Part-221
Part-221
But even with **Sloth Vision**, Goni’s movements were fast—blindingly so. James barely had time to process his first strike. Goni lunged, his wooden sword a blur as it came down toward James’s shoulder. Instinctively, James raised his blade to block. The wooden swords clashed with a sharp *thwack*, the force of the blow reverberating up James's arm.
Goni didn’t let up. He was relentless, attacking with precise, calculated strikes. Each slash and thrust was delivered with expert timing, leaving James no room to counterattack. He was forced onto the defensive, his sword constantly moving to block Goni's rapid assaults.
*He's fast*, James thought, his mind racing to keep up. In **Sloth Vision**, he could see the attacks coming, but his body struggled to respond in time. Every time he tried to counter, Goni was already pulling back, anticipating his move.
As the fight progressed, it became clear that Goni was no ordinary student. His footwork was impeccable, and his attacks were methodical, as though he’d been practicing for years. In contrast, James felt clumsy and out of sync, relying more on raw instinct than technique.
For what felt like an eternity, they traded blows. Goni kept pushing, pressing his advantage, but James managed to block every attack. His muscles ached from the effort, his arms growing heavier with each swing. Sweat dripped down his face, his breathing becoming more labored with every passing second.
*Come on, there has to be an opening*, James thought, searching for a gap in Goni’s defense. But Goni was flawless, his form disciplined and tight. James could see the admiration in Goni’s eyes, even through the haze of battle. Despite Goni’s clear advantage, he was impressed by how James managed to block each attack, never allowing a clean hit.
Minutes passed, and neither side had landed a decisive blow. James's **Sloth Vision** was wearing on him, draining his mental stamina with each passing second. His muscles were screaming for rest, and his reflexes were slowing. On the other hand, Goni, though still standing strong, was beginning to tire as well. His attacks came a little slower, his breathing more ragged.
Finally, Carlos called the match to a halt. "Enough," he said, stepping forward. Both James and Goni lowered their weapons, breathing heavily. James's entire body ached from the intensity of the fight. He could barely keep himself from collapsing, his muscles screaming in protest. Goni, while still composed, looked worn out too.
Carlos observed them both, his expression unreadable. After a long pause, he turned to James. "Not bad," he said, surprising James. "You’ve got no formal training, but you blocked every single attack."
James, still panting, nodded, unsure how to respond. He was exhausted, barely able to stand, but there was a small flicker of pride in his chest. He had held his ground.
Carlos crossed his arms, studying James with newfound interest. "Why do you want to learn the sword?" he asked, his voice calm but probing.
James didn’t hesitate. "Self-defense," he replied.