The Dual Exchange

"I'm sorry dude. I didn't help you back there."

"No, that was the best decision," He once again wielded the training swords. "You could've made it into their radar if you were to act upon. Even though little skirmishes are settled among students and it won't affect outside, they can all ways gang up on you and we're nowhere near to stand our ground against them. Once we are settled with enough power, we can take them." Daemon pointed the ends of the dual swords at Neril, who in turns readied his long sword at Daemon.

They were still on the training hall after the commotion made by the princess. Daemon and Neril were continuing their duel from the last session before the interruption.

"No mana are allowed. Even though your physical strength is just slightly lower than the average like you're saying, adding with that with your mana control and mana pool, you're really dangerous if one is not very careful." Neril steadied his stance watching for any slight movement from his opponent.

"I'm flattered by your praise dear friend, but enough with the talk and come at me." He gestured Neril for the first strike which his opponent obliged happily.

Neril disappeared from his spot only to appear in front of Daemon raising his long sword for a perfect swing, which was, of course, blocked by the dual swords.

"Ghhh..." Daemon gritted his teeth as the raw power held by the long sword was far greater for his short dual wield can receive. He skidded back a bit.

"Tired already." Neril chuckled as he pushed the long sword further down.

Daemon side stepped allowing his dual swords to perfectly slid the long sword to the ground. Then raised his legs for a side kick which was parried by Neril's left hand. Neril rotated his body for another swing in the close range.

"Huupp..." With a loud roar Neril swung his sword a 360. When the sword was a few inches away from Daemon, he suddenly leapt in the air just enough for the sword to pass under him but enough to land on the ground before Neril could complete the motion.

Daemon, after perfectly landing on the ground quickly swung his swords downwards at Neril who in turn lifted his sword to guard him at the last moment, causing him to loss his balance and thrown to the ground.

"You getting senile or something, friend." Daemon chuckled allowing his opponent to recover from the ground.

"Ha ha... Here I thought I could at last beat a lordlings ass."

They both circled the small imaginary ring, calculating their opponent's movement. Watching for any slight shift in stance. They both wore big grins on their face indicating their maximum enjoyment.

"You've to do better than that to beat a lordling but fear not friend, for I'm here. I'll teach you different ways to beat up lordlings ass... in time, of course."

"I'm looking forward to savor that moment, my lord."

"What! touching their ass." Daemon scrutinized at Neril.

"What! No! Eww... beating their ass, fucker." Neril wore an ugly expression like he was hearing some literal world fucking shit out of Daemon's mouth.

'How can a lordling mouth these shits.'

"I bet you just thought 'how can a lordling mouth these shits,' right."

"Yes... WHAT! NO! No! of course no... I wouldn't dare think something vile like that about my lord, would I?"

The encirclement continued. Neither party was willing to strike first.

Neril knew his opponent was a calculating killer and not some barbarian who would've just yelled and just lunge at him.

Daemon knew he would be at a disadvantage if he first strike, because of the difference in raw power. He would've won the duel if mana was not restricted. Neril's mana control was pretty much shit. He only knew how to wield it around him and sword like an armor. He trained solely in swordsmanship and neglected magic usage at all. Well, with his pitiful amount of mana it was the better choice.

Whereas, for Daemon who was born with superior amount of mana and the highest-grade training from his duchy, he was better suited as a magic swordman rather than the regular swordsman or a mage.

He allowed the restriction of mana because he too, wanted to improve his swordsmanship and not just mana control. Using mana against Neril was just wastage and although he could be the victor, it was just a plain win rather than gaining anything from it.

"Why don't both of us strike at the same time." Daemon spoke.

"You do know you would be at a disadvantage, right," Daemon nodded to his remark. Seeing this Neril took a deep breath and sighed. "Very well, let's do it "

Like a sudden imaginary agreement, they both lunge at their opponent.

*Clang* Their swords met at the center of the imaginary ring, clashing against each other, sparks flew where the swords were met, trying to gobble up the other.

"I got you!" Daemon wore a smug smile.

"Shit!" Neril cursed his bad brain for not thoroughly thinking about his opponent. Daemon was of course, a genius. He should've guessed something was wrong when he suggested the idea. He saw Daemon's right sword which wasn't clashed with his long sword drew back for a perfect downward slash.

"Shit! Shit!" He cursed out loud and forcefully adjusted his long sword which was still pressed against Daemon's left sword.

*Clang*

Neril felt his balance slipping. He grits his teeth and added all his remaining strength to his hands but his posture was off balance and he felt his body falling backwards. Quickly readjusting himself he rolled backwards on the ground and readjusted his posture while on his knees.

"Welp, you've a long way before you could actually even touch a lordlings ass, dear beloved friend." Daemon lightly touched the point of the cold steel against Neril's neck from behind

"Well, I guess I should train more to touch the ass, shouldn't I?" Neril slowly patted the dust from his body. "I thought you said you were weak in physical strength?"

"Yeah, me too, the last time I fought against my brothers they beat my ass not giving me chance to counter attack them."

"Which brother are you talking about?" Neril asked suspiciously.

"Um... Amon and Reiner."

"Y-you..."

"What."

"You idiot," Neril frantically pointed at Daemon. "You measured their power level with ours."

"Um... yeah. What about it?"

"Are you an idiot?" Seeing Daemon's innocent face, he continued "You lordlings resources and trainings are only done by your kind and not normal people like us. Comparing us to you is like comparing a dragon and a rat."

"Yeah... I can see that," Daemon innocently smiled "Hot chocolate... on me." He said while hanging his training sword on his previous position.

Neril sighed deeply. "Okay."