Regardless of what others thought, Furan watched the prompts on her panel while attacking.
[You attempted Elven Swordsmanship in battle despite not knowing it; Elven Swordsmanship proficiency +2]
[You attacked using Elven Swordsmanship with little effect; Elven Swordsmanship proficiency +1]
...Furan thought she couldn't come here for nothing. Since they were sparring, she might as well grind her Elven Swordsmanship proficiency first.
Judging from several attacks, Abeljo's Iron Wall Swordsmanship truly lived up to its reputation; her strikes seemed to have no effect on him.
She felt that if she were allowed to use Wind Blade, it would be easy to resolve, but using only swordsmanship would take some effort. So, she planned to practice her newly acquired skill first.
Abeljo was somewhat dazed when he saw Furan leap up; he didn't quite understand what kind of move this was.
Almost all swordsmanship that humans excelled at used level ground as the primary means of attack. Since childhood, he had been taught to defend against attacks on level ground.
This had been the case throughout his life; his habits had never been broken.
He reacted quickly to block the first move and then parried several more of Furan's attacks. Only then did he, like the people off-stage, realize what Furan was doing.
Elven Swordsmanship? What is she doing?
Abeljo could easily see that the set of movements Furan was performing was actually full of holes and many openings; he just hadn't reacted in time at first.
Was she intentionally provoking him by using something she had just learned?
However, unlike when he was off-stage, his emotions could no longer be easily stirred.
His family's Breathing Technique had the effect of discarding other emotions and retaining only fighting spirit and rationality. It was something his family had painstakingly refined over a dozen generations.
Precisely because his family specialized in defensive tactics, this effect was extremely useful when facing an enemy.
Abeljo watched as Furan leaped again and swung her sword down from the air. He decided to perform a defensive counterattack this time.
When he easily blocked the slash and Furan was about to leave with a light tap of her toes as before, Abeljo suddenly struck.
He used [Three Consecutive Strikes]. His arms blurred as he unleashed three attacks in an instant.
This was also his family's secret technique. Countless people had been defeated by his sudden, rapid Three Consecutive Strikes after he had defended.
However, he was met only with three 'thud' sounds. Abeljo's pupils constricted. Few could block the Three Consecutive Strikes he took pride in, and he hadn't expected Furan to be one of them.
He quickly assumed a stance, giving Furan no chance to attack.
Exclamations came from the apprentices off-stage. Many had experienced Abeljo's defensive Three Consecutive Strikes, and very few could escape unscathed, let alone block all three strikes.
Burnett was also impressed by the rapid blocking of the Three Consecutive Strikes. Unlike the apprentices below, he saw the underlying mechanics.
"Why does an apprentice who hasn't joined a School have such physical fitness?" he muttered to himself, unheard by others.
He could see that the physical fitness Furan was suddenly displaying was far stronger than Abeljo's. If Abeljo hadn't already specialized in defensive counterattacks, he might have had his opening seized and been hit hard.
Although he knew that Abeljo's defensive tactics were one of the best ways to narrow the gap in physical constitution, judging from this clash, Furan far surpassed Abeljo.
But Abeljo had another way to win, which was to use the unique technique of the Sword Chant School: Sword Dance.
Shifting to Furan's perspective, she widened the distance from Abeljo with a hint of thrill.
"He's very good at defensive counterattacks," Furan thought.
She had reacted quickly just now, immediately activating her Breathing Technique and [Spiritual Power] when the Three Consecutive Strikes came, which was why she could block all the attacks.
Time to end the battle. Furan looked at her panel, where a prompt appeared.
[You almost made a mistake using Elven Swordsmanship, but fortunately, you were quick-witted and turned danger into safety; Elven Swordsmanship proficiency +3]
[Elven Swordsmanship proficiency is full; Elven Swordsmanship level increased.]
At the same time, she gained a new trait.
[Elven Combat Style: Although you are a human, you have truly learned how Elves fight by leaping.]
She felt a new sensation from her body, as if she had gained an extra organ that could sense additional things, though she couldn't quite describe what it was.
Abeljo also realized that Furan's strength was extraordinary and he had to go all out.
He began to adjust his Breathing Technique, merging its frequency with his Spiritual Power. Finally, he opened his eyes. Instead of assuming a stance, he let his sword hang loosely.
This was the foundation of the Sword Chant School. It could greatly enhance one's focus, and over time, this focus would go through a process of rising and then falling.
Under this focus, using a sword was as easy as moving one's arm.
As he watched Furan attack as before, with the activation of the Sword Dance, the effect of his Breathing Technique in dampening emotions also weakened.
Seeing that Furan's posture hadn't changed, a bit of contempt arose in his heart.
"How could you, who haven't even joined a School, know that the combination of a School's Spell and swordsmanship is far superior to those landed nobles without fiefs?"
This was one of the reasons he gave up his inheritance rights and came to Apprentice City. Of course, the bigger reason was that he probably couldn't compete with his brothers.
When Abeljo wanted to block the attack and use the Three Consecutive Strikes again, he saw Furan's figure, which was rushing toward him, move to the side.
This was precisely the Elven way of fighting—changing direction in mid-air. Although some speed was lost, can you imagine the shock of an enemy who leaps to attack you suddenly shifting to the right or left?
Abeljo felt exactly that. This Elven fighting style clearly didn't follow the laws of physics. In his subconscious reaction, his block missed.
Furan shifted to Abeljo's side and struck his other waist with her sword.
This time was different from the previous sneak attack; the force was much greater, making Abeljo almost lose his grip on his sword. He dropped into a half-squat, his body leaning toward the spot where he was hit.
Before he could recover, Furan delivered another slash, hitting his hand and making him unable to maintain his grip. He released the sword.
It wasn't until a moment after the wooden sword hit the ground with a thud that the crowd off-stage reacted. The match was over, and a wave of exclamations erupted.
Abeljo also knew his sword had been knocked away; he had lost.
"This is impossible. What was that just now?"
Abeljo recalled Furan flying over and then directly changing direction in mid-air.
Why could someone change direction in mid-air, especially at such a high speed?
Burnett's exclamation answered his doubt:
"That's Elven Swordsmanship! You actually learned it!"
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