Jahi PoV


    My lips were pursed as I observed the fight between Anput and Lady Fenryas, making note of how the Demon Wolf reacted to each of Anput''s attacks as she allowed herself to act as a sentient training dummy for my Jackalkin wife, honing her skills slowly but surely.


    Of course, I was still slightly annoyed at how she had treated Kat in the previous match, but after seeing the Dogkin sitting off to the side and nursing her wounds besides Nirinia and Mom, I calmed myself down.


    Obviously Lady Fenryas wouldn''t significantly and permanently harm Kat - that would be causing issues against the Asmodia''s for no apparent reason.


    But still, seeing her harm my love like that angered me, even if I could understand why she acted as she did.


    I drummed my fingers on the t of the great sword I was wielding, the de resting idly against my arm as I watched the end of Anput''s fight keenly, preparing and collecting myself mentally for my own fight toe.


    From what I had seen, the woman was testing us one something she made note of moments after the spar began; Kat was tested on her will and general skill, and Anput was tested on her skill with her armaments, both of which gave Lady Fenryas something to work with on the two of them.


    That meant that I should be able to figure out the thing she believes I need to work on the most quickly as well, which should help expedite my desire to grow stronger.


    When Anput was tackled to the ground, I sighed as I hefted the de and took in the sight of the ck skinned Demon Wolf sitting atop the Jackalkin, saying a few words to her before getting up.


    She even helped Anput up as well before turning towards me with a grin, her silver eye alight with battle lust and joy.


    "Well well well~! Yet another scion of the Asmodia House seeks me out for training! Another name to add to my list of blue skinned Demon brats desiring strength! You will be the fifth brat I''ve moulded into something better, something worthy of the name you bear. Tell me, will you continue the legacy that your forebears have set?"


    Stepping out to meet her, I allowed the great sword to hang loosely in my hands as I stared back at her, thinking for a moment before replying "No. I n on furthering it. Taking the Asmodia name and returning it to the same weight it bore with the first Asmodia. Perhaps even further than that."


    The Knights around us grinned - Mom included - as Lady Fenryas let out a sharp peal ofughter.


    "Oh really~! The first ever Asmodia... that''s a name few remember, but those of us who do know, know full well the weight it holds. Lofty ambitions and a voracious appetite for your future, young one. Now, let us see if you''ve the right to even dream of such a future! Come!"


    Without another word I lifted the great sword and rushed forwards, opting for a swift start that forwent raw power.


    It was an opener to test the waters, and Lady Fenryas ducked beneath the cleave of myrge de before jumping back to avoid the rapid follow up swing.


    Drawing the sword back, I instantly stabbed it towards her side and watched her reactions, searching her body for clues as I transitioned from a stab to another sh a momentter.


    There should certainly be some form of an opening... perhaps a cue she gives to a certain attack..?


    She smirked at me as I bashed at her chest with the t of the de, before leading with my elbow as I pushed her back when she raised her fist.


    Two swift, shallow shes with the tip of the sword cut into the air that she had previously upied, before I twisted my sword to block a well ced kick.


    The blow pushed me back a few steps as Lady Fenryas said "Well, that''s a good enough grasp on your offensive skills... now onto defensive. Prepare yourself now~! Just ask your deal old Mom how hard I can hit!"


    Her grin split her face as she flickered forwards, her speed far faster than Anput''s as her fist shot towards my face.<novelsnext></novelsnext>


    With her so close, I needed to dodge instead of block, so I tilted my head to the side and narrowly avoided her strike before stepping away, my de once more pushing against her as I created some space to prepare for an onught.


    Smirking at me, she began to prowl around the training grounds slowly, making me narrow my eyes as I searched her for clues.


    Testing my patience, or perhaps seeing how I react to sudden shifts in the style ofbat?


    Should I pursue or wait?


    As I continued to observe my opponent, I made the decision as I stepped forwards, opting for the middle ground.


    I could bait while still remaining in a defensive stance by feinting an attack on her, giving me something to work with going forwards.


    Her smirk widened as I stepped forwards, and I hefted my de slightly as I aimed it at her throat, beginning to thrust it forwards.


    Seeing that, she blitzed forwards to try and slip under my guard, only for her fist to m into the t of my de once more.


    I felt the de buckle slightly beneath her blow, but I didn''t focus on it too hard as I jabbed the hilt forwards, trying to smack her in the face with the metal rod.


    Lady Fenryas leaned back and avoided the blow, before her leg swept out and collided with my knee, forcing me down onto the ground.


    Raising her fist up once more, she punched down towards my face in retaliation, and I once more blocked it with my de, which buckled again.


    I could see the metal bending and warping back towards me, an imprint of her fist slowly forming.


    My knee was damaged - either cracked or broken - but the pain didn''t stop me from trying to stand, to remove myself from this disadvantageous position.


    Before I could though, her foot mmed back down into that same knee and kept me down, all while her fists rained down on my sword and slowly destroyed it.


    I grunted as I tried tounch a counterattack of some kind, wanting to use the sword as a way to switch into an attack, but Lady Fenryas shattered that hope alongside my weapon, her smirk annoyinglyrge.


    Before I could do anything else, I was sent flying back as she punched me in the cheek, pain erupting alongside the side of my head as I tumbled over the ground.


    "Not too shabby, scion. There''s something to work with there, something good. A gem waiting to be polished and cut into perfection. I''m impressed. You may just live up to your bold words after all! Good job Chordeva! Your daughter isn''t a waste! And that Light Magic too... oh, she might just be something special... I look forwards to these uing weeks..."


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    Side note, I feel like - once again lol - that I named the Asmodia founder a long time ago but I forgot and certainly have no idea where I did it, so... retcon time I guess lol~!


    If ites up again - or I make it more of a plot point, I''ll take note of her name (unless someone remembers)


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