Garin moved fast—much faster than Jelo had anticipated.
He twisted his body at the last possible second, Jelo's fist sailing past his face by mere inches and slamming into the wall behind him instead.
The impact left a small crack in the plaster, but Garin didn't have time to be impressed or terrified. He was already moving, using the momentum of his dodge to push hard against Jelo's chest with his good hand.
The shove caught Jelo off guard, and he stumbled backward several steps, creating crucial distance between them.
Garin didn't waste the opportunity. His good hand shot to his belt where he'd stashed his weapon after class—the chain with the wicked sickle attached at the end. In one fluid motion, he drew it and immediately began swinging it in tight, controlled loops.
