth had no intention to make the first move, Ito's gaze sharpened as he tried to find openings in his opponent, of course, since Parth too had yet to become a [Master] swordsman, or even an [Expert], it wasn't that hard to find an opening, if not many.
The [Aura] users had stages that began from [Rookie], [Intermediate], [Expert], and [Master], ignoring the rumoured [Grandmaster] stage, that was said to be the actual peak a [Aura] user could reach as a human, before the nature of the [Aura] turns [Divine], making the [Aura] user reach the level of a [Semi-Deus], which was the final level that can be reached by the [Aura] or [Magic Power], doesn't matter what kind of power they wield, that was the maximum limit where one ceases to remain human and becomes a partial God.
Of course, these stages too had levels beginning with [Low], [Mid], and [High], respectively. Before one can break through to the next, higher rank.
And to join the Silver Knights Order, it was a necessary and a required condition for the user to be an [Intermediate] stage wilder.
Ito, who found an opening on Parth's right waist, zoomed towards him, with his eyes glimmering brightly, so brightly that it was quite clearly visible through the T-shaped opening in his helmet; and it didn't long for Parth to figure where Ito was aiming and take advantage of his actions.
WHOOOOSH-!
Ito stabbed his sword at the opening which he hadn't taken his eyes off of, while Parth, who had been waiting for that very moment, tilted his body slightly as he stood straight, breaking his stance, to evade and counter Ito's attack with a strong, firm downward slash, but instead of getting flustered like Parth had expected him to, Ito slashed to the right where Parth had dodged to as if he had read Parth's actions before it even happened.
But,
GLISTEN-!
Parth's, [Elven Blessing] improved sense of [Hearing]'s, elongated ears glimmered slightly as Parth heard the sounds of Ito's sword held arm's muscles twitch, though it was subtle, it was enough for him to understand Ito's next course of actions.
Parth pushed back his waist and dodged Ito's sword that left an horizontal arc, as an involuntary gasp escaped Parth's and Velor's mouth.
Though it was merely a sword arc caused by the excessively accumulated [Aura] in the [Catalyst], it was also a proof that Ito had reached or was nearing [Intermediate] [Mid] ranked proficiency. His sword art was already at Rank-E thanks to him [Allocating] [Experience Points] to his sword skill, since his proficiency had seemed to have increased, the difference behind his sword swings was destined to get stronger.
But still, currently, Parth was at an advantage as the [Aura] consumption was absurd when one's [Aura] was changing, evolving to the next, higher level. And that was exactly what was going to happen with Ito, who seemed to be reaching the next level proficiency.
WHOOOOSH-!
Although he was surprised, Parth didn't loose his composter as he poured his body weight on his right leg that got planted onto the ground as soon as he landed back on the ground from his previous dodge's kick off and kicked Ito's right waist that was completely open due to Ito's missed sword path still in motion.
Gazing at the incoming kick, interrupting his sword swing; Ito jumped to the side, and jumped back again, creating a considerable amount of distance between them.
Though it was fast, brief exchange; Ito and Parth completely figured out each other's levels, since continuing anymore seemed to be meaningless, with an eye contact, both of them decided to end the fight in the next series of strikes, and
With those thoughts in their minds;
Both of them lunged themselves at each other.
Though they were completely immersed in their fight, they didn't forget that they were allies, hence, both of them channelled their [Aura]s into their weapons, as the [Catalyst] [Amplified] the [Mana] that got poured upon their swords, dim light blue hues enveloped their swords in that instance as they rushed at each other.
Their [Aura] coated the sharp edges of the sword making them blunt, which could then be used without the worry of slashing through the armours they wore.
Of course, if it came to that, Velor, their commander, would have stopped them, but they didn't want that, if it was Velor, who stopped them, then their fight from the beginning would have been for nought.
Clunking sounds of their swords clashing against each other's and their armours resounded in the training hall as every spectator gazed at them with gawking expressions, some not even understanding what was going on.
After ten strong exchanges that both of them were satisfied with, they were pushed back by the other's sword as their adrenalin cooled down, forcing them onto their knees as they supported themselves with their swords with blood marring their mouths due to the excessive use of their auras; they exchanged restorative comments before Ito lost consciousness, as the pressure that bore down on them dispersed softly, that would have gone unnoticed if not for Velor snapping out of his stupor.