While Rio was busy cursing his system, he felt a little sting on his neck, causing him to instinctively reach for the source of the discomfort. To his horror, his fingertips brushed against the cold edge of a sword pointed directly at his throat. His eyes widened with fear as he glanced downward, his heart pounding in his chest.
"Never let your eyes off your opponent." Esme spoke as she shook her hand a little.
The sharpness of her voice sent a shiver down Rio's spine. He could feel a droplet of blood trickling down his neck, evidence of the sword's graze. Even though it was a wooden sword, with her speed it was enough to cut him.
Reacting on pure instinct, Rio hastily backed away from the threatening sword, his heart racing with a mix of fear and adrenaline. In his retreat, his foot caught on his own wooden sword, forgotten on the ground, causing him to lose his balance and fall on his rear with an undignified thud.
