Aria barely glanced at the cut on her calf. The wound was shallow, insignificant. But the fact that Anup had landed a hit at all—that was interesting.
She touched her leg briefly, her fingers coming away slick with a thin line of blood. Then, she grinned.
"Not bad," she mused, flexing her leg. "You're starting to entertain me."
Anup didn't react. He simply shifted his stance, blade ready. No gloating. No hesitation. Just focus.
Aria's smirk widened.
He was learning.
Good.
Then she vanished again.
A flicker of motion—not just speed, but precision.
Anup was already moving.
The moment she disappeared, he pivoted, blade flashing toward his left—
CLANG!
Steel met steel as Aria reappeared mid-swing, their swords clashing in a burst of sparks.
She exhaled a soft chuckle. "Oh? You're keeping up now?"
Anup didn't answer. He pushed forward, forcing her back with a sudden downward slash. Aria dodged—barely.
Her violet eyes gleamed with excitement. He was getting faster.
