It was my third sword fight against Seraphine, and I was starting to get frustrated. Despite my best efforts, I wasn't even close to winning. It was as if she was toying with me, making it look so easy.
While I was drenched in sweat, gasping for breath, she barely seemed winded. She was the picture of calm, her movements fluid and precise, and her expression was almost...bored.
Seraphine disarmed me again with a deft flick of her wrist, my sword clattering to the ground. She smiled, lowering her own weapon. "Maybe we should stop there, the other soldiers are gone," she said, her tone gentle but firm.
I glanced around and realized she was right. The training ground, once filled with eager onlookers, was now deserted. It was just the two of us, the sun casting long shadows as it began to set.
"No," I said, shaking my head stubbornly. "I don't want to give up yet."
