Art started by circling the girl waiting for an opportunity to make a first move and prepared for her move which as always came.
Using his low posture to her advantage she got lower going for a sweeping leg particularly effective in the small space provided by the arena.
Using his superior reach he scampered to the side still awkward on the foreign legs used to having a larger area for movement sending a light hit at the girl below him that was like lightning.
Stepping back and shaking off the blow Nephis gave the first smile that she had throughout the whole day getting back into a stance eyeing the half pather half man infront of her.
This time Art took the first movement lunging forward in a blur of motion he went for a tackle trying to use the advantage of his strength and weight.
Making the first real contact of the confrontation he was surprised at the strength the relatively small girl could exert.
No wonder she could take down people twice her size.
Nephis dodged out of the way of the sloppy attack using the opportunity to deliver a solid kick to his midsection and going to engage his in upright close quarter combat something she was obviously skilled at.
And so punch by punch the fight went on Art only staying on his feet because of his heightened reflexes, tails and superior strength.
If one saw the fight from the outside they would realize it was meant to for the moment sum up the strength of the other party involved and wait for the opportunity to strike.
The moment came for both at the same time.
After a particularly heated clash the two separated both losing their balance and lunging forward with the leg not off balance.
In the end he was on his back, after a flurry of actions with both parties breathing hard sweat dripping down their bodies.
Deacticating his Aspect he wiped a hand across his face, when he looked up he was surprised at the slender hand shoved in his face.
Grasping it Nephis pulled him up whispering in his ear. "I needed my Aspect for that one."
Now that she mentioned it he did notice the radiant glow leaving her body. Furthermore he understood that it was a sign of respect as she had not used such power on any of the other challengers.
Walking out to stand around the circle he observed the fight to come Caster vs. Nephis who must have been a legacy with how skilled she was.
He heard whispers and noticed many of the near-by students take a small step away from him.
I need to get better I am too unrefined, if she had a sword I would be dead by now not even close.
Sighing, he focused back into the circle where Caster and Nephis were squaring up and suddenly as though a blur barley visible to the eye Caster was off.
Nephis, blocking his attack somehow with the inconcievable speed that must have come from his Aspect Ability, it was needless to say terrifying.
The fight only lasted a few seconds but so much happened in that time he was astounded by the skill being displayed there.
Yet he didn't see that glow permiating her skin.
Why me? He couldn't help but think, afterall Caster should be a better opponent in his speed and skill.
The fight lasted a few more seconds though the flurry of motions were hard to keep track of with his heightened senses it was a great learning experience that he wished he could have watched a few more times.
In the end it was Nephis on her back though barely and still never using her Aspect in any way.
The thing he took out of the fight was the necessity of finding a way to clash with opponents who would have much loger reach then him.
It was why bows coil dbe better than swords and why sane people did not engage a fist fight with someone armed.
In his case he had no choice but to learn how to use his space effectively in order for this disadvantage to not kill him the first time he came into contact with something that had longer arms or appendages than him.
Hopefully his teacher could tech him a thing or two.
Speaking of which he had no idea where his glorified torturer had gone and listening back to Awakened Rock he heard the man rattle off sparring partners for th next section of the class.
"And finally we have Sleeper Nephis and Sleeper Artemi, Sleeper Caster you will be given a private tutor. That's all I have the last five pair will get private rooms for some privacy they will also be allowed sparring weapons if so desired."
Folloing the retreating figure of Nephis he made his way to a room with a large '1' on the door prepare to be beaten thoroughly.
Walking into the door he was surprised at the lavish interior that seemed to be from an old timey dojo complete with the rack of simple wooden weapons and the bamboo flooring, the only thing off about the whole arrangement was the walls made of sheet of aloy they completely ruined the theme.
"Would you like me to have a sword or not?"
A small voice came from near the rack of weapons on the wall.
"Yeah that seems fair, I don't expect to win anyways."
Walking to the center of the mat Art let out a light chuckle that seemed slightly hollow.
To say that he got a beating was an understatement, the already skilled hand to hand combatant became untouchable when put at the end of a sword.
It wasn't even close and despite his speen and strength he felt as though he was a play thing being toyed with for another's amusement.
Not too different from how he felt with his instructor this morning.
Needless to say he wzs happy about the full meal and the soft bed after a painful and deeply rewarding day.