The man moved faster than William expected for someone his size.
William barely got his sword up in time to block the first strike. The impact sent shocks through his arms and he stumbled back a step, his mind immediately keeping this as confirmation that he was outmatched.
The man pressed forward with a combination of strikes, his blade work was professional and brutal. There was no wasted movement and every strike was designed to kill or disable.
William blocked, parried, and retreated. His breathing quickened as he focused entirely on defense, convinced he couldn't match this man's power.
"You're better than I thought," the man commented while driving William back. "Someone's been teaching you properly."
William didn't waste breath responding. He channeled wind essence into his footwork, creating distance. The man pursued relentlessly and William's mind raced trying to find a way out of this predicament.
