Immediately once the duel started, Leo performed a light hop in place before rushing the three meters between us in a quick two-step dash. Lunging his face a few inches from mine.
Surprised by his quick movements and non-defensive response, I reel backwards, unbalancing my center of gravity. I compensate to support my weight by placing my left leg back.
"Just because I'm on defence doesn't mean I have to wait for you." Leo laughed wide-eyed, his smile bigger than ever.
He pulls his head back, keeping his distance now, while I regain my footing.
Throwing an off-balance, weak jab at his chest, he easily evades my punch by stepping back.
Not expecting so much strength from an unbalanced punch, I trip forward from the momentum.
It seems that with my augmented body, I no longer need to apply as much effort to generate strength. But all this does for me is make it harder to control myself while fighting.
Focusing less on power and more on control, I continue to throw a series of jabs, crosses, and hooks at Leo. Paying attention to my footing and center of gravity to stay balanced.
Whether from my slow or inaccurate punches, Leo had no problem evading each one. Keeping just out of reach for each attack. Without even using his arms to defend.
Knowing I can't continue like this, already getting tired from my movements, I slow down to try and finish this in one blow.
Leo has yet to perform a counter-attack. If I can force him to block one of my attacks to catch him off guard, I could follow through with another attack.
Momentarily stopping my futile barrage to catch my breath, we carefully watch each other for a second. Breaking the flow of the fight.
Exhaling deeply, before I continue my assault.
Taking a calculated step forward, I see Leo's gaze shift from my chest to my left leg for a moment before shifting back to my chest. He responds by taking a step toward me with his right leg. Following the momentum of my movements, I punch forward, in a cross, with my right arm. As if in slow motion, I see Leo's left arm rise in defence to block. Just how I wanted.
Our two arms collide, sending a shockwave of vibrations through my arm and shoulder, but instead of just blocking, Leo opens his palm and twists his hand to grab my forearm before I can draw back. Clamping down with enough force to shatter a normal person's arm, he tugs, driving our heads toward a full-force collision.
Acting out of panic and desperation, I recoil, before jerking my neck forward to headbutt him at high speed.
Right before our heads collide, a blunt force strike compresses on the left side of my face. Feeling my cheekbones crack and jaw snapping out of place, along with Leo's fingers, I fall to the ground in pain.
From the sheer force and pressure that was bestowed upon my face, I already know it's swollen, bruised, and broken beyond recognition.
My head reels from the impact, every motion from my cries of pain only brought the joy of more pain. A cold liquid built up in my mouth, and I could feel a few small hard objects as well.
Nearly choking, I painfully spit out the liquid, along with… my teeth!
Moaning in agony, I stopped moving entirely to reduce my suffering.
Now I know why they call it a 'Critical Win'.
Slightly opening my puffy eyes, I could see a blurry Leo standing where he last punched me, shaking his head in disapproval and supporting his right hand. "I hoped this would be more fun." I could hear him say, behind the ringing in my ears.
"There's room for improvement." Lord Elgin said.
Assistant Chiron appeared in my vision to my left and kneeled beside me. "Best not to lose those." He said, picking up my teeth. "It's alright. You'll be as good as new." He said in a comforting tone.
He struggled to open my swollen mouth before painfully shoving his hand in and stabbing my teeth back in their sockets. A piercing shock spread throughout my entire head, making it feel like it was going to explode. After the wave of pain was gone, I could feel my teeth were back in place, but not fused to the gum.
He kept one hand slightly in my mouth and brought the other over my cheek. Immediately, a cool feeling permeated the side of my face. Not the vicious chills from my Will, but like a soothing wave of cool wind. It spread throughout the entirety of my mouth, slowly digging deeper and mending all the damage.
My teeth reconnected with the gums, bones re-fused at startling speed, blood vessels were tied back together, and muscles reversed their tearing. The cool feeling slowly encompassed my head and neck, and eventually my body, as he took his hands out and away from my mouth and waved them over my lying frame.
Reaching for my cheeks and face, I carefully caressed them and tested my jaw by opening and closing it. Looking at Assistant Chiron, I stared in wonder as I realised he had just perfectly healed my face.
I sat up, now free of pain.
"There, good as new. Just like I said." He smiled at me before heading to treat Leo.
"Fascinating, isn't it? The ability to heal at just a touch. An Elite Recovery Will, where the limits of medicine are surpassed, and practitioners are constantly upstaged." Lord Elgin walked toward me and kneeled half a meter away. "Not a terrible showing. Though I'd be lying if I didn't say it was sloppy, with room for improvement, of course. But right after your first engagement, you deduced your shortcomings and worked around the changes your Will brought to you. While your adaptability is slow, your mind is sharp. Together, we'll make it sharper."
I give a simple nod while Lord Elgin gestures for us to stand. Getting back to my feet, he speaks again, "We will train you, nurture you, and help you grow. All so you can be a true Grimwald Soldier."
"Not bad. Though next time. You'd better last longer." Leo said, shaking out his hand. His usual smile is smaller, but just as bright.
A small grin slowly spreads across my face.
"Come, let us get you acquainted with the estate." Lord Elgin waves me towards him.
The four of us make our way to the small box they previously came out of. Walking inside, Assistant Chiron presses a button on the right, and the doors close with a soft thud. As soon as they close, a faint ding rings out and the box moves upward, wavering my stability momentarily as my feet dig into the floor.
Moments later, the doors open to reveal a small hallway.
So that's how it works. Moving up and down.
Lord Elgin and Leo exit first. "We'll talk later; I have a meeting to go to. Is there anything you need from your home back in the Lower District while you get settled in the estate?"
"No. I have no possessions worth troubling others over."
"As you wish." Lord Elgin and Leo give a shallow bow before departing, leaving me alone with Assistant Chiron.
"This way, Disciple Rin. Let me show you around." He exits the box, directing me to do the same. "We are currently near the southernmost part of the estate…"