"Young lady, now we are going to spar. I will be your opponent, and you should try using the 'Asu' and 'Koe' techniques that I have shown you." Olev said seriously.
Genevieve felt nervous and excited all at once. She wasn't sure if she could fight Olev, who was clearly more experienced and more proficient than her. But she also didn't want to disappoint Olev, who had been willing to teach her.
"Alright Mr Olev, I'm ready to spar." Genevieve said excitedly.
Olev smiled with satisfaction at Genevieve's enthusiasm. "Alright young lady, let's get started. But remember, never underestimate your opponent. I may be old, but I still have experience and skills that you cannot easily match."
Genevieve nodded respectfully. "I know that, Mr Olev. I am well aware of your abilities. I hope I can become stronger than you."
Olev took up a ready position with the rapier in his right hand. The tip of the rapier was pointed at Genevieve's eyes, and the blade of the rapier was parallel to the floor. This was guardia alta or guardia terza, the basic position Olev had taught her before.
Genevieve also assumed the ready position with the rapier in her right hand. The tip of the rapier is pointing at Olev's eyes, and the blade of the rapier is parallel to the floor. This is guardia alta or guardia terza, the basic position Olev had taught her earlier.
The two looked at each other seriously, ready to fight. They stood at a sufficient distance to stab each other with their rapiers. They waited to see who would make the first move.
Olev then stepped forward with his right foot and stabbed Genevieve with the rapier in his right hand. This was a lunge, the basic movement for attacking with a straight stab.
Genevieve immediately reacted by moving her rapier to the right side, to deflect Olev's stab. This is a parry in quarta, a basic movement to defend against a straight attack.
A "cling" sound was heard as Genevieve's rapier blade made contact with Olev's rapier blade. Genevieve was happy to have successfully parried, but she had no time to relax. She knew that Olev would definitely make another attack.
Olev did not stop after the lunge. He immediately continued his movement by twisting his wrist to the left and changing the direction of his thrust to the left side of Genevieve's neck. This was a feint in quarta, a fake move to deceive the opponent.
Genevieve was surprised to see Olev's change of direction. She had no time to dodge or parry again. She felt that the tip of Olev's rapier was about to touch her neck.
But before that happened, Olev stopped his movement and pulled his rapier back. He had no intention of hurting Genevieve, just wanted to test his skills.
"Well done young lady, you managed to perform 'Asu'." Olev praised Genevieve. "But you have to be careful, because that wasn't a real attack. I just feinted on the quarta, to create an opening and perform another attack."
Genevieve felt embarrassed at being fooled by Olev's feint. She felt that she was still far from Olev's level. "Sorry mister Olev, I couldn't anticipate your feint. I need to be more vigilant."
Olev smiled gently at Genevieve's reaction. "Don't worry young lady, it's a natural thing. Feints are techniques that are difficult to guess or avoid. But you can learn how to overcome them."
"How, Mr Olev?" Genevieve asked curiously.
"The trick is to not rush to react to your opponent's every move. You must pay attention to your opponent's movements and intentions, and look for opportunities to perform 'Koe'." Olev explained patiently.
"'Koe'?" Genevieve repeated the word in confusion.
"Yes, 'Koe' is an attacking technique performed after performing 'Asu'. Its purpose is to capitalise on the gap opened after diverting the opponent's attack and make a counter stab." Olev explained clearly.
"Ooh, I see." Genevieve said with understanding.
"Alright young lady, let's continue our sparring. I will attack you again, and you should try to do 'Koe' after doing 'Asu'." Olev said seriously.
Genevieve nodded vigorously. "Alright mister Olev, let's continue."
Olev then stepped forward with his right foot and stabbed Genevieve with the rapier in his right hand. This was a lunge, the basic movement for attacking with a straight stab.
Genevieve immediately reacted by moving her rapier to the right side, to deflect Olev's stab. This is a parry di quarta, a defence technique against a straight attack.
A "cling" sound was heard as Genevieve's rapier blade made contact with Olev's rapier blade. Genevieve was happy to have successfully performed 'Asu', but she didn't want to stop there. She wanted to perform 'Koe', an attacking technique that Olev had taught her.
Genevieve immediately changed the position of her rapier from a defensive position to an attacking position. She did so by turning her wrist to the left, to change the direction of her thrust to the left side of Olev's neck. This is a Riposte di quarta, an attacking technique after a parry di quarta.
Genevieve then extended her right arm forwards while swinging her right leg forwards. This is a lunge, a basic movement to complete an attack with a straight thrust.
Genevieve hoped that the tip of her rapier would touch Olev's neck, but she did not expect that Olev was also ready for an 'Asu'. Olev moved his rapier upwards, to deflect Genevieve's stab. This is a parry in sesta, a defence technique against circular attacks.
A "clang" sound was heard as Olev's rapier blade made contact with Genevieve's rapier blade. Genevieve felt shocked at failing to perform the 'Koe', but she didn't want to give up so easily. She wanted to try again, with a different technique.
Genevieve quickly pulled her rapier back and rotated her wrist downwards. She did so by swinging her rapier towards Olev's wrist quickly and forcefully. She hoped that the rapier would touch Olev's wrist and make him lose his grip on the rapier. This is a flick in sesta, a special move that utilises the flexibility of the rapier blade.
Genevieve hoped that the flick would work, but she did not expect that Olev was also ready for the 'Koe'. Olev moved her rapier downward, to avoid Genevieve's flick. This was a parry in settima, a technique to defend against attacks from above or below.
Olev then immediately repositioned his rapier from a defensive position to an offensive position. She did so by turning her wrist to the right, to change the direction of her thrust to the right side of Genevieve's eye. This is a Riposte di seconda, an attacking technique after a parry in settima.
Olev then extended his right arm forwards while stepping forward with his left foot. This is passata sotto, the basic movement to finish an attack with a straight thrust while bending forwards.
Olev then immediately repositioned his rapier from a defensive stance to an offensive stance. She did so by twisting her wrist to the right, to change the direction of her thrust to the right side of Genevieve's eye. This is a Riposte di seconda, an attacking technique after a parry in settima.
Olev then extended his right arm forwards while stepping forward with his left foot. This is passata sotto, the basic movement to finish an attack with a straight thrust while bending forwards.
Olev hoped that the tip of his rapier would touch Genevieve's eye, but he had no intention of harming her. He just wanted to end their sparring with his victory.
But before that happened, Genevieve stopped her movement and bowed her head. She had no intention of fighting back, because she knew that she had already lost. She just wanted to admit defeat and learn from her mistakes.
"Alright mister Olev, I surrender." Genevieve said respectfully.
Olev stopped his movements and pulled his rapier back. He didn't want to continue their sparring, because he knew that Genevieve had given up. He just wanted to reward and advise Genevieve
.
"Well done young lady, you fought well." Olev praised Genevieve. "But you still have a lot to learn about the 'Asu' and 'Koe' techniques. You need to be faster, more precise, and smarter in using them."
"Thank you Mr Olev, I really appreciate your advice." Genevieve said excitedly. "I will practice harder and more diligently."
Olev smiled with satisfaction at Genevieve's enthusiasm. "I'm glad to hear that young lady. I am sure you will become a great swordsman one day."
Genevieve smiled back at Olev's praise. " Thank you Olev, I also hope that I will become a strong person."