Devil

In the training ground, Evangelion stood at the center, holding a long sword in her hand. The sun was at its peak, casting long shadows across the training hall. She was visibly exhausted, having waited the entire afternoon for her brother, Orion, to arrive.

'Did he forget about me? No, he promised to come to train with me. Should I go and get him? No, I believe him; he will definitely come. Will he?' Evangelion continued to overthink, and as time passed, her anger grew exponentially. Just as she was about to leave, the entrance swung open, and there was Orion, wearing his gear.

"Oh! Sister, why are you so early?" he casually remarked.

"Don't make a fool of me, Orion. Come, let's fight," Evangelion replied sternly.

'Oh, that went easier than I thought,' Orion thought, underestimating the storm that awaited him.

The clash of swords echoed through the training hall. Sparks blazed around them as metal met metal.

Cling--- Swish---- Cling--- Clang!

"Huh... huh. Sister, can we slow down a bit? My hands are starting to shake," Orion admitted, visibly tired and breathing heavily.

But Evangelion ignored his plea, pushing herself to increase her momentum and speed with each passing second.

'Is this the gap in skill or rank?' Orion pondered as he focused on his sister's footwork. 'If I were to use my aura, I would definitely overpower her, but I can't say the same in terms of skill.'

In a fleeting moment of distraction, Evangelion seized the opportunity, delivering a swift kick right to Orion's stomach.

"Ahhhh! Sensei, you were always right. Never make a woman wait, lest thou feel the pain from her kick," Orion groaned as he crashed into the wall, unintentionally creating a piece of art out of it.

"Hmph. Serves you right. Next time, mind it, Orion, or else I might have to kick you in inappropriate parts. At least be early tomorrow. Get it?" Evangelion warned, her tone unyielding.

"Yes, sister," mumbled Orion, watching as his sister left the training hall.

"Devil. She's a devil," he muttered to himself.

Orion headed back to the infirmary, nursing a couple of broken bones. After getting treated, he retired to his room, exhausted from the strenuous training session.

'Gosh, I should probably focus on improving my technique and swordsmanship to adapt to my aura.'

"--sigh-- Now that master is no longer here, I can learn the family's swordsmanship from my sister. As for the aura, I guess I'll have to hunt more dungeons to increase my proficiency."

The next morning arrived, and this time, Orion was early, waiting for his sister.

"Oh! It seems you arrived quite a while ago, brother."

'Is she still mad at me? F*cking hell, mate.'

"Are you thinking something bad about me, brother?"

"NO, how could I? You are my only sister; none can match your beauty nor your talent. I am fortunate enough to be your brother."

"Enough of this bootlicking. Come, let's begin!" Evangelion declared, and the clash of swords echoed once again in the training ground, marking the beginning of another intense session.

As the clash of swords resumed, I found myself overwhelmed by Evangelion's sheer speed and impeccable technique. Each swing of her blade seemed calculated, a dance of precision and power that left me struggling to keep up. Her movements were fluid, like a master orchestrating a symphony of steel, while mine felt clumsy and uncoordinated in comparison.

Evangelion pressed her advantage, closing the distance between us with astonishing speed. The whistle of her sword cutting through the air was a menacing soundtrack to my attempts to parry and counter. My own attacks seemed feeble in comparison, the strength and finesse of her strikes pushing me back with every clash.

Despite my efforts to analyze her footwork and predict her moves, Evangelion's unpredictability proved to be my downfall. She seamlessly transitioned from offensive flurries to a defensive stance, leaving me momentarily disoriented. In those moments, she exploited my vulnerability, delivering swift kicks and strikes that further destabilized my attempts to regain control.

The training hall echoed with the sounds of our intense sparring—clashes of metal, swift footsteps, and the occasional grunt or groan as a strike landed. Each clash felt like a test of my endurance, both physically and mentally. Evangelion's relentless assault was a testament to her mastery, and my initial underestimation had put me at a severe disadvantage.

As the fight progressed, Evangelion's eyes glittered with determination, and I could sense a subtle change in her approach. She became more strategic, anticipating my moves and countering with precision. The training ground transformed into a battleground of not just physical strength but also strategic prowess.

A sudden whirlwind of slashes and spins left me disoriented, and before I could react, Evangelion delivered a decisive blow. The flat side of her blade connected with my side, and I staggered backward, momentarily incapacitated. In that moment of vulnerability, she capitalized, closing the gap and disarming me with a swift move.

"Hmph. Still think you can afford to be late, Orion?" she remarked, a hint of satisfaction in her voice. The onlookers in the training hall exchanged glances, acknowledging the clear victor of this match.

I grumbled, acknowledging my defeat. "Fine, fine. You win, sister. I'll be early from now on."

Evangelion sheathed her sword, a victorious smirk playing on her lips. "Good. Maybe you'll learn a thing or two about punctuality and respecting your training partner."

As I gathered my composure, nursing my pride along with my bruises, I couldn't help but admire her skill. The experience, though humbling, fueled a determination to rise to the challenge and eventually match her prowess in the intricate art of swordsmanship.