Chapter 10
"Again."
Paul's voice was sharper now.
Rudeus moved immediately.
Step.
Swing.
Blocked.
Second strike—
Blocked again.
But then—
Rudeus adjusted.
Not consciously.
His body shifted—
Just slightly.
Paul's next counter—
Missed.
"…What?"
That wasn't planned.
Rudeus blinked.
My body moved on its own…
Paul attacked this time.
A downward strike.
Rudeus raised his sword—
But something changed.
Instead of meeting force with force—
He redirected.
Slide.
Paul's strike veered off.
Cleanly.
Silently.
Both froze.
"…That was…"
Paul stared.
That movement—
Was unmistakable.
Water God style.
"…Rudy… do that again."
Rudeus hesitated.
"…I don't know how."
And that was the most unsettling part.