Shogo wasted no time with banter. He launched himself forward again, a blur of crimson fury, his fists striking with the force of a battering ram. Kaede met his assault head-on, her shield keeping up with his assault.

His punches were faster now, harder to predict. Kaede’s arms burned, her breath came in short bursts, but she refused to yield. Her body moved instinctively, each deflection smoother than the last. She could feel the rhythm of the fight shifting, her movements growing more deliberate.

Shogo’s fist came from above this time, an overhead strike meant to crush her. Kaede raised her shield, angling it slightly. The impact drove her back a step, her boots carving shallow grooves into the dirt. But instead of absorbing the blow, she twisted her shield, redirecting his force to the side.

Shogo stumbled, his balance faltering. Kaede pressed the advantage, driving the edge of her shield into his exposed ribs. The metallic clang echoing across the training field was no where to be found as Shogo blurred, he had feinted his stumbling.

“You’re getting cocky,” he spat, his legs sweeping her footing from under her. He leaped up, his feet slamming down on her shield as his crimson haze flickered erratically around him. A crater was quick to form from the impact. “I’ll break through that shield eventually. No one can hold out against me forever!”

Kaede didn’t respond with words. She steadied her breathing, her shield raised in silent defiance as she stood up. Shogo’s confidence was unwavering, but she could see it now—the cracks in his armor. His strikes were powerful, yes, but they lacked control. He was wild, relentless, but predictable, a weaker, dumber version of the twins.

He came at her again, his movements more erratic this time. His fists blurred in rapid succession, aiming for her shield, her legs, her sides—anywhere he thought he could break her defense. Kaede’s arms screamed in protest, her muscles burning as she parried and deflected. She felt every impact in her bones, but she stood her ground.

And then, she saw it. A pattern.

Shogo’s punches, while fast and devastating, followed a rhythm. His berserker skill amplified his strength but dulled his precision. He always followed up a low jab with a wide hook, and his charging strikes left him vulnerable for a split second.

Kaede’s lips twitched into a faint smile as she adjusted her stance.

But, just as Shogo had mentioned, she had gotten cocky. After all, she wasn’t the only one studying her opponent, and for all his faults and brash personality, Shogo was actually quite adept at martial arts.

Shogo stepped in with another vicious wide hook and Kaede stepped in to his guard once again, prepping a counter.

“Coun-” Her shield swiped through the air, Shogo twisting his body unnaturally mid swing. His wide hook became a deceptive feint, using his momentum to send a back kick driving upward toward her ribs. Kaede barely had time to react, jerking her shield down just enough to deflect the blow. The force rattled her arm, sending a sharp jolt through her body, but she managed to stay standing, but the energy gathered for her counter was spent.

Shogo had also used the kick to distance himself from her, and away from her striking range.

Kaede felt a slight surge of frustration at her missed counter. Shogo was faster than she was and didn’t need to worry about distance since he could close the gap in an instant. She, however had to remain in close proximity for her counter to work. The fact that the skill was so telegraphed didn’t help matters either.

Shogo did not give her time to regroup, the moment his feet touched the ground, he surged forward unleashing a fury of blows upon her.

Kaede hissed whenever one of Shogo’s strikes slipped through her guard, connecting with either her forearm or her midsection. She found herself unable to keep up with his speed.

Eventually, she felt the sudden feeling that her counter was finally charged up, the weight of it a familiar comfort despite the strain in her arms. She braced herself as Shogo closed in again, his fists a blur of raw power. She felt the heat of his crimson aura pressing against her like a furnace, the oppressive energy making every movement harder to execute.

But she wasn’t going to let it stop her.

Shogo’s next punch came low, aiming for her legs again. Kaede adjusted her stance, deflecting it with the edge of her shield. The force of the blow sent a shudder through her bones, but she held firm. Another strike followed, a wide hook to her side, and Kaede turned with the momentum, angling her shield to absorb it.

The opening she’d been waiting for finally appeared.

In that split second, as Shogo overextended, Kaede lunged forward. Her shield glowed faintly, the energy from her counter flowing through her like a surge of lightning. She twisted her body, putting every ounce of strength into her next move, and Shogo vanished again, instantly leaping backwards into the air.

Kaede let go of the shield, and almost as if it teleported, it connected with Shogo’s jaw in the sky.

The impact was explosive.

A concussive boom echoed across the training field as the stored energy released in a single devastating strike. Shogo’s crimson aura flickered violently, his body launched backward like a cannonball. He hit the ground hard, sliding across the dirt until he came to a stop several meters away.

Kaede stood tall, her shield digging into the dirt behind her. Her breathing was heavy, her muscles trembling from the exertion, but her gaze remained locked on Shogo, even as she stepped back to grab her shield. ‘Courtesy of the twins.’ She smirked.

Mai and Yui had the exact same problem Kaede was going through back in the game. They had the power to take out any opponent in one hit but always struggled with keeping up with faster opponents, so they learnt to throw their weapons.

<< Extra Skill [Throw] has been acquired >>

For a moment, there was silence. The only sound was the soft rustle of the wind and the distant murmurs of onlookers who had gathered to watch the clash.

Then Shogo stirred, pushing himself up with a groan. His crimson aura had dimmed, the wild energy around him now subdued. He coughed, a faint bloodied smirk tugging at his lips as he looked up at her.

“Not bad,” he muttered, wiping a streak of dirt from his face. “I didn’t think you had that in you.”

Kaede lowered her shield slightly, a cheeky expression on her face as rubbed her neck with her free hand. “Hehehe.”

Shogo chuckled, the sound rough but genuine. He got to his feet, brushing himself off. “But don’t think this means you’ve won.”

Kaede didn’t respond. She didn’t need to. Her actions had spoken louder than words ever could.

Razen’s voice cut through the stillness, authoritative and sharp. “That’s enough for today.”

Both fighters turned to face him. He stood at the edge of the training field, his arms crossed as he regarded them with a mixture of approval and sternness.

“You’ve proven your selves,” Razen continued. “Save your strength. Tomorrow’s another day.”

Kaede nodded, lowering her shield fully as she stepped back. The tension in her muscles began to ease, though the weight of the fight lingered in her bones. She fell on her butt, laying on the cold floor, taking deep breaths.

Shogo rolled his shoulders, his grin still intact. “Fine, fine. But don’t think I’m done with you yet, shield maiden.”

Kaede’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I won’t lie, that was kind of fun.”

As Shogo and Kirara both walked off the field, Kaede couldn’t help but feel a little satisfied with this bout. She wasn’t as helpless as she thought she was. Shogo had been Falmuth’s strongest and she could contend with him using only one unique skill. A satisfied smile rested on her lips.

Kirara’s voice sang in the distance. “Hey Shogo, like, why’re you holding your jaw like that?”

“Shut up Kirara.”

“Are you in pain, Sho~go kun?”

“Damnit, Shut up!!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep