"If you don''t understand what I said, then just think of it as my instincts. My gut feeling a telling me that you will surprise me. So I want to spar with you."


    Suii—


    "Now," after saying what he had to say, Yato summoned a katana from the pocket space of his dimensional ring. "Ready your sword, Lucas."


    I hesitated for a moment, ncing at the katana in his hand. Yato seemed unfazed, his eyes filled with anticipation. Without further dy, I unsheathed my sword and took abat stance.


    As the tension in the air escted, Yato made the first move. In an instant, he closed the distance between us, katana poised for a strike. His movements were fluid, precise, and executed with an almost unnatural grace.


    Reacting on instinct, I parried his attack, the sh of our weapons echoing in the training ground. Yato''s strength was evident, and I could feel the force behind each of his strikes.


    The spar unfolded with a series of exchanges, each movement calcted and deliberate. Yato''s skill was undeniable, and I found myself pushing the limits of my abilities to keep up with his relentless assault.


    Despite the intensity of the spar, Yato maintained aposed demeanour, his movements calcted and efficient. It was as if he could predict my actions before I made them.


    "You''re holding back," Yato observed, his voice calm amidst the sh of des. "Let go of your reservations, Lucas. Show me your true strength."


    His words resonated, urging me to delve deeper into my capabilities.


    Tak—


    Closing the distance, Lucas unleashed a barrage of sword strikes at Yato with fierce determination.


    Cling, Cling, Cling—!!


    With swift precision, Yato skillfully parried each of Lucas'' thrusts, his katana serving as an imprable barrier against the onught.


    The metallic shes of their weapons filled the air, and sparks erupted from the intense shes.


    ''Damn it,'' Lucas thought in his mind, knowing that blindly attacking Yato like this would get him nowhere.


    Thwoo—


    Hopping back a few steps, Lucas created some distance between himself and Yato, providing a brief respite to gather his thoughts.


    Aware that a different approach was necessary, Lucas began to brainstorm alternative strategies, searching for a way to engage Yato more effectively in their battle.


    "You think too much," Yato suddenly spoke and channelled mana into his legs.


    "...?!"


    Before Lucas could react or even respond to those words, Yato appeared right in front of him, closing the distance between them in the blink of an eye.


    In that split second, Yato capitalised on Lucas''s momentary vulnerability.


    With a fluid motion, he executed a precise strike, aiming for a critical opening in Lucas''s defence.


    Swish—!!


    The de of Yato''s katana swiftly whistled through the air, guided by his years ofbat experience.


    Cling—!!


    However, just as Yato''s strike was about to connect, Lucas''s instincts kicked in, and he managed to react in the nick of time. He shifted his sword, intercepting Yato''s de with a quick and precise counter.


    The sh reverberated through the training ground, both fighters momentarily locked in a test of strength. The intense gaze exchanged between them spoke volumes about the battle of wills happening on that matted floor.


    "Good reflexes," Yato acknowledged, withdrawing a step to create some space. "You adapt quickly. But there''s more to this dance than just blocking. Show me your initiative, Lucas."


    Lucas nodded, determined to heed Yato''s advice. He recalibrated his stance, focusing on a more bnced blend of defence and offence. The spar continued, both fighters engaging in a mesmerizing disy of skill and strategy.


    Their movements became a dance of des, a choreography that unfolded with precision and grace.


    Swinging his sword with newfound vigour, Lucas unleashed a flurry of attacks, testing Yato''s defences. Yato responded with calcted moves, effortlessly evading and countering the onught.


    The intensity of the spar reached its zenith. Each strike and parry echoed the determination of thebatants, an unspoken dialogue etched in thenguage of their des.


    "You''ve improved," Yato acknowledged a hint of satisfaction in his voice. "But this is just the beginning, Lucas. There''s much more you can achieve."


    With those words, Yato intensified his attacks, pushing Lucas to his limits.


    Slowly but surely cuts began to appear on Lucas''s body, and blood started toe from his stomach sides.


    The sword sh between Lucas and Yato goes over minutes but Lucas already feels like he fought over an hour.


    This is the first time Lucas is vulnerable in a fight, He had thought at least he would put up some fight but he even did that.


    On the other hand, Yato didn''t even single scratch on his body or his clothes.


    For Yato, this is just child''s y he only wants to see how far will Lucas be able to endure it.


    ''Let''s see Lucas, will you break here or not?'' Yato thought as he nced at Lucas who trying to get some air in his lungs.


    "What? Is that all you can do? I''m disappointed in you. I thought you would be better than others but I think I was wrong." Yato mocked with a cocky smirk as he ced his katana on his shoulders.


    "Huff...Huff...Shut...Up...You...Huuf Fuck can''t breathe... Properly."


    "Is this the end Lucas?"


    "Huff... Who decided that this...is..end for me.?"


    Saying that Lucas focused on his movement art and sword art.


    In an instant, a surge of mana emanated from Lucas''s body, flowing outward in a brilliant azure hue.


    "[Celestial Parry] sword art-->[Starry Deflection]."


    "[Ster Stride] movement art--> [Astral Dash]


    Lucas yelled, his voice resolute.


    Lucas disappeared from Yato''s eyesight within a second.


    In a sudden burst of speed, Lucas appeared right before Yato in the blink of an eye, his sword raised in the air as he used [Starry Deflection].


    "So you got some fighting left in you," Yato remarked, his eyebrows arching in genuine admiration.


    As soon as he said that, Yato swiftly raised his sword, intercepting Lucas''s sword art before he could be delivered to Yato.


    With a deft manoeuvre, he skillfully altered the direction of the sword, forcing it to veer to the left.


    Thruck—!!


    As Lucas'' sword struck the ground, Yato was effectively able to disarm Lucas


    At that moment, a hint of disappointment tinged Yato''s voice as he capitalised on the opening.


    "But charging in blindly against me was a bad decision. I expected better from you," he remarked, his toneced with a touch of taunting.