The clash of blades returned heavier.
Clang—!
This time, there was no room for long conversation. Adalric advanced like a wall, each blow charged with real intent, sparing no force. Kael responded in kind, his feet tearing the ground, his body leaning dangerously with each dodge. The training had ceased to be mere correction—it was pressure.
"Faster!" Adalric growled, bringing his sword down in a brutal arc.
Kael blocked with difficulty, feeling his arms protest.
He spun, advanced inside the guard, attempted a short strike to the torso. Adalric responded with an elbow, then a horizontal slash that Kael only avoided instinctively.
The impact of the swords echoed like thunder, birds fleeing from nearby trees.
"Like that!" Adalric laughed, even while attacking. "To survive, you need to accept that it hurts!"
