The second match is between Argo and an adventurer beast person called Heinz.
Heinz is a B ranked adventurer who uses a sword. Twin swords actually. This makes Rurika secretly root for him.
She was happy when he won yesterday too, and passionately talked about him to Chris and Sera.
“Who are you rooting for today?”
Asks Sera, and Rurika doesn’t know how to answer. And she ends up dodging the question.
While I hear them, my eyes are on the fight. I want to see how Argo will fight with one sword against twin swords. No, it’s not because I lose mock battles to Rurika.
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Heinz is the first one to step forward when the match starts, attacking freely with sharp attacks from both swords.
I feel this way about Rurika too, but how can they attack so fluidly like that? I’ve tried all sorts of things, but it never went well. It goes a little better when I use Parallel Thinking, but it’s hard to maintain for a long time because I get tired.
My conclusion is that it’s impossible for me unless I train and stick with it, or learn a skill related to twin swords, but I think it’s better to focus on my current style, sword, shield, and magic.
A skill would get things going, but I can’t escape needing training.
I’m getting off track, but Argo blocks Heinz attacks, and counters here and there.
The audience is cheering loudly, and since most are beast people, they’re rooting for Heinz.
“It’s hard to attack a twin swords user.”
I feel like there are just more attacks.
“Sora, that’s on purpose.”
“Is it?”
“He’s watching how his opponent moves, and who’s stronger.”
“…? What do you mean?”
“Even people who use a weapon in both hands are better with one than the other. The easiest way to tell is that the main one is stronger. There are exceptions of course, but Argo is testing that.”
Says Siphon, and I focus my attention on Argo’s moves.
I can’t see his expression, but he seems calm. He moves his sword widely left and right, and changes it with small moves here and there.
When he counters, it feels like he’s doing it in a way that his opponent will block with his swords.
That’s how it feels to me, but the person he’s fighting probably feels like Argo has different intentions with his attacks.
“He’s laying the groundwork.”
This approach and attacks keep repeating, until Heinz jumps back to evade one of Argo’s swings.
Despite the intense attacks, Heinz isn’t even breathing heavily.
“Beast people have a lot of stamina. They’re strong, and fast enough that sometimes they’re hard to keep up with, but I think this is their biggest strong point.”
Says Siphon, and Jin and Guilford nod.
Yes, Sera has a lot of stamina, but I thought that had to do with her level. If Siphon is right, that might be wrong.
Argo and Heinz close the distance between them, and fight the same way as before. The only difference is that… Argo is now on the offense? Well, Heinz is actually still attacking like before, but Argo’s moves are clearly different.
He focuses on Heinz’ right side. He keeps moving to his left and attacking there.
“He’s decided that the right side is easier to attack. He really is good at seeing through that sort of thing. That’s why he was confident when he was talking about fighting Geitz. Well, not that our shield user would let him get away with that.”
Siphon is just bragging now. I know Geitz is great, so I just quietly listen, but my eyes are facing forward.
He makes decisions in an instant, and mounts attacks. Going all the way up to A rank means he’s been through a lot of fights with monsters and people.
In the end, Argo emerges victorious. The weapon on Heinz’s left hand is flung away, and the recoil makes him lose his balance. And when Argo’s sword is pointed at his neck, Heinz gives up.
He wouldn’t be mortally wounded, but surely he still wants to avoid being cut. I’d do the same.
I think what decided this match was the sword in his dominant hand being flung away, and Argo insisting on attacking the right side to distract him.
“Did you learn anything, Sora?”
Asks Siphon, looking at the expression on my face.
I did, but I can’t see myself going up to that level. But I’m thinking in the next mock battle, I’ll try to focus on doing that too.
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Thanks for the treat.